In the wavering halflight of a wintry evening, Emily stared out of her flats window, the street lamps flickering like fireflies caught in a glass jar. The world beyond was a blur of pale houses and soft shadows, and she felt oddly indifferent whether the night was bright or dark.
She thought she had it all: a cosy flat in a respectable suburb, a steady job as a paramedic, and a life that, on paper, rivalled anyones. Yet the clock ticked relentlessly, and while all her schoolfriends were pairing off, raising children, and posting glossy family photos, she remained singular, a lone figure in a sea of couples.
Emilys parents had both passed away when she was still a teenager, one after the other, and she had been raised by her Gran, a sturdy woman with a sharp tongue who had always insisted Emily would become a doctor. Emily had applied to medical school after finishing secondary school, but the competition was fierce; she settled instead for a diploma in emergency care and now spent long, exhausting shifts on the ambulance. Gran, living in a tidy semidetached house a short walk away, hoped Emily might one day find a partner, but nothing seemed to click.
When Emily was a child she longed for a cat and a dog, but her mother was allergic to fur. The truth revealed itself the day Emily, eyes shining with excitement, presented her mother with a sprightly teenage kitten; the very next moment a bout of asthma seized her mother, and the poor kittennicknamed Biscuithad to be taken to Grans care.
After the family tragedy, a scruffy tomcat appeared near a rubbish bin, and Emily named him Muffin. She also dreamed of a dog, but Gran refused, fearing the added responsibility. Over the years her household swelled with five loyal companions.
Bullet, a gaunt, fleacovered puppy rescued from the frosty doorway of a supermarket, was the first. He had tried to dart into the warm aisles, only to be shooed away by stern security. Emily slipped him into her bag and hurried home. With a speed that reminded her of a jet plane, Bullet earned his name and instantly befriended Muffin.
Soon after, a wiry dachshund named Mabel appeared at the neighbours doorstep. The owners, moving into a new flat, decided the little dog didnt belong with their fresh décor and furniture, abandoning her in the courtyard on a cold night. Mabel, small but clever, lingered by the building, whining until a local dogwalker told Emily her sad tale. Emily took her in, nursing her chilled ears, and Mabel proved the perfect house dogcalm, sensible, and tidy, like a gentle matriarch. In winter walks Emily wrapped a soft knitted scarf around Mabels neck; the dachshund wore it with a dignified wobble, looking like a miniature, stern statue marching along the snowcovered path.
One early morning, rushing to her night shift, Emily stepped out of the lift and was nearly trampled by a snowballing lump of ice that turned out to be a famished, shivering cat. She lifted the creature, set it by the radiator, offered two cheeseandham sandwiches, and pinned a note to the wall: Please dont chase the cat away! Ill collect her after my shift. Emily, flat 15.
She christened the cat Nora, borrowing her own middle name, and the feline, dignified and ambitious despite her wanderings, settled quickly into the role of household commander. The whole animal troupe fell into line under Noras stern yet fair rule, her nightly patrols ensuring every corner remained spotless.
Later, Emily rescued a quiet kitten from the park, naming him Mickey. Two crows had nearly snatched him, but he grew into a modest, unobtrusive adult cat who never argued, never fought, and got along with everyone.
Emily often wondered whether such a menagerie would ever attract a proper fiancé. Gran would sigh and warn, My dear, imagine two dogs and three cats under one roofmost lads arent keen on such a circus.
It was true enough. When Emily first met the charming, selfconfident swimmer Max at a charity gala, his smile seemed to promise forever. He courted her, even walking Bullet and Mabel, and the future seemed to glimmer with wedding bells. Yet the animals grew wary. Bullet snapped at Max, Mabel cowered behind Emily, and Nora hissed whenever he approached.
One night, as Emily prepared dinner, she stepped onto the balcony and saw Max, his face twisted with sudden anger, stomp on Mabel after she accidentally stepped in a mudsplatter on his pristine white trainers. Bullet tried to defend the little dachshund but received a harsh yank from Maxs leather leash across the snout. Emily raced down, snatched the leashes from Maxs smiling hands, and snapped them back at him with fierce resolve.
