A Friend’s Tale: A Love-Filled Wedding

A Tale of a Friend: Marriage for Love

One fine day, a mate of mine decided to tie the knot. He married for love, naturally. His bride was lovely, sharp as a tack, and fiercely independent. She worked as an accountant at a top firm in London and earned a tidy sum.

My friend, James, wasnt about to let his wife outshine him when it came to earnings. He took on extra jobs and worked long hours to pay off their mortgage faster.

Their flat in Manchester was bought in no time. They pooled their savings, took out a loan, and even got a bit of help from family. They gave the place a proper makeovermodern European styleand decorated it to perfection. Youd think they had it all: a home, love, happiness.

But happiness didnt come knocking. His wife struggled with the housework. Either she didnt know how to mop, dust, or get dinner ready on time, or she simply couldnt be bothered. Shed say she was knackered from work and came home late. Fair enough, but James was no slouch eitherhe was burning the midnight oil too.

Soon, the rows began over who did more around the house. The first six months were spent in daily battles, the flat littered with laundry and stacks of unwashed dishes. Neither admitted the real reason for the squabbles to their families, though. They were both too embarrassed.

One evening, James went fishing with his father-in-law. Both were mad about angling, which was why they got on so well. By the campfire, with a pint in hand, James spilled his guts, on the condition his father-in-law wouldnt breathe a wordespecially to the mother-in-law.

The old man swore secrecy but said their home would never know peace until they welcomed a “guardian of the house.”

“Ive got just the thing,” his father-in-law said. “When I get a chance, Ill persuade him to move in with you.”

James thought the man had lost the plot but kept his mouth shut.

The next week, his father-in-law turned up with a kitten. James was furious. What good was that? Just more mess! But the old man beckoned him outside for a smoke and reminded him about the “guardian.” Hed brought it along with the cat, he said, and now everything would sort itself outso long as they treated the little thing right.

James took to the kitten straight away. Tiny and affectionate, it clung to him like a shadow, mewing for cuddles. The only hiccup was a small “accident” on the floor one night, but that was it.

The next day, James came home to a spotless flat. No clothes strewn about, and his wife was cooking up a proper roast!

Cheered up, James finally put up that bathroom shelf hed been promising for ages.

The day after, he found his wife vacuuming the rugs. Well, he pitched in tootook out the bins and nipped to the shop for bread. He even picked up a bottle of wine. Dinner felt like a celebration. They couldnt remember the last time theyd done something like that.

The whole week was like that. It was as if joy had moved back in. On Sunday evening, his wife said to James:

“Tomorrow, no need to pop home at lunch. Ive bought litter and set up a spot for the cat in the loo.”

“For who?”

“Your little kitten. I know youve been sneaking home during work to tidy up. But no need nowits all sorted.”

James was gobsmacked. He hadnt been home at all. Hed assumed his wife was doing the cleaning. Turns out shed been ashamed to sit idle in a tidy house.

He decided to investigate. The next day, he pretended to leave for work but doubled back quietly, hiding with his phone at the ready.

Around noon, he heard keys jingling at the door. The kitten scampered over, mewing excitedly. Then a soft voice cooed:

“Oh, Whiskers, missed you! Brought you fresh milk and a treat. Looks like youve got the hang of the litter box”

The bedroom door creaked open. It was his father-in-law. He hadnt expected to find James there.

“So this is your ‘guardian of the house,’ eh?”

The old man flushed.

“Well, I gave you the cat. Thought Id help look after it, at least at first.”

“And howd you get a key?”

“Swiped it from your ring when we went fishing, had a copy made, and slipped it back the next day”

Three years on, James and his wife are happy as ever, with a little one now. And to this day, no one knows who really was the “guardian” that once watched over their home.