Found a Reason for a Proposal. A Story
Thank you all for your support, those delightful thumbs-ups, friendly feedback on my tales, following along, and sincerely, tremendous thanks for all those kind donations from me and my five FURRY LORDS. If you enjoy a story, do share it on your socials it makes an old author terribly chuffed!
Your daughter still keen on a pedigree pup, is she? asked a neighbour chap one day.
She is, but we dont have spare pennies, you know were muddling along on our own, sighed the mother, but the neighbour simply beamed. Ill give you one, free as the Queens smile. Come along.
As luck or fate would have it, her daughter, Daisy, was already home from school and, upon hearing this, clung to her mothers sleeve:
Mum, lets go, its free, please! Ill walk him, do all my homework, get straight As, promise!
Oh, David, you and your bright ideas! Getting the child worked up, and I have to tidy things up after, grumbled Mary Goodman.
You know, Mary, you should take a good look at me before getting cross. Im a decent chapsolid, hardworking, very respectable. Only problem is, Im a bit lonely!
Oh, David, dont be daft! What would I want with looking at you? I know you too well. I was already leaving school when you were still playing conkers in short trousers, for heavens sake, she huffed, rolling her eyes.
Doesnt matter now, weve evened out. Youre only a little taller than my shoulder, and Im much stronger! David sidled over and gave Mary a side-hug.
See, Daisy, Im taller and stronger than your mum, eh?
Well, perhaps a bit thinner up top, squeezing me in front of Daisy! Mary wriggled out of his grasp.
Thats it exactly, Mary I need someone as clever as you to sort me out! David replied, putting on his lost-puppy grin.
Oh, will you two get on with it? Are we going for the dog or not? Daisy piped up in her best forlorn voice.
Thats what Im saying you wont find a pup like this down the shops, and here he is, free as chips, spots and all. And what a story he has! Come, Ill show you. Davids tone turned mysteriously dramatic, and Daisy clung tighter to her mums hand.
Mummyyy, you promised!
David could tell from Marys eyes that she was all in a muddle, so he hurried along.
So, shall I start the car? Its just around the corner youll be glad you came!
Mary cast her neighbour a suspicious look, exhaled, and told her daughter,
Fine, they say its a little one, but listen here, if you get into trouble at school again
Daisy questioned the whole ride: Mum, is the puppy friendly? Whats his name? Uncle Dave, are we nearly there?
At last, they pulled up outside an ancient block of flats.
This was my late mums, I used to let it out not the best tenants, as it happens. Sorry about the mess, just found the whole palaver yesterday when I came by for the rent
The flat was pure mayhem, to put it kindly.
Amongst a sea of split oats, empty biscuit tins, and crispy old tins of beans, sat, side by side, a scruffy little dog and a steely-eyed grey cat.
They were a sorry pair filthy and matted, but, as it would turn out, not defeated by the wretched fate left to them by their previous owners.
Look at these two! David began, torn between laughing and worrying. I hadnt been round for a month; came to collect the rent and found this!
Neighbours let on that his two lady lodgers had slipped away weeks ago, owing rent, and had abandoned both pets as if they were shampoo bottles.
So the poor souls were left locked inside, helpless, uncertain if salvation would ever come.
No food, no water, just the locked flat.
How on earth did they survive? Daisy gasped, horror-struck.
The evidence of their desperate struggle was scattered everywhere. Starving, theyd eaten anything they could scratch up: biscuits, sweets, chewy pasta, even dry porridge oats. Somehow, theyd managed to open tins with pull-tabs and pouches of custard everything the runaways had left behind went down the hatch.
You should have seen their feasting!
But water that was a saving grace. The cat somehow managed to turn on the bath tap, though whether by genius or by accident is anyones guess. Luckily, it was just a dribble, else the whole floor mightve been flooded. Well, at least then theyd have been rescued sooner
David knew exactly who to bring. Daisy instantly went to cuddle the dog and cat, feeding them from the bag of treats David had brought.
Even Mary had a suspicious something in her eye. Well, David, I always said you were a soft touch.
David leaned in, half-whispering as Daisy soothed the newly-fed furballs, See, I knew you had a heart, Mary. Thats what I like. So, what do you say, we take both of them home? And, Mary would you do me the honour and marry me? I never wed because I couldnt find another like you. Marry me well do proper, you and I. Ive got a car, two flats, our Daisy will have somewhere to live when shes grown, we can let the other, but to decent folk, not scoundrels. Will you? Maybe well have more little ones lifell be grand! And weve already got our cat and dog, just like a proper home should have. What do you say, Mary?
Say yes, Mum! Daisy piped up, not entirely clocking what Uncle Dave was on about.
David let out an appreciative laugh.
See? Everyones agreed. Come on, what do you say?
Oh, go on, David, youre joking, arent you? Mary blushed with a fluster she hadnt felt in years.
After all, David was a charming chap, and kind too couldnt leave an animal behind. And, honestly, Mary hadnt imagined anyone would ask for her hand again. But with Davids embrace, her heart gave a happy drumroll.
Let me think, if youre not having me on, you temptress! Mary said, going as red as a beetroot.
Think away were not too proud for that. Ill take the cat for now, you and Daisy can have the pup as requested. Tomorrow, Mavis and I will come round for your answer. And you, Spot, make sure everythings in order! David addressed the dog, who managed a proud, approving bark.
David talked Mary into marrying him.
A month later, the whole building celebrated the biggest knees-up Broadwood Villas had ever seen.
Preparations happened in Marys flat, but the feast itself was spread out in Davids he had the square footage, what with his bachelor pad.
Mavis and Spot stuck close by their new humans, as if determined never to be left behind again. Animals always sense lovely souls worth clinging onto.
A year later, Mary and David welcomed twins: Sophie and Alfie.
Mavis and Spot found themselves with a new job keeping guard over the babies. In a bustling family, everyone finds their role.
The most important thing? In a big, loving home, happiness multiplies by the dozen.
Joy for the kids and joy for the pets,
Especially when theres a cat or dog curled up by the fire!
