Kindness by Inheritance
Oh, Emily! You couldn’t have come at a better time! I just dont know what to do anymore!
I set my heavy shopping bag down on the bench by the flats and took a deep breath.
Whats wrong, Mrs Marjorie Stone?
Stay calm, Emily! Rememberpatience, patience, and more patience, especially with the elderly. Even the difficult ones.
And the whole estate knew Marjorie Stone was a difficult one. Youd struggle to find a more formidable woman.
But why call her a lady?
Because Marjorie never lost her manners, even in the middle of a row; she spoke so politely she could still reduce the stoutest hearts to jelly.
My dear, you are not quite right.
Im not your dear!
Oh, what a tragedy! In my day, to be called dear was a mark of affection. But these days… Well, whats to be said? Lost generation! But you still need to pick up after your dog.
And if I dont?
Then the whole estate will soon know all about it!
Those unimpressed by such threats quickly learned that Marjorie Stone was not to be taken lightly. She didnt just talkshe acted. The next day, any offenders photo was likely to crop up on one of her many wall of shame leaflets, stuck to noticeboards, trees, or lampposts, with the caption We do not take pride in this! and a description of the misdeed.
Her neighbour, whod shown her how to use her printer, couldn’t believe how well it worked as she bought printer paper by the ream. Her decent pension, plus contributions from her children, let her buy plenty.
And as Marjorie saw it as her sacred duty to keep order in her little corner of the estate, the occasional fine handed down in the local magistrates court didnt faze her. She attended every hearing as a matter of course, offering solemn apologies for wasting the magistrates precious time. By now, she was more an eccentric fixture than a mere nuisance, her reputation a quirk of local life.
Sometimes, though, people were grateful. Take the time she spent nearly ten yearsand endless sleepless nightsbattling to get the drains fixed so the roads stopped flooding. It was only after her victory that people on the estate stopped calling her a troublemaker. Now, even the car ownersno longer forced to drive through lakes after every downpournodded respectfully at Marjorie, wondering if they, too, would be unmasked on her notorious white leaflets. Each person would mentally review their behaviour and breathe a sigh of relief as she stalked by.
Dog owners who didnt clean up after their pets, mums glued to benches with bottles of lager instead of minding their children, runaway dads skipping child support, noisy and quiet drunks alikeall felt the sting of her attention. Anyone who considered basic civility an optional extra sooner or later ran into Marjorie Stone.
Of course, not everyone loved her work. One evening, on her way back from nursing her sister, someone ambushed her in a dark alley. The thugs didnt get long to rough her upsomeone frightened them offbut the message only deepened her resolve. After all, if you annoy people that much, perhaps youre on the right track.
The bruises faded, but her broken leg always played up whenever the weather turned. She even managed to look for the silver lining in that.
At least I always know when to take my umbrella! Isnt that brilliant?
Her attackers were caught quickly and got the harshest possible punishment. Marjorie had become something of a legend among the local constables and solicitors over the years thanks to her tireless campaigning.
She also acquired some truly useful friends in the form of three community support officers and a detective sergeant, whom she would call for help whenever situations got out of hand.
Charlie, love, I need you dreadfully! shed say on the phone to her favourite local bobby.
Charlie, a burly moustachioed man, who since buying a flat on her landing had become her nearest neighbour, always came running. How could he not? Marjoriethe odd, birdlike, fiercely polite but fearsome womanhad somehow, in under six months, charmed not just Charlies wife and kids but even his fretful mother. Shed achieved this miraculous feat by finally managing to explain to Charlies mum that dropping in every day on your fully-grown son, for any and every reason, may not be the best of ideas.
Dear lady, did you do so badly, raising him?
What are you implying! Im a wonderful mother!
I dont doubt it for a moment! But lets suppose you did everything rightsurely your son can now survive the common cold without his mothers hanky?! A mothers love is one thing, but the hanky… come on!
