Like Two Peas in a Pod
Simon was always the first to leave for work, and this frosty morning was no different. Before heading off, he called his wife to remind her and their son to bundle up properly the cold snap was biting outside.
Emily fussed about looking for warm clothes and soon realized shed run out of time for breakfast. Not wanting to go hungry, she decided to pack some sandwiches to eat on the way.
Ginger, their long-haired Persian cat, was never fond of chilly weather. Today, she was especially grumpy, hissing at anyone who so much as walked by her majesty, let alone attempted a stroke. Gingers temperament was trying at the best of times, but her family adored her, quirks and all, and forgave her every mood.
She kept up her hissing as Emily and her son, Oliver, stood in the hallway, all wrapped up to face the cold.
Mum, whos Ginger hissing at now? Were not even in the living room!
Shes just complaining about life, love. Thats her favourite thing to do.
Ginger entered their home as a tiny kitten, given away for almost nothing after being rejected by a breeder. Emily, upon hearing of the little ones uncertain fate, didnt hesitate to bring her home, even though she and Simon had only just married and were still living in a rented flat. From the start, Ginger was Emilys cat and no one elses she rewarded Simons friendly advances with hisses and the odd swipe of her claws.
Two years later, the couple finally moved into their own home, and a year after that, Oliver was born. To everyones astonishment, Ginger accepted him into her little world. As he grew, she never scratched him and allowed his clumsy strokes without complaint.
With her challenging nature, the entire family simply accepted Ginger as she was. Shed been part of the family for a full decade.
That morning, halfway to work, Emily suddenly remembered shed left her packed breakfast on the kitchen table. Since she hadnt gone far, she turned back for it. As she reached the buildings entrance, she heard a plaintive meowing from above. The street was still dim, but she could just about make out a cats silhouette on a branch overhead. Switching on the torch on her phone, Emily shone the light upwards. What she saw left her speechless staring right back was Ginger.
Thats impossible. Its been less than ten minutes, and you were still indoors when I left!
Realizing she was finally getting attention, the cat meowed louder, obviously eager to escape the cold. Emily quickly calculated what to do. The branch wasnt that high, and with a ladder she could probably reach the cat. Fortunately, Mr. Redman, the neighbour upstairs, was doing renovations and she thought he might have a ladder. She hurried up, knocked, and sure enough, he obliged, and together they returned outside to the gathering crowd debating how to rescue the freezing feline.
Mr. Redman propped the ladder against the tree and climbed carefully, as Emily steadied it and peered up. For a split second, she wondered if it really was Ginger but the moment Mr. Redman reached towards the cat and she hissed with her trademark fury, Emily was in no doubt.
Lucky for Mr. Redman, his gloves spared his hands from too many scratches. The shivering cat was soon safe in Emilys arms, purring in relief as she bundled her into her scarf and warmly thanked Mr. Redman, dashing indoors to warm up her chilly bundle.
But when Emily unlocked the front door, a sleepy Ginger leapt down from the bed and stretched before padding over only to freeze midway across the floor.
Ginger? Youre at home?
Emily looked at the feline shed carried inside. It was a red Persian, a perfect double for Ginger, though now, in the better light, she could see small differences shed missed outside in the dark. The rescued cat gazed into Emilys eyes, then gave her an affectionate lick on the nose.
Ginger, meanwhile, stalked up to Emily, threw her an unimpressed look, and turned her gaze towards the newcomer. For a moment, the two cats eyed each other warily mirror images, nearly indistinguishable.
Emily called her office to say shed be late, deciding to wait until Oliver got home from school. Together, surely, theyd figure out what to do.
Oliver was riveted by the story of the rescue, regretting he hadnt been there himself, and begged his mother to let the new cat stay forever. The two Gingers munched their food in opposite corners, each keeping a close eye on the other. Emily decided it was only right to put up notices about the found cat, in case someone was missing her, and planned to put them out that evening when Simon got home.
As the afternoon wore on, the found cat dashed to the hallway just as Simon turned his key in the door.
Ginger? Are you here to greet me today? he asked in surprise.
The cat rubbed against his leg, purring loudly.
Isnt she beautiful, Dad? Can we please keep her? pleaded Oliver.
Let your Dad get his coat off, and well tell him the whole story, said Emily.
Simon looked from his wife to his son to the cat, clearly confused. When he stepped into the living room, however, he was met by a familiar, outraged hiss from the sofa unmistakably, their Gingers greeting.
Wait there are two? How can there be two Gingers?
Emily recounted the entire tale her mistaken rescue, and how the new arrival was Gingers virtual twin.
Blimey. Surely someones out looking for her, Simon said.
Ive already put the notices out. Well go and put them up tonight.
The found cat seemed to sense the conversation was about her, as she hopped onto Simons lap and settled in. Dont you worry, if no one turns up for you, youll stay here with us. We wont abandon you, Simon promised gently.
Hooray! cheered Oliver.
No one ever answered the notice. No owner ever appeared, so the second Ginger found a permanent home with them.
In time, the two cats became the best of friends, and from that day on, anyone passing by could look up and spot two near-identical Persian cats in the family window as alike as two peas in a pod.
Sometimes, life surprises us with a double helping of love right when we least expect it, and teaches us theres always room in our hearts for one more.
