Kindness Bequeathed
Oh, Emma! You couldnt have come at a better time. Im at a complete loss!
Emma set a bulging carrier bag of groceries onto the park bench and let out a sigh.
Whats happened, Mrs. Penelope Richardson?
Steady, Emma! Rememberpoliteness and more politeness. Its the only way with the elderly! Especially the difficult ones.
And everyone on the estate knew Penelope Richardson was tricky. There wasnt a more formidable lady to be found.
Why a lady? Because Penelope only ever raised a polite uproar, but could push people to the brink with her charm-weaponised manners.
Dear, youre quite mistaken.
Im not your dear!
Oh, what a calamity! In my day, it was considered a blessing to have a charming demeanour. But nowadayswhat can you saylost generation! Yet would you kindly clean up after your dog?
And if I dont?
Then the whole street will know all about you, darling!
Anyone underestimating her threats soon learned Penelope didnt do empty gestures. Her actions spoke louder. Offenders promptly found their faces, thanks to Penelopes neighbour-taught printer, plastered on trees, lampposts, and notice boards all around, under the headline: Were not proud! Below, a detailed account of their anti-social misdemeanour. There were many such sheets, as with a good pension and supportive children, Penelope bulk-bought paper. She took her self-appointed duty to maintain order in her neighbourhood so seriously, not even the occasional minor fine handed down by the magistrates court could ruffle her feathers. She reliably attended every hearing, bowing to judges and apologising for wasting their precious time. No-one brushed her off like an annoying bluebottle anymore. She was viewed, ironically, as either a necessary nuisance or a blessing.
Occasionally, she was even thanked. Like the time her posts shamed the council into finally fixing the estates hopeless drainsa triumph that took her a decade of battling bureaucrats and sleepless nights. After this, the area stopped seeing her as a troublemakerand local motorists, no longer piloting submarines every rainstorm, tipped their hats when Penelope hurried by, secretly worried their own mugs might be next on a Were not proud printout clenched in her impeccable hands. Everyone remembered their own crimes and, on seeing Penelope, sighed with relief theyd escaped the spotlight.
Dog owners who didnt clean up, parents nattering on benches over a can while their kids ran wild, serial avoiders of maintenance cheques, quiet tipplers and noisy drunksall felt her swift justice. Anyone who thought basic social rules optional got a dose of Penelopes order.
Of course, not everyone appreciated her work. Once she was waylaid in a dark alley late at night after caring for her poorly sister. The attack, though brief thanks to a passer-by, only steeled her resolve. Surely, she reasoned, if someone hated what she was doing this much, it must be worth it!
Bruises faded. Her mended leg, however, never quite stopped aching in bad weather.
But even here, Penelope, always seeing the up-side, found a silver lining:
Well, at least Ill always know when to bring my umbrella! Isnt that just fabulous?
It didnt take long for her attackers to get their comeuppancealmost everyone at the local police station and court knew Penelope well. Shed become a legend by now.
And now, thanks to this misadventure, Penelope amassed a network of three friendly community officers and a detective, whom she called on whenever her own efforts reached a limit.
Tommy, dear, I desperately need you! shed ring the local constable.
Tommya whiskered giant, who, since buying his nearby flat, was also Penelopes next-door neighbourdashed to help. For Penelope, with her odd, stick-thin, formidable-yet-polite presence, had in six months won over not only Tommys wife and children but also his terrifying mother. The breakthrough? Explaining to Mrs. Morley that daily drop-ins on her now-adult son were perhaps, well, excessive.
My dear, did you really do so poor a job raising him?
I beg your pardon! I was a marvellous mother!
Ive not the slightest doubt! But if your son was raised so well, whys he still in need of your tissues and attention? Love, yesunderstandable. But tissues, dear! At his age! Shocking, really, when a grown man cant even manage his own sniffle! Poor woman, to have raised a child like this. You have my sympathies!
Needless to say, Mrs. Morleys visits became so rare a thing that Tommys entire household breathed a collective sigh of relief. Their gratitude towards Penelope for communicating the unspeakable in just a few cutting phrases was immense.
