I’m Not Living With You Anymore! Nothing I Do Is Ever Right! — Anna Glared at Her Mother, Angry and Hurt. — It Was One Thing When I Was a Child: ‘Don’t Go There, Don’t Do This,’ But Mum, I’m Twenty Years Old Now!

Ill not live with you any longer! You always have something to say! Emily glared at her mother, her arms crossed in defiance. It was one thing when I was littledont go there, dont do this. But now Im twenty, Mum! Twenty. Ive been an adult for two years.

Well, if youre all grown up and dont want to live with us, then find a job, rent a place, and pay for it yourself. Thats my answer, love, her mother replied firmly.

Brilliant! Emily scoffed. First it was study, Emily, dont get caught up with parties, and now its go get a job. Doesnt matter what happens to my degree, I take it? How about trying to help your own daughter for once?

Youre always insisting on doing everything yourself, arent you? her father chimed in. You never ask for our advice. So if you want your independence, you can have itevery bit of it.

Of course, this wasnt exactly what Emily had hoped for. Her mother didnt hound her over cleaning or cooking, her dad paid the bills, kept the fridge stocked, and even slipped an extra twenty pounds onto her card now and then. It was an easy life, really, if only her parents wouldnt meddle so muchbut her stubborn streak wouldnt let her back down. It was family legend that one of her great-great-grandmothers marched with the suffragettes. If Emilys parents complained about her independent streak, someone always brought up that story.

Soon enough, she landed a job and found a small flat near her university. Only then did she feel the pinchshed heard about people struggling to make ends meet before, in bus rides, overheard conversations between her parents friends, or when watching the telly. Cannot afford even the basics, the politicians would say. But now she knew.

Her wages barely covered rent, never mind food, travel, and everything else. Wild parties faded into the background, replaced by counting pennies and figuring out what she truly needed. She started appreciating her earnings, and some of her parents nagging didnt seem quite so bad anymore.

One evening after work, Emily found herself walking behind two teenage lads, their laughter vulgar and their conversation loud. She rolled her eyeswondered if they had any sense at all.

Ahead, on the stone steps of a disused corner shop, sat an old woman. Emily saw her there often, and though few carried spare coins in the age of contactless payment, Emily tried to save a few for her. She didnt really know why she botheredshed never given much thought to beggars before.

But to call this lady a beggar hardly seemed right. An air of dignity shone through her threadbare coat and battered tin. She only nodded in gratitude at each donation, sitting patiently on the cold steps.

As the lads passed her, they snorted derisively, and one kicked the tin away. It clattered into the road, coins spinning across the tarmac.

The old lady struggled to stand, her hands trembling as she picked her money off the ground. Emily flushed with anger and rushed to help.

What do you think youre doing, you morons? she shouted at their backs, then knelt to scoop coins into the battered tin.

She pressed some extra coins into the old ladys palm. Here, take this as well.

Thank you, the woman said softly, lifting eyes that looked startlingly young in her lined face. I recognise youyou always give what you can.

She ran her hand over the battered tin. Its squashed now. Ill have to look for another.

She seemed poorly, and Emily hesitated. Do you live far?

No, see those flats? the woman nodded towards a row of five-storey buildings. Thats where I am.

Let me walk you homeit looks like youre having a tough day.

My hearts playing up. Got a bit upset, the woman admitted, clutching Emilys arm. Thank you. I wont be long.

As soon as they entered her third-floor flat, Emily was greeted by a flurry of cats. She lost count. The old lady caught her look and laughed, Twelve. Never thought Id have so many.

Why keep them? Emily asked.

Not that I need them, my dear. They need me. Without me, theyd all be gone. Cabbage and Lucy were abandoned in a bin bag last winterI found them when I went out to the rubbish. Lucy was squealing; Cabbage was barely breathing. I got Fluffy away from some boys, and Ronnie came wandering in from the street. Fennel gave birth down in the basement, so I had to bring her and her kittens in before anyone poisoned themDo you think Ive lost my marbles?

No, of course not, Emily replied bashfully. Its just, well, thats a lot to look after. They all need feeding.

Thats why I sit outside, the old lady nodded.

From that day, Emily couldnt ignore her new friends plight. She started popping round to see her, and soon even posted about the old ladyMrs Helen Fairchildon social media. To her surprise, amid snide comments, people started offering help and kind words.

Her father raised an eyebrow when he heard. Is this because youve suddenly turned into an animal lover, Em?

Its not that, Dador maybe it is, a little. You and Mum never seemed fussed about pets. I never even asked for a cat or dog, because I assumed the answer was no. I wonder why?

Emily paused, then added: Helen said something that stuck with me: its not that she needs the cats, but that they need her. Its truetheyd have never survived without her.

So what, youre planning to fill your flat with cats, sit about doting on them? her father scoffed. You know what they call spinster women with cats, dont you?

