Whiskers the Cat

Charlie

Julie, you must be mad! Mrs. Turner will have your head for this!

Beth, what was I meant to do? Just leave him outside? I couldnt. Hes alive, isnt he!

He may be alive, but if you keep him here, Im less sure about you being alive for much longer.

Come on, Beth, dont be like that! Hes not a tiger or anything, just a kitten. Lets let him stay for a bit, yes?

Why are you trying to convince me? Beth chuckled as she patted the tiny ginger head of their unexpected little housemate. You think I dont feel sorry for him? Where on earth did you find this poor thing? Hes so skinny! He must be ill too, look how he cant even hold his head up. What a pitiful creature.

Were off out! Julie wrapped the frail kitten in Beths long, hand-knitted scarf. I was just coming back from my shift, cutting across the parkand there he was, lying right there on the path. Maybe he crawled out of the bushes, or someone dumped him there. He was just covered in snow. Id never have spotted him if he werent so ginger. Picked him up; he was ice-cold. I thought he was gone. But no, he was breathing, just about. I grabbed him and ran all the way back to halls. Julie snorted, pouring milk into an enamel mug to warm. Mrs. Turner looked at me like I was mad as I dashed past. Jaw dropped to the floor.

Brace for a visit then. Shes definitely on her way. Oh, Julie, shell absolutely have a fit! Remember how she tore into Lisa for bringing in that tabby cat? Nearly kicked her out. Order and discipline! she always says. No pets in the student halls.

But you wont tell her, will you? Julie turned at the door, worry across her face. Hide him if she comes by. Im just warming him some milk, then heading back.

Go on! I never saw a thing, know nothing, will say nothing! Beth swept the kitten up in the scarf, dumped her knitting from her basket, and winked. Hurry up! Dont worry.

As Julie slipped out, Beth peered into the basket and shook her head.

Well, what a windfall! Little ginger trouble. Breathe, you scrawny thing. Julies a kind soulif anything happened to you, shed weep for days, and I do not need that.

The kitten didnt move or answer; he lay with eyes shut, barely breathing.

The room slowly filled with dusk. Beth sat content in the gloom, relishing these moments before the lights went on. So much evening ahead if you worked morningsnot like her shifts, where you came home and straight to bed. Thisthis was nice: time to read, spend time with Julie, ask after Julies boyfriend, Michael. Beth sighed. Julie had it gooda boyfriend, a proposal. Beth had no one. She was too tall, too hefty, the sort boys here never went for. Julie was petite and pretty as a picture, with mermaid-green eyes and a plait down her backgorgeous. But Beth? Her nan always called her the strong one. She grew up breaking up scraps among her younger brothersthree big louts who were a nightmare once, now all grown, the eldest already married. Good, honest lad, that one. Beth had just visited her home village for his wedding. Now back here, still single, and no one on the horizon. Too striking for local lads, her nan said. Beth was tall and broad, but where could you find a lad to match? Maybe Nan was right, maybe she should come home. But what would she dothere was no work beyond the farm. And what was the point of all her studies, if not this? Here at the factory, she was respected. Got a holiday voucher for her performance, even. Beth shook her head, pushing aside the gloommarriage could wait. Someone would come along. She had to believe it.

Julie returned and rummaged for a pipette to feed the kitten, as he was too weak to drink from a saucer, nose-bumping the milk but lacking strength. Watching her friend nearly crying over it, Beth took the orange scrap from her arms.

Let me!

She filled the pipette with milk, cradled the kittens head, pried open his jaw, and hissed, Come on! Julie didnt drag you in here to starve you, you know!

The kitten made a fuss but started swallowing.

They called him Charlie. For nearly a year, Mrs. Turner didnt realise there was anyone else in the girls roomuntil one day, a ginger flash leapt in from the street straight through the open window.

What on earth is that?!

Her shriek brought the whole building running.

Oh, Mrs. Turner, please, Julie pleaded. You had no idea, did you? Hes a clever thingcatches mice!

Mice? There are no mice here! These halls are immaculate!

