Ellie, are you home? James burst through the front door, his breath catching when he saw his wife hunched in the hallway, sobbing loudly. I cant make sense of whats happened to you. You were wailing so fiercely I could barely hear a word. And then, as if fate were playing a trick, my phone died. Whats wrong, Ellie? You look like youve seen a ghost.
The cat hes gone, Ellie whispered, voice cracking. Mochi isnt here.
What do you mean hes gone? James asked, bewildered. Where could he have vanished to? Can you explain it properly? Maybe hes hiding somewhere in the flat?
No. Your sister Poppy she told me Mochi bolted out into the hallway when she and Mark stepped out for a walk. But you know, James, our Mochi would never run off on his own. Why would he head out into the street when he almost froze there? I think she let him out on purpose
What? James clenched his fists. Where is she now? Wheres Poppy?
Probably at the shop I dont know. Ive been searching for Mochi all day and hes nowhere. No one has seen him nearby. How can that be, James? Could a person really be that cruel, throwing a defenseless creature into the cold winter night? Is that even human?
A person, no. Poppy, yes. Shes done similar things before. Dont worry, her feet wont be in our flat any longer today. Good riddancewhy did we ever let her stay?
A month earlier
James was walking toward the bus stop when a grey shape caught his eye beneath a thin veil of snow. At first he thought it was just a stone, but the object trembled like an old, rattling refrigerator. It was oddstones never shiver from the cold. Curiosity pried him off the pavement and he stepped closer, only to realise it wasnt a stone at all but a tiny, grey kitten.
How peculiar, James muttered, scratching his head. What are you doing here, little one? The question was rhetorical; anyone could guess why a stray kitten would be out in the frost, simply trying to survive.
The kitten made no plaintive mews, no desperate cries. It lay trembling, as if it had already accepted that nobody cared. Its only aim was to keep warm. James gently scooped the shivering creature up, brushed the snow from its fur, shoved it into his coat, and, one hand gripping the coat, sprinted to the bus stop where the doubledecker was pulling in.
On the ride home, a memory flickered: Ellie had long wanted a grey, striped kitten, but they never found the time to visit the shelter together. Fate, it seemed, had dropped the perfect little thing at his feet. When destiny offers, you take it.
Ellie, Ive got a surprise for you, James announced cheerfully as he stepped into the flat.
Oh, youre spoiling me these days, Ellie smiled, emerging into the hallway. One day its gold earrings, the next a new phone Ive been dreaming of, then tickets to the cinema. What now? A weekend at a ski resort?
Something better! James beamed, unzipping his coat to reveal the kitten. I found him out there. You wanted a grey, striped one, didnt you?
Good heavens, Ellie breathed, cradling the trembling animal. Hes frozen solid. Bring him in, Ill warm him up. And you, get undressed, wash your hands, and head to the kitchendinners ready.
Ellie gazed at the kitten, eyes softening. Hes beautiful.
Thus Mochi entered James and Ellies lives. They debated names for a long while, tossing countless ideas around, before finally settling on the classic Mochi, which felt more fitting than any Tom or Lucas.
The happy episode unfolded at the end of November, when the first snow fell, so the kitten had not yet learned the harsh charms of a winter street. Thank the heavensmany endure far worse.
In the two weeks that followed, Ellie and James grew fiercely attached to Mochi. They loved him from day one, and their affection deepened with each passing hour. Mochi adored them equally, grateful for gentle humans who would never cast him out as his previous owners had. He remained calm, even when he accidentally knocked a remote off a dresser; they never scolded him, only asked him to be more careful.
Will do! Mochi seemed to purr, leaping onto the nightstand and, ten times a day, sending the remote tumbling.
Everything was smooth until a knock sounded at the door.
Who could be visiting on a Sunday morning? James rubbed his eyes, glancing at the wall clockit read half past six. Outside, darkness still lingered.
Neighbours, perhaps? Ellie guessed. Maybe somethings happened to them?
Ill go check.
When James opened the front door, his sister Poppy stood there, not alone but with her fiveyearold son, Milo.
Hey, brother, she smiled. Were popping in. Mind if we come in?
James hesitated. It was odd to see a suitcase at a doorstepvisitors rarely arrived with luggage.
Whats happened to you? he asked.
My husband threw me out, Poppy replied matteroffactly. He found another woman. Ive got nowhere to go, so Im crashing here until I sort things out. Could you help with the suitcase? Its a nightmare getting it up to the fourth floor.
James let them in, though the suitcase made him uneasy. Poppy explained that five years earlier their father had died, leaving the threebedroom flat to both siblings. Shed been pregnant, the father of an unknown child, and had begged James to relinquish his share so she could have a roof over her head. Their mother had coaxed James, saying Your sisters baby needs a home. James, still a student in a dorm, obliged, assuming hed later find his own place.
Years later, after the baby was born, Poppy sold the flat to a man named Val, a businessman needing cash for his venture. She claimed the money would be shared, but none appeared. Their mother stayed out of it, believing the adults would manage.
Now, after years of tension, Poppys sudden arrival revived old wounds. Ellie sighed heavily, Let her stay a bit until she finds somewhere else. Its New Years Eve, after allmaybe youll reconcile.
