LOOKING
DOWN
Lynne
Dellow
Hello. I
have a story to tell so, if you're sitting comfortably, I’ll begin.
Bill, an elderly man, is sitting in his old armchair, smoking his pipe
and gazing into a blazing log fire. It’s the anniversary of his late wife Mary's
birthday and memories come flooding back of their long and happy marriage. He
retired they moved to North Wales, where they’d
spent many happy holidays, and bought an old stone cottage which they
renovated.
Although situated in a remote
spot, it was only several miles from a tiny village, which consisted of a General Store/cum Post Office, a few cottages and a very old Pub. Bill joined the Chess Club, which took place
once a week in the snug and had made friends with Ian the Vet, the landlord and
a few locals.
He then began to
think of Chris, their only son. Although a loving child, he’d got involved with
a violent crowd at Senior
School and his
personality completely changed. They’d tried so hard to help, but eventually
Chris ended up in prison and wouldn't allow them to visit. Then they moved to
Wales Mary sent their new address to the Prison Governor and both were overcome
when they received birthday and Christmas cards.
Tears
came into Bill's eyes when he thought of his dear wife's passing and of seeing
Chris standing at the back of the tiny Chapel, accompanied by a Police Officer.
Chris shook as he embraced his dad and kept apologising for all the pain his
actions had caused. He then added that at last he'd come to his senses.
"Dad I've been on a chef’s course and when I’m released they’re
gonna try and find me a job and I promise I won’t let you down again.”
He gave Bill
another hug and the Police Officer, who also looked upset, told Chris it was time
to go. As they left, Bill waved until they were out of sight then, looking
upwards, said a prayer of thanks to Mary.
Chapter 2
Bill sat up with
a jolt. Knowing a mist would soon be forming, he decided it was time to take
his afternoon walk. He wrapped up warm, striding along the deserted lane. After
a mile or so it began to get misty, so he thought it was time to return home. As he was about to turn, something caught
his eye.
Near a ditch, he
noticed a bundle of old black rags.
"What
lowlife's left their dirty old rubbish" he muttered, so decided to take a closer look. As he poked the rags with his stick, he saw something move. Thinking it could be a rat,
he carefully lifted the top layer and, to his surprise, found a very frightened
border collie staring back at him. Its body shook and its eyes had a look of
terror. Bill then noticed two rows of
long misshapen teats and knew why she’d been dumped. He gently lifted her, wrapping his overcoat around
her, not knowing, or even caring, if she would nip him, then whispered
“There,
there, my lovely, you’re quite safe now.
No
one's ever going to hurt you again."
All the way back
to the cottage he spoke softly and, on entering, found an old duvet and he laid
her on it, near the fire. Bill warmed
her some milk but seeing she was too weak to lap, put some on his fingers and
watched her try to lick.
He thought for a few minutes then rang Ian who promised to come over
straight away. He arrived about ten minutes later and, after checking her over
angrily said
"Bastards:
You know she’s off a Puppy Farm, after they breed from those poor bitches for a
few years they’re dumped. That’s what I’d do to them. Leave them somewhere to rot, with no food or
clothes.”
Bill
had never seen Ian so wound up but totally with all his comments.
Ian then said
"Healthwise she's not too bad. Just needs a feed, lots of love
and tomorrow a good bath. If you like I can take her back with me, but she’ll
have to stay in one of my large housing until she recovers, then I’ll try and
rehome her soon, but that won’t be easy as she must be at least five or maybe
even six.”
Bill
quickly interrupted
“No
need, No: She's been through so much already. She’s going to spend the rest of
her days with me. I’d be grateful though
Ian if you could get me some dog food and any medication she may need. Also
please send me your bill.”
Ian
chuckled
“I
knew you'd keep her, fee is zero. Just pay for any medication, dog food, etc.”
After they'd had
a cup of tea, Bill thanked Ian for coming out on such an awful night and his
friend left, promising to send a nurse over the following day to bath her and
supply any medication needed.
Later that
evening Bill warmed some milk and added some minced chicken and was pleased
when she managed to eat and keep it digested. He then made up the fire, put on
some music, threw a wrap around himself and settled in his old armchair. It was to be a long night.
Next
morning the nurse arrived and, after checking her over, washed her down, asking
Bill what he was going to call her. He thought for a moment then said
“l think the name Misty suits her, when I
think of how I found her.”
The nurse smiled
“Well, she certainly loves you.
She hasn't stopped following you around with her eyes all the time I’ve been
here.”
And so a new
companion entered Bill’s life. Each day she became stronger and
followed him everywhere, even to the bathroom. They went to Chess nights
together, where they all made a big fuss of her. On other evenings they sat and lay by the fire, Bill
smoking his pipe and playing classical music. He would tell her of his love for
Mary and Chris and when he looked sad Misty would gently give him a lick.
Chapter 3
One afternoon, as
they were sitting by the fire, Bill noticed Misty's ears shoot up. Then she barked
and ran to the kitchen door. Imagine Bill s surprise when, looking through the
window, he saw Chris with a lady standing alongside. He told Misty who they were and invited them in. After several hugs, he made them some coffee
and Chris then introduced Jenny, his fiancé. Misty realised everything was okay
and let them stroke her. Bill insisted
they stay for lunch, during which Chris explained why they were in Wales.
Ted, the Police Officer, had a brother called Dave who owned a restaurant in
Balla, a Market Town about ten miles away. After Mary’s funeral, they'd paid him a
visit. Ted was full of praise for Chris and wondered if, when he was released
from prison, his brother could take him on temporarily to give him some
experience and a reference, Dave informed then that his chef was retiring in a
couple of years time, so they'd give him a try. Then he did come out Chris
started working for Dave and both he and
his chef were so impressed he was offered a permanent job. That was a few
months ago and the only reason he hadn’t visited his dad was that he
wanted to make sure of everything first. He’d
also met Jenny and they were looking for somewhere to live, close enough to be
able to see his dad.
Bill wiped the
tears from his eyes and hugged his son again. He insisted they stay with him
until they found somewhere although, he added, if they could put up with ‘one
Man and his Dog’ he’d love them to live permanently with him. That
was about three years ago. Chris and Jenny got married and
bought a cottage in the
village.
As at the beginning of this story, Bill is sitting by the fire, this time
though with his faithful companion. He looks up at Mary's picture and thinks
life would be perfect if she was here.
“Now you may wonder how I know so
much about Bill. Well my name’s Mary, need
I say more?”
The End
Copyright Lynne Dellow
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.
