You know this story about a young lad named Liam who was only sixteen when he brought her home. She was clearly pregnant for a while and a year older than him. Sophie went to the same college as him just in a different year. For a few days Liam watched her huddle in the corner quietly crying to herself. He couldn’t miss how her belly was rounding out the same outfits she’d worn for weeks on end and that empty hopeless look in her eyes.
Turns out almost everyone knew what had happened to her. She’d been seeing the grandson of a well-known businessman in London but then he just disappeared off to Birmingham on some urgent business. His parents didn’t want to hear a word about her and told her so straight to her face. Her own mum and dad acting like they were back in the old days scared of the shame chucked her out and headed off to their place in the countryside. Some folks felt sorry for Sophie but others were sniggering behind her back saying she only had herself to blame and should have used her head.
Liam couldn’t watch it anymore so he thought it over and went up to her. It won’t be easy so stop crying he said. Why don’t you move in with me we could even get married. But I’m telling you straight I can’t lie and I won’t pretend everything’s perfect. I’ll just be there for you and I promise we’ll sort it out somehow.
Sophie wiped her tears and looked at him. He was just an ordinary lad with no fancy manners and she’d always dreamed of marrying someone completely different. But in her situation there was no real choice so she went along with it. His parents were in shock and his mum begged him to think again but he stood firm. Mum don’t make a fuss it’ll be alright he said. I’ve got two scholarships the regular one and the one for students who need it. I’ll pick up some extra work and we’ll manage. But you wanted to go to university she replied. So what he said. We’ll get by. Dad’s worked his whole life in the factory and you in the shop. Plenty of people without degrees live just fine. Mum it’s not the end of the world.
Sophie moved into Liam’s room. He gave her his bed and took the lumpy sofa bed instead. For the first few days she was really quiet like a shadow following him hand in hand to college and back home until she finally snapped. I’ve had enough she said. Why do your parents keep giving me those looks they don’t like me at all. And why don’t you spend time with me you’re always buried in your books or off somewhere.
Liam was taken aback. Don’t you think that’s normal he asked. Yeah they don’t like you but they’ve taken you in and they’re not making things harder. Giving you looks your own parents won’t even see you. And where are the parents of your baby’s dad. I’m studying because I don’t want to get kicked out after the first year and that scholarship comes in handy. I’m off working because I need the extra cash and I’m not in the mood for weepy TV shows with you.
Sophie burst into tears. Why say it like that she asked. How else he replied. I told you I can’t lie. By the way when are we going down to the registry office. I can’t go like this she said. Buy me a nice dress one with a high waist so the bump doesn’t show. What’s the point he said. We’ll just bring the pregnancy certificate who cares about a dress. I’ve still got to save for a pushchair and a cot.
His mum reached for some herbal tea but she slowly got used to the situation and kept glancing at baby clothes. After all nothing terrible was happening let them live and get married and the parents would help out as much as they could. Only this girl seemed a bit ungrateful always unhappy with Liam with them with the cramped flat. Maybe once she had the baby she’d change. But Sophie had no plans to change. When Liam came back dirty and knackered from the car wash bringing a skinny stray cat into the room she flew into a rage. You idiot she shouted. What do we need this mangy cat for get her out throw her out of the flat.
But Liam just smiled. No she’s pregnant he said. She’s staying so don’t even start. Better be quiet and warm up my dinner. Oh really Sophie nearly squealed. Choose then her or me that creature’s giving me dirty looks too. Why Liam looked at her in disbelief. It’s my house and I don’t have to choose. It’s my cat and if it bothers you you can leave. Even my mum never put me in that position. Maybe it’s time to stop looking down on everyone.
Sophie threw a proper tantrum crying and getting jealous of that skinny neglected cat. How had he even spotted the belly anyway. But sure enough the belly appeared the cat really was pregnant. Liam was worn out but whenever regret started creeping in he pushed those thoughts away. They’d manage somehow. Sophie would have the baby and calm down and before that the cat would entertain them all. Those fluffy kittens would put everyone in a better mood.
But it all turned out differently. The grandad that famous businessman from London came back from a long business trip and found out everything. He tracked down his grandson gave him a right earful and said he’d cut him off from the money if the great-grandchild was raised by some other family. And that lad was really scared of losing that kind of support. Sophie left with him that same day without even saying goodbye to Liam. Luckily she had her documents with her as she was heading to the doctor’s after classes. She didn’t bother with her things they’d buy her new ones and she wasn’t going back to that rundown college anymore.
Liam was gutted. How could she he thought. She didn’t say goodbye didn’t call didn’t say a word. He threw out all her stuff and sat alone in the dark for a long time hugging his cat. The cat understood everything. She quietly snuggled up to him sensing he needed her. She sympathised purred and comforted him. Liam took care of the birth himself keeping his nervous mum and puzzled dad away from the cat. He sat with her spoke to her gently and calmed her down. He made sure everything was going okay and kept his phone ready to call the vet if needed.
