Verity simply could not find happiness, no matter how hard she tried. She was approaching forty, and still she remained alone. Life had given her so muchintelligence, beauty, a wonderful job, and a high salaryeverything except happiness in love.
Her parents, Ann and John Fletcher, worried endlessly about their daughter. Their support was mostly emotional, as Verity was more than capable of supporting them if need be, although Ann and John steadfastly refused such help.
Stay with us, love, theres plenty of room, they would say to her. Youll need your savings one day, when you find your own happiness!
Every evening, they fretted over their dear Nikki (their pet name for Verity), as she came home worn out from work.
No one to look after you but us, poor girl, Ann would sigh.
One day, when were gone, itll be so hard for you on your own. Who will you turn to then? John would add, shaking his head. You need to find your own happiness, sweetheart.
So, the three of them would settle in front of the television, year after year, searching for happiness in the glow of the screena routine so dull it made her want to yawn.
It was particularly odd to hear her father say when were gone, as Verity was born when Ann and John were just nineteen, married young out of ardent love. It hardly seemed time to talk of such things.
Back at university, Verity once dated a fellow called William. He was large and somewhat clumsy, but funny in his own way. Wherever he went, he always managed to bump into something or knock something over.
Ann would tease him and call him Billy the Broken Plate or walking disaster. John would imitate the way Billy tripped about, trying to catch falling objects as he did so.
No, love, hes a hopeless caseanything that passes through his hands ends up smashed! Hes not your happiness, her parents would gently nudge Verity away from Billy.
Water wears away stone, and soon Verity too began to see William as an unlucky fellow.
But her parents had misjudged himWilliam finished university, started his own legal practice, and married a woman who thought his awkwardness was rather charming. Turns out, all he needed was a bit of space, which is why they now lived outside the city, in their own house.
Veritys happiness is out there somewhere, we just have to help her find it, Ann and John would reassure themselves and their daughter.
The Fletchers were a close-knit family. Just a few months earlier, theyd all gone on holiday together to Spain. Now, in the evenings, they enjoyed looking over holiday snapslounging by the sea, sampling paella, and reminiscing about the good times theyd shared.
Verity met a man named Roman there, a tourist from Ireland. Her parents, as usual, laughed him off:
Well, wouldnt you know ita holiday romance with a Roman from Ireland! quipped Ann.
John stuffed a cushion under his shirt and waddled around the hotel room, making fun of how robust Roman was.
It rather hurt Veritys feelings, as Roman was not large, just well-built. He was interesting toohe knew all about constellations and pointed out stars on the beach at night. Despite her parents opinions, Verity dared to give him her phone number.
But back in England, when Ann heard Roman and Verity were still calling each other, she scolded:
Holiday flings, dear! They never come to any good, you know!
It didnt matter that neither Verity nor Roman were otherwise attached. Only that it was a holiday romance, and such things went nowhere.
Keep searching for your happiness, love! Were here for you, come what may, her father would tell her.
That summer, the trio would go off together to their cottage in the countryside. Days by the river, tea under the apple tree, barbecues by the gazeboit was always their own home-grown fruit and veg. Even the neighbours would drop by for a natter. On one such day, the neighbours son, Dennis, arrived with his little five-year-old, Anthony. They were like two peas in a podfair-haired, blue-eyed, and both with the same sticky-out ears.
Later, the neighbours explained that Denniss wife had left him for a businessman. The businessman had no interest in Anthonythe boy resembled his father too much. If hed looked like his mother, it might have been different. In the end, Dennis was left to raise his young son alone.
Verity instantly warmed to them both; there was something touching and genuine about them. A spark flew between her and Dennis, and little Anthony was drawn to Verity too.
Ann began to tease again: Dennis has munched through all the carrots and left just one! You know, his parents have probably brought him here on purpose to meet you! Why would you want a man with baggage?
Hes a failure! What decent woman leaves a good man with a small child? John added.
For the first time, Verity retorted:
Dad, the fact that she could leave the child with him proves hes a good manshe knew he wouldnt drink or neglect him!
No, Verity, this isnt your happiness! We want grandchildren of our own, not someone elses! We want to hold tiny hands and hear little feet run about the house.