What do you mean, the hanky? his mother spluttered.
Your handkerchief, of course. Youre still wiping his nose! Isnt that a bit sad for a grown man? Honestly, what is the world coming to when a son of his age cant manage his own sniffles? My sympathies, truly!
After that, Charlies mums visits dwindled, and the family finally got their peace. Their gratitude for Marjories intervention knew no bounds.
I’d heard all about Marjorie and her connections during my years as a social worker. So it was a shock to see her in tears on the bench outside the flats.
Why are you crying?
Emily Your client Mrs Helen Barnes
Whats happened? I glanced up at Helen’s windows, dreading the answer.
Charlies over there now. Helens gone, love. Shes left us
I gasped, almost missing the seat as I dropped down next to Marjorie.
What a day.
The drains outside my house had burst that morning, and the kids were late for school. Later, Id had a massive row with my husband. I did love Dave, truly. Where do you find a bloke these days who doesnt drink, doesnt smoke, adores his family, and even pulls in a decent wage? My friends call him a rarity. But Im the one who has to actually live with him. Sometimes emotions just boil overlike today. If Im honest, the row wasnt even worth it. I could have changed that wretched lightbulb myself (not for the first time). Hormones? Age? Womanly nonsense? Just silly, really. Id nagged him all week. Shouldve sorted it myself. And nowafter all thatHelen Barnes is just… gone.
Only yesterday shed asked me to get food for her cats.
I sobbed, first quietly and then out loud, unable to keep it together.
Oh sweetheart Dont! Heres a hanky!
A snowy white handkerchief appeared in my lap and I blubbered all the more.
How much it reminded me of the one Helen had given me for Christmas.
This is for you, Emily! Just a small token of my thanks.
Oh, its lovely! Is that embroidery?
Yes, your initials.
Goodness! Its almost too beautiful to use!
Its only a hanky, dear. Wish I could give you more. You know my pension is meagre.
My nan used to say the best gifts are proof someone remembered you.
Wise woman, your nan. Was she with you long?
No, I lost her years back. Ive just got Dave and the kids now.
Im sorry! But not about having your own familyits wonderful. I never did. Instead, I was left with a whole fleet of relatives always itching to organise my life. Sisters, a brother, uncles, aunts, parents All meant well, but in the end, Im on my own. Now they say Im past it, just a burden. One niece even asked if Id started shopping for a burial shroud yet. Honestlysaid Id outstayed my welcome.
You mean about you?
Yes, my dear. Im talking about myself. Never had my own family or children, but so many relatives always certain they knew what was best. In the end, their help drove everyone apart. Of course, its partly my fault too. But Emilyloneliness is a dreadful thing. Humans are social creatures, however we pretend otherwise. If it werent for my cats, Id hardly know why I carried on. My niece called them rubbish, said shed have them sent straight to the tip when I go. Imagine!
That wont happen!
Oh, Emily! You dont know them!
And I dont care to! You know what?
Tell me.
Leave your cats to me in your will!
What do you mean?
Just that. Cats are property, right? Name me as beneficiaryso if anything happens, theyll be safe. A little good deed by inheritance. Nobody should be cruel to a creature you loved so much!
Emily! Youre an angel! Id never have thought of that! But its such a responsibility!
Nonsense! Isnt there a saying? A house without a cat isnt a home? I scratched purring Basil behind the ears, while dodging attempts from the mischievous Oliver to get my other hand.
Basil had lived with Helen nearly ten years. Oliver was the latest: a skinny stray Marjorie herself had rescued outside the off licence and deposited with Helen.
Helen, you know how to handle such trouble. I cantmy allergies! But the poor dearhow could I walk by? Look at her, so tiny! How could anyone throw her out?
Marjorie, Ill take care of her. But this will have to be the last. Basil is yours as well, you realisethats two already! My finances arent up to it.