James waved his hand dismissively, Fine, if youre okay with it. Yet an instinct warned him that trouble was looming.
The next day Poppy began to blame Mochi for everything: He keeps me awake, he sleeps on my sofa, he stares at me oddly. She also complained that her son Milo had a nasty cold.
Its clearly an allergy to your cat, Poppy claimed, My own cat used to be as skinny as a cucumber.
It might just be a cold, James countered. You take him out for walks, after all. Even if its an allergy, what do you suggest? Mochi is part of our family.
Youre being ridiculous, Poppy laughed. Family member I thought youd outgrown that childishness after all those stray animals you bring home. How does Evelyn still put up with you?
Ellie loves animals as much as I do, James replied. You, however, seem to despise them. What have they ever done to you?
They just get in the way of a normal life. I cant sleep because of your cat. My sons restless nights are a stress. When you have your own kids, youll understand.
The conversation stalled. Children were a sore spot for Jameshis and Ellies attempts at parenthood had been fruitless, and doctors offered no answers. Poppy knew this, perhaps from their mother.
I suggest we give the cat to a shelter, Poppy said finally. Milo is my son, youre my sister. We cant keep suffering because of a cat. Its just an animal, after all.
What are you talking about? James snapped. A shelter? Mochi lives here, unlike you. If you dont like something, youre free to leave. I didnt ask you here. Find your own flat and go.
He thought briefly about sending his own child to a sheltera thought he never voiced.
For a while Poppy seemed to calm, but she kept her quiet contempt for Mochi. When James and Ellie were out, she shoved the cat onto a distant corner, denying him a place on the couch. Mochi endured, then began his quiet retaliation: first, he toppled her phone from the nightstand, then he scratched at her favourite sweater.
Your cat destroys my things! Poppy shouted. Why even keep a pet if you cant raise it properly?
In retaliation, she yanked Mochis favourite plush toy from his mouth and hid it in her suitcasestealing, plain and simple.
Listen here, James growled. Dont forget youre staying in my flat. If you want to stay, keep your hands off my cat.
Fine, fine, no more drama
On New Years Eve, Ellie, still weeping, called James from work, her words barely audible. He sensed something serious, left early, and rushed home.
Ellie, are you here? James burst into the flat, freezing at the sight of his wife huddled in the hallway. She sobbed louder than before. I cant make sense of anything. Your phone died, you were shouting, and now?
Mochis gone Ellie whispered, her voice trembling. Hes not at home.
What? How could he vanish? James asked, panic rising. Did he hide somewhere in the flat?
No. Your sister Poppy said he ran into the hallway when she walked out for a stroll. But you know, James, our Mochi would never run off on his own. Why would he go out into the street when he almost froze? I think she let him out deliberately
What? Where is she now? Wheres Poppy?
Probably at the shop I dont know. Ive searched everywhere, but hes nowhere. No one has seen him. How could that happen, James? Could a human really be that vile, throwing a defenseless creature onto a winter street? Thats not human at all.
A human, no. Poppy, yes. Shes done this before. Dont worryher feet wont be in our flat today. Ill find Mochi.
That night James searched the dim streets, but Mochi remained lost. The next morning Poppy arrived with Milo, and James interrogated her with a fierce passion.
Why did you do it? Why did you throw the cat out? He almost died!
I didnt do anything, brother, Poppy shrugged. I just opened the door and he bolted. I didnt chase after him. My child comes first, not some stray cat.
James stared into her eyes and saw the lie, the smirk. He knew his sister had done it on purpose.
Listen, James, tomorrow is New Years. Ive bought some champagne. Lets not quarrel over nonsense, shall we? Poppy cooed.
Fine, James said. Pack your things.
What?
Did you lose your hearing? Pack them up or Ill throw them out the window. And go!
He drove Poppy and Milo to the station, handed her a few pounds for a ticket, and told her, You can go to your husband, your mother, anywhere. I dont want to see you again. And Im sorry about the kids mother.
Later, their mother called, accusing James of cruelty.
Poppy turned to you as family, and you drove her away with a child. How can you live with that, son?
James replied, Shell figure something out. I wont talk to her again.
On 31December, seated at a festive table, Ellie and James felt no joy. The clocks chimes were ten minutes away, the champagne still sealed. Their beloved pet was missing.
James, do you hear that? Ellie asked suddenly, eyes wide. Someones rattling the door.
Poppy again? James muttered, rising.
When he opened the door, Mochi stood there, trembling yet alive, having survived the frost and somehow found his way home.
Ellie! Hes back! James cried, scooping the cat up.
They warmed him quickly, fed him, and Ellie clutched him as if he were a lifeline. He purred contentedly, as if to say, I made it. Im home where Im loved.
James, a minute to New Years, Ellie whispered. Will you open the champagne?
Of course!
He popped the bottle, poured the fizz into glasses, and outside fireworks burst, filling the night with colour and cheers.
They say the way you greet the New Year is the way it will be. From then on, Mochi would always be with his ownersand, unknown to James and Ellie, a new life was beginning in Ellies heart as she held him close.
