Happiness Is Not Optional: A Journey to Embracing Joy in Everyday British Life

Its Important to Be Happy

My father left our family for another woman when little Daisy was just four years old. He walked out straight after New Years, paused in the hallway to say Im sorry to her, and closed the front door behind him.

Mum took it all rather calmly, as if it was to be expected. No woman in her family had ever managed to hold on to her marriage for long. But just a few weeks later, in the middle of the night, she took all the paracetamol and sleeping pills in the house, and quietly drifted away forever.

In the morning, Daisy tried for ages to wake her mum. Eventually, she had a bit of breakfast, whatever she could find in the fridge, then came back and tried again. Exhausted, she curled up close and fell asleep next to her.

January days go by quickly in England; dusk was creeping in when the little girl opened her eyes. She woke from the cold, pulled the duvet tighter around herself, and snuggled closer to her mother, only to feel even colder. Thats when Daisy realised the true, unbearable chill was coming from her mother, and searing tears ran down her cheeks.

The front door creaked open in the hallway. Daisy rushed over like a whirlwind. It was Helen, her mums younger sister.

Daisy, there you are! And wheres Mum? Ive been trying to call all daywhy doesnt she answer? Ive been worried sick!

Daisy gripped her aunts coat tightly and pulled her along. She looked up at Helen with big, tear-filled eyes, jabbing her finger frantically toward the bedroom and shouting silently. Her mouth was wide open, her face contorted with grief, tears and snot streaming downbut no sound came out.

Helen could never have children of her own; after five years of marriage, her husband left. She loved her niece as if she were her own daughter, truly and devotedly, almost as a second mother. Of course, after the tragedy, Helen took Daisy in officially. She devoted herself to Daisy absolutely, but no amount of therapy or time brought her nieces voice backnot in those three years.

That winter, frost arrived early, right after Epiphany. Real, crisp English snow, coating the parks. Daisy and her friends spent all day sliding down the hill in Regents Park, built a whole family of snowmen, made snow angels, and tumbled in the drifts.

All right, time for home. Your coats stiff as a board with snow and your gloves are like little glaciers! Lets go. Well stop by Sainsburys for milk and pasta, Helen clucked.

People came and went, doors opened and closed, and not far from the shop entrance, an orange tomcat sat with a dignified air as if he had nowhere else to bejust flicking his front paws now and then from the cold. Daisy crouched down close to him, motioned for Helen to go into the shop alone.

Ill be quick! Stay right here, not a step, Helen called.

Daisy gently stroked the cats fur; he arched his back in delight and started purring. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek to his furry head. Suddenly, hot tears spilled down her cheeks, and the cat began to lick them away, sneezing and licking again.

Oh, Daisy, lovedont! He lives on the street, hes filthy, scolded Helen, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the car. Daisy resisted and tried to pull free, but Helen bundled her into the back seat and got behind the wheel.

The ginger cat padded after them to the car, staring in at Daisy and meowing.

I cant leave him. Hes mine now, but Im abandoning him, Daisy murmured through her tears, pressing her face to the window.

Helens voice trembled. Was that you? Say it again, Daisysay it again!

We cant leave him. Hell die without me! her niece suddenly cried, loud and clear, right into Helens face.

Without hesitation, Helen dashed out, scooped the cat into her arms and slid in the back beside Daisy. The ginger, frightened, clung to her coat with his claws. But as soon as he saw Daisy, he leapt onto her lap, settled down, and stilled.

If you wanted this cat, you should have just said so! I could have found you one months ago, Helen smiled, joy lighting up her face.