Heard and understood, Helen. Thank you…
Time proved Oliver was, in fact, Oliviaa mum, not a tom, as everyone discovered a few weeks before tragedy struck. Helen woke up to kittens wriggling on her bed and laughed:
Olivias surprise, or maybe a blessing? Youve got beautiful babies, my girl! Basil, you rascalbe a good father, or Ill have your treats off you! Understood?
Apparently, Basil excelled in fatherhood. Id marvel at the growing family when I visited
See! We thought we knew it all, yet cant even tell a he from a she! How did you not notice Olivia was pregnant?
I just thought she was eating well! Helen would laugh herself into tears. But what am I going to do with all these kittens?
Ill help! My house has enough room, and if notwell ask Marjorie. She can persuade anyone.
Now, remembering those kittens, I sprang up from the bench.
I cant sit here! They must be hungry
I collected my inheritance that same afternoon. Charlie didnt objecthe even carried the basket home for me.
Let me keep one kitten for my two. Mum never allowed pets in the house, but now the rules have changed. Helen was a dear soulher cats must be just as good.
Of course! Which one? I peeked under the blanket covering the basket.
The ginger one!
Done! Come fetch him in a week or two.
Thanks!
No need But, tell meare her family doing anything? Sorting things out?
Supposedly, but they say theyre too busy. Handle things yourself.
I nearly dropped the basket. How could they?
Thats not right! Ill sort everything.
She meant nothing to you, really.
Now thats where youre wrong! We knew each other five years, at least. Sometimes, five years is more than a lifetime of kinship. I wont let Helen leave this world unacknowledgednot after all she did. Do you understand?
Charlie actually smiled and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Youre sounding exactly like someone else I know. Dont waste your breath. Ill help.
Thank you I nodded, exhausted.
Time to get a gripno need to bite peoples heads off.
I locked the garden gate and paused on the path to my home. The house, in the heart of the city, had been built by my grandfather and passed to me from my parents. It had always sheltered our family, warm in winter, cool in summer. Its real beauty was never in the wallsbut in those who lived here.
Which is why I cant fathom not loving family, not caring for the old, not looking after the young
Inside, the mingled scents of baking and childrens shouting reached me. Dave poked his head out of the kitchen, saw me leaning against the doorframe, and hurried over.
Emily, love, what happened? You look a state! I changed that bulb, you knowgot home early and changed it! Fixed the hose tap too. Youll water your tulips in peace. Come on, dont cry!
Im not! I sniffled, finally letting the tears fall unchecked.
Whats in the basket? He slid it from my hands. Blimey, its heavy!
Its the cats I leaned against his shoulder.
What?
Look! I pulled back the blanket, and the kids, bursting in from the kitchen, squealed with delight so loudly Dave had to hush them.
Quiet! Youll scare the kittens!
Basil quickly settled into our house, even leaving us a few mice on the step by way of rent, and perhapsas Marjorie observedmourning his old mistress. Shed see him in her garden, up a tall poplar, gazing at Helens window, mewing softly. The neighbours never complained; they understood a cats grief.
Sometimes Basil would disappear for hours; sometimes hed stay away all night. On those evenings, Id grumble good-naturedly as I let him in late.
Out on the tiles again? Ive work in the morning, you know!
Basil would twine around my ankles in thanks, then patrol the house, checking on Dave and the sleeping kids before curling up with Olivia and the kittens in the basket.
We sent Helen off with all due respect, and I was astonished at how many people turned up to say goodbyea real crowd.
Who are they? I murmured to Marjorie, who was helping set the wake.
Former pupils. Helen taught physics, then did private tutoring to get students into university. She earned well, till her eyes went. Then she had to give it up. Still, you seethey remembered her. She was wonderful
I know
Nine days passed. Forty days. Id wake at night to let the cat in, mulling over how short our lives are, how fast time flies… But Id realised the reason for my moods, my frayed nerves, the sickness in the mornings. The secret I hadnt even told Dave yet was changing everything.
