You Didnt Believe Me
Charlotte rang two days later. This time, her voice was edged with anxiety.
I told you, love, that Daniel of yours has something odd about him. You just never believed me But now Ive got proof!
What proof? I replied, genuinely startled, a chill crawling down my back.
What could she have possibly found out about the man I cared so much for?
*****
Theres a reason, as they say, for, Act in haste, repent at leisure.
At twenty-six, Id heard that old saying more times than I could count, and always tried to keep it in mindjust in case.
Yet that fateful evening, I truly had no other choice. Id just left the shop with two bulging carrier bags, when I spotted my bus standing at the stop with its doors wide open and waiting.
So I ran.
Wait for me! I shouted to the driver, who was deeply engrossed in a phone call and clearly didnt hear me.
Thats when it happenedthe last thing I expected. My heel snapped off. Next, I twisted my ankle, and then finally hit the pavement, ripping a pair of brand-new tights at the knee.
Half my shopping rolled helplessly out across the pavement.
I gazed at the bus, which was now nonchalantly pulling away, my eyes stinging with tears.
What rotten luck.
Suddenly, that old saying popped into my head and, despite the pain, I managed a faint smilebeing in a rush never does anyone any favours.
Thats enough excitement for today. Ill get a taxi and go home in peace, I resolved. The only problem was getting back to my feet, as my ankle throbbed painfully.
Suddenly, a man appeared beside me. I didnt get a good look at his face, but his voice was warm and reassuring.
Where are you off to in such a hurry, miss? Are you hurt? Here, let me help you.
I was just trying to catch my bus. Next ones not for half an hour I sighed, taking his offered hand.
He helped me up and began gathering my spilled groceries.
Thank you so much, I said, taking note of his kind eyes. When I reached for my bags, he just grinned and held them back.
Tell you whatwhy dont I give you a lift home?
Me? Home? I was taken aback. Its all right, really, Ill order a cab. Its no bother.
Oh, why waste money on a cab? he chuckled. Im a cabbie myself. Come on, let me walk you to the car.
Normally, Id have thought twiceor morebefore getting into a strangers car. But now I just wanted to get home quickly and, to be honest, his genuine demeanour put me at ease.
On the drive, the driverhe introduced himself as Danieltried to cheer me up with stories of his passengers.
One woman complained that I got her to her appointment too fast!
Hows that possible? I asked, amused.
She booked the cab for eight, but didnt need to be at the hairdressers until nineshe thought shed need the extra time with rush hour. But I took some back streets, got her there in half an hour. She rang the office to say, What am I supposed to do with half an hour to kill!?
Thats brilliant
Soon enough, we pulled up outside my flat.
This is you, isnt it? Daniel asked.
It is. Thank you
What floor are you on? he continued.
I hesitated. Why?
To help carry your bags, of course. How will you manage with that ankle?
I wasnt sure how to reply. On one hand, the thought of lugging shopping up the stairs was daunting. On the other, I wasnt keen for a stranger to know exactly where I lived.
No need to worry, Charlotte. I genuinely just want to help. I wont even charge you for the ride, he assured.
Oh no, thats not rightyoure working, so I should pay, I countered.
But he wouldnt hear of it. I placed a crumpled note on the seat regardless, but noticed moments later that he tucked it into one of my grocery bags as we got to my flat.
Thanks again, Daniel.
No need, he smiled. If you like, I can pick you up for work tomorrow? Its no trouble.
Are you planning to be my personal chauffeur now? I joked.
And why not? he grinned.
Thats how we met. From then on, Daniel drove me to work each morning and took me home at night.
Interestingly, he refused to accept any money.
Daniel, is it your habit, not taking fares from everyone, or am I just lucky? I asked once.
We agreed youd call me Dan. And yes, its just you thats so lucky, he replied, smirking.
With that chance encounter at the bus stop began daily coffee dates, evening strolls through town. Daniel was genuinely charming.
Id never imagined a cab driver could be so much of a gentleman.
A month on, I introduced Daniel to my best mate. I wanted Charlottes opinion on him.
I dont like him much, Charlotte said when we were alone.
Why not? I was surprised. He seems perfectly lovely. Good-looking, polite, doesnt smoke
And thats exactly it, Ella. Before I had my own car, I took cabs all the time, but never met a driver like him. Hes too nice. As if hes not quite what he seems.
What do you mean?
I think hes pretending to be someone hes not. Maybe hes even a con artist.
But con artists are after your money, and Dan has never taken a penny from me.
Thats odd too. What cabbie regularly gives free rides? Their wages arent exactly great. Usually, someone who acts like that is after your trust first. You wanted my opinion? Here it is: hes strange, and I dont trust him.
