Margaret Wakefield wakes suddenly at three in the morning, startled by the urgent vibration of her old-fashioned mobile on the nightstand.
Blinking in confusion, she struggles to understand who would be calling at such an ungodly hour. Picking up the phone, her heart lurches when she sees her son’s name flashing on the screen.
Hello Jamie, what’s the matter?! she gasps, panic rising. Why are you ringing so late?
Mum, sorry I’ve woken you. Look, II was heading home from work Jamie stammers, his voice shaky. And now Well, I dont know what to do
What do you mean, Jamie? Tell me! Dont just go silent. Do you want to give me a heart attack?
Well, its justtheres Shes lying in the road. Maybe youve got some advice? Ive never faced something like this. I feel a bit clueless.
A few seconds pass in heavy silence.
Wait Are you saying you hit someone? Have youkilled someone? Margaret cant help the tremor in her voice, the phone threatening to slip from her shaking hands.
No, I dont think shes dead. And I didnt hit hersomeone else did. Its not a person, Mum.
Not a person? Who is it, then?
A dog Looks like a German shepherd. Shes still breathing but its shallow. What should I do, Mum? We havent got any 24-hour vets here. And youre much better with animals than me.
In the glow of his headlights, Jamie sees the dog lying right at the edge of the vergeher chest rising and falling almost imperceptibly. Her breathing is laboured, her eyes heavy with the look of resignation.
At least shes breathing, Jamie tells himself, pressing the phone tighter to his ear.
*****
Three days earlier.
Mum, are you at it again? Dont you have enough to do? Whats with all these cats? Jamie asks as he pops by to check on her, finding her putting out bowls of food by the front steps. Shed never been this soft before.
But ever since retirement, she seems obsessed with cats. A wild sort of lovelike shes a one-woman rescue centre. Honestly, no normal person would behave this way, especially in full view of the neighbours.
Hello, son, Margaret straightens up, waving. You shouldve said you were coming byId have baked something nice.
Looks to me like youve already given all the treats to your cats, Jamie grins.
He really doesnt grasp why his mum spends her money and time on this. Why does she help every stray she sees? Shes already taken in four cats over the last eleven monthsall rescued and made themselves at home in her tiny flat.
Youd think four was enough, but Margaret has no intention of stopping.
She continues feeding every creature she comes across.
Cats are her first love, but she cant ignore the local dogs, or even the pigeons foraging near the bins.
The neighbours have started calling her Mother Teresa behind her back.
Jamie cringes, seeing how people point, whisper, and snicker at his mother. Some even tap their temples, hinting shes lost the plot.
Let them think what they want, love, Margaret reassures him, noticing his discomfort. The world needs kindness. I just want to try to make ours a little gentler.
She gazes fondly at the cats, hungrily lapping up their food.
They havent much to look forward to on the street, do they? Thats why I want to show a bit of love. To remind them they matter. Its awful living your life unwanted. Remember what your nan used to say?
But youve already got four cats in your flat! Isnt that enough? Jamie exclaims.
Its not about how many, son. Id take them all if I could, but you know my place is tiny and the pensions hardly generous. Ive taken in what I can, and help the rest as best I can. Let them say Im madI wont stop. People need to see the right example.
The right example?
Yes. Someone might see and think, Maybe I should try that too. Were responsible for those we take in. Thats what makes us human: we help the little ones who cant help themselves. Who else will if we dont?
Jamie tries to understand, he really does, but he just cant. He thinks his mothers heart is too tender for her own good.
Hed get it if she were helping homeless people, as far as his means allowed. But animals? He has nothing against cats and dogs, but thinks its a bit muchover the top, really.
But then, just three days after that talk, something happens that changes his thinking completely.
That night, hes heading home from work long after midnight.
Normally, Jamie leaves on time, but a last-minute crisis kept him late.
Perhaps its for the besthe hasnt driven through town after dark in ages.
Jamies a careful driver, usually keeps to the speed limit, but tonight he puts his foot down, enjoying the freedom of empty streets. It doesnt last long.
He just manages to brake in time, spotting a dog sprawled across the road.
Stunned, he grips the steering wheel, knuckles white, for minutes that seem to stretch forever. When he finally steps outside and kneels by the dog, its clear shes been hitanother speedster, perhaps, or someone drunk.
That hardly matters now. What matters is helping her. But how?
Hes never dealt with an injured dog in his life.
With no idea who else to turn to, he calls his mum.
*****
Hello Jamie, whats happened?! Margarets voice is scared as she picks up at three. Why are you phoning so late?
Mum, sorry for waking you. I was just driving home from worksomething happened andI dont know what to do Jamies words tumble out.
What is it, son? Hurry and tell me! Do you want to give me a heart attack?
Theres shes just lying here in the road. Any advice?”
Silence settles again.
You havent run someone over, have you? Killed someone? She can barely keep calm, her fingers trembling.
No