Emma, whod been a care worker for years, knew all about Penelope and her connections. Which made it all the more strange to find that formidable lady sobbing on a bench outside the block.
Whats happened?
Emma Your client, Mrs. Mabel Harris
What about her? Emmas gaze darted involuntarily to the upstairs window.
Tommys with her now. Theres no more Mabel
Emma gasped and plonked herself onto the bench, nearly missing it entirely.
What a day.
That morning, a burst drain outside had made her children late for school. Then shed had a whopping row with her husband. True, Emma adored Steveloved him to bits, really. In this day and age a man who neither drank nor smoked, loved his wife and kids more than his football team, and earned decently was a rarity! Her friends said so, anyway. But Emma lived with him, after all. Sometimes even the best needed a good shouting-at.
The reason for their row was, in hindsight, laughable. The wretched lightbulb shed begged him to change all weekshe couldve done it herself! Nerves? Age? Some female thing?
Hardly! Just foolishness. A storm in a teacup. Now, after all this fuss, shed have to make upand here she was, crying, which only reminded her: yesterday Mabel had asked for cat foodand today…
Emma sniffled, then burst into tears, unable to hold it in.
Oh, my dear Dont carry on so! Here, take a hanky!
A pristine white hanky landed in Emmas lap, which only made her cry harder.
It even looked like the handkerchief Mabel herself had given her at Christmas!
For you, Emma! A modest gift with all my gratitude!
Its beautiful! Is this embroidery?
Yes. Your initials.
Goodness! Its far too lovely to actually use!
Emma, its only a handkerchief. Im afraid I cant afford anything grander. You know what my pensions like.
My gran always said the best gift is being remembered.
Your grandmother was a wise woman. Is she still with you?
No. Ive been on my own a long while nowjust me, Steve, and the kids.
How sad! Dont get me wrongI dont envy you the husband and children. Marvellous! I never had either. But you know, sometimes, even surrounded by family, you find yourself utterly alone. Occasionally, they just pop by to see whether youre ready for your last slippers! Outstayed your welcome and all that.
Is that how your relatives treat you?
Yes, dear. I never had my own little family, but Ive plenty of relatives, always happy to tell me how to live. Sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, parentseveryone wanted to help. A regular bear hug! It ended with me completely by myself. If my choices didnt please them, they considered me unfit to decide. My own fault as well, of course. The result, though loneliness! Its frightening, Emma. People need people. Whatever they say, being truly alone is miserable. If it werent for my cats, I really dont know what Id do. One niece even told me, after I refused her to stay, that I was just cluttering up the place. My sister was furiousher daughter was desperate for my flat while doing her degree.
What did you say no for? Wouldnt it have cheered you up, having family about?
Oh, Emma, you miss the point. They didnt want just a room for herthey wanted the whole flat.
Come again?
Yes! Supposedly I didnt need it anymore. The girl needed somewhere to live, study, get married, raise childrenapparently all in my flat. Better conditions, you see.
And where were you meant to go?
To my sisters. Briefly. Shed already lined up a care home for me and arranged the spot. Can you believe it?
Honestly! Who do they think they are?! Youre not a baby!
Oh, Emma! They doubt my capacitytell me Im not able to think for myself. Honestly! I knew what I was doing my whole life, then suddenly Im senile.
With relations like that, who needs enemies, honestly
And still, theyre family. I cant not love them. The flats been left equally to all the nieces and nephews. Not that itll do them much goodconscience wont let me favour one. The thought of the squabbling makes me dizzy! And as for the catswell, they all loathe them. Whole lot said theyd be tossed out the day I go. Who, apparently, needs all that lot
Not on my watch!
Oh, Emma! You dont know them!
And dont want to! You know what?
What?
Leave your cats to me. Seriously.
Can you really do that?
Course! Cats are technically possessions, right? Leave them to me in your will. If anything happens, at least your little darlings will be safe! Kindness, bequeathed, if you like. You cant have beloved pets done away with.
Emma! Youre an angel! The thought hadnt even crossed my mind. But its such a bind
Oh, dont call them that! Isnt there a saying, home without a cat isnt a home? Give them herePercy and Monty are a delight!
