Found a Reason to Propose Diary Entry
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The other week, my neighbour Bob asked Mrs. Wilson, Your daughter wanted a pedigree dog, didnt she?
She did, she sighed, but we cant afford one, not on my wages, and its just the two of us.
Bob just grinned, You can have one for free. Come on, lets go.
As luck would have it, Mrs. Wilsons daughter, Emily, had just got back from school and overheard. She was instantly hooked.
Mum, lets go, its free! Ill walk it every day, and I promise Ill keep my grades up, please Mum!
Oh Bob, really, what are you playing at? Mrs. Wilson huffed. Now Ive got to deal with this!
Come on, Marjorie, (for thats Mrs. Wilsons first name), give me a bit of credit. Im a decent chap. Hard-working, reliable, not a bad bloke at alljust a bit lonely, thats all!
Oh, dont be ridiculous, Bob! Youre a fair bit younger than meby at least seven years! I was practically finished with school before youd even got to secondary, so behave yourself! Marjorie replied, clearly flustered.
Bob just laughed, stepping closer, and threw a friendly arm around her shoulders, Look, Emily, Im loads taller and stronger than your mum!
Not as clever, thoughcuddling your neighbour in front of her daughter! Marjorie wriggled away, pretending to be cross.
Thats exactly it thoughI need a woman as clever as you. Thats why Im pining! Bob grinned like a schoolboy.
Are you two done? Emily pleaded, close to tears. Are we going to get the dog or not?
Bob winked at Emily. You cant buy one like this, you know. Its a real beauty. Theres quite a story to him, too. Come along, Ill show youwhat have you got to lose?
Emily grabbed her mums hand, pleading, Muuu-um you promised!
Bob could see Marjorie was torn, so he pressed on, Well, shall I start up the car? Its only round the corner. You wont regret it!
Marjorie shot Bob a sideways look, sighed, and told Emily, Alright. They say its a little dog, but youd better behave. If your grades slip, dont blame me.
Emily spent the ride firing off questions: Is the dog friendly? Whats his name? Uncle Bob, are we there yet?
Soon enough, they arrived at an old terraced house.
This was my late mothers flat. I used to rent it out, but that didnt go well. Sorry its a tipI only just found out what happened yesterday when I popped in to collect the rent
The flat was in a dreadful statefilthy, with rubbish everywhere.
Amidst scattered bags of grain, empty biscuit boxes, and battered old tinned food, sat a scruffy little mongrel and a grey tabby cat, pressed together for comfort.
They were filthy and bedraggled but hadnt lost their fighting spirit, in spite of the sorry hand dealt to them by their previous tenants.
You wouldnt believe it, Bob began, his tone half-laughing, half-outraged. I hadnt been here for a month, popped in for the rent, and found this!
Neighbours had told him that the two girls renting the place had snuck off a couple of weeks back, without a word and without paying up.
Theyd left the poor animals locked inside, abandoned and forgotten.
Emily gasped, How did they survive?
Evidence of their struggle was everywhereempty tins, nibbled dry pasta, even half-eaten breakfast cereal. Theyd ransacked the flat, eating whatever they could findbiscuits, sweets, even cold boiled noodles. Miraculously, they’d managed to get into some tinned stewing steak with ring pulls and squishy old cartons of custard the tenants had left behind. They ate every scrap they could find.
But, more than anything else, water was the big worry. Seemed the cat had either learnt to turn the bathroom tap, or by stroke of luck managed to knock it on. Good thing it wasnt running full blast, or the neighbours downstairs would have had a surprise floodingthough, ironically, help would have arrived much quicker.
Bob had come prepared. Emily immediately went to the dog and cat with her pockets full of food Bob had brought along, fussing over them. Even Marjorie, trying to hide her feelings, dabbed at the tears in her eyes.
You see, Marjorie, I knew you were a good sort, muttered Bob, as Emily crouched stroking a full and contented mutt and his feline friend. So, what do you sayshall we take them both home? And would you, Marjorie, marry me? I mean itI never married because I never found someone quite like you. Marry me and well have everything we need. Theres my car, two flatsone well keep for when Emily grows up and moves on. The other, well rent out, and well make sure its to decent folk, not scoundrels like the last lot. What do you say? We could even have a family, who knows! Weve already got the dog and catjust how it should be. Marjorie, will you?
Emily, not quite understanding what Uncle Bob was on about, shouted, Say yes, Mum!
Bob laughed, See, everyones on sideyou just have to decide!
Oh Bob, are you winding me up? Marjorie blushed, suddenly flustered.
Truth be told, Bob was a decent man, kind toonot leaving those animals, always thinking of others. Marjorie had privately given up on anyone ever asking her to marry them. But now, with Bobs arms unexpectedly round her, her heart thumped with a joyful hope she hadnt felt in years.
Give me some time to thinkif youre not having me on! You charmer! she said, cheeks flushed.
Take all the time you wantwere not proud, Bob chuckled. For now, Ill take the cat and you keep the pup, just as planned. Tomorrow, me and Mollythats what Ive named the catwill come and ask for your answer. Keep things tidy for us, eh, Buster? he said to the little dog, who gave an enthusiastic bark in reply.
And so, Bob convinced Marjorie to say yes.
A month later, the whole building gathered for their wedding party.
They cooked up a feast at Marjories, but set out the tables in Bobs flathe had more room for guests.
Molly the cat and Buster the dog never left their new owners sides; animals know who to trust, and they certainly had found their home.
A year on, Marjorie and Bob welcomed twins: Lily and Alfie.
Now, Molly and Buster have their handswell, pawsfull, keeping an eye on the little ones. In a big, bustling household, theres always something to do.
But most importantly, in a large and loving family, happiness is abundant.
Theres joy for the children, and even for the animals
Especially when theres both a dog and a cat under the same roof.
Looking back now, I realise: sometimes life hands you an unexpected story. All you can do is say yes, and make the most of the happiness it brings.
