**Diary Entry October 12th**
Bad. Just badbitter, aching, humiliating.
No tears left to cry.
Why? Why would he do this to me?
Seven years. Seven happy years.
Hand in hand, never a harsh wordthen suddenly, he just left. No, not left. Ran away. Like a coward.
The phone keeps ringing. Who could it be?
Mum.
«Hello, love love, what are you doing?»
«Nothing, Mum.» Keep the voice steady.
«Well, good. Youre not crying over that idiot, are you? Not worth the tears.»
«Idiots an idiot, even in Africa,» she chuckles at her own joke. «Listen, love, I wanted to invite you to the cottage this Friday. Auntie Marthas bringing her nephewSimon. Lovely lad, had a rough go of it. His wife was absolutely useless. Thank goodness hes rid of her.»
«Strangled her, did he?»
«What? Who strangled?»
«His wife. You said he got rid of her.»
«Oh, for heavens sake! But its good youre joking, love. Helps, you know? Reminds me of when that rat, Kevin Murray, dumped me. Told you about him, didnt I? We were at music school togetherI played cello, he played French horn. Sweet boy, tousled hair»
«Mum I cant talk right now.»
«Oh. Alright. But youll come Friday? Promise me.»
«Fine. Ill come. Briefly.»
«Good. Love you. Dad sends hugs tooMick, tell her! See? Were here for you.»
I curl into the duvet, lights off. No tears. No strength.
Just one question: *Why?*
The phone again.
Sister. If I dont answer, shell rally the troops.
«Hello.»
«Sarah, are you crying?»
«No. Why would I cry? Just got dumped by the man I was going to have children with. No big deal.»
«Good riddance! When that tosser Dave left me, I thought Id die. Remember him? Gorgeous, six months togetherloved him madly. Look at me now, eh? Anyway, were camping this weekendcouples trip. Fancy it? Toms wife just left him. Decent bloke. And your ex? Never liked him.»
«Ill think about it, Kate.»
«Think hard, Sarah.»
Cold. So cold it hurts. Eyes swollen shut.
Another call.
Gran.
«Hello»
«Sweetheart, come over. Ill make your favourite doughnuts, hot cocoa. Well even have a nip of sherry. Send Grandpa to the shed. I *understand*. When that wretch Nigel Sparrow jilted me, I took up smoking! Then I met your grandad»
«Maybe, Gran.»
All day, calls poured ineveryone sharing their own heartbreak.
By evening, I finally dozed off until the doorbell rang.
Ignored it. But they wouldnt stop.
I dragged myself up.
No one there. Then
«Oi! Blocking the doorway, are we? Some help *you* are.»
I looked down.
Bloody hell.
A procession of cats?
«Whowhat?»
«Us? Isnt it obvious? Were the Whiskerlys. Here to help. Close the door, youll catch your death.»
Mama Whiskerly ordered tea. Brother Whiskerly checked my pulse. Grandpa massaged my hands. They tucked me in, purring lullabies.
I slept.
Woke up lighter.
Kitchen empty. Had I dreamed it?
Outside, autumn sun glittered.
Friday. Promised Mum Id go.
At the doorstepa tiny mew.
A lone kitten. Whiskerly?
«Wheres your family?» I scooped him under my coat.
Unseen, the Whiskerlys watched from the hedge, paws high-fiving.
On the train, a bloke asked for directions.
«First time in Brighton?»
«Max. Yeah. Cheers.»
We talked. He carried my bag.
By the cottage, I didnt want him to leave.
«Sarah, youve been stroking your coat all trip. Not pregnant, are you?»
«Meet my son.» I revealed the kitten.
«Whiskerly, eh?» Max grinned. «Lovely surname. Mines Whiskerly too.»
When our families rushed out, we were crying with laughter.
The kitten watched, bewildered.
***
**Epilogue**
Now, a grey tomcat glares from the windowsill.
«Disgraceful. Dragging a two-month-old outdoors.»
Once, *he* was that kitten.
Sarah still wonders how he took that selfie on her phone.
Max proposed last spring.
One evening, *he* showed upher ex, with champagne, begging forgiveness.
The tomcat answered the door.
«Leave,» he growled. «And stay away from *our* Sarah.»
Thencouldnt resistpeed in his shoe.
**Lesson:** When life collapses, let the Whiskerlys in. Magicor madnessheals.
And exes? Well. Some doors stay shut.
