“Yuri, these cats have been living here since long before you and I even met. Why on earth should I be the one to get rid of them?” Anna asked in a frosty tone. “What you’re suggesting is nothing short of betrayal…”

Ben, these cats have been here since long before you and I even knew each other. Why on earth should I have to get rid of them? I asked in a voice as cold as January frost. What you’re suggesting is called betrayal

Ive lived most of my life in a small leafy town tucked away in the English countryside. In summer, all the streets are canopied with trees, and even the roundabouts and verges are overflowing with flowers right into late autumntheir scent always brings me comfort, makes me think about what truly matters, about happiness and about home.

Mum passed away a long time ago, so my cousins auntAuntie Ninabrought me up. Her own life hadnt exactly turned out as shed hoped: she was always a bit reserved and had a slight limp, and I suppose the right person just never came along. But she poured all her love into me, her little Annie. I loved her so very much and called her simply Mum Nina.

Mum Nina, hello! Im home! my voice would ring out in the hall after school, after hanging out with friends, or later, after college.

My darling girl! How was your day?

Mum Nina taught me to read earlyshe loved books, especially the ones about animals and insects, and reading together in the evenings became our tradition. It was our quiet time, our bond.

When I was about twelve, I stumbled across a pitiful little kitten crying by the bins one afternoon.

Mum Nina, hes miserable. Abandoned. No one wants him, I sobbed out, barely holding back tears.

Annie, shall we keep him then? she asked with a gentle hug.

Thats how Molly came to live with us. A few years later, Mum Nina herself appeared one night with another kitten tucked in her coat.

Can you believe it, Ann, someone had left a box of kittens just outside work. We all took one home, she said, looking exhausted at the front door.

Oh Mum Nina, now we have two cats! Thats brilliant!

I was delighted with our new addition. Molly first eyed her up indifferently, then walked over, sniffed her, picked her up gently by the scruff, leapt onto the sofa, and promptly began to wash her as though she were her own.

Years ticked on. I grew older, did more for Mum Nina: the housework, cooking dinners, shopping. I remembered all her medicines, knew all her doctors, and always accompanied her to appointments. We were a good teamreading, chatting about films, talking about everything under the sun.

Then Ben entered my lifehe was a painter and we met at the village art fair. I told Mum Nina about him right away. She was polite but I sensed she had her doubts; she worried that Ben wasnt being fully truthful. Later on, she put it down to nerves and maybe, just a twinge of jealousy at letting her girl go.

But nothing mattered more to her than my happiness. So, eventually, I moved in with Ben. We rented a small flat, tried making a life together.

I still visited Mum Nina twice a weekTuesdays and Saturdaysand on Saturdays, I always invited Ben. He always came up with an excuse not to come.

Ann, its just those cats. You know what I mean? The fur, the smell, the bowls everywhere. How did you live in that place?

Ben wrinkled his nose, pursed his lips, while Id laugh and try to turn it into a bit of a joke.

Ben, youve no idea how much happiness they bring!

Right. And what joy exactly is that?

Theyre hilarious! They puff up and play-fight, they chase slippers, bat ribbons around, curl up on your chest and purr so loudly. Its lovely.

No, Ann, I just dont like them. Dont take it personally, hed say, half-scowling. All you girls do there is gossip and clean up after them. Id rather wait for you here. Just cook me something tasty, Ill miss you

As time wore on, Mum Ninas health began to fail. I started visiting every day after work. I suggested to Ben that we move into her flat for a while, but he refused, and I stretched myself thin between the two people I loved most.

The house needed more looking after: laundry, mopping with bleach every day. The air grew thick, heavy with the scent of illness and old age. My heart ached, and I knew the end was coming

One dawn, without fuss or drama, Mum Nina slipped away while I was at her side. We had whispered quietly for hours, then Id read to her, and eventually dozed off with the nightlight on.

I woke to birdsong out the window. After washing my face, I went into her room:

Mum Nina Mummy

I grabbed my phone.

Ben, shes gone, I choked out, my tears waking him instantly.

After the funeral, I felt emptier than I ever thought possible. The only person who truly knew me was gone. When Id gone to her room that morning, I found an envelope by the bed. Inside was her will, leaving me the flat, and a letter.

My dear Ann,

I know youre in pain. Theres no one to hug or kiss you now. Your mum went when you were little, your dad was never about. There was only me.

