Fred wasnt exactly hated at the depot, but folks tended to steer clear of him. He was a solid driver reliable, experienced, and got the job done yet he was the opposite of sociable.
Nobody wanted to be his partner, and that suited him fine. He was a lone wolf, so when the yard manager gave him a solo run, he waved it off. The other longhaul lads started dubbing him Grim. It stuck, and before long everyone called him by the nickname rather than his real name.
The job that day was nothing special: a familiar route, a standard pallet of goods. Keep your eyes on the road, they always say.
But as he crested a bend, something brushed the grass at the verge. It looked like a creature crawling through the weeds. Fred thought about just driving past could be an animal in the lane yet something in his gut made him pull over.
A huge striped tomcat hissed, looking like it was about to sell its life for a cheap scrap. They say cats have nine lives; this one seemed to have lost a few already, barely breathing, one paw twisted, dirt and blood all over it.
Whats your luck, you miserable puss? Fred asked, crouching over the beast.
The cat bared its teeth and let out a hoarse meow, basically saying it didnt need any help and to get on his way.
I get it, prideful one, Fred muttered, remembering a sleek old tabby his grandma used to keep when he was a kid. Hed spent countless evenings curled up by the hearth, listening to the cats purrs. Those warm memories flashed back.
Im no vet, but that wound isnt going to heal on its own. Theres no shelter nearby, so let me take you to a clinic, Fred said.
He gently lifted the hissing cat, settled it in the back of his lorry, and the animal soon fell quiet, as if resigning to let Fred decide its fate.
Diverting off the main haul, Fred rolled into a small market town in the Midlands and found the local veterinary practice. The elderly vet glanced up, saw the grimlooking driver with a cat in his arms, and let them in without a fuss.
Lucky you, lad, the vet said. Well clean you up, put a splint on, and youll be back on the road in no time.
What am I supposed to do with you? the driver protested. Ive got a deadline.
The clinic cant keep you, either, the vet shrugged. Theres no animal rescue centre around here, and you cant just drop a cat off at a neighbours.
The cat stared at both of them with emerald eyes that seemed to pierce Freds soul, and for some reason he felt a pang of guilt. Was it right to abandon it now?
Alright, he grumbled, and headed for the hallway.
Two middleaged ladies were gossiping over a kettle.
Lindas daughter ran to me again yesterday, trying to hide from her husband, one complained.
What a pity for her! the other replied sympathetically. Shes a good woman, but her bloke is a nightmare. They say he even beats her sometimes
Probably why shes still at home in bruises, the first added, eyes rolling. Mr. Nichols is on the phone today, I hear.
Fred didnt bother listening further. Hed seen enough broken lives to know that anyone could have a rough patch. He himself had once been a teenage fiancé who promised forever, only to lose his girl after a month and watch her marry someone else.
The vet handed the limp cat back to Fred. Give it a few weeks, the splint comes off then. Come back and check.
Thanks, Fred said, cradling the creature and heading for the door.
He had no idea what to do with this surprise gift, but his schedule was already behind. First he had to deliver the load, then figure out the rest.
He tucked the cat onto the sleeper berth and set off again.
A few miles later he spotted two figures by the roadside. A frantic woman waved, while a little girl clung to her side.
Sorry, I dont take passengers, Fred muttered, keeping to his rule.
Miaow! a sound came from the back.
Awake now? What do you want? Fred asked, glancing at the cat.
Miaow! the feline repeated insistently.
Maybe a lift? Fred thought. Good thing you shouted, or Id have driven past you.
He stopped, lifted the cat onto the grass, and it instantly flicked its tail, confirming Freds hunch.
Hey! Where are you off to? Fred heard the pair shouting as they ran toward him.
He didnt have time to drive off; within minutes a breathless woman, dragging the girl behind her, stumbled up to his truck.
Please, dear, could you give us a ride? Its only about thirty miles, she begged, eyes wet.
The girl sat silently, cheeks streaked with tears.
Im not a minibus driver, love, Fred tried to explain. Take the next coach.
We missed our only bus, the woman protested. Give us a lift and well pray for you forever!
The cat, now limping a bit, padded over to the girls foot. She knelt, stroked it, and it purred.
Shall I drive you, and you keep the cat? Fred offered, smiling at the cats eager tail wag.
The womans eyes filled with tears. Wed love that. I work at the local vet, so I know how to care for animals. Were staying with my aunt in the next town, but we havent found a place yet.
What happened? Fred asked, watching the girl gently pet the cat.
The little one, with golden curls and a frightened look, seemed to trust the cat instantly.
Fred remembered a chat hed overheard at the clinic. The woman was probably the same Helen whod mentioned a husband with a bad temper. He kept his thoughts to himself, gave a nod, and said, Alright, hop in.