Im not filling my flat with cats, Emily said sharply. Id take one for Helens sake, but my landlord wont have it. I might do things differently than you would, but Im not a childand Im not doing anything wrong.

Youre not, her father sighed. But we worry youre wasting your life on this, love.

Dont worry, Dad. I promise, Im fine.

Emily carried on helping Helen. With support from social media, she found homes for four of Fennels kittens the ones that would have been poisoned in the basement. But eight cats stayed with Mrs Fairchildmost were elderly with little hope of adoption, and Helen had grown deeply attached to them.

Emily, if anything ever happens to me, Helen asked quietly one evening, dont abandon them, would you? I know its a lot to ask. I cant imagine how theyd go on without me. And to be honest, youre the only person I really have left.

Emily never asked why Helen was alone, but one day the woman explained, sadness in her voice: I could have had a granddaughter your age, you know. But my son and his wife separatedhe couldnt have children, as it turned out, and he died on-duty a year later. So here I am, with my cats. I cant walk by suffering, not even animal suffering.

One day, Emily came round as usual, but no one answered the door. Worried, she phoned Helens neighbour.

Hello! Have you seen Helen today?

Its Emily, isnt it? She felt poorly this morning. Let me get my spare key.

Helen looked peacefulalmost as though sleeping. The cats hovered, mewling and confused.

Oh, bless herHelen Fairchilds gone, the neighbour murmured, crossing herself. Emily wept quietly; shed never known such loss before.

What do I do now? she whispered, hopeless.

Look, theres a note for you on the table.

Fighting tears, Emily read Helens shaky, handwritten message. The old lady left her the flat and begged her not to abandon the cats: Only you can I ask, my dear

The next weeks were a whirlwindlegal details, paperwork. She could hardly have managed without her friend Tom.

Tom had reached out after Emilys first post about the cats. Hed written words of encouragement and soon they began chatting, then meeting regularly. Toms family had always kept animals, and he volunteered at rescue shelters. Thanks to Tom, theyd placed four of Fennels kittens.

Tom was training as a solicitor, and his advice was invaluable.

Em, this is brilliant! her friend Jenny exclaimed. A flat of your own! Ask Tom to place those cats in a shelter, job done!

I cant, JenI promised Helen Id look after them.

Shes deadshell never know! Why burden yourself with all these animals? What if they live for years?

However long they live, theyre mine to care for, Jen. Helen trusted me. And I like having them around.

You sound like an old spinster. Even your dad joked about that. Why bother? Once you’ve got all those animals, no one will want to visitand no man will stick about.

I dont have a man, Jen, Emily replied quietly.

And you wontif you go on this way! Jenny snapped. I simply dont get it, sorry.

Her parents were no better.

A flats a blessing, but it sounds mad, like something out of a film, her mother fretted. Imagine a stranger leaving you everything!

No surprise there, her father muttered. That old woman was round the twist. Shes filled your head with nonsense and ruined your chances.

She only meant well! Emily replied, bristling.

For the cats, her mum snapped. Not thinking of you, silly. Wiping her conscience before going. Where was her head when she kept collecting them?

Emily left her parents that night disheartened. Everyone thought she was foolishsuggested she turf the cats out and get on with her life.

Em, wait up! Tom caught up with her near Helens old estate. Hey, whats up?

Tom, do you think Im mad? she asked him flat-out.

Why would I? he replied, genuinely puzzled.

Everyone else thinks soover these cats. Family, friendsthey all say Ive thrown my life away by keeping them. Maybe I should give up the flat after all.

Give up? Tom looked at her kindly. Helen left those cats to you because she saw something good in you. Anyone else wouldve shoved them onto the streetor worse. But you didnt. That matters.

You dont think Im daft for doing it?

No. Its rare to meet someone truly honest and kind. Im very glad I did. And by the way, I posted Helens story toosomeones already offered to take two of the cats. I was on my way to tell you.

Really? Are you sure theyll be kind?

Shell come and meet us; well check everythings fine

When Tom and Emily got married, four cats stayed with them from Helens original twelve. Ronnie was taken in by Helens old neighbourHe always fancied me, she laughed, and you lot are close by if I need help. Toms parents took another, quite used to rescue petsTom had been bringing stray animals home since he was small.

When Emily came home from hospital with baby Harry in her arms, Cabbage, Lucy, Fluffy, and Fennel lined up at the door, tails erect, waiting as though they understood everything.

Nannies at the ready! Tom laughed. Or maybefurry grandmothers?

Hello, you lot! Emily greeted her loyal charges. Missed me? Let me put Harry down, and the rest of you can have a cuddlemy little inheritance with tails.

I learned something then. Sometimes family isnt who youre born to, but who needs you and who you choose. I might not have set out to live a life filled with old cats and new friends, but I wouldnt swap it for anything. Kindness, I think, tends to find you right when you need it most.