Charlie
Oh Alice, are you completely mad? Mrs. Henderson will have your head for this!
Lizzie, what was I supposed to do, just leave him? Throw him out? I couldnt. Hes alive!
He might be, but Im not sure about you if she finds out youre keeping him.
Come on, Lizzie, dont be so dramatic. Its just a kitten! Let him stay a bit, please?
Lizzie just laughed and gently stroked the tiny gingers head. Honestly, where did you find this little scrap? Hes skin and bones. And probably ill. His heads flopping all over the place. Real treasure, this one!
Alice, wrapping her newly-knitted scarf around her neck and the kitten, started bustling about. Id just finished my shift and was cutting through the park. He was on the path, couldnt tell if he had crawled out some bush, or if someone dumped him there. He was almost buried in snow, really. The only reason I noticed him was because he stood out, all orange. I picked him uphe was like ice. I actually thought hed stopped breathing for a moment, but then I realised he was alive. I legged it all the way back to the halls. Mrs. Henderson nearly dropped her mug watching me bolt past. Alice snickered as she poured milk into an enamel mug, ready to warm it up. She looked like someone had hit her with a frying pan.
Well, expect a visit! Lizzie handed Alice the mug. You remember how she went after Lydia when she snuck in that cat? Nearly threw her out, she did. No animals in the accommodation! It disturbs the order! she said.
You wont grass, will you? Alice sounded worried, hovering in the doorway. If Im not here, hide him. Ill just warm up some milk, then he can sleep.
Off you go! Lizzie shooed her with a grin, sweeping up the kitten in the scarf and dumping her knitting out of her basket. Ive seen nothing, know nothing, will say nothing! she sang out, winking. Go on, you fool, itll be fine!
Alice disappeared, and Lizzie peered at the kitten curled up in the basket, shaking her head. Well, look at you, ginger trouble. Breathe, little one. Alice means well, but shell weep for days if anything happens. Ill never hear the end of it.
The kitten didnt respond, just lay there, barely breathing, eyes closed.
The room softened into dusk, shadows stretching as evening drew in and Lizzie didnt fancy switching on the lamp. She loved this part of the day; the whole night ahead of you. If you were on late shift, youd get home and go straight to bed, but not tonight. She could read a book or chat with Alice about how things were going with Michael. Lucky Alice, engaged and happy. Lizzie sighed. No one on her horizon. She had always been called big-bonedher nans wordstall and sturdy, her brothers used to call her the family bouncer. They were all younger, proper handful at school, but grown now. The eldest just married, decent girl, nice village wedding. Lizzie was still on her own. In the city, she stood outstrong, tall, not the type lads wanted to dance with. Maybe Nan was right, maybe she should go home, but it was just farms up there and shed worked hard for her job here. At the factory, they respected her. Shed even got a company holiday last year. She shook off her gloomy thoughts. Marriage could wait. Shed find someonesurely.
Alice came back in, looking for a pipette to feed the kitten. He was too weak to drink from a saucer, just flopped about, but had no strength to lap. Alice, nearly in tears, tried to help him, so Lizzie took over.
Watch and learn.
Lizzie filled the pipette, held the kittens head, forced open his mouth. Come on, eat, you little scamp. You didnt come all the way here to starve to death.
The kitten coughed and spluttered but gulped it down. They named him Charlie. And Mrs. Henderson stayed in the dark for almost a year, until she spotted a ginger bolt shoot in the window from outside.
What on earth is that?
Her shriek echoed down the corridor.
Oh, Mrs. Henderson, please! You had no idea we had a cat! Hes very cleverkeeps away the mice! Alice pleaded.
Mice! There arent any mice! This is a model residence!
Lizzie folded her arms and fixed Mrs. Henderson with a squint, nudging Charlie out of sight with her foot. Even the mice are modelsfat and well-fed. Charlie lines them up by my bed most mornings. Ill show you next timemaybe even invite the factory manager, let him see the sight.