Percy (formerly belonging to Mabel for ten years) had been joined fairly recently by Monty, a scrawny moggy Penelope had deposited at Mabels with, Mabs, youll know what to do with this funny scrap. Im allergic, you see! Cant bear to see the poor beast abandonedlook at him, hes tiny!
I suppose I can manage just this once, Pen. But its the lastIm strapped as it is.
Deal, Mabs. Youre a star
It turned out, though, that Monty was actually a Monica. A couple of weeks before Mabels passing, shed woken to a cacophony and discovered:
Oh, Monica misery or Monica joy? Lovely kittens, my girl! Well done, Monica! Percy, you rascal! Shape up as a father, or Ill be having words!
Either Percy had more nous than Mabel ever dreamed, or animal instinct is a marvellous thing, for Percy took naturally to fatherhood. Emma, dropping by, chuckled at the feline family:
See, we pretend to know everything, but cant even tell a tom from a queen. Didnt you notice Monica was expecting?
I just thought heerm, shewas eating well! Mabel laughed. But what shall I do with the kittens?
Ill helpbig enough garden at mine. If needed, Penelope will lend a hand. No one says no to Penelope! Itll be fine!
Now Emma, remembering the kittens, leapt from the bench.
What on earth am I doing, sitting here?! Those kittens must be starving
Emma collected her legacy the same day. Tommy had no qualms, cheerfully ferrying the basket to her house.
Save a kitten for me. Kids have been beggingbut my mum never allowed pets. Now I can take one. Mabel was a good womanit stands to reason her cats will be, too
No doubt! Fancy the ginger one?
Thats the one!
When hes a bit older, hes yours.
Thank you!
Youre welcome, really And what about the arrangements? Any family stepped up?
Ha! Not likely. Told me to get on with it on my own.
Emma nearly dropped the basket. Typical.
Well, Ill see to everything.
She wasnt your family.
There youre wrong! Ive known Mrs. Harris over five years. Sometimes thats all it takes to become closeothers are family for a lifetime and never so much as friends. Mrs. Harris deserved a proper send-off. Ill see to it!
Tommy grinned, clapped Emmas shoulder:
Youre sounding just like someone else I know. But no need to get all fired upIll help.
Thank you, Emma nodded wearily.
Honestly, what was with her lately? Barking at everyoneher nerves must be shot.
Back at her parents old house in the middle of townbuilt by her grandfather and still snug and welcomingEmma lingered on the garden path.
She simply couldnt fathom how people could neglect their loved ones.
Heading inside, overwhelmed by scents from the kitchen and the racket of children, Emma was met by Steve at the hallway.
Emma, whats up? I fixed the light! Took the afternoon off, fixed the tap while I was at ityour tulipsll be out soon and youll be able to water them to your hearts content. Come onno more tears!
Promise! Emma snuffled, smiling through streaming eyes.
Whats this, then? Steve took the basket from her. Blimey, its heavy!
Itscats Emma calmed, nestling against him.
What?!
Look! She whisked off the towel and the kids, arriving from the kitchen, screeched with delight. Steve shushed them, Quiet, or youll scare the kittens!
The household adapted quickly. Percy even started leaving the odd mouse on the doorstep in payment for bed and board, and Penelope herself was seen watching him sit atop the tall tree opposite his old home, quietly waiting for Mabel to answer the call she never would. The neighbours understoodPercy missed his first owner.
Sometimes hed wait a few minutes; other times, hours. Occasionally hed stay out all night, much to Emmas consternation when she let him in, muttering, Out all hours! Ive work in the morning!
Percy, ever grateful, would inspect the sleeping house, check on the kids and Steve, then curl up in the basket with Monica and the kittens, purring.
Mrs. Harris received the finest send-off. Emma gasped at the sheer number of mourners.
Who are they all? she asked Penelope, who was helping lay out sandwiches.
Her old students. Mabel taught physics, later turned tutor, helped many into university. She did well till her eyesight faded. Had to give up tutoringbut look, she made her mark. She was a genuinely good person.
I know.
Nine days. Forty.
