Shell be fine outside for a while, nothing will happen to her
Youre late again!
Veronica dropped her bag and leaned against the hallway wall, her legs aching after ten hours on her feettax season in accounting always drained her.
Mrs. Green, its the quarterly report, I mentioned it this morning
You mentioned it, did you? Her mother-in-law pursed her lips in that way that meant, Youre at fault, end of story.
James poked his head out of the lounge, gave his wife a sheepish smile, and quickly retreated. Mrs. Green turned and left, trailing a cloud of disapproval and the scent of lavender.
Veronica slipped off her shoes and wandered into the kitchen. For two years, she and James had lived in this three-bedroom flat with his mother, saving for a deposit on their own place. And for two years, their savings melted away like ice cream in July. First the washing machine brokeIts ancient, we need a new, reliable one. Then the bathroom needed fixingThe tiles are cracked, how can anyone live like this? Then a new televisionJamess eyes hurt from the old screen.
She opened the fridge, glanced at the container of cold potatoes, and shut the door. She wasnt hungry.
A soft mrr sounded from below. Sophiea fluffy grey cat with a white patch on her chestrubbed against Veronicas ankles, arching her back and purring loudly.
Hello, little one, Veronica scooped her up, burying her nose in the warm fur. Were you waiting for me?
Sophie nudged her chin and purred even louder. Eight years ago, Mrs. Green had found her as a kitten near the front steps. Now Sophie was a dignified lady with a thick coat and a habit of sleeping only on the softest spots.
Veronica carried the cat to her and Jamess room, settled on the bed, and Sophie curled up beside her. In this flat, where every move was watched and commented on, the cat was the only creature who welcomed Veronica without complaint or silent reproach.
She stroked the soft fur, thinking that in six months, maybe eight at most, theyd move out. They had to.
But those months proved difficult. The changes crept in quietly. First, Mrs. Green snapped at Sophie for jumping on the kitchen table. Then she started shooing her from the sitting roomTheres fur everywhere, I cant breathe. Then she banned her from the sofa.
Thats furniture, not a cat bed! Shell be fine sleeping on the floor.
Veronica bought Sophie a soft basket, but the cat still hid in corners, flinching at sudden noises. She used to roam freely, but now she darted from room to room, careful to avoid Mrs. Greens gaze.
One evening, Veronica sat in an armchair with Sophie on her lap, scrolling through her phone. The cat purred, nudging her hand.
Veronica!
Mrs. Green appeared in the doorway, her face twisted in annoyance.
Get that animal off you! How many times do I have to say it? Fur on your clothes, fleas
Sophie doesnt have fleas, Veronica kept stroking the cat. I take her to the vet every six months.
Doesnt matter! Shes an animal, you understand? Stop fussing over her!
Sophie tensed, ears flat. Veronica set her on the floor, and the cat dashed under the bed.
Mrs. Green nodded in satisfaction and left. Veronica clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms.
Their savings grew slowly. Just a bit more and theyd have enough for the deposit. Veronica browsed property sites, bookmarked flats, calculated payments. A small one-bedroom in a quiet areanothing fancy, but theirs. And shed take Sophie, of course. The cat would lounge on the sofa, sleep on the pillow, wander wherever she pleased.
Soon, little one, Veronica whispered when Sophie curled up beside her at night. Well leave here soon. Just hold on.
That evening began like any other. Veronica came home, changed, opened her banking app to check the balance.
And froze.
Nearly all the money was gone
James!
Her husband appeared in the doorway, looking guilty as always, as if apologising in advance.
Vera, I meant to tell you
Wheres the money?
Mum The doctor said she should go to the seaside. For her heart, you know? A spa, treatments Shes really not well, and I thought
You thought, Veronica laughed, but it came out bitter and cracked. You thought! Weve been saving for a flat for two years! And every time, theres a reason to spend it!
Vera, shes my mum
And who am I? Who am I in this family, James?
He was silent, eyes down, shifting from foot to foot. Thirty years old and couldnt say no to his mother. Letting her decide how to spend their money.
Have you ever, Veronica stepped close, even once stood up for me? Even once told her we deserve our own life?
James looked up, confusion and something like pleading in his eyes.
Shes my mother, Vera. I cant
You cant. You never can.
Veronica turned away and went to the bedroom, slamming the door and leaning against it, eyes closed.
A quiet creakSophie came over and rubbed against her hand.
Veronica lay on the bed, and the cat settled beside her, head on her palm. The only one in the flat who needed her. She stroked the grey fur, staring at the ceiling as tears slid into her hair.
Morning brought an odd silence. Usually Mrs. Green clattered dishes in the kitchen, blasted the TV, talked to herself. Todaynothing.
Veronica stepped out of her room and stopped.
Mrs. Green stood in the hallway with a large bin bag. The corner of the cats litter tray poked out.
Wheres Sophie?
Her mother-in-law raised her brows, feigning surprise.