Lizzie! Youll be the death of me! Mrs. Henderson changed tack and looked at Alice. Your idea? And what happens when you get marriedwill you take him along?
Alice winced, scooping up Charlie. He loves me, but for some reason he thinks Lizzies the boss. Hed miss her, poor chap.
Oh, get on with you! Mrs. Henderson laughed, shaking her head at Alice. You talk about him like a husband. Its a cat, Alice. Hell go where hes fed.
Thats not true. I do everything, but he still follows Lizzie. Alice handed Charlie over and hugged Mrs. Hendersons sturdy shoulders. So, is it all right? Can he stay?
You fox! Mrs. Henderson pretended to scold, wagging her finger. Fine, as long as neither hair nor whisker is seen or heardor were all out on our ears, and I wont argue.
Alices wedding got the proper send-off, and Lizzie was left alone with Charlie. Days dragged, everything felt colder and quieter. Mrs. Henderson didnt immediately fill the room, the old halls were on borrowed time anyway. Everyone hoped theyd soon be rehoused in the new building, but construction kept stalling. Lizzie spent weekends helping on site, wandering echoey halls, imagining how it would look when finished. Thats where she first met him, who she thought could be her own happy ending.
Andrew, like Lizzie, wasnt local. Hed stayed behind for his family, looked after parents to the end, then moved to the city. Life was livelier here; plenty of girls around, but Andrew was looking for a wife, preferably one with something behind hera little flat, some help. Lizzie didnt fit his checklist at all. But he couldnt help noticing her, tall and striking, striding the corridor.
His clumsy flirting made Lizzie snort.
As if! Id be patting him on the headhes a foot shorter than me! she laughed, relaying the tale to Alice when she popped by.
Dont be daft, Liz! It isnt all about height! Whats he like as a person?
Ive no idea, Lizzie grew quiet. Not sure, Alice.
Shed watch Alice get up, stroking a very solid Charlie as she tried to reach her shoesAlices bump growing weekly.
Its tough, isnt it? Lizzie pulled out a jar of honey her brothers had sent.
Not really. Its just odd, like waiting at a train station, about to head off somewhere better. All you want is for the train to hurry up and come, Alice took the honey, kissed her cheek, and waved at the cat. Bye, Charlie. Look after her.
Maybe it was the baby bump, or maybe just her own loneliness, but Andrew became a fixture in Lizzies little room. Charlie took an instant dislike. Hed arch his back, hiss, and leap onto the windowsill, tail thumping angrily, ready to pounce. Lizzie would open the window, shoo Charlie outside, knowing hed sulk all evening. It wasnt jealousy. Or was it?
Does he feel put out? Mrs. Henderson wondered aloud one night, after Charlie had started turning up at her place when Andrew visited.
He might. Or maybe he senses something. Be careful, Liz. What if he messes you about? Leaves you hanging?
Dont worry, Mrs. Henderson. Hes not like that. I trust him.
Mrs. Henderson didnt push but she didnt really look convinced. Charlie was right, and so was Mrs. Henderson.
At first, Lizzie thought nothing of feeling off. Maybe the milk had turned, maybe the mushrooms Alice brought from her sister had gone a bit. But a week passed, then another, and she still felt oddhungry, exhausted. Out walking one day she bumped into Alice, who was pushing the pram. She confided in her friend, who cottoned on straight away.
Oh, Lizzie! How did you end up here? How far along? Have you told him?
Lizzie was stunned. Her head span with questions. Somewhere, Mrs. Hendersons warning echoed quietly:
Rememberlook after yourself.
That little voice grounded her. She didnt answer Alice, just hurried home. She had to talk to Andrew; wild nights were over, time to get on with things.
It turned out shed be going it alone.
Sorry, Lizzieno can do. Whos to say its mine? Im not getting involved. Andrew dodged Charlie, who launched himself at his ankle, and promptly booted the cat away. Get off, you little menace!