Oh, sure, Beth folded her arms, fixing Mrs. Turner with a squint and nudged Charlie back with her foot. And if there are, theyre the neatest, fattest mice you ever saw! Charlie lines em up by my bed almost every morning. Next time Ill show you. Why should we be the only ones to admire his hunting? Shall I invite the factory manager down for a look?

Beth! Watch your tongue! Mrs. Turners voice softened, and she turned to Julie with a frown. Your responsibility, is he? Will you take him when you marry?

I dont know. Julie scooped up Charlie. He loves me, true, but for some reason thinks Beth is his real owner. Hell miss her.

Honestly! Mrs. Turner laughed, glancing at flustered Julie. You talk about him like hes your husband. Julie, hes a cat. Hell settle wherever hes fed.

Not Charliehe always snuggles up with Beth. Julie handed Charlie to Beth and gave Mrs. Turner a squeeze. So, can we keep him?

You sly fox! Mrs. Turner waggled her finger and shrugged. So long as I dont see or hear himunderstood? Or were all out on our ears.

Julie’s wedding came and went and Beth was left alone with Charlie. The days crawled by, lonelier and gloomier. Mrs. Turner hadnt yet assigned her a new roommate; the old halls were falling apart. The girls dreamed of their new block, but the build kept stalling. On weekends Beth joined the others, cleaning up, helping the contractors, wandering echoing corridors, trying to picture a future there. It was on one of those afternoons that she met the man she thought was her destiny.

James, like her, was new to the city, his parents both gone. He had no roots, nothing tying him anywherelife was lighter here, he thought. There was no shortage of girls, but James had his standards: looking for a girl with a bit to her name, maybe a flat, a family to help. Beth didnt fit the bill at all, but the day she walked past him, tall and proud, he couldnt resist.

Beth initially found his clumsy attempts at courting hilarious.

Oh, sweet heavens, what would I do with him? she laughed to Julie, whod come over for tea. Id have to pat his head, hes shorter than me by a mile! What on earth is this?

Beth! Dont be silly! Since when did height matter? Come on, whats he like?

I dont know Beths smile faded. Honestly, Julie, I dont know.

She watched as Julie struggled up to go home, pausing to stroke Charlie sprawled across the bed, her hand absently on her now prominent bump.

Is it tough? Beth rummaged for honey her brothers had sent.

Not really, just feels odd. Like waiting at the station for a train to somewhere wonderful, just wishing itd hurry up. See you soon, Charlie. Look after her, yeah?

Perhaps it was Julies bump, or Beths own growing loneliness, but soon enough James was a regular visitor. Charlie detested him, arching and hissing every time James turned up, refusing food, sulking around the windowsill. Beth would shove him out, knowing hed sneak back at night and keep his distance for hours. She couldnt understand him.

Is he jealous, maybe? she mused when Mrs. Turner asked about Charlie, whod taken to visiting her whenever James called on Beth.

Maybe. But maybe he senses something too. Be careful, Beth, with this lad. You never know. He could turn tail when you need him most.

He wouldnt, Mrs. Turner. I just cant believe he would.

Mrs. Turner would sigh. Youll see, love. Just take care.

They were both right in the end.

Beth barely noticed the early signsjust chalked it up to off milk and Julies leftover mushrooms. But weeks passed; she was hungry, tired all the time. Then she bumped into Julie, now pushing a pram in the park, and everything clicked.

Oh Beth! How did it come to this? Julie clutched her head. How far along are you? Does he know?

Beth was too stunned to speak, her thoughts scatteringuntil she caught the faint echo of Mrs. Turners advice: Just take care That quiet voice made up her mind. Ignoring Julies questions, Beth hurried home. She had something to tell James. Whatever happened, things would never be the same.

But, as it turned out, she was on her own.

Sorry, Beth. I just I cant. How do I know its mine? I cant do this. James shrugged off Charlie, who leapt at his leg, and gave the cat a brutal kick. Get out of my way!

Charlie, not one to quit, clamped down on Jamess leg, and the yell he gave made Beth, to her own surprise, smirk.

