**The Puppy**
Emily and her mother lived just the two of them. Of course, Emily had a father—technically—but he wasn’t part of their lives. She hadn’t asked many questions about him yet. In primary school, children might brag about their parents, but at her age, toys were far more interesting than the absence of a dad.
Hope—Emily’s mother—had once been hopelessly in love with the man who would become Emily’s father. But when she told him she was expecting, he admitted he was married. His wife’s father was his boss, he explained—leaving wasn’t an option unless he wanted to be left penniless. He suggested she end the pregnancy, warning that she’d get nothing from him if she didn’t. If she insisted on keeping the baby, she’d regret it.
Hope walked away and raised Emily alone. She worked as a primary school teacher, and Emily went to nursery. They needed no one else.
After the New Year, a new P.E. teacher arrived at the school—tall, fit, and always smiling. Every single woman on staff (and there were plenty) immediately took notice, laughing at his jokes and finding excuses to chat. Only Hope kept her distance. Maybe that’s why he noticed her.
One afternoon, as she left the school gates, an SUV pulled up beside her. The P.E. teacher—James—stepped out and swung open the passenger door.
“Hop in,” he offered with a grin.
“It’s not far, really,” Hope said hesitantly.
“Still,” he countered, “better than walking, even if it’s just around the corner.”
She hesitated but slid inside. Once they were moving, he asked for her address.
“I don’t know it offhand,” she admitted. “Just the nursery number.”
“Nursery?” He glanced at her, puzzled.
“Where my daughter goes.”
“You have a daughter?” He switched to a more casual tone. “How old?”
“Emily. She’s five.” Hope reached for the door handle. “Actually, I’ll walk.”
“Wait. Let’s go get her.” He turned the key in the ignition.
She sighed. Why would a man like him want a woman with a child when there were so many free and childless options? “If you’re not in a hurry…”
“Not at all. No wife, no kids waiting for me,” he said, as if reading her thoughts.
“Bad temper? Or just bad luck with women?” Hope teased.
“Feisty. Didn’t expect that.” He chuckled. “Had my share of heartbreaks. Just never worked out. And my temper’s fine—nobody’s perfect.”
“Regretting offering me a lift? Turn here, please.”
They stopped outside the nursery.
“I’ll wait,” James said as she stepped out.
She lingered. “Don’t. We live close. I don’t want Emily asking questions.” Her tone was firm, like she was explaining something to a slow pupil. “Don’t wait.”
She shut the door and walked away. James sat for a long moment, thinking, before driving off. When Hope returned with Emily ten minutes later, she exhaled in quiet relief—and just a little disappointment. Of course. A single mum wasn’t what he wanted. Fine. *We don’t need him either*, she told herself.
But the next day, he was waiting again.
“You thought I ran off when I found out about Emily?” He grinned. “Guess again. Hop in. Nursery?”
She smiled and nodded.
When Emily saw the car, she studied James with the same serious expression her mother had worn the day before. Then she looked up at Hope.
“This is Mr. Carter. He works at my school. Go on, get in,” Hope said, forcing cheerfulness.
Emily didn’t cheer or rush to the car. She climbed solemnly into the backseat and stared out the window.
“Where to?” James asked, glancing back.
“Not too far,” Hope answered for her. “No child seat—we could get fined.”
“How about the arcade? Too cold for the park. Emily, sound good?”
Emily didn’t reply, still absorbed in the window. James chuckled and drove on.
At school, whispers followed Hope. When James entered the staff room, conversations halted, eyes darted, and grins were exchanged.
James didn’t push things. He was patient. Twice, he left after dinner at Hope’s flat. The third time, he stayed till morning. Hope slept poorly, glancing at the clock—what if Emily woke early and saw them?
“Relax,” James murmured at dawn. “She’s a smart kid. She’ll get used to it.”
Hope slipped from his arms and got up.
When Emily walked into the kitchen after washing up, Hope was flipping pancakes while James sat at the table.
“Good morning,” Emily said, eyeing him curiously.
“All clean? Sit down, then.” Hope smiled at James, then at Emily, and brought the pancakes over.
She served James first—something Emily noticed immediately.
“Two sugars, please,” James said when Hope poured the tea. His eyes stayed on Emily. “Bet I can eat these faster than you.”
“Why?” Emily frowned.
“Just for fun.” James faltered. “A real sport takes a challenge. Ready?” He took an exaggerated bite.
Emily ate slowly, uninterested in competing. Hope was proud she wasn’t swayed by dares—but it stung, knowing James hadn’t won her over.
“Your mum said your birthday’s coming up,” James tried again. “What do you want? A robot? Remote-control car?”
“A puppy,” Emily said.
“An electronic one? Those are for babies.”
“A real one.” She gave him a look.
“We’ve talked about this,” Hope cut in. “Puppies need care—walks, training, company. When you’re older—”
“Then I don’t want anything.” Emily’s voice was flat.
“Finish up. We’ll go to the toy shop,” James said, shovelling in the last bite.
In late March, winter returned unexpectedly. The thaw had nearly finished, but now icy gusts flung sleet at them as they left the shopping centre laden with bags—one large box hiding the transformer James had secretly bought.
Near the car park, a small, shivering blur darted at their feet. James swore.
“Did you see that?” he said to Hope. “Nearly stepped on it.”
Emily spotted the muddy furball trembling by his shoe.
“Get lost.” James nudged it away with his boot. The puppy yelped.
Emily lunged forward, scooping it up and glaring at James. “You—you *idiot*!”
“Emily! Apologise *now*!” Hope snapped.
But Emily clutched the shivering pup tighter.
“He’s filthy—probably sick,” Hope insisted. “Put him down!”
Emily’s expression said everything: she’d *never* let go.
“He’ll freeze! We can wash him—*I’ll* clean up after him!” Her voice wobbled.
“Your mum’s right,” James said, handing the bags to Hope. “We’ll go to the pet shop next weekend, get a healthy one. Give him here.”
Emily spun and bolted—right as a car reversed.
“Emily!” Hope screamed.
The bumper clipped her. Emily sat on the tarmac, still cradling the puppy, tears streaking her cheeks.
“Are you hurt? Let him *go*!” Hope wiped her face.
The driver stepped out. “You should watch your kid, love. Not my fault—she ran into my blind spot!”
“Just go,” James interjected.
Hope helped Emily up, steering her to the pavement.
“Drop that mongrel,” James muttered. “She’s playing you. Needs a proper telling-off.”
“*Enough*,” Hope snapped. “Let’s go home.”
“I’m not getting in with *him*.” Emily glowered. “He *kicked* him on purpose!”
“You cheeky little—” James raised his voice. “I wasn’t having him ruin my car!”
“James, *stop*!” Hope stepped between them. “Fine. Keep him.” She shot Emily a look. “But we’re driving. It’s freezing.”
Clouds swallowed the sun. The ride home was silent. At their door, Hope told James to leave.
“You’ll regret this,” he sneered. “Who else’d take you *and* your brat?”
She shoved him out and slammed the door. Inside, Emily giggled as the puppy licked her fingers.
“Mum, look! He’s smiling!”
Indeed, the pup—now clean and fluffed—gave a wide yawn and curled up.
“Was that him?” Emily asked warily.
“Yes. He won’t be back.”
“Good.” Emily beamed. “We’ve got Smiley.”
“Who?”
“That’s his name! Short for *Smiley*!”
Hope watched her daughter’s joy and wondered when *her* happiness would come. Not with James, that much was clear. But if Emily was happy—And as Hope watched Emily and Smiley curled up together, fast asleep, she realized that sometimes the love you least expect is the one that finds you when you stop searching for it.
