Emma didn’t immediately grasp who was creeping along the hedge. She parked her car and rushed towards the creature that desperately needed aid…
Drawing closer, Emma nearly wept with pity. Before her, swaying, stood a gaunt cat. She couldn’t even tell what colour it was, for the animal was caked in mud.
But the worst part—the poor thing could barely see or breathe. On its head was a cut plastic bottle, like a strange, fogged helmet.
—Who did this to you? — she gasped, carefully lifting the little wretch.
It felt weightless, as if made of smoke. The cat tried to jerk away with its last ounce of strength, but failed, and hung limply in her arms.
—Tom, are you at work? I need your help right now. Wait for me! — she shouted into her phone, then sped to the veterinary clinic where her friend worked.
For the next two hours, Tom and his colleagues fought for the animal’s life. Emma sat quietly in the corridor, listening to the muffled sounds.
—Well, I can say this… That cat was lucky to meet you. A bit longer, and we couldn’t have saved him. Let him stay here tonight. I’m on duty, I’ll keep an eye on your little fighter, — the young man smiled.
—Tom, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know… — Emma began, and burst into tears, burying her face in the vet’s shoulder.
Tom stroked her head:
—It’ll be all right, Em. Remember when we were kids? — he winked at his best friend.
Emma smiled through her tears. They’d known each other for years. Tom had bailed her out so many times. Since childhood, Emma had known—if Tom was around, everything would be fine.
—Go home. Your mum will get cross again, — he worried.
Emma nodded and hurried toward the exit. Tom watched her go with a soft, aching look…
*****
Tom’s concern wasn’t misplaced. He was Emma’s neighbour and knew her family well. The girl’s parents had long been heavy drinkers.
Last year, her father had passed away. Emma’s mother was inconsolable. She was losing herself more each day, taking it out on her daughter.
Tom had always felt a pang of pity for the pretty redhead with freckles.
He was three years older than Emma and had immediately taken her under his wing. He protected her from bullies and the girls who teased her. Emma accepted his help gratefully.
Unlike her parents, she aimed for a decent life. She left school with top grades. And she knew she’d have to work incredibly hard to get into a good university.
Now Emma was a third-year student in the Department of Modern Languages.
Tom was immensely proud of his friend. He’d recently graduated from the Veterinary College himself, loved his job, but reckoned that mastering foreign languages was far tougher.
Emma managed not only to study but also to work part-time as a courier in her old car, which she’d inherited from her father.
—I’m home! — Emma called from the hallway.
In reply, a steady snoring came. The flat reeked of alcohol. Her mother was asleep, one leg dangling off the sofa. Empty bottles littered the floor.
Emma sighed heavily, tidied up the mess, and went to her room to prepare for lectures.
The image of the tormented cat wouldn’t leave her mind. How was he? She picked up her phone and texted Tom…
The poor cat slept, twitching in fear. He felt his tormentors were still near. He whimpered softly, then slipped back into darkness.
—You’ll pull through, soldier! For Emma’s sake. She’s waiting for you, wishing you well, — Tom whispered, sitting beside him.
By morning, the cat opened his eyes and, seeing a person nearby, tried to flee. But he couldn’t. He stared at Tom in terror. Pain was frozen in his gaze.
—Easy, little one. I won’t hurt you, — Tom said.
But the cat knew that in this world, no one could be trusted. He tried to hiss, but only a rasp came out.
—It’s all right, handsome, — Tom said, carefully examining him.
The poor creature spent the whole week at the clinic. Emma came every day to see her new friend, who at first shied away from people. But then he chose Emma and Tom, slowly allowing them near.
—So you’re taking him home? — Tom asked.
He worried how Emma’s mother would react to a new family member. Emma nodded firmly, clutching the cat to her chest…
Surprisingly, the woman accepted the pet calmly. She only rasped:
—I hope I’m not expected to feed him?
Emma smirked. Her mother, Margaret, spent her entire pension on booze. The cat and her daughter were not part of her plans.
—Mum, I’ll feed him myself, — Emma sighed.
—A grown-up answer. Well done, — her mother said, pleased.
Then, as if waking from a daze, she asked:
—What have you called him?
Emma looked at the greyish-red cat and replied:
—Rusty.
—Actually, he does look a bit like a wildcat, — Margaret laughed.
So they began living with the cat. Emma felt happier coming home now, knowing someone was waiting for her…
Rusty didn’t trust Margaret. Her raspy voice and sharp movements scared him. And the smell of alcohol made him nervous.
So he stayed out of her way when Emma wasn’t home.
—He’s so wild, not cuddly at all, — her mother grumbled.
Emma shrugged and avoided arguments.
When Tom visited, Rusty would cautiously come out. Then he’d rub against his legs. He remembered the young man well and was grateful for being saved.
Tom told Emma that Rusty was about four years old. But the cat had been through a lot. He was missing some teeth, had a bad paw, and a weak heart.
—Too much stress—like a plane flight—would be dangerous for him, — Tom said.
—Oh, and I was just planning to take Rusty abroad on holiday, — Emma laughed, knowing full well no flights were in their future…
Two years passed.
Emma was finishing university and dreaming of a career as a translator. One day she was delivering a package of documents to the office of a large firm.
The receptionist took the parcel. Emma was about to leave when a flustered man came out of a meeting room:
—I’ve no idea what to do. Negotiations in an hour, and not a single decent translator available! — he sighed.
Emma stared at the handsome man. He noticed her too.
—You wouldn’t happen to be a translator? — he asked.