Spit him out, Charlie, youll poison yourself. Get gone, Jamestheres no need for your sort here.

She sat for a long time after, stiff-backed, eyes fixed on the closed door. Charlie weaved around her legs, jumped up on her lap (normally forbidden), curled up, and purred softly until she nudged him off.

Thats enough moping. I could do with a cuppasomething hot.

When the time came, Beth registered her sons birth under her own name alone. Facing the clerk without flinching, she said, No father. Just a mother. Thats all he needs, right?

Julie sorted out things for the baby, Mrs. Turner found her a sturdy pram and lobbied for better housing, but the new building stood unfinished, and the manager could only shrug: Id love to help. For now, youll have to make do. Well see what we can do.

The room was freezing, no matter how Beth patched up the draughts. She didnt chase Charlie off when he decided the wailing bundle was now his charge, too. Hed curl up tight beside the boy and hed settle, soothed by the warmth at his side. Beth, amused by Charlies loyalty, always slipped him a treatdifficult enough, as money was always tight. If not for her brothers, Beth would have gone under. James was long gonedisappeared from the cityand Beth had no desire to see him again. Thered be no help, no point in suffering for it. She blotted him out, keeping only the best of what they hadtheir son.

After Beth brought the baby home from hospital, her family turned up en masse.

Look at those cheeks! A right bruiser, Beth, takes after you!

Surrounded by such warmth, Beth nearly broke downsomething she never did. Not one word or look of reproach from anyone. Her eldest brothers wife hugged her in the kitchen and whispered, You did right. Youre not alone now. The right man will come, Beth, dont you fret. Theyre not all cads, and well help however we can. Well raise him together.

They kept their promise, too: every other week, one brother or another turned up with treats for Beth and her son. Shed unpack baskets, swallowing tears of gratitude, amazed how little a person really neededjust to know they werent alone. That someones there for youand will be for your child. In these moments, Beth was furious at herself for crying, yet quietly glad she had family close by.

Nursery for Sam was a struggle. He was always poorly, and Beth was stretched thin between work and home. If not for Julie and Mrs. Turners help, shed have packed up and gone back to the village. But thatd mean living under her brothers roof, imposing on his family; she dragged her feet for as long as she could.

Late at night, sitting by her sons cot as he slept, feverish, Beth found herself thinking of what might have been. Perhaps not everyone was lucky enough to find that someonea true partner, solid and steady. These days, Beth knew exactly what she wanted if ever anyone did appear: no grand declarations or honeyed promisesnone of the nonsense James was so good at. Just a man whod quietly make her a cup of tea and say, Go on, off to bed, Ill watch the baby. Someone whod take them to the zoo at weekends, buy little Sam a balloon, praise her Sunday roast and finally put up the shelf thatd been cluttering the corner for months. Someone whod always be there. Thats all. That would be familyhers.

Sleep crept up on Beth as she slumped in the chair beside Sams cot, head dropping, arms folded awkwardly.

Then one night, everything changed, and her complicated taleat lastbegan to look like it just might have a happy ending.

Sam was into his third day of illness. Nothing Beth did could get his temperature down, and she was at her wits end. The local GP, who lived next door, visited without being called and, after examining Sam, could only shake her head.

Cant say anything cheerful yet. Youre doing all the right things. All we can do is wait. Hes strong; hell get through it.

Beth barely let Sam from her arms. When he did doze, he woke again in pain, clutching his ear and crying. Mrs. Turner brought round a pot of fresh chicken broth that evening, hugging Sam and pressing her cheek to his sweaty forehead.

Hes burning, poor love!

The fever just wont shift, no matter what I do.

Maybe thats a good sign? Shows hes fighting. Thats what the doctor says.

I know, Beth sighed. Doesnt make it easier, watching him suffer.

Hell get better! But youll do him no good if you wear yourself out. Eat and get some sleep. Thingsll look brighter in the morning.

Beth nodded and set about making a compress for Sams ear while Mrs. Turner quietly slipped out.