Id stroke Olivia and her kittens and whisper,
Soon Ill be a mum again Im scared. My kittens are nearly grown, and Ive forgotten so much. Do you think Ill manage?
Olivia would purr so loudly Basil would come running to check, and Id smile despite myself.
Of course I will. This house is bursting with helpers!
The day I planned to tell Dave our news, something happened that convinced me yet again there are no coincidences in life.
Basil went missing for a second night. He’d never done this before and I was genuinely worried. I went to Helens old housenothing. Neither Marjorie nor Charlie had seen him, despite their daily rounds.
Go to bed, love. Hell come back and scratch at the door Dave told me.
I just cant sleep! They say it will rainI hate the thought of him getting soaked! Where could he be?
Hes a cat, Emily. Hell come home when hes hungry!
Ill lock him in! Hes grounded! I fretted, peering into the dark.
I stayed up, but drifted off in my chair and didnt hear Basils frantic cries outside. That night, he yowled and ran circles around the houseloud enough for the whole city, it seemed. But with the size of our garden, the thick brick walls, and the April chill shutting the windows, none of us heard.
Except Olivia. While her kittens slept, she sat bolt upright, sniffed the air, stretched, and shook herself awake.
She leapt onto my lap and scratched my leg so hard I cried out.
Ouch!
Not really awake yet, I instinctively shoved her away. Then I properly awoke.
Olivia, whats gotten into you? Why did you scratch me?
And then I finally heard Basils howling outside, and a faint smell of smoke.
Dave! Kids! Fire!
My shout met Olivia racing ahead to the childrens room, where she nipped the two boys awake.
Get up!
I scooped up my youngest, Dave grabbed the elder, and I dashed for the door, swinging the basket of kittens with me.
The neighbours called the fire brigade, who arrived and quickly put out the blaze in the garden shed before it reached the house. All the while, Basil shepherded Olivia outside and settled their feline family next to us on the pavement.
Thats sorted! You can get back in soonthe smell will linger, but the house is fine. Good job you woke up when you did! the fireman said.
Still clutching Olivia, I nodded.
Thank you
Dave let the boys approach and thank the crew, then hugged me.
You alright?
Im fine
You sure? Positive? he put his hand gently on my belly, and I gasped.
You know!
Of course! Emily, honestly! Do you think I wouldnt spot it? Weve twono, nearly threekids already. All this stress, the nerves
Im scared, Dave
Rubbish! Whatve you got to be afraid of? Youve got me, the kids, a pack of cats Well cope! Dont doubt it. And the house is safe!
Youre right
I handed Olivia to Dave, the kittens to the boys, and then paused on the doorstep, looking up at the sky.
Thank you, Helen Barnes, for your kindness. Thank youA sudden breeze ruffled my hair and made the poplars shush above us, as if Helen herself was whispering a blessing. The smell of smoke faded, replaced by the perfume of springwet grass, blossoms, promise.
Inside, Olivia leapt up to the window and pressed her nose to the glass, her kittens tumbling at her feet. Basil, his adventure over, sat like a sentinel on the step, his golden eyes content and knowing. The boys, already retelling the daring rescue, folded their arms around my waist, their laughter chasing away the last of my worry.
It hit me then: kindness truly is an inheritancenot measured in money or things, but in the gentle continuity of care. From Helen, to Marjorie, to me, to the children and the cats and, one day, to whoever needed it next. One hand always reaching for another, so nothingand no onewould be left behind. Even after were gone, echoes linger: the scent of baking, the velvet tread of a cat, the invisible stitches on a handkerchief, the memory of someone brave enough to love and be loved in return.
I squeezed Daves hand, wiped a tear from my cheek, and finally stepped inside, ready for whatever would come. In our houseoverflowing with noise, fur, laughter, and the stubborn warmth of belongingthe lights shone on through the night, and I knew we would be all right.
