Being Happy Is A Must
Her father left them for another woman when little Daisy was just four. He left straight after the New Year, paused at the doorway, told his daughter forgive me, and closed the front door with a finality that seemed to echo.
Mum seemed to accept it all with strange calm, almost as if it was a simple twist of fate. After all, no woman in her family had ever managed a lifelong partnership either. But two weeks later, she quietly finished all the sleeping pills and paracetamol in the house one night and slipped away forever to silence.
In the morning, Daisy shook her mum over and over, calling to her long and loud. Eventually, she managed a bit of breakfast from the fridge, then went on trying to wake her mother. Worn out at last, she curled up next to her mum and nodded off herself.
The January day fled fast, dusk gathering by the time Daisy opened her eyes. She woke shivering, pulling the blanket tighter and burrowing nearer to her mum. Yet, the closer she pressed, the worse the cold grew. It struck her suddenlythis deep, unbearable chill was coming from her mother. Hot tears stung her cheeks.
The sound of the front door opening startled her from her daze. Daisy tore from the room like a whirlwindit was Aunt Sophie, her mothers younger sister.
Daisy! Youre at home. Wheres your mum? Ive rung her all day, but she wont answer I was so worried!
Daisy gripped her aunts coat, pulling frantically. She stared up with huge, tearful eyes, pointing to the bedroom, her mouth wide in a silent scream. Her face twisted and contorted, tears and snot running in rivers, but not a single sound escaped.
Aunt Sophie had never managed to have a child of her own. After five years, her husband left as well. She loved her niece with real devotion, giving her every bit of care she hadshe almost became Daisys second mother. When tragedy struck, Sophie quickly arranged guardianship. She showered Daisy with constant attention, but no treatment or therapy over three years could bring the girls voice back.
That winter, the frost arrived for Epiphanycrackling, biting cold and snow thick enough to squeak underfoot. Daisy and her friends spent the day in Victoria Park, sledging down icy hills, building whole families of snowmen, tumbling through drifts and tracing angels in the white.
All right, thats enough. Your coats gone stiff with snow, your gloves are frozen solid. Time to head home. Lets nip into Sainsburys for some milk and pasta, called Sophie, gathering the girls.
People hurried in and out of the automatic doors; a ginger cat perched next to the shop, looking as if he belonged nowhere and everywhere at once. He sat with a wise sort of patience, closing his eyes as if the world behind his eyelids was better than reality, yet kneading his paws against the cold concrete. Daisy crouched beside him, motioning for Sophie to head in without her.
I wont be long. Stay right here, Sophie said.
Daisys hand found the cats warm fur. He arched his back with pleasure, purring. She hugged him, pressing his head to her cheekand, suddenly, hot tears spilled down her face. The cat licked them, sneezing and licking again.
Honestly, Daisy, thats filthy! Hes a street cathe could be anywhere, been in anything, sputtered Sophie, grabbing Daisys arm and trying to march her away to the car. Daisy dug in, desperate to stay, but Sophie bundled her into the back seat.
The cat followed them to the car, mewing as he watched Daisy from the pavement.
I cant leave him, hes mine now! I cant! Daisy whispered, smudging her tears across the window.
Did you just say that? Say it againplease, once more, Sophies voice shook.
We cant leave him. Hell die if I dont look after him! her niece cried, her voice breaking the silence for the first time in three years.
Sophie tumbled out of the car, scooped the ginger cat into her arms, and climbed into the back beside Daisy. The cat, terrified, dug his claws into her coatthen, spotting Daisy, leapt into her lap and lay completely still.
You want him? Of course you can have him! Why didnt you just say sooner? Id have found you the loveliest cat ages ago, Sophie smiled, tears of happiness sparkling in her eyes.