Come on, Poppy! the girl cheered, the name shed given herself.
Fred lifted the cat, and the little procession shuffled into the cab. The girl settled in the back, the woman squeezed into the passenger seat.
Ill pay, dont worry, the woman promised, but Fred just grunted, Just get us there.
The cat liked you, Fred added, so you must be decent folks. Say thanks to him for me.
Thank you, kitty! the woman said earnestly. Whats his name?
Just Cat, honestly, Fred shrugged. We just met on the road.
Youre a good soul, she replied warmly. And you are?
Fred, he said gruffly.
Im Helen, and this is my daughter Poppy, she introduced.
Will your aunt take him in? Fred asked, halfjoking.
I hope so, she sighed. We dont have a phone, my husband left
She fumbled for a number, then whispered something about a brother and a missing cat. Theyll take the cat, but not us, she said apologetically, tears welling again.
Poppy hiccuped, Cat, come back to us, okay?
Fred chuckled, Weve already made a deal with the cat. The woman blushed, Hes so gentle.
Unable to find a home for the feline, Fred dropped the strangers off at the address shed given and handed the cat over to a bewildered aunt who was more than happy to adopt the odd little beast.
Poppy clung to the cat, kissing its whiskered face, then raced over to Fred and gave him a big hug.
Dont hug the driver, love! Helen snapped, flustered.
The girl needs a dad, thats why shes so clingy, the aunt muttered.
Fred felt a strange tug at his heart. Hed long given up on thoughts of a steady family, yet that tiny curlhaired girl had stirred something inside him.
Uncle, will you come visit us? With the cat? Poppy asked, looking up at him with huge, hopeful eyes.
Ill try, Fred managed, not wanting to say no.
She sighed, ran inside, and Fred drove off, the image of the little girl and her anxious mother lingering behind the windshield.
He turned to the cat, who let out a disdainful meow, as if to say, What a lot of drama for a roadtrip.
I could explain to him why you dont need to raise a fist against women and kids, Fred muttered.
Miaow! the cat replied, as if adding its own teethandclaw arguments.
For the first time on a solo haul, Fred actually had someone to talk to. He spilled about his parents, his time in the army, his political views. The cat listened, sometimes responding with a approving meow, seeming to side with the driver.
Soon he spotted a brokendown car on the verge, two men arguing, one darting into traffic waving his arms.
Need a hand? Fred called, nudging the car door.
One of the men drew a pistol, the other stumbled as a stray ball of fur the cat flew past them. The cat pounced, claws bared, onto the shooters face. The man dropped the gun, flailing. Fred lunged, snatched the weapon, and shouted, Hands up!
Get the cat off me! the other croaked, eyes wide.
Fred, seeing a second thug rush at them, rammed the first one in the jaw, grabbed the cat, and bolted back to his cab.
He dialed the local police a quick call, and the officers arrived within half an hour, hauling the two goons away. The patrol officer tipped his hat. Youve got yourself a hero, mate, he said, eyeing the battered cat.
Me? Hero? Fred laughed. I was just trying to deliver my load.
The lads you just knocked out have a record. You saved a life yours and that cats, the officer replied. Dont go getting your hands dirty over this again. Youve already got a partner now.
Fred glanced at the cat. The cat stared back.
Its mine, he said firmly. My roadmate.
The officer smiled. Good luck, you two. Youve earned it.
Word of the lorry driver and his brave cat spread online. Folks would wave when they saw them, thank them for the rescue. Fred felt a change inside, as if the icy grip of solitude was melting.
Three weeks later, after the splint came off, Fred drove back to the little Midlands town where hed left Helen and Poppy.
He pushed open the clinic doors and saw Helen at the entrance.
Ah, youre here, she said, eyes bright. I had a dream youd come.
Mustve been a good nights sleep, Fred replied, a grin tugging at his lips. You and Poppy alright?
Yes, Helen shook her head. My aunt loves us, and Ive filed for divorce. She lowered her voice. Would you stay for a bit?
Her eyes widened, then a shy smile appeared. The cat, perched on the dashboard, let out a demanding meow.
I have a daughter Helen whispered.
Ive got a cat! Fred laughed. Im not the best with flowery words, but I know this meeting isnt random. Ill look after you both.
The cat gave another approving meow.
Ill think about it, Helen promised.
A month later they were married, Fred moved into a new job as a driver for a mobile veterinary unit. The roadcat, now nicknamed Trucker, still lives with them, keeping an eye on Poppy and occasionally sighing at the memory of long, lonely highways while lounging on the sofa.
Romance is romance, but life goes on without a feline guardian? Not for us. Good folk, good cats they keep the world turning.