Emma would rise at night to let Percy in, pondering the brevity of life and the rapid passing of time. She knew now why she was so jittery, why those mysterious morning bluesa secret shed not yet shared, even with Steve. The idea of another child filled her with a delicious, nervous excitement.
She stroked Monica and her kittens, whispering, Ill be a mum again soon. Its dauntingmy little ones are already so grown-up, Ive forgotten so much. Do you think Ill manage?
Monicas purr was so thunderous that Percy would come running to investigate, making Emma smile despite herself.
Honestly! The house is full of helpersId have to try hard not to cope.
The day Emma decided to share the news with Steve, something happened that confirmed her belief there were no coincidences in this life.
Percy had been missing for two daysnot like him at all. Emma began to worry, even checked Mabels old house, but he wasnt there. Neither Penelope nor Tommy had spotted him anywhere.
Emma, just go to bedhell scratch at the door when he gets hungry, Steve reassured her.
I cant! Im restlessthey said itd rain as well. Hell get soaked!
Cats, Emma! They come and go as they please. When hes hungry, hell be back!
Well, Ill lock him in when he doeshell be grounded, thats for sure!
Sitting up late, Emma fell asleep in her armchair and didnt hear Percy return.
He came back not just quietly, but making such a racket that surely the whole street ought to have heard. The house, with its thick walls and Emmas windows shut against the unseasonal cold snap, muffled all but Monicas sensitive feline ears.
Monica sniffed the air, sprang from her basket, and raced to Emmagiving her a sharp scratch on the leg.
Oi!
Dazed, Emma almost gave Monica a nudge before fully waking up.
Whats going on, Monica?! Whyd you do that?!
Then Emma heard Percy wailing outside and smelt the first faint hints of smoke.
Steve! Kids! The house is on fire!
Her shout met Monica at the childrens bedroom. The cat nipped first one child, then the other.
Up! Get up!
Emma scooped her youngest, pushed the eldest towards Steve, and grabbed the kitten basket on her way downstairs.
The neighbours had already called the fire brigade, who arrived quickly enough to stop the blaze, which started in the outbuilding, from taking the house. Percy had rescued Monica, and the whole feline brood huddled with the family outside.
All sortedsafe to go back in, said the chief. Bit of a smell for a while, but you woke up in timethats the main thing!
Emma clung to Monica, murmuring her thanks.
Steve hugged her. You alright?
Im fine
Sure? You look pale! He touched her stomach, making Emma gasp in surprise.
You know?
Of course! Emma, reallyam I not your husband? Weve got two… no, almost three kids now! Did you think I hadnt noticed the nerves, the tears, everything?
Stevewhat if I cant manage?
Dont be daft! Youve got me, the kids, about a million catswell cope, no question. And the house is fine!
Absolutely
Emma passed Monica to Steve, kittens to the kids, and paused on the doorstep, eyes skywards.
Thank you, Mabel, for every kindness bequeathed. Thank youAbove her, a breeze rustled the budding treesas if a gentle hand wished them welland Emma felt, amidst the chaos and newness, a deep, unexpected peace. Her family tumbled noisily past her into the warm, smoky house, Steves laugh mixing with the childrens squeals and the kittens tiny mews.
Behind her, Penelope bustled up the path, coat askew, a hot flask under one arm and a tin of emergency biscuits in the other. She didnt need an invitationshe pushed the door wide, declaring, It takes a village, Emma! And dont you forget I own most of this one now, in spirit if not in deed!”
Emma winked, ushering her friend inside. In that moment, as Monica brushed around her ankles and Percy paced the thresholdguardian returned homeEmma understood the true inheritance of kindness. Not money, nor property, but the steadfast, stubborn loving that wrapped you up, lingered in every corner of your life, and refused to let you be alone.
She wiped her eyes, heart brimming, and followed her odd, loyal army inside, the echo of Mabels soft laugh in her ears, as bright as sunshine after rain.
And from that day forward, Emma never doubtedlove, once given, never truly leaves. It multiplies, purring at your feet, warming your hearth, filling your house with laughter and memories that not even fire could consume.
