A Tale of a Friend: A Marriage of Love
One fine day, a dear friend of mine decided to marry. For love, of course. His bride was lovely, clever, and self-reliant. She worked as an accountant for a grand firm in London and earned a tidy sum.
Edwardmy friendwas no slouch himself when it came to keeping pace with his wifes earnings. He took on extra work, labouring late into the night to pay off the mortgage on their flat sooner.
Their home was bought swiftly. They pooled their savings, secured a loan, and had a bit of help from family. They refurbished it handsomely in a modern style and furnished it well. As the saying goes, it was all set for a life of contentment.
Yet contentment eluded them. His wife struggled with the household choresor perhaps she simply didnt care to sweep the floors, dust the shelves, or have supper ready on time. She claimed exhaustion from work and late hours. Fair enough, but Edward was no idler himself. He too returned home weary.
Thus began the quarrels over who did more around the house. The first six months passed in daily skirmishes, the flat strewn with laundry and stacks of unwashed dishes. Neither confessed the true reason for their rows to family, too ashamed to admit such trifling grievances.
One evening, Edward went fishing with his father-in-law, a shared passion that had always bonded them. By the firelight, with a glass of whisky in hand, Edward unburdened himself, swearing the older man to secrecyespecially from his mother-in-law.
The father-in-law vowed silence but remarked that their home would never know peace without a “guardian of the hearth.”
“Ive just the one in mind,” he said. “When the time is right, Ill persuade him to take up residence with you.”
Edward thought the man had gone mad but held his tongue.
The following week, his father-in-law arrived with a kitten. Edward was furious. What good was that? Just more mess! But the older man drew him aside for a smoke on the balcony and reminded him of the “guardian.” He swore the creature came with the cat and that all would be wellso long as they treated her kindly.
To Edwards surprise, he adored the little thing at once. Tiny and affectionate, she swiftly claimed him as her own, trailing after him and begging for strokes. There was but one mishapa small accident on the floorbut only that once.
The next day, when Edward returned from work, the flat was spotless. No clothes strewn about, and his wife was preparing a splendid supper! Heartened, he finally fixed the shelf in the loo, as hed long promised.
The day after, he found her vacuuming the rugs. Well, he pitched in too, took out the rubbish, and fetched bread from the shop, even bringing back a bottle of wine. Dinner felt like a celebrationthe first in ages.
So it went all week. Joy, it seemed, had returned to dwell beneath their roof. Come Sunday evening, his wife said to Edward:
“You neednt slip home at midday anymore. Ive bought litter and set up a place in the loo for the cat.”
“For whom?”
“Your little cat. I know youve been sneaking back to tidy up. But dont fretits all in hand now.”
Edward was stunned. He hadnt been home at all. Hed assumed his wife was the one cleaning. Perhaps shed been ashamed to do nothing in a spotless house.
Determined to uncover the truth, he left work early the next day, pretended to depart, then crept back and hid with his mobile at the ready.
Near noon, he heard the key turn. The kitten dashed to the door, mewing in welcome. Then came a soft voice:
“Oh, Whiskers, how Ive missed you! Ive brought fresh milk and a treat. Fancy youve learned to use the tray all by yourself”
The bedroom door swung open. There stood his father-in-law, startled to find Edward waiting.
“So this is your guardian of the hearth!”
The older man flushed.
“Well, I gave you the cat. Thought it right to help tend her, at least at first.”
“And howd you get a key?”
“Borrowed yours when we went fishing, had a copy made, and slipped it back the next day”
Three years have passed since Edward and his wife found happiness. Theyve a child now. And to this day, none can say for certain who truly was the “guardian of the hearth” that once dwelled in their home.