Sophie? Oh, the cat. I put her outside.
What?
Shes been driving me mad. Fur everywhere, yowling at night, eats like a horse. Eight years Ive put up with her, enough. Shell manage outside, nothing to worry about. Cats are tough.
Mrs. Green spoke calmly, almost indifferently, as if she were talking about a broken chair or an old rug.
You you threw her out?
Not threw out, let her go. She can hunt mice. Got too used to the good life! Chose you over me! Always clinging to you. Now shell see what shes lost!
Veronica didnt remember how she ended up outside. Slippers, pyjama bottoms, her husbands t-shirtwho cared. The yard. The steps. Bushes along the building.
Sophie! Sophie, here kitty!
The winter air stung her lungs. Her slippers soaked up puddles and mud. She searched the whole yard, behind bins, under parked cars. The basement. The door was ajar.
She squeezed inside, into the damp darkness smelling of mould and rusty pipes.
Sophie?
A faint, pitiful meow came from behind the pipes.
Veronica picked her way through junk, old boards, buckets. Sophie was curled in a corner, a small grey ball, eyes wide and frightened. When she saw Veronica, she meowed again, sounding almost like a cry.
Come here, sweetheart. Come to me.
Sophie crept out, trembling. Veronica scooped her up, holding her close. The cat clung to her shirt, purringuneven, nervous, loud.
Its alright. Ive found you. Youre safe now.
Mrs. Green blocked the doorway.
And where do you think youre taking her?
Home.
I saidno cats in my flat. Shes not coming back.
Veronica stood before her mother-in-law, Sophie pressed to her chest, still shaking.
Let me through.
No. Choosethe cat or the flat.
Mrs. Green
What? She sneered. Think I dont see how you fuss over that animal? More than your own husband. Stray cat, stray daughter-in-lawyoure made for each other. Both think you have a right to live here, to everything handed to you.
Veronica stepped forward. Mrs. Green didnt expect itshe backed up just enough. Veronica slipped past, clutching the cat.
Stop! Where do you think youre going?
Veronica went to her room, pulled out a travel bag, started packing. Underwear, t-shirts, jeans. Papers from the desk. Phone charger.
Mrs. Green appeared in the doorway.
What are you doing?
Packing. Isnt it obvious?
And where will you go?
Veronica zipped the bag, grabbed the cat carrier from the cupboard. Sophie climbed in herself, as if she understood it was time to leave.
Vera, James appeared behind his mother. Lets talk. Dont do this
I have to, James. This is the only way.
She walked past them, head held high, bag on her shoulder, carrier in hand.
Outside, she took out her phone and dialed.
Mary? Its Vera. Can I stay with you a few days? Yes, something happened. Ill explain. Thank you.
The taxi arrived in seven minutes. Veronica got in the back, set the carrier beside her. Sophie gazed at her through the bars, and in those green eyes was no fearonly trust.
Mary greeted them with a kettle and a tin of biscuits. She listened, shook her head, poured more tea. Sophie settled in within half an hoursniffed the corners, found a sunny spot on the windowsill, curled up.
Stay as long as you need, Mary said.
Three days later, Veronica found a flat. A tiny one-bedroom in an old building, overlooking the industrial estate, with noisy neighbours above. But it was cheap and allowed pets.
She moved her things by taxi, set up Sophies litter tray in the bathroom, bowls in the kitchen. The cat wandered the empty flat, rubbed against bare walls, meowed.
Well get used to it, Veronica sat on the floor beside her. Well buy furniture. Hang curtains. Make it cosy.
Sophie climbed onto her lap and purred.
James signed the divorce papers without protest. There was nothing to splitno savings left, no shared property. Mrs. Green, according to mutual friends, told everyone her daughter-in-law was ungrateful and left over a cat.
Veronica didnt argue. In a way, it was true.
The year passed slowly and quickly at once. Work, home, weekends with a book on the sofa. Sophie slept at her feet, greeted her at the door, purred in the evenings. Money finally accumulatedno sudden expenses for spas or televisions.
In spring, Veronica found a new flat. A small one-bedroom in a new build, with a wide windowsill to sit on and a balcony for flowerpots.
Contracts, mortgage, endless signatures. And thenthe key. The key to her own place.
Veronica opened the door and let Sophie in. The cat explored the empty rooms, sniffed every corner. She jumped onto the windowsill, sat with her tail curled around her paws, and looked at her owner.
Well, what do you think?
Mrr, Sophie replied.
Veronica sat beside her on the floor. Outside, the sun was setting, bathing the room in warm golden light. Bare walls, dusty floor, the scent of paint and newness.
Two years in someone elses flat. A year renting. And nowher own.
Sophie leapt from the windowsill, climbed onto Veronicas lap, and nudged her chin. Purring filled the empty room, echoing off the bare walls.
Veronica smiled and scratched the cat behind her ear.
The only good thing to come from that marriage was curled up on her lap, purring loudly. And perhaps, that was enough.