Charlottes words gave me pause. I didnt share all her doubts, but could see the logic in what she said.
Dan had just sort of fallen into my life out of nowhere. Almost too perfect.
Maybe he really is a prince in disguise, I thought half-jokingly.
I decided to keep seeing Daniel, but not to rush into anything until I got to know him a bit better.
*****
Why so glum? Something happen at work? Daniel asked as I climbed into his cab one evening.
No, nothing like that. Its just Im not sure if youll understand Charlotte, my friend who you met recently, volunteers at an animal shelter. Hardly anyone visits anymore. For days on end, they get no one coming to adoptand thats terrible, because all these kittens just end up stuck there. Even after taking out adverts with their own cash, nothing changed. Charlottes stressed, Im worried Id adopt a kitten myself, but my landlady wouldnt permit it.
I told Daniel about a little grey kitten found starving in a box at the train station, about a ginger one found outside the registry office with a bad leg, and several others.
Each week brings new strays to the shelter. Their stories are heartbreaking. Soon there wont even be room to keep them
A real shame, that. Where is this shelter exactly? Daniel asked gently.
Just outside of town, I replied. Bit hard to get to, so theres not much foot traffic.
The next day, Charlotte rang me, her voice tight with excitement.
Guess who came to our shelter, Ella?
The mayor himself?
Noyour Dan. And you know what he did? she continued.
What?
He adopted a kitten! Said he wanted to help in this rough patch. Did you tell him about our troubles?
I did, I smiled. Looks like it worked. Which one did he takethe grey, black, or the ginger?
The grey one. But Im still not thrilled, to be honest. Something about him doesnt sit right with me.
Oh, Charlotte, thats silly. Maybe you dont like him, but surely you can admit he did a good thing!
Perhaps But whether or not it was really good, we still dont know
Whats with you lately? He adopted a kitten, thats wonderful! Its one less lonely soul.
Charlotte wanted to say more, but she was called away, and our conversation ended.
That evening, as Daniel and I walked through the park, I waited for him to mention adopting the kitten, but he said nothing.
Dan
Yes?
Are you not going to tell me you took a kitten from the shelter?
You heard from Charlotte?
Of course! You thought nobody would find out? I smiled. Honestly, I want to thank you. That was a stand-up thing to do.
I just didnt want to make a fuss and have you praise me. I did it because I wanted to.
I know
It dawned on me that Dan really was a good man, and I began to resent Charlottes suspicions. Maybe she was just jealous, I thought, then dismissed itit wasnt like her.
*****
A couple of days later, Charlotte rang again, even more agitated. I could even hear her sniffling.
I told you that Daniel is an odd one. And now, I have actual proof!
What now? I gasped, cold dread running through me.
Hes been to the shelter again. Yesterday and the day before.
Why? Did he bring the kitten back?
No, Ella. He took two more.
Oh, come on! Loads of people have two or three cats at homenothing unusual about that.
You say that because youre smitten, Charlotte chided. Youre not thinking straight.
Why do you think its so strange?
Why would a cab driver want three kittens at home? Do you know how much time they work? Unless hes got a whole family at home and, as we know, your Daniels single.
So he wanted more cats. Maybe he realised he could manage a few more, and wanted to help the shelter.
If so, why collect them on different days, from different volunteers? Why all the cloak-and-dagger?
I had no answer to that. In fact, I hadnt even realised it myself.
Ill ask him, I replied, ending the call, I just hope hes got a good explanation
*****
Dan, will you invite me over sometime? Youve seen my place, but Ive never been to yours I said as we left a café.
Definitely. Just not tonightmy flats a tip, he apologised.
I see And hows the kitten settling in? Chosen a name yet?
Hes doing fine. As for the nameno rush, is there? Dan grinned.
That exchange left me a little unsettled. Dan had never lied to me before, but I sensed something offstill hadnt named the kitten, hadnt mentioned the other two.
Could Charlotte actually be right about him? What if he wasnt who he said he wasand what on earth did he want with all those kittens?
I met with Charlotte the next day and shared my doubts.
I told you, theres something not right. If Dan had come during my shift, Id have asked him straight: Why do you want so many kittens? But he timed it to deal with different volunteers so no one noticed. You told him how desperate things were at the shelter, so he knew it would be easy.
But why would he need so many kittens? He seems like a good person
How can you be sure? He wouldnt even let you visit his flat. Do you know why?
Why?
Because there arent any kittens at all! And he knew youd spot it straight away.
No It cant be true
Sadly, its the only explanation. We handed those kittens to an animal abuser!