Charlie, twisting mid-air, managed to clamp onto Andrews leg anyway, making the man yelp in pain. To Lizzies own surprise, she just grinned.
Drop it, Charlie! Were better off without him. No use keeping that sort around here.
She sat by the door a long time, watching after Andrews retreating back. Charlie paced at her feet, eventually hopping onto her lapsomething she never usually allowedcurled up, and purred until she shooed him off gently.
All right, thats enough sulking. I want a cuppa.
When her baby was born, Lizzie signed the birth certificate herself; the woman filling out the forms raised an eyebrow but Lizzie met her firmly:
No father. Never was one. Just me. Thats enough, right?
Alice sorted out a pram, Mrs. Henderson called in favours and somehow got Lizzie a better room lined up, but the new halls were still unfinished, and the factory boss could only shrug.
Wish I could, Liz, honestly. For now, just hold tight. Well get it sorted.
The room was cold, as hard as Lizzie tried to block drafts. She didnt chase Charlie away from the baby, thoughhed decided the suspiciously noisy bundle was his own, and would curl up by the cot so the baby could feel the comforting warmth of his gingery side. Lizzie would smile at the pair and sneak some treats on Charlies plate, even though things were tight. Were it not for parcels from her brothers, shed have been lost. Andrew had vanished, left town, and good riddance. No help coming from him, and there was no point poisoning her heart with anger. Shed keep only what was worth keeping: her child.
Her family showed up in force when she and the baby came home from hospital.
Look at those cheeks! Built like his mum, that oneproper little bruiser!
Lizzie listened, feeling on the verge of tears for the first time in her life, but no one reproached her: not with a word, not even a look. Actually, her oldest brothers wife hugged her in the kitchen and whispered,
You did the right thing. You wont be on your own now, Liz. The right bloke will come along, youll seedont fret. Not all men are like that. Well help. Hell have everything he needs, trust us.
And help they did. Every couple of weeks, one of Lizzies brothers would come by from the village, basket in hand with treats for her and the baby. Lizzie would unpack the goodies, quietly wiping her eyes, grateful for what little it took to feel less alone. All you really need is to know youre not on your own. That theres someone who loves you, wholl have your back and take in your child as their own. Shed scold herself for tears, but be glad all the same.
Nursery was an ordeal for Ben. He was always ill, and Lizzie had to juggle work and home. But with help from Mrs. Henderson and Alice, she managed, even though the thought of moving back to the villagecrowding in with her brothers familywas not appealing. Shed hang on as long as possible.
Sitting by Bens cot on another feverish night, Lizzie couldnt help but turn over her failed love in her mind. Some people just dont meet the right personsomeone steady, dependable. She knew exactly what she needed, now: not smooth talk, not fancy gestures, but someone whod make her tea, tell her to get some rest, and watch her son for a bit.
Someone to take them on a trip to the zoo and buy Ben a balloon. Someone whod compliment her stew and mash, then finally put up that shelf lying about for months. Someone who would just be there.
And thats all. That, for her, would be a familythe kind that mattered.
Sleep would catch up with her, elbows on the table at Bens bedside, and shed drift off uncomfortably.
Then, one night, everything changed for Lizzie.
Ben had been poorly for three days; nothing brought his fever down. The doctor from next door came every day, checked him over, shook her head, Nothing else for it now, youre doing all you can. Hes stronghell pull through.
Lizzie barely put Ben down, keeping him close as he drifted fitfully between sleep and pain. Mrs. Henderson dropped in with a pot of chicken broth, cuddled Ben, felt his hot little brow.
Hes burning up! she fretted.
Cant shift the temperature, no matter what I do.
Maybe thats a good thing, Mrs. Henderson said, playing word games with Bens little hands. Means hes fighting. Doctor said so.
I know. Doesnt make it easier though. Cant bear seeing him cry.
Itll pass. But if you worry yourself sick, you wont be any use. Eat something, try to get some rest. Things always look better in the morning.
