The Setting of the Sun

By Lynne Dellow

Trixie looked up at the setting Sun and knew that shortly her mother would leave their comfy den, which was situated under an old garden shed, and go looking for food.  She was often out all night but always returned with something juicy for Trixie and her three brother cubs.

Her mum sometimes relied on the old lady, in whose garden they lived, to provide scraps, but they hadn't seen her for several weeks and wondered why. The following day it became apparent when Trixie awoke to find the shed slowly falling apart. What was happening and where were her mum and brothers? She looked around what remained of the shed and, realising she was all alone, ran outside. Terrified she made her way to the end of the garden where she found a hole large enough to squeeze through. She climbed the steep slope and found herself on an old railway embankment. Seeing a family of foxes hiding nearby she tried to join them, but they snarled and looked so menacing she ran off in the opposite direction. She was so frightened and, breathing heavily, knew she couldn't go on much further.  Fortunately, she found a space in the fence and, squeezing herself through the narrow gap, and lay in some long grass. Then exhausted she fell asleep, hoping she'd found a safe spot.

***

Sally was busy in her garden. Although she lived alone she quite enjoyed her own company. Until recently Beth had been her companion, She was a Springer Spaniel, who followed her everywhere. On summer evenings they often sat on the patio, Sally always drank a glass of wine and watched the Sunset and Beth would lay contentedly by her side, She wiped a tear away when she thought of her passing.  She sighed but as she started watering the flowers, a slight movement caught her eye and made her stop, In the unmown grass lay a pathetic looking fox cub. It stared at her but seemed unable to move. It obviously needed help so Sally put down the can, walked into her kitchen, looked in the cupboard and found a tin of dog food, which she opened and gently mashed. She placed a quarter on an old plate, half filled Beth’s drinking bowl and took them to near where Trixie was laying. She then returned to her bungalow, hoping the cub would survive the night. The next morning she found it in the same spot and was pleased to see the food was gone.

 

***

Many Moons passed by and a strange friendship developed between the two, It took a while but once Trixie knew she was safe she became braver. She’d sometimes make her way to Sally's backdoor and lay on the doormat,  Sally had a catflap fitted on the shed door and put Beth’s sleeping basket inside.

Then one evening Sally was sitting on the patio, Trixie appeared and lay a few feet away.  Sally smiled and, looking at the setting Sun, raised a toast to her dear Beth. Trixie too looked at the fast disappearing Sun and thought of her mum and brothers. She wondered what had become of them, hoping they'd found someone as loving as she had.

Copyright Lynne Dellow