Everything went well and the cat had four tiny kittens. Liam changed the bedding brought fresh water and food. He checked one more time that all was fine and then worn out he closed his eyes. He felt the smallest kitten nestle into his hand and thought that sometimes animals show more gratitude than people.You know this story about a young lad named Liam who was only sixteen when he brought her home. She was clearly pregnant for a while and a year older than him. Sophie went to the same college as him just in a different year. For a few days Liam watched her huddle in the corner quietly crying to herself. He couldn’t miss how her belly was rounding out the same outfits she’d worn for weeks on end and that empty hopeless look in her eyes.
Turns out almost everyone knew what had happened to her. She’d been seeing the grandson of a well-known businessman in London but then he just disappeared off to Birmingham on some urgent business. His parents didn’t want to hear a word about her and told her so straight to her face. Her own mum and dad acting like they were back in the old days scared of the shame chucked her out and headed off to their place in the countryside. Some folks felt sorry for Sophie but others were sniggering behind her back saying she only had herself to blame and should have used her head.
Liam couldn’t watch it anymore so he thought it over and went up to her. It won’t be easy so stop crying he said. Why don’t you move in with me we could even get married. But I’m telling you straight I can’t lie and I won’t pretend everything’s perfect. I’ll just be there for you and I promise we’ll sort it out somehow.
Sophie wiped her tears and looked at him. He was just an ordinary lad with no fancy manners and she’d always dreamed of marrying someone completely different. But in her situation there was no real choice so she went along with it. His parents were in shock and his mum begged him to think again but he stood firm. Mum don’t make a fuss it’ll be alright he said. I’ve got two scholarships the regular one and the one for students who need it. I’ll pick up some extra work and we’ll manage. But you wanted to go to university she replied. So what he said. We’ll get by. Dad’s worked his whole life in the factory and you in the shop. Plenty of people without degrees live just fine. Mum it’s not the end of the world.
Sophie moved into Liam’s room. He gave her his bed and took the lumpy sofa bed instead. For the first few days she was really quiet like a shadow following him hand in hand to college and back home until she finally snapped. I’ve had enough she said. Why do your parents keep giving me those looks they don’t like me at all. And why don’t you spend time with me you’re always buried in your books or off somewhere.
Liam was taken aback. Don’t you think that’s normal he asked. Yeah they don’t like you but they’ve taken you in and they’re not making things harder. Giving you looks your own parents won’t even see you. And where are the parents of your baby’s dad. I’m studying because I don’t want to get kicked out after the first year and that scholarship comes in handy. I’m off working because I need the extra cash and I’m not in the mood for weepy TV shows with you.
Sophie burst into tears. Why say it like that she asked. How else he replied. I told you I can’t lie. By the way when are we going down to the registry office. I can’t go like this she said. Buy me a nice dress one with a high waist so the bump doesn’t show. What’s the point he said. We’ll just bring the pregnancy certificate who cares about a dress. I’ve still got to save for a pushchair and a cot.
His mum reached for some herbal tea but she slowly got used to the situation and kept glancing at baby clothes. After all nothing terrible was happening let them live and get married and the parents would help out as much as they could. Only this girl seemed a bit ungrateful always unhappy with Liam with them with the cramped flat. Maybe once she had the baby she’d change. But Sophie had no plans to change. When Liam came back dirty and knackered from the car wash bringing a skinny stray cat into the room she flew into a rage. You idiot she shouted. What do we need this mangy cat for get her out throw her out of the flat.
But Liam just smiled. No she’s pregnant he said. She’s staying so don’t even start. Better be quiet and warm up my dinner. Oh really Sophie nearly squealed. Choose then her or me that creature’s giving me dirty looks too. Why Liam looked at her in disbelief. It’s my house and I don’t have to choose. It’s my cat and if it bothers you you can leave. Even my mum never put me in that position. Maybe it’s time to stop looking down on everyone.
Sophie threw a proper tantrum crying and getting jealous of that skinny neglected cat. How had he even spotted the belly anyway. But sure enough the belly appeared the cat really was pregnant. Liam was worn out but whenever regret started creeping in he pushed those thoughts away. They’d manage somehow. Sophie would have the baby and calm down and before that the cat would entertain them all. Those fluffy kittens would put everyone in a better mood.
But it all turned out differently. The grandad that famous businessman from London came back from a long business trip and found out everything. He tracked down his grandson gave him a right earful and said he’d cut him off from the money if the great-grandchild was raised by some other family. And that lad was really scared of losing that kind of support. Sophie left with him that same day without even saying goodbye to Liam. Luckily she had her documents with her as she was heading to the doctor’s after classes. She didn’t bother with her things they’d buy her new ones and she wasn’t going back to that rundown college anymore.
Liam was gutted. How could she he thought. She didn’t say goodbye didn’t call didn’t say a word. He threw out all her stuff and sat alone in the dark for a long time hugging his cat. The cat understood everything. She quietly snuggled up to him sensing he needed her. She sympathised purred and comforted him. Liam took care of the birth himself keeping his nervous mum and puzzled dad away from the cat. He sat with her spoke to her gently and calmed her down. He made sure everything was going okay and kept his phone ready to call the vet if needed.
Everything went well and the cat had four tiny kittens. Liam changed the bedding brought fresh water and food. He checked one more time that all was fine and then worn out he closed his eyes. He felt the smallest kitten nestle into his hand and thought that sometimes animals show more gratitude than people.