All at once, Ann and John stopped speaking to the neighbours, and the cheerful evenings together ended. The neighbours received a cold shoulder and, sadly, some hurtful words. The little gatherings by the apple tree faded into silence.
And yet, as the summer slipped away in gloom, Verity grew to love Dennis and Anthony deeply. Still, out of love and guilt, she couldnt bring herself to disappoint her parents. She felt almost ashamed for loving someone who didnt fit their notions. When the season ended and they returned to the city, it was just the three of themVerity and her parents.
Her parents loved her, so during the chilly autumn evenings, Dennis and Anthonys names were never mentioned.
One rainy afternoon, Verity spotted a tiny ginger kitten shivering under the wheel of a parked car. The poor thing was soaked and mewling helplessly. He had no motherjust like little Anthony, whom the kitten instantly made her think of. No one in the world cared for him; the wheel could come to life any moment and end him before hed even begun.
Without thinking, Verity scooped the kitten up, cuddling him under her jacket, heedless of the wet and dirt. All she wanted was to give him warmth.
At home, she dried him and poured milk into a shallow dish. She sat on the kitchen floor, watching him lap it uphis tiny pink tongue darting like a miniature engine.
Poor thing, you must be starving, she thought.
John entered, clutching his newspaper, with Ann in tow. They watched the uninvited guest, their faces creased with confusion and something like annoyance.
What on earth are we going to do about that? Ann asked sharply.
The kitten finished his meal, stretched, then made a little puddle on the kitchen floor.
Before Verity could fetch a tissue, Ann shrieked: Get that scruffy creature out of here! Hell ruin everything, scratch the furniture, tear the wallpaper! John, tell her! Our house is no place for a flea-ridden stray!
Thats right, the whole place will smell of cat! No respectable person will set foot in here! John agreed.
Mum, Dad, hes only tinywe can train him, buy him a scratching post and a proper litter tray. Look how sweet he is! Verity pleaded, baffled by their hostility. No one in the family was allergic, and their flat was so large you could play five-a-side in it.
No, not happening! We dont need this sort of trouble, Ann insisted.
Look, darling, John said firmly, I get ityou feel sorry for him. Take him to a shelter, they have to accept strays. And if they dont, you threaten them with the local paper! He brandished his newspaper for effect.
Crushed, Verity bundled the kitten to her chest and stormed out, closing the door behind her.
How, at nearly forty, did she have nothing to call her ownno husband, no children, not even a roof over her own head? She didnt even have the freedom to keep a kitten! No, she needed her own place, even if it was just a small roomsomewhere she could be herself.
Instead of the shelter, Verity walked straight into the nearest estate agent.
It wasnt long before they found her a one-bedroom flat where pets were welcome.
For the first time in her life, Verity felt truly in charge. She bought the kitten everything she needed, and the vet announced she was a little female, about two months old. Verity called her Poppy.
At last, life felt a little brighter. Whenever she looked at Poppy, she thought fondly of Anthony and Dennis.
Then, one day, the phone rang. Verity was taken abackit was Dennis! Despite her parents row with the neighbours, Dennis called as if nothing had happened.
Hi, how are you? Anthony wants to say something, he said warmly.
Verity smiled, picturing Anthonys bright blue eyes and freckled cheeks.
Vee! We miss you! piped the little voice. Will you come and visit us? Dad and I are waiting for you!
Ill come, but Im not alone. May I bring my kitten with me? she asked.
To which Dennis replied, laughing, Bring a whole circus if you like! Were on our way to pick you upjust give us your address!
And so, in her own way, Verity found her happinessdefying expectations, surrounded by Dennis, Anthony, and her beloved Poppy. Soon, Anthony would have a little brother or sisterwhat did it matter which?
She didnt forget her parents, though. Verity called Ann and John often, just to let them know she was happy and had found her place in the world. Maybe not the happiness they imagined for her, but her happiness all the same.
Perhaps, one day, Ann and John would come to accept her choices, let go of their expectations, and, at last, hold tiny hands and listen to the patter of small feet again.
In the end, Verity realised happiness isnt always what others imagine for usits what we find when were true to ourselves and open our hearts in unexpected places.