My darling, I have loved you fiercely. Remember that. Whether you’re happy or sad, Im right there. The flat is yours now, truly yours. A girl should always have a place of her own, however small or shabby.

Annie, I have one requestplease look after my old girls. Molly and Daisy, they only have you now.

And be happy! I love you.

Your Mum Nina

I broke down again, reading the letter over and over. I stroked my cats, holding them close, whispering loving words. They were my familyno less than Mum Nina had been.

I resolved to move into her flat. There was so much to dotidying, decorating, building something new. The cats depended on me, and I needed them as much as they needed me.

Ben refused to come.

Ann, lets live apart for a while. I cant stand your cats. And that old-lady smell, his blue eyes darkening.

It hurt, but grief overshadowed everything else.

Gradually, my heart began to heal. I played with my cats, re-read my favourite books, put up new curtains, washed all the rugs. Ben and I met up less and less. Little by little, life became lighter.

Then, one evening, someone knocked.

Ben? Hello, come in, I smiled, for politeness sake.

Annie, Ive missed you! he said, hugging me as if nothing had happened. Wow, your place is cosier than I remember! And theres no smell! Did you finally get rid of them?

I stiffened and stepped away.

What do you mean, get rid of them?

Well, those old cats of your aunts they reeked! I remember. Fur, food bowlsthe lot

He walked into the front room.

Wait, what? Theyre still here?

Molly batted her tail while Daisy groomed her paw, untroubled.

Ben, these cats were here long before you. Why on earth should I give them up? I said coolly.

Dont be silly, Ann. This flats great. Just needs a proper refurbnew bits, fresh plumbing. And the cats have got to go.

He drew closer, eyes locked on mine. I held his gaze, unwavering.

Ben, what youre asking is betrayal.

Its not betrayal, just common sense. Im not saying let them loose! Well find a home or shelter for them. Ill even pay for their keep. They just cant stay.

Youll even pay? You dont understand me at all. I could never give them up. I need them as much as they need me. Theyre my family.

Stop being so dramatic. You need to think about your future. Career, marriage, childrentimes ticking

Think it over. Im not living with cats. So decide: life with me, or not.

Ben was so certain, his voice patronising, utterly sure Id agree. For him, it was all logical and easy. But my silence unsettled himthere was no excitement or hope in me, just tiredness and detachment.

He couldnt understand that these were not just old, inconvenient petsthey were my last living link to Mum Nina, to my childhood, my souls home.

Thats when I realised: I couldnt bear to live under constant pressure, under demands and calculations. The tension between us was stronger than any of my feelings for him. Love cannot survive ultimatums.

How could I consider having children with someone who told me to get rid of those Mum Nina and I had saved and raised together?

Ben, do you know what? Please, just leave. I need time. Im still grieving Mum Nina. And youre giving me ultimatums. Please, go.

Ill go! Im not going to run after you; never was my type anyway!

He spun round and slammed the door so hard the glassware rattled. The cats sprang up in alarm, and my heart clenched painfully.

Yet somehow, I felt lighter too. I crumpled onto the sofa, cuddled my furry old girls, burying my face in their soft warmth.

My darlings, my precious ones, I wont hand you over to anybody. You are my girls. Mum Nina, can you hear me? I will never, ever give them away!

A few days later, on my way home, I saw Ben loitering by the block, looking up at the windows as if he expected something different.

He saw me and half-stepped forward. But I raised my hand to stop him, walked right on by:

No, Ben. No. Im staying with my cats, I said, before disappearing into the stairwell.

The door closed behind me, and with it, slammed shut the last chapter between a kind-hearted girl and an indifferent young man.

My cats lived out the rest of their days as fate allowed, each step, every gentle purr, every whisker a living memory of Mum Nina, my glowing childhood, and all the warmth of my youth.

Because family isnt just those who share your blood. Its those tied to your heart, who you care for and who care for you, who stand beside you through thick and thin. Its love that asks nothing, trades nothing.

And it is utterly incompatible with betrayal. Where theres real love, there can only be loyalty and understanding.

A true home is spotless, not because its constantly scoured, but because no one soils it. Its warm because love and kindness radiate from within.

And when a little furry heart purrs quietly beside you, thats when you know you are truly home.