Olivia Harper had been living alone for years in a modest cottage on the edge of a little village in the Cotswolds. When people teased her about being on her own, shed laugh and retort, What? Me? No, Ive got a big family! The neighbours would smile and nod, while a few whispered behind her back, twirling a finger at their temples, thinking, Shes a spinster with a fantasy family no husband, no children, just a menagerie
Olivia, however, called that menagerie her family, and she didnt care a whit about the villagers opinions. In her mind, a family didnt have to consist of humans; it could be a stable of animals, not just a single watchdog and a cat for catching mice. She owned five cats and four dogs, and, according to the locals, they all lived inside the house rather than out in the yard where they belonged.
We all stopped trying to reason with her, knowing it was pointless she would just chuckle and say, Stop worrying, dear. Were all happy at home together.
Five years earlier she had lost her husband and son in a single tragic accident. They were coming back from a fishing trip when a loaded lorry veered into the oncoming lane on the A40. Olivia barely recovered from the shock and realised she could no longer stay in the flat that held too many reminders of the people she loved, nor could she keep strolling the same streets and shops as before. The sympathetic looks of the neighbours only added to her unease.
Six months later she sold the flat, packed up her cat Misty, and moved to a small plot on the outskirts of a hamlet called Littleford. In the summer she tended the garden; when winter set in she took a job in the community centres kitchen. One by one she brought her animals over from wherever she could find them some begging at the station, others wandering into the kitchen looking for scraps.
Thus a sprawling family of kindred souls gathered around the solitary woman, each of them once alone and weathered by life. Olivias warm heart mended their hurts, and they repaid her with equal affection. There was always enough love and, grudgingly, enough food for everyone, though it wasnt always easy. She knew she couldnt keep rescuing stray animals forever, and she kept promising herself, No more, I swear.
In March, after a few sunny days, Februarys bitter cold returned, blanketing the roads with sharp snow and howling icy winds at night. Olivia hurried to catch the last sevenhour bus back to Littleford. Shed spent the afternoon buying provisions for herself and her furry brood, lugging heavy bags that pulled at both arms. She reminded herself of the promise not to take in any more animals, trying not to look around, focusing on the pets waiting at home to warm her thoughts. Yet, as the old saying goes, the heart sees what the eyes miss, and it made her stop short of the bus stop.
A shivering dog lay beneath a bench, its gaze empty and glassy, already dusted thick with snow. Passersby hurried by, wrapped in scarves and hoodies, none seeming to notice. Olivias heart clenched painfully; she forgot the bus and the vow. She dropped her bags, rushed to the bench, and reached for the dog. It blinked slowly.
Thank heavens youre alive! she breathed. Come on, dear, get up, follow me
The dog didnt move, but it didnt fight when she lifted it from under the bench. It seemed ready to give up on the world.
Later she could hardly recall how she dragged herself to the bus station with two heavy sacks and the dog in her arms. Inside the waiting room she settled in the far corner, cradling the frail creature, rubbing its frostbitten paws. Come on, love, pull yourself together. We still have a way home. Youll be our fifth dog that makes the numbers even, she cooed.
She offered it a piece of meat from her bag. At first it sniffed away, but after a little warming its nose twitched, its eyes brightened, and it accepted the morsel.
An hour later the bus had long since left, leaving her stranded on the roadside. Olivia fashioned a makeshift collar and leash from her belt, though the dog, which she named Molly, already trotted faithfully at her feet. Ten minutes later, luck turned when a minibus pulled over and the driver, a stout man in a flat cap, opened the door.
Thank you, love! Dont worry, Ill let her sit on my lap, she wont make a mess, Olivia laughed nervously.
No problem, the driver replied, She can sit on the seat; shes not a little pup.
Molly curled up on Olivias knees, still trembling, and somehow fit snugly there. Its just warmer like this, Olivia smiled.
The driver nodded, glanced at the makeshift leash around the dogs neck, and turned up the heater. They rode in quiet, Olivia holding the nowcalmer Molly, watching the snowladen landscape flash by under the headlights.
The driver stole occasional glances at the womans profile, noting how gently she held the rescued animal. He guessed shed found the dog on the roadside and was now taking it home. She looked a touch weary but calm and content.
When they reached Littleford, the driver helped her with the bags. Snow had piled so high that he had to push the rickety gate hard enough for it to swing open; the rusty hinges gave way and the gate collapsed onto its side.
Never mind, Olivia sighed, Its overdue for a repair.
From the cottage came a chorus of barks and meows. Olivia hurried to the doorway, flung it open, and her whole family poured out into the yard.
Well, you didnt think Id disappear, did you? Im back, and heres the newest addition, she announced, gesturing to Molly, who peeked shyly from behind her feet.
The other dogs wagged their tails, nosing the bags still held by the driver. Come on in, if youre not scared of a big family. Fancy a cuppa? she called.
The driver carried the bags inside but lingered at the door.
Its getting late, Im off. Youll have to feed them yourself, he said, stepping back.
The next afternoon, as the sun rose higher, a knock sounded on the gate. Olivia slipped on her coat and opened it to find the driver, toolbox in hand, repairing the hinges hed broken the day before.
Good afternoon! Im Vladimir, by the way. Im here to fix the gate I smashed yesterday, he said, flashing a grin. And you are?
Olivia, she replied.
The tailwagging clan sniffed the newcomer curiously as he crouched down to pat them. Olivia, dont be shy, come inside. Ill be done soon, and I could do with a slice of cake and a brew. Ive brought a few treats for your big family. Olivia smiled, a real one this time, the kind that reached her eyes. «You’re welcome, Vladimir. The kettles always on, and so are we.» She stepped aside, letting the winter sun spill into the hallway as the dogs and cats wound around his legs, already claiming him as their own.