Emily, what are you doing? It hurts! Max protested, more bewildered than hurt.
She shouted, Do you think Im the only one in pain? My animals are yours to mistreat, and you think Ill stay silent?
Max tried to laugh it off, Just a little lesson, love. Dont let them trample your feet.
Leave now and never return! she demanded.
Maxs laugh turned cold, Fine, Ill leave this zoo of freeloaders! and he stalked away. The sting of his words lingered, echoing in Emilys mind for weeks. She had built an image of Max as destiny, yet his smile now seemed a mask.
A year later, after resigning herself to solitary evenings, Emily truly fell in love. It happened on a rainy night when Dr. Alexander Hart, a trauma surgeon, was on call and transferred a crash victim to the recovery ward. Their eyes met across the dim hallway, a sudden electric jolt that left her breathless. She had dismissed love at first sight as a fairytale, but now she felt the truth of it.
Alexander, using his professional connections, obtained Emilys phone number and called the next evening. Their relationship blossomed quickly; his quiet, thoughtful nature convinced her he was serious. She decided to keep her furry family hidden, fearing the day she might have to choose between them.
Six months later Alexander introduced Emily to his sister Sophie and her husband during a weekend drive to the countryside. Emily visited his modest onebed flat, and his friends began to suspect something when the apartment always seemed unusually tidy, yet his roommate never appeared. Her excuses about visiting relatives and catching the flu no longer held.
Finally, Emily confessed. She gathered all her animalsBullet, Mabel, Muffin, Nora, and Mickeyand took them to Grans house. Gran frowned.
This isnt right, she said. Alexander is an upright man; you cant start a marriage on lies.
Gran, I cant live without them, and I fear hell leave if theyre gone, Emily pleaded.
Gran sighed, Fine, but youll have to come back every day youre not at work. This wont end well.
Despite Grans warning, Alexanders suspicions faded, and he proposed with a delicate amethystshaped heart ring.
I have no dowry, Im afraid, Emily joked, laughing through tears.
The wedding plans surged forward: they booked a dress, a venue, a caterer, and a jeweller. After a long shift one night, Emily promised Gran shed be home by evening to pick up the dress. Exhausted, the bridegroom and bride finally arrived home after lunch, still counting guests and tasting pastries.
The next day, Alexander tried to dump a forgotten cardboard box into the trash, but it was packed tight with leftover cat and dog food.
Where did that come from? he asked.
Never mind, Ill explain later, Emily replied, steering the conversation elsewhere.
Meanwhile Gran let Bullet and Mabel romp in the fresh snow, and a pensioner delivering mail hurried inside, leaving the gate ajar. Nora, Muffin, and Mickey darted out, while Biscuit stayed behind. The animals gathered in a tight circle, then burst out onto the street, Bullet leading the charge, Nora watching over them like a general, and Mabels scarf fluttering comically as she trotted. Passersby stared at the odd procession, especially at the crosswalk.
Alexander heard a rustling at his door, opened it, and froze at the sight of a proud dachshund in a red jumper, followed by a larger dog and a parade of cats, all dusted with snow and brimming with mirth.
What on earth is this? he asked.
Emily burst into the hallway, hid her face with her hands, sank onto the shoe rack, and wept silently.
Emily, are those yours? All of them?
Yes, they were with Gran.
Bullet and Mabel began to bark at Alexander, while Nora hissed threateningly.
And you said you had no dowry.
Alexander slipped on his coat, got into his car, and drove off. Emily called Gran, trying to calm her, not wanting to add more grief.
The wedding never happened. Emily curled around her exhausted companions, feeling the hollow ache of her own deceit. Hours later a knock sounded; Alexander stood at the door, arms loaded with costly bags of premium pet food.
Dont close the door, Im here, he said.
A few minutes later he entered, holding a dachshund in a bright red coat.
This is my dog, Nika, and thats Marcia, he said, pulling out a ginger cat from under his jacket. They were with Sophie. Will you let them join your pack?
Time slipped by. Emily and Alexander, now known as Dr. Hart, often recalled the strange cascade of events with a wry smile, wondering how different their lives might have been had the dowry never entered the picture.
