By Own Choice
– And where do you think youre going? Sarah hissed, catching sight of Emily about to leave fifteen minutes before the end of the workday. The working day isnt over yet, you know.
– Girls, I really have to – Emily looked pleadingly at her colleagues.
Yet she found no trace of sympathy in their eyes. They were coldlike bits of hail.
– I dont care! If you go now, Ill tell Mrs. Williams everything, – Sarah delivered her ultimatum.
– Do what you like, – Emily waved dismissively and grabbed her handbag from the desk before dashing out of the office.
She knew full well shed likely get sacked tomorrow, but she couldnt do otherwise. The reason may not have been officially valid, but it was so important to her. A pity no one understood.
*****
A month earlier.
Emily was sitting in Mrs. Williams office, heart pounding as she awaited the verdict from the company director.
And it wasnt just waiting; shed been silently praying all along for luck to get this job.
And it seemed, for once, her prayers were heard.
– You seem to be a good fit for us, – the woman said briskly after reviewing the papers on her desk. But I must warn you right away
Emily tensed, but kept her expression neutral.
Whatever Mrs. Williams said now, she would agreeshe had to.
Why? Because you wouldnt find another job in her town for this sort of salary.
Shed already steeled herself for any reasonable conditions.
– In my company, – Mrs. Williams went on, everyone arrives and leaves on time.
Emily listened hard, careful to catch every word.
– If you break the rules, youll face a deduction and lose your bonus; and if it happens often, then Ill be brief. In fact, there wont be any conversationa piece of paper, a pen, a resignation, and all the best.
Emily felt oddly relieved. Mrs. Williams hadnt said anything truly monstrous. Discipline was important everywhere now.
– I hope Ive made myself clear? the manager asked, straightening her glasses. If you turn up late without good reason, dont expect special treatment. I wont look the other way.
Mrs. Williams was about to file Emilys paperwork when she glanced at her again.
– Work time is for work. Please sort your personal problems out in your own time. Understood?
– Yes, I understand, – Emily nodded. When can I start?
– Tomorrow. We begin at nine sharp. Though its best to be here ten, fifteen minutes early.
– Of course.
– And please put your phone on silent or switch it off so youre not distracted by calls. My rules, Im afraid. And if anyones unhappy, no ones holding you here.
– That suits me just fine, Mrs. Williams. Thank you so much for giving me this chance.
– I hope you wont disappoint me.
Emily genuinely appreciated this stern woman. After a month of applying everywhere, rejection after rejection, finally someone had given her a break.
No-one wanted a young, inexperienced employee. Even with a first-class degree.
– You can buy a degree off the internet these days, – the HR person at one firm told her. We need experience, not certificates.
But Emily never understood how you got that precious experience if no one would hire you.
Mrs. Williams was the only one who agreed to take her on, and Emily was determined to prove shed made the right decision.
*****
The next day, Emily was already at the office doors by eight twenty.
No one else was there, so she waited for the security guard, Mr. John Bennett, to arrive.
He came at half eight and was taken aback to see her.
– Been here long? he grinned, fishing out his keys.
– Not really. About ten minutes.
– What brought you in so early? Trying to impress Mrs. Williams?
– Not really. My bus comes quite early. If I get the next one, I might be late. From what I gather, discipline is strict here.
– True enough, – Mr. Bennett said, unlocking the door. Fancy a coffee?
– Id love one, – Emily smiled at the man who was old enough to be her father.
She felt a rare warmthso unusual for a stranger to show kindness these days.
She headed towards the coffee machine, but Mr. Bennett stopped her.
– Dont even think about it.
He invited Emily into his den, pulled out a big flask and a bag of fresh pastries.
– Did your wife make those? Emily smiled as he spread golden, sweet-smelling pastries out.
– Nope, I did myself!
– Yourself?
– What about it? I live alone, so I have to do it all. These are my nans recipe. Try one. Apple in these, blackcurrant in those. Will you manage a couple?
– Ill give it a try, – Emily said, reaching for a pastry.
By a quarter to nine, Emily was at her desk, poring over the paperwork shed be working with. Her co-workers arrived ten minutes later.