Lizzie nodded, sorted a compress for Ben, then Mrs. Henderson left quietly.
Charlie, curled up by Bens side, flicked his tail out of reach, making Ben giggle as he tried to grab it. Worn out, Ben settled against the cat and was fast asleep before Lizzie had tied off the compress. She hesitated, not wanting to disturb him, and decided to let him sleep.
After checking the cooling pot of broth, she took it out quietly to reheat in the shared kitchen. As she stood at the hob, she heard a crash and then Bens wail. She dropped everything and ran. Pushing the door open, she froze, heart in her mouth, then grabbed the stool by the door and rushed to help.
An enormous rat and Charlie were in battleCharlie hurt already, his ear in tatters and blood on his side. Lizzie tried to help but Charlie twisted, launched himself, and finally managed to clamp down on the rats neck. He held on, shaking. By the time Lizzie could pull him off, it was over.
Charlie, love! You did it! Let go now.
He whimpered, then struggled to the cot as Ben cried louder. Lizzie gasped when she saw what else was in the cotanother rat, smaller but still enormous, inches from Ben. She grabbed Ben, flung open the door and shouted for help.
Within the hour, after bundling Ben as warmly as possible, she left for Mrs. Hendersons. Mrs. Henderson gave Lizzie her spare key and promised to keep an eye on Charlie.
Rats! In the hall! After we just had the pest control in, too! Mrs. Henderson raged, feeling helpless against the old crumbling building.
She cleaned up Lizzies room, then took Charlie to her office and started cleaning his wounds.
Brave cat, Charlie. Good thing youre here. You dont find cats like you every day.
Charlie just lay there, breathing shallow, not even washing himself. He wouldnt eat either, and Mrs. Henderson was worried. The next morning she handed over her shift and went to Lizzie.
Look after Ben? Lizzie started to gather her things in a panic. Where do you go with a cat in this state?
Theres a vets a few streets from here. Ask there, go on!
Lizzie ran the entire way to her old room. Charlie lay on her doormat, paws stretched out, barely breathing.
Charlie! Hold on, Ill be quick!
She rushed to the vets, shouldering past a young nurse in a white coat, demanding, The best vet, right now please!
The nurse started to protest but, after sizing Lizzie up, just nodded and pointed to a bench.
Lizzie sat clutching Charlie, barely breathing herself. After what felt like forever, the door opened and a giant of a man ducked in.
What have we here? His booming voice stunned Lizzie momentarily.
She handed Charlie over as he frowned, inspecting the wounds gently.
What happened?
Rats.
Hes not a stray, is he?
No, hes my cat.
Howd he run into rats in here, of all places? Dyou let him out?
No, it was in the flat.
Crikey.
Lizzie lost it then, her voice thick with angry tears. Are you going to stand there chatting or help him? He saved my sons lifejust do something!
He raised his hands, Take it easy, love. Names Simon. You?
Lizzie.
Right, well, no need to shout. Well sort your hero out. Dont worry.
Years later, a big ginger cat quietly slips into the kids bedroom, checks every corner, then hops into the little bed by the window where Bens baby sister, Ellie, is sleeping. Shell turn, reach out in her sleep and bury her hand in Charlies thick fur. Hell purr, humming some cat lullaby, and shell sleep sounder, never noticing her mum and dad come in. Lizzie tucks Ben in, pulls Ellies little sock back on, and leans against Simons shoulder.
Pretty good babysitter, right, Simon?
The best, Simon scratches Charlie behind that battle-scarred ear. Never seen a cat like it. Worth his weight in gold, that one.
Hes more than gold. Hes one of us.
Charlie nuzzles Lizzies hand, then stretches out next to Ellie, curling one paw around her. Lizzie turns off the lamp, calls Simon to bed, and quietly shuts the door. Her children never feared the dark. Not with Charlie always there. With him around, there was nothing left to worry about.
