The Bride

THE BRIDE

Eleanor remembered the day she saw her fiancé, his face twisted in fury, strike Maisie, her little dachshund, for accidentally putting her muddy paw on his gleaming white trainers. Bonnie, her mongrel, tried to defend the pup, but only received a hard smack on her muzzle with his hefty leather lead. It was in that moment Eleanor truly understood why her pets never warmed to William.

She sat by the window, lost in thought as the winter evening fell. Lights glowed in the neighbouring houses, but to Eleanor it mattered little whether it was light or dark. She had much on her mind.

By outward measures, she had everythinga flat of her own, a good job; she lived as well as anyone could hope. Yet her personal life was stubbornly unlucky. The clock ticked on, classmates long married and raising children, while she carried on alone.

Was she, an intelligent and attractive woman, doomed to remain a spinster? What made her any less deserving than the others, she mused, glancing at her beloved furry companions who crowded lovingly about her.

Her parents had left the world early, one after the other, so she had grown up in her grandmothers care, resolved that she would one day become a nurse. She had applied to the College of Medicine after school but failed to get a place, so instead trained as a paramedic. Now, she worked day and night on the city ambulance service.

Her doting grandmother, eager to see Eleanor settled, had moved out to her own little cottage, hoping her precious granddaughter would finally find happiness. But for Eleanor, life stubbornly refused to fall into place.

As a child, Eleanor longed for a cat and a dog, but her mothers fur allergy made it impossible. She discovered this the very day Eleanor, glowing with delight, brought home a stray tom kitten. Within hours, her mother suffered an asthma attack. That little gingerthe first pet she called Marmaladewent to live with her grandmother.

When her parents were gone, she found another stray, a gentle black tom called Thomas, sheltering behind the dustbins. Her grandmother was wary of having a dog, fearing the responsibility.

Now, instead of a husband, Eleanor had five loyal friendswithout them, life would have been much lonelier. Bonnie, the mixed-breed, she had rescued as a shivering, flea-ridden pup lurking outside the local Tesco during a harsh frost. The barking puppy kept trying to sneak inside the warmth of the shop, only to be chased off by the security guard. Without hesitation, Eleanor scooped up the trembling thing and tucked her into her bag to bring home.

Bonnie was clever and energetic, darting about the flat at rocket speed, earning her the name as she bounced around like the wind. She became fast friends with Thomas.

But the rescue missions didnt end there. Soon a dachshund called Maisie joined the family. Her neighbours, moving to a new, swankier flat, decided they couldn’t risk a dog’s muddy paws on their pristine floors or new furniture. One winters day, they simply left poor Maisie in the garden and drove away. The little sausage dog, bewildered and shivering, circled the house for days, desperate to find her way back inside, until Eleanor heard of her plight from the dog-walkers who went by each morning.

She brought Maisie in, nursing her frostbitten ears, and found her to be the perfect house dogcalm, prudent, and methodical, like an experienced old matron. When her ears played up, Eleanor would wrap her in a cosy woollen scarf for winter walks. Maisie didnt mind; in fact, she looked quite droll trundling along the paths, more like a prim old lady than a dog.

The big stray of the crew, Lady Grey, came entirely of her own accord. One morning, rushing to a shift, Eleanor had stepped out to find a frantic, half-starved cat, matted with snow and ice, crying piteously and winding around her ankles. Eleanor ushered her into the stairwell, set her beside the radiator, and gave her some cheese-and-ham sandwiches from her lunch. She posted a note for the neighboursPlease dont put out the cat! Ill take her home after my shift. Eleanor, flat 4B.

Back at home, she named the stern-looking cat Lady Grey, bestowing her own middle name, and, to her delight, the new arrival answered to it. Lady Grey was a big, proper sort with a commanding air, and soon ruled the household, setting strict standards of behaviour and cleanliness that all the others obeyed. Each night, she even patrolled the flat multiple times, ensuring all was in order.

The last to arrive was tiny Bear, a kitten Eleanor found in Hyde Park. Two aggressive crows nearly pecked the tot to bits, but she whisked him to safety. Even fully grown, Bear remained shy and gentle, causing no trouble and never picking a fight. All five, once lonely strays, thrived together, always eager for affection but careful not to give Eleanor grief.

She adored her brood, though she was well aware that not everyone wanted to share their home with such company. Her grandmother often sighed, offering gentle warnings:

My dear Ellie, is it really practical to have two dogs and three cats? Your flat may be big enough, but most young men these days wont take kindly to a houseful of animals. Theyre not all like youmany havent the patience for pets or the mess.

That only weeds out the wrong sort of fellow, Gran, Eleanor would reply. If he doesnt care for animals, hes not for me.

And time bore her out. Eleanor had met Andrew, a junior doctor, in her early days on the job, and they dated for half a year until it became plain he couldnt abide pets. When it ended, she hardly mourned.

Then along came Williamcharming, lively, a local swimming champion. He was well-spoken, attentive, even accompanied Eleanor on walks with Bonnie and Maisie. Marriage talk began to crop up and, for a while, things seemed certain.

Yet, slowly but surely, her animals grew uneasy around him. Bonnie would grumble whenever William entered, and Maisie hid behind Eleanor, barking nervously. The cats steered clear, and Lady Grey hissed should he even try to stroke her.

One evening, preparing supper, Eleanor happened to glimpse the friendly mask slip: William, face contorted with rage, kicked poor Maisie for getting muddy prints on his trainers; when Bonnie tried to defend her, he whipped her snout with the lead.

Eleanor burst into the garden, ripped the leads from her fiancé with steely calm, and, without a word, lashed his hands with the leather.

Ow, Ellie! Whats got into you? he yelped.