The receptionist opened her mouth, but Emma beat her to it:
—Yes, I am. I speak English and Chinese, — she replied briskly.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the receptionist’s eyes go wide as saucers. But she decided to take the risk…
So Emma soon graduated and was hired as a personal assistant to Michael.
Michael turned out to be a charming man of thirty-five. Within a couple of months, their relationship became more than professional. Emma enjoyed his attention. He courted her beautifully, giving unusual gifts.
—Something’s different about you, mate. Since you got that job, you’re a whole new person, — Tom said to Emma.
She smiled mysteriously. She didn’t want to share her happiness with anyone…
—You should tell her. How long are you going to pine after Emma? — Tom’s best friend Nick kept saying.
—Maybe you’re right. But I’m afraid she won’t feel the same. And I’ll ruin our friendship, — Tom admitted.
—This isn’t friendship, it’s torture. You look terrible, — Nick sighed gloomily.
Tom knew his friend was right…
It was Tom’s birthday, and as always, Emma was the first to come and congratulate him. She knocked on the door. Tom was already waiting at the threshold.
—Happy Birthday, Tom! — Emma said, stepping inside.
—After all these years, nothing changes, — Tom’s mother smiled, watching them.
Emma had baked Tom his favourite cake, as always. They sat in the kitchen drinking tea.
—You seem mysterious today, Tom. What’s up? — Emma started.
—Em, you know, I’ve been meaning to tell you something… — Tom began. But Emma cut him off:
—Listen, I’ve got something important to talk to you about too.
Tom froze. A flicker of hope stirred in his chest.
—Go on then, you first, — he offered.
Emma smiled:
—I’ve got the job. You know that. And also… I’ve fallen in love! — she blurted out, looking him straight in the eye.
He was flustered for a moment:
—Finally, Em. I’m so glad, because I’ve— — he couldn’t finish, because she interrupted again:
—And you know, he’s so caring… He’s older than me, but that doesn’t matter, right?
Tom thought about it. The three-year age gap between them had never bothered him. He nodded and listened, holding his breath.
—You see, this is my chance for a happy life. Michael is flying to London in two months, and he wants me to go with him.
But I can’t take Rusty. You said yourself his heart is weak. And Michael is allergic to animals, — she said.
Tom was stunned. It felt like a steamroller had flattened him:
—Wait, which Michael? What allergy? What about Rusty? — he asked quietly.
—Tom, are you even listening? Michael is my boss and fiancé. We’re moving to London. I’ve always dreamed of living and working abroad. It’s such an experience!
But we can’t take Rusty. I don’t know what to do. Leaving him with my mum isn’t an option, and giving him away… You know Rusty won’t go to anyone else, — Emma sighed.
Tom sat in silence.
“What an idiot I am!” — flashed through his mind. He forced himself to smile carelessly:
—Well, Em. That’s news! Don’t worry, mate. Everything will be fine, I promise! I can take Rusty. He knows me. As long as you’re happy, — he said cheerfully.
Emma looked into Tom’s eyes. They had turned sad and dim, though moments ago they had shone with joy.
—What did you want to tell me? — she asked uncertainly.
—Oh, nothing. Just some changes at work, — Tom waved his hand…
For two months, Emma prepared for the move.
Strangely, the closer the departure date, the heavier her heart became:
“Probably I’m afraid to leave Mum alone…” — Emma thought. But deep down she knew that wasn’t the main reason for her sadness.
Tom’s sorrowful gaze kept appearing before her eyes. How would she live without him? They had been best friends for so many years.
Lately, Emma had even begun to feel that their friendship had grown into something more…
“Stop it! I’m going to live with Michael in London. And yet I’m thinking about Tom,” — she tried to push away her anxious thoughts.
Rusty carefully climbed into her lap. He sensed something was wrong with his owner. So he tried to comfort her, purring softly.
—Rusty, my love. How can I live without you? — Emma whispered.
She remembered the recent conversation with Michael, who had made it clear there was no place for a cat in their life:
—Em, I can’t spend my whole life on antihistamines because of some animal. Even if it’s your favourite, — he had said.
And those words felt like a death sentence…
—Well, Em, time to say goodbye! — Tom said briskly. He held Rusty in his arms.
—Tom, please call me. Don’t forget, — Emma whispered through tears.
—Don’t get upset, or Rusty will get nervous. Sorry we can’t take you to the airport, — Tom smiled.
They stood on the landing. Tom let Rusty inside and hugged Emma.
“Don’t let her go… Just don’t let her go!” — pounded in his temples.
—I have to go, — Emma said, and kissed him on the cheek.
—I won’t forget. Never forget, — Tom whispered, releasing her…
She stood at the check-in counter, knowing her fate was being decided right now.
—Why so glum? — Michael encouraged her.
She tried to smile.
“I won’t forget… Never forget…” — Tom’s words echoed in her temples…
Emma stared out the taxi window at the receding airport terminal.
—Coming back from somewhere? — the driver asked.
—No, I just stayed, — Emma replied, tears of joy streaming.
—That happens… I think you made the right call, — the driver said philosophically.
Rusty sat looking sad.
—It’ll be all right, Rusty! — Tom encouraged.
A persistent knock came at the door. Tom opened it and froze…
—On your birthday, you wanted to tell me something, but I interrupted, — Emma said.
Tom smiled:
—What are you doing here? — he asked.
—Tom, tell me: what did you want to say? — Emma repeated.
But the young man was silent, looking at her. Then he stepped closer and embraced her.
She stroked the delighted Rusty, who was rubbing against her legs, and whispered:
—I love you, and I can’t live without you and Rusty…
—That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you, my love, — Tom replied.