But Charlotte, why would an animal abuser bother with the shelter? Why not just pick up strays off the street?
I dont know, honestly Maybe its time to get the police involved.
Or what if we try to catch him out ourselves first?
Youve got a plan?
I do.
*****
The next few days, Charlotte and I spent at the shelter, hoping Dan would show up. Our theory was, if he really was up to something dodgy, he would definitely be back.
I told Dan I was away on a work trip.
Firstly, it was part of the plan. Secondly, I just couldnt be near someone I now doubted so much.
Hes here, Ella choosing another kitten. Hes even smiling! Charlotte whispered.
So its true, I sighed. How could I be so wrong about someone Did he spot you?
No, Im watching from the window.
All right, then its time to go through with our plan. Time to get to the bottom of this.
*****
We followed Dans taxi across town after he left the shelter, with a new kitten in tow. Strangely, he seemed to drive about aimlessly, kitten still with him.
We waited, trailing his car, until, at last, he drew up by a block of flats on the far edge of town.
One more client dropped at her address, I murmured to Charlotte.
Looks like it
A woman in her sixties got outhed picked her up from the supermarket twenty minutes earlier. Dan said something to her and handed her the kitten.
I cant do this! I declared, suddenly. I need answers!
I hurried out of the car and over to Daniel. He was visibly startled.
Ella! What are you doing here? I thought you were away?
I came back I replied, sharper than intended. Well? Anything you want to tell me, Dan?
What do you mean?
Dont play innocent! Whats with all the kittens from the shelter? Dont tell me theyre at your placeI know for a fact they arent, I lied. God, I never imagined youd be cruel to animals!
Ella, honestly, whats come over you?
The woman glanced between us, horrified, and scurried toward her building.
Well, look at what youve done now, Dan sighed, holding the kitten.
Explain, then! Whyd you take the kittens? What did you want with them?
Nothing nefariousIve simply been finding them loving homes. You said hardly anyone visits the shelter, right? So I decided to help.
Giving the kittens to strangers?
Not strangersjust kind people who were ready to care for them. I can read people pretty well, believe me.
Charlotte had grown impatient and came over to join us.
Elladont let him sweet-talk you!
Hang on, Charlottelets hear him out
Well, ladies, Dan grinned, theres a café just nearby. What say we go inside, have a coffee, and Ill tell you everythingno more secrets?
Charlotte and I exchanged surprised looks. His calm confidence threw us, but we agreed.
Inside, over coffee, Dan explained everything.
My brothers a cabbie. Broke his leg falling down the stairs and needed me to cover his shifts for a while. The thing is, if you go off the job too long, your rating drops and its hard to recoverhed lose a good chunk of his pay. I agreed to help out until he was back. Todays actually my last cover shift.
And whats your usual work? Charlotte pressed.
I do have a job, just well, lets say its got four legs and fur involved, Daniel chuckled. To be clearI own the local pet shop.
There was a stunned silence.
So Dans not to blame after all, I smiled at Charlotte. And you didnt believe me when I said he was a good man, eh? Maybe we shouldnt have been so quick to judge.
How was I supposed to know? Charlotte shrugged. But I was right about one thinghe isnt exactly who he says he is. Masquerading as a cabbie when hes actually a pet shop owner. Thats why I was suspicious. Still, fair play, hes an honest bloke after all.
And if you ever want support at the shelter, Charlotte, Im happy to helpeither some money or food for the cats, said Dan.
That would be more than welcome!
And what about this kitten you couldnt rehome? I asked with a smile.
Hell come home with me. No way is he going back to the shelter.
So, am I finally invited to your place, or is it a mess again? I teased.
Its spotlesscome on over.
That evening I finally visited Dans flat and saw, for myself, that he was genuine. Two friendly cats already lived there.
Anyone who loves animals so much cant be bad. My faith in Dan was restored, and now he had a new little kitten as well. The older cats were a bit wary at first, but Dan assured me theyd get alongand I believed him.
*****
Not long after, I moved in with Daniel. We became a happy little family.
And Muffythats what we named the ginger-and-white kittensettled in well, eventually charming the older cats and ruling the place.
Dans brother, Tom, made a full recovery and resumed his cab driving. If Dan and I had free time, wed borrow his car, fetch a kitten from the shelter (with Charlottes blessing), and match it to a loving new owneroften by the end of the day.
After all, every cat needs a person, and theres always someone out there who could use a cat. Sometimes, they just havent realised it yet.
***
Looking back, I know now: Dont leap to conclusions, dont listen too quickly to suspicion, and never rush to judge the people around you. Sometimes, good intentions can come in the strangest forms, and kindness is just waiting to be recognised.
