He found a reason to propose. A Story
Thank you all for your supportyour likes, concern, and thoughtful comments on my stories, and thank you especially for your generous contributions, from me and my five cats. Please, do share your favourite stories on social mediait truly lifts the authors spirits!
Didnt your daughter want a pedigree dog? asked the neighbour one afternoon as he leaned over the garden fence.
She did, but we haven’t any spare money. Its just the two of us, you know, replied the woman. The neighbour only grinned, Ill give you one for nothing. Come on, lets go.
By some stroke of fate, her daughter Emily had just come home from school and overheard their chat. She clung onto her mother, pleading,
Mum, lets go! Its free, mum! Ill walk it every day, and get top marks at school, I promise!
Oh, honestly, George, what are you like? scoffed Mary, her tone a mixture of annoyance and amusement. You get a young girls hopes up, and Im left to deal with the fallout.
Mary, you might try looking at me properly before getting cross, George parried, a hint of mischief in his voice. Im not all bad, you know. Im handy, hardworkingdecent in every way. Just a bit lonely!
Stop it, George. Why would I take a look at you? Havent I known you since you were running about in short trousers? Im at least seven years older. I was finishing school when you were still in the juniors! retorted Mary, half-laughing, half-exasperated.
But now, look at us, were nearly the same. Youre barely up to my shoulder now, and youre hardly stronger than I am! George stepped closer, slipping an arm around her.
See, Emily, Im much taller and stronger than your mum!
Thats because youre weaker in the brains departmentsqueezing me in front of my daughter, Mary protested, wriggling free.
Thats just itwhat I need is someone clever like you. I miss having you around, George said, flashing a plaintive smile.
Oh, enough of thisare we going to see the dog or not? Emily whined, the hope in her voice melting Marys resistance.
This ones a real charmer, trust me! Lovely spots on him, and hes got a story, too. Come and Ill show you, George said in a stage-whisper, his eyes twinkling. Emilys grip tightened on her mothers hand.
Muuum, you promised!
Seeing the indecision in Marys eyes, George spoke up, Shall I get the car? Its just round the corner. You wont regret it!
Mary shot him a sideways look, then sighed. All right then. They say hes only a small dog. But you listen to me, Emilyif your schoolwork slips
Emily peppered them with questions the entire way, Is the dog playful? Whats his name? Uncle George, are we nearly there?
At last, they pulled up outside an ageing terraced house.
Thats my late mothers old flat. I used to let it out, but it all went wrong. Sorry about the messI only discovered it all yesterday when I called for the rent, George apologised.
Inside was chaos: spilled oats, empty biscuit boxes, and battered tins littered the floor. In the centre, pressed shoulder to shoulder, sat a scruffy, grey tabby cat with amber eyes and a shaggy little dog, both looking utterly forlorn.
Filthy, matted, but still not cowed by the fate abandoned tenants had tried to force on them.
Just look at them, George blurted, torn between laughter and distress. I hadnt been by for a monthcame to get the rent, and walk right into this!
Neighbours had later told him that the girls renting the place had skipped out weeks ago, leaving the cat and dog behind as if possessions that didnt matter.
So the poor creatures had been left imprisoned, without food or water, not knowing if rescue would ever come.
How did they survive? Emily gasped, eyes wide with horror.
The evidence of their struggle was everywhere. Hungry, the dog and cat had eaten whatever they couldbiscuits and sweets straight away, later gnawing on dried pasta and oats, even somehow opening and devouring tinned meat and condensed milk the runaways had left. Anything remotely edible, they ate.
It was the water that had made the difference. Either the cat had learned to nudge the bathroom tap open, or theyd simply gotten lucky. Good thing it hadnt been turned on full or there wouldve been a floodbut then, theyd probably have been found much sooner.
George knew whom to call. Emily was immediately at the animals side, feeding them the food George had brought.
Even Mary, who tried to hold herself together, found tears pricking her eyes.
I knew it, Maryyouve got the kindest heart. Here, let me say thiswhy don’t we take them both? And, Mary, would youwould you consider marrying me? breathed George, almost too quietly for anyone but Mary to hear, as Emily fussed over the newly-fed pair. I never married because I never met anyone like you. Say yeswell be happier than anyone! Ive a car, two flatsplenty of space for Emily when shes grown, and well rent out the other, but only to decent folk. Will you, Mary? We might even have a little one or two of our own. Lookweve already got a cat and a dog, just like a proper household. Please, love?
Mum, say yes! Emily perked up, not quite realising what Uncle George meant but overcome with excitement.
George grinned, See! Everyones agreedwhat do you say?
Oh, George, are you serious? Mary stammered, surprised to find herself blushing.
Truth be told, her neighbour was rather handsomeand so kind, to have saved those poor animals.
Mary had long since stopped expecting any proposals, let alone from George. But as he drew her back into a gentle hug, her heart fluttered joyfully.
Let me think about it unless youre joking? Oh, you tempter! she managed, a blooming warmth in her cheeks.
Well, think on it, no rush. Ill take the cat home for now, you have the dogjust as you wanted. Well come for your answer tomorrow, wont we, Molly? he said, scratching the dog behind the ears. The dog gave a hearty, agreeable bark.
Mary said yes. George had convinced her.
A month later, the whole street gathered for the wedding.
Preparations were made at Marys, and the tables (for there were many guests) were set at Georgeshis old bachelor pad had more space to spare.
Molly the dog and Tiger the cat never left their new owners side; animals know when theyve found kind people, and hold on tight.
A year later, Mary and George welcomed twinsSophie and Alex.
Tiger and Molly kept busy, watching over the little ones. In a big family, everyone had their part to play.
And above all, in a house full of love and laughter, there was happiness in abundance.
Joy for the children, and for the animals, too
Especially when a cat and dog made it feel like home.