She finally understood why even her most steadfast pets loathed him.

Oh, it hurts you, does it? And what about themyou think its your right to strike my animals? Perhaps next time youll hit me instead, is that it?

Honestly, I barely touched themjust showing them how to behave.

Leave. And dont ever come back!

William snorted, You think I want to live in a flipping zoo? Good riddance! And with that, he stormed out.

Eleanor suffered deeply at the collapse of her hopes. Williams cruel words echoed in her mind for weeks. Shed got used to the idea of a future together without ever truly seeing his real self beneath that cheery exterior.

A year passed. Eleanor nearly reconciled herself to solitude, yet, as fate would have it, she fell properly in love for the first timeso deeply that every hour apart felt endless.

They met by pure chance. Dr. Alexander Hartley, a trauma surgeon, was on call the night Eleanor brought in an accident victim. He looked up from his notes, their eyes metand that was that. Shed never believed in love at first sight, thinking it only happened in novels or plays. Apparently, she was wrong.

Alexander found her number through the hospital grapevine, and rang her the next evening. They began to see each other.

Eleanor sensed, from Alexanders gentle and reserved manner, that he took her seriously. It made her happy, but left her anxiouswhat if things ended as before? She couldnt bear another disappointment. To protect herself, she kept her pets a secret. Perhaps, after the wedding, she would confess.

Six months went by. She was introduced to Alexanders sister, Lucy, and her husband, and they all took a trip to meet his parents in Somerset. Eleanor introduced Alexander to her grandmother.

She visited his bachelor flat often enough, but Alexander had never been to her placewhich started to look suspicious. Her excusessickly relatives, an unexpected fluwere growing thin. It was time: either admit she kept a menagerie or continue deceiving him.

Eleanor decided to act. She brought her furry entourage, leads and litter trays and all, to her grandmothers for safekeeping. The dogs had been there before; the cats worshipped Gran and Marmalade, her old ginger tom, was friends with them all. But her grandmother frowned at the plan:

Eleanor, dear, this isnt right. Alexander Hartley is a man of good character, and youre leading him astray.

Gran, pleaseyou know how much I love him, and what if he leaves me because of them? But I cant do without them, either. Ive no other option.

All right, come every day unless youre on shift. But, darling, I fear this wont end well.

Every day, Eleanor dragged herself to visit her pets, who pined for her. Alexanders suspicions were laid to rest; he even proposed, presenting her with a ring set with a heart-shaped amethyst.

Cant offer you much of a dowry, Eleanor teased, her heart full of joy.

They filed their marriage licence. The weeks ahead were a blur of wedding plans; arrangements and fittings, menus and guest lists. That afternoon, after a long shift, Eleanor assured her grandmother she would pop by before eveningshe and Alexander still needed to choose her dress, confirm the banquet menu, and collect the rings.

It was late before the weary couple got to Eleanors flat. They had to finalise guest numbers and decide on the dishes for the wedding feast. Over tea and cakes, they counted noses and argued amiably about starters and puddings.

Trying to tidy up, Alexander reached for the kitchen binonly to find it overstuffed with empty cat food tins and dog biscuit packets.

Wheres all this from? he asked, bemused.

Oh, just leftoversnever mind, Ill explain later, Eleanor murmured, quickly changing the subject.

Meanwhile, her grandmother was letting Bonnie and Maisie out into the snow-dusted garden as usual. Just then, the postwoman arrived with her pension payment; in the bustle, the front gate and kitchen door were left ajar. Lady Grey, Thomas, and Bear slipped outonly Marmalade stayed in. The whole gang gathered for a moment at the gate, then set off together. Bonnie led the way; Lady Grey, watchful as ever, brought up the rear, keeping order.

Villagers paused on the pavement to watch the curious parade of two dogs and three cats hustling along. Bonnie, with her remarkable memory for routes, led them straight to the block of Eleanors flat. Even Maisie, her scarf askew from running, made passers-by smile.

Upstairs, Alexander heard scrabbling and a cacophony of barks and miaows at the door. He opened it, frozen in surprise, as Maisie charged inscarf flappingfollowed by Bonnie and then the cats, all dusted with snow and in high spirits.

Good heavens, whats thisyour own animal rescue?

Eleanor rushed out, then, blushing fiercely, collapsed on the boot bench and, hiding her face in her hands, began to cry in silence.

Eleanor, are these all yours?

Yes. They were staying with Gran.

Taking Eleanors tears as an attack on their beloved person, Bonnie and Maisie barked furiously at Alexander, and Lady Grey arched and hissed.

And there I was, thinking you supported your own cause, Alexander chuckled.

He fetched his coat, left, and drove off. Eleanor rang her grandmother to reassure her; she didn’t want to cause more worry.

That was it. No wedding after allEleanor, clutching her whimpering pets, felt sure her own foolishness had lost her true happiness. She couldnt bring herself to phone Alexander and explain; what point was there now? She felt hollow, wretched from her deceit, and her tears lasted until her face was swollen.

Hours passed. Then the doorbell rang. There stood Alexander, arms full of the poshest cat and dog food money could buy, smiling as if nothing were amiss.

Dont lock the doorIll be back in a jiffy, he said as he deposited the sacks inside.

Moments later, he returned, leading a sprightly dachshund in a red raincoat.

This is Nicky, my own dog, he said. And this is Martha, producing a ginger tabby from beneath his jumper. Shes been staying with Lucy. Will your lot let us join the gang?

Years have gone by since then. Eleanor Grey and Alexander Hartley often look back on that wintry adventure and laugh together. Who can say? Without her lifelong dowry of whiskers and paws, their story may never have turned out as happy as it did.