They looked at her coldly, not even greeting her, chit-chatting for five minutes about some soap or dramatic real-life event before getting started.
Right on the dot of nine, Mrs. Williams arrived. She looked like she meant businesseyebrows arched, face composed.
A true iron ladybut not repellent. In fact, there was something strangely compelling about her Emily couldnt quite place.
Deep down, Emily sensed she was strict but good.
Mrs. Williams said hello to her staff, but her gaze lingered on Emily as she entered her office. Emily could have sworn she smiledbut only at her.
– Mr. Bennett said you were the first here today. Well done. Ladies, Emily is already working while you havent even switched your computers on!
After that, Emilys colleagues gave her daggers. Not surprising.
Only yesterday, when Mrs. Williams introduced Emily as the new team member, the others had been whispering, and now Emily felt like total enemy number one. They didnt even bother to hide their hostility.
It was Sarahmost likely the leader of this close-knit groupwho was particularly hostile. The others always fell in line with her.
When Emily approached Sarah with work questions, shed respond curtly, sometimes with barbed comments.
What have I done to her? Emily wondered. Why does she treat me this wayand turn the others against me?
She once tried to ask directly but got no real answer.
A week passed. Then two.
Emily tried to block out the cold shoulders and snickeringthrowing herself into work. Mrs. Williams often praised her, making her an example:
– Take note, girls. This morning I asked Emily to prepare all the files by the end of the daydone and dusted before lunch! If only everyone worked this promptly.
Mrs. Williams back in her office, Sarah and her group would glare at Emily for an hour straight.
All told, Emily had a rocky relationship with the groupthey never accepted her and probably never would.
Well, at least theyre not actually nasty, just cold, Emily reassured herself.
The only person to talk to was Mr. Bennett.
He started showing up for work earlier too, at eight twenty, so Emily wasnt left standing outside on her own.
Theyd chat and have coffee before the workday began.
One day
– So, how are you getting on, then? asked Mr. Bennett, pouring coffee from the flask.
– Its alright, I suppose.
– You probably think Mrs. Williams is very strict, demanding?
– Not really, – Emily replied honestly. I was raised with discipline. Its normal to me.
– Thats good, – the security guard smiled, finishing his coffee. Actually, Mrs. Williams is kind deep down. Treat her like a human being, and shell treat you the same. Looks strict, but insideshes generous and sad.
– Why sad?
– Because were all only human, and life throws us problems. She had an abortion when she was young, and now she cant have kids. Wishes she could, but cant. No husband, even though shes successful and rather lovely. She keeps herself busy at workbut happiness doesnt live in a bank account or an office.
– Cant argue with that. If you dont mind me asking, how do you know all these details? About the abortion, I mean?
Emily really was curious how the security guard knew so much about his bosss private life. Had she told him herself?
– Well – Mr. Bennett hesitated, realising hed said too much.
He swiped away a single tear.
– It was me she got pregnant by, back then.
– Oh!
– Yes. We really loved each other. Not just a fling, but something genuine. But we were from very different backgrounds. She came from money; I grew up in the care system. Her family pushed for an abortion. And she was scared too. We were both so young. She was in her third year at university, I was working as a builder at her parents house. Thats how we met.
– What happened next?
– What dyou think? When I found out what shed done, I couldnt bear to see or hear from her again. Moved away with my building firm. Travelled the country. Promised myself Id never love again.
Mr. Bennett gazed thoughtfully out the window.
– And I never did, except for her. Then fate brought us together again. I came here, applied for this job, and there she was the boss, as they say. Never thought Id see her again.
He chuckled softly, remembering the meeting.
– She didnt recognise me at first, then sent me out of her office and cried for ages. I heard her.
– Then what?
– I was about to leave, thinking thered be no job for me, but she threw open her door and said shed hire me as the security guard. Gave me the same warning as youone slip-up and Id be out.
– Have you forgiven her?
– I have. But she cant forgive herselfnot betraying our love, not being able to have children, not being happy in life. Dont tell anyone, eh? he caught himself suddenly.
– Dont worry, I wont, – Emily promised, thinking, Who would I tell, anyway?