Charlie, as always, settled beside the boys cot, twitching his tail just out of reach. When Sam finally drifted off, Beth hovered, debating whether to wake him but decided against it.

Touching the broth-pot, Beth picked it up and slipped into the kitchen to reheat it. Shed just put it on the hob when a crash and Sams cry sent her racing back. She flung the door open, heart thumpingthen grabbed the little stool by the door and leapt to Charlies rescue.

A huge rat was fighting for its life. Charlie darted around it, ginger lightning, but was woundedan ear in tatters, deep scratch on his side. Beth raised the stool to strike, but Charlie twisted, pounced, and clamped his jaws around the rats throatso firmly, Beth could hardly peel him off the now limp creature.

Charlie, love, let goenough! You did it!

The cat whimpered like a child, finally releasing the dead rat, then hobbled to the cot, where Sam was now wailing loudly. Beth gasped in horroranother, smaller rat in the cot. She snatched Sam up, flung open the door, and screamed, Help!

Within the hour, swaddling Sam tight, she was at Mrs. Turners. The older woman pressed a key into her hand and promised to look after Charlie.

Disgraceful! Rats, of all things! We just had the place fumigated. I try to keep everything in order, but in these old halls, what can you do?

Once shed cleaned up Beths room, Mrs. Turner took Charlie to the lodge to patch his wounds.

Youre a hero, Charlie. Good thing I let them keep youcats like you are rare!

Charlie lay, panting, not even trying to clean himself. He wouldnt eat, and Mrs. Turner frownedit wasnt right. Next morning, after her shift, Mrs. Turner came to Beths, worried.

Could you keep an eye on Sam? Beth was already hunting for her purse, frantic. Where do I take himwhere do you even find a vet round here?

Theres one up the high street, about five minutes from the halls. Go!

Beth was nearly running all the way. She found Charlie lying on a rug by her bed, limp, just barely breathing.

Charlie! Hang in there! Ill be quick, I promise.

She half-carried, half-ran him to the vets and burst in, demanding, The best vet you have, right now!

A young receptionist tried to send her away, butcatching a look at Beths facequietly disappeared and gestured her to sit.

Beth gripped Charlie, counting every breath, ready to march off in search of someone, when the surgery door opened and in ducked a true giant.

Whats the trouble? boomed the vet, voice deep as a drum.

Beth was so startled she didnt answer at first, then thrust Charlie at him.

This

Who did this to him? The vet turned the limp cat gently, inspecting wounds.

Rats.

Not a stray, from the looks of him. Well fed and shiny.

Hes mine.

Howd he run into rats? Was he outside?

No, in our room.

Unbelievable.

Are you going to stand there questioning me, while hes dying? Beth finally burst out, angry tears streaking her cheeks. He saved my son! Do something, please!

No need to shout. Im Dr. ThomasJames Thomas. And you?

Im Beth.

Good. Nice to meet you, Beth. For the record, not a fan of shoutinglets keep it calm.

He grinned unexpectedly. Well do our best for your hero. Hell pull through, dont you worry.

Some years later, an old ginger cat silently pads into the childrens room, sniffs along every corner, and hops up to the cot beside the sofa where Sam now sleeps. Little Daisy, curled under her blanket, reaches in her sleep for his soft side, fingers twisting in ginger fur. Charlie begins to purra deep, gentle songand Daisy settles, sleeping deeper, not hearing her parents coming in behind the cat. Beth tucks Sam in, pulls up Daisys lost sock, presses in close to her husband.

Good old nanny, eh, James?

None better, James grins, scruffing behind the ear he once patched up in surgery. No wonder you shouted at me that timeyou were right to. Few cats are worth their weight in gold.

Hes golden, right enough. You can see him glow.

Charlie noses into Beths hand, then stretches out beside Daisy, wrapping her with a paw. Beth flicks off the light, beckons James after her, and gently closes the door. Her children were never afraid of the dark; as far as they could remember, Charlie was always there. And with Charlie nearby, nothing could frighten them.