After two weeks, Emily was fully into her work, managing everything herself. Suddenly, Mrs. Williams called everyone into her office and explained she had to leave town on business.
– So, ladies, while Im gone, Sarah will cover for me. Ive known her for years and I trust her. But let me be very clear: discipline must be kept.
She looked them all in the eye, deadly serious.
– Trust me, if I find out anyone arrives late or leaves early, therell be dismissals.
Emily was disappointed Mrs. Williams was leaving, but tried not to show it. Nothing will go wrong she reassured herself. Mr. Bennett told her the same.
But something did go wrong.
The very next day, with Sarah now in charge.
*****
Early morning.
– Miss, are you getting on or not? the bus driver called impatiently.
Emily didnt hear him. Standing on the lower step, her eyes were fixed on a grey cat lying under a bench at the bus stop.
Why is she lying there? And why breathing like that? She felt oddly anxious.
– Are you getting on or not? the driver repeated, his irritation obvious.
– What? No, Im not. Sorry – Emily muttered, stepping down.
The bus doors slammed, and it pulled away quickly.
Emily knelt by the bench and gently touched the cat.
– Hey, you alright?
The cat, still breathing heavily, looked at her with startled yellow eyes.
Shed tried so many times to get peoples attention, to ask for help, but no one seemed to care. Now, someone had come to her.
– Youre so thin, – Emily murmured, running her hand over the grey fur, – and your tummys huge, like youre pregnant. Are you really?
– Mrow, – the cat answered softly, with such despair in the sound.
– What will you do now, eh? Wholl feed you out here with kittens coming?
Emily glanced at her watch and sighed. Then at the cat. Another heavy breath.
She knew Sarah would report her if she was late. No way would she approve her request to leave early.
Oh well, Ill think of something, Emily decidedand carried the cat home.
That was the beginning
As she feared, Sarah chewed her out. She was acting like a real boss now. All smiles, Sarah then announced, no monthly bonus for Emily.
Never mind the bonus, Emily thought. At least the cats safe.
That night, Emily begged the cat not to have kittens until the weekend.
But at half two in the morning, strange noises roused Emilyand she found the cat giving birth. She sat with her until dawn, not leaving until three fluffy kittens emerged.
– Oh, so youve completely lost your mind! Sarah yelled at Emily, when she was late for work the second day in a row.
– Sorry. I rescued a cat, and she had kittens I couldnt leave her alone.
– And you think thats a good reason to be late to work?
– No, but
– Right! From now on, you get docked for every late arrival. Dont say I didnt warn you!
Emily promised not to let it happen again. Next day, she was on time.
But during lunch, she was late backshed rushed home by taxi. Yet on the way back, she got stuck in traffic
If the cat wasnt struggling to feed her litter, Emily wouldnt have left during work. But she needed to supplement feed the kittens every day.
No matter how hard she tried, she could not always be on time. Shed explain to Sarah, talk about caring for the cat and kittens left alone
But Sarah was uninterested, only docking her pay more and more.
At this rate, Ill have no salary left And the kittens will soon need food as well. How will I pay for it with no money? Emily worried.
– Its a right pickle youre in – Mr. Bennett mused when Emily told him over coffee. Is there anything I can do to help?
– How could you help? Emily sniffled. I cant bring the cat and kittens to work for you to watch over. And Ill be out of a job soon anyway. Once Mrs. Williams is back, Ill be sacked for breach of rules.
– Well see about that
Two more weeks flew by. Tomorrow Mrs. Williams was due back, but today Emily had to leave work early again for a vet visit. Fortunately, shed finished all work, so her conscience was clear, if not from Sarah
– And where do you think youre going? Sarah hissed, seeing Emily heading out fifteen minutes early. The workday isnt over yet.
– Girls, please I really need to – Emily looked at her colleagues, hoping for support.
But all she saw were cold, icy stares.
– If you go now, Ill tell Mrs. Williams everything, – Sarah insisted.
– Do what you like! Emily waved her off, grabbed her bag, and dashed out.
*****
The next day, she was summoned to Mrs. Williams office, where Sarah sat waiting. On the desk, a sheet of paper and a pen. Emily understood everything.
– Ive heard all about whats gone on these two weeks, – Mrs. Williams began.
– Yes, its my fault, – Emily sighed. I just had no other choice.
– Mr. Bennett explained about you caring for the cat and kittens.
– Thats hardly an excuse for lateness, – Sarah smirked.
Mrs. Williams fixed her with a stern look, making Sarah fall silent.
– Please dont interrupt me, Sarah. Yes, a cat giving birth isnt a valid reason for breaking rules, but – Mrs. Williams turned to Emily and smiled, kindly, like a mother to her daughter. But is it not reason enough to show a bit of compassion?
– But she broke the rules and disobeyed me by leaving early yesterday.
– She did, I dont deny it. But as far as Im aware, Emily managed all her tasks. On time. Unlike you and your friends. More importantly, Sarah, you failed the most basic test of humanity. Instead of supporting someone who took a stray pregnant cat in and cared for her, you stripped Emily of most of her pay. Is that fair?
Sarah wasnt smiling now.
She shrank back, looking smaller and smaller, like she wanted to vanish, to become a mouse.
– In short, Sarah, heres the form, heres the pen. Please write your resignation and all the best. Cold-hearted people like you have no place in my company. Ill have a word with the others as well, but I suspect they just fell under your influence.
While Sarahs shaking hand scribbled her resignation, Mrs. Williams thanked Emily for rescuing the cat and gave her two weeks paid leave. Her pay and bonus were reinstated.
Emily took ages to come to terms with it. Shed braced herself for the worstwhat happened turned out to be the best.
– Confess, was this your doing? Emily joked with her cat, Lizzie, as the two lay resting from the ever-hungry kittens.
Lizzie looked at her with comic surprise, making Emily burst out laughing.
A month and a half later, Mrs. Williams and Mr. Bennett unexpectedly turned up at her door.
– H-hello, – Emily stammered. What are you doing here? Has something happened?
– No, nothings wrong. John and I decided we want to take the kittens. You posted an ad online, didnt you?
– I did But I have three.
– Three isnt nearly enough for us! Mrs. Williams laughed. Were moving to the countryside, plenty of space for all. Im going to spend less time at work nowwant to live a little for myself.
Well, another Sarah will just arrive and impose her ways, Emily thought.
– While Im away, youll be acting director, Emily. Can you handle it?
– Me? But Im so new
– Yes, you. Youre the only one I trust with my lifes workI know you wont let me down.
– By the way, I brought homemade pastries, – Mr. Bennett beamed. How about a nice cup of tea?
That evening the kitchen was lively.
At first they chatted about all sortslike old friendsthen the kittens woke up, and Mrs. Williams and Mr. Bennett laughed loudly, playing with the little ones.
Emily watched them, tears in her eyes. Happiness, she realised, shone in their faces.
Cat Lizzie watched too, delighted that there are still PEOPLE in the world who know how to truly love. So all is not lostAs the last sunlight spilled golden through Emilys window, she looked around at this unlikely gathering. The woman who had once seemed so unreachable, and the man who had been a quiet friendall transformed tonight, somehow softer, easier, alive. The kitchen was warm with laughter and the scent of pastries, the kittens clambering over their new people.
Emily felt something shift inside her, a quiet certainty replacing the doubt shed brought to this job, this town, even to herself. She wasnt just rescuing abandoned things anymore. She was building something newtrust where there had been suspicion, gentleness where the world had been cold.
When Mrs. Williams rose to leave, she gently squeezed Emilys hand. Youll do fine, you know. Sometimes the right choice is the one that costs you. And sometimes, it brings you home.
Outside, dusk settled. Mr. Bennett lingered, a kitten nestled under his arm. He grinned, years falling away from his face.
After the door closed, Emily sat in the soft hush, Lizzie curled against her legs. The house felt fullof hope, of second chances, of the promise that kindness, given wholeheartedlyeven if it breaks a rule or twois always worth it.
Somewhere, far off, church bells rang for evening. Emily smiled, stroking Lizzies head. Maybe, she thought, you can only find your place by your own choiceand if youre lucky, by your own heart.
And in that moment, surrounded by tiny purrs and remembered dreams, Emily knew she had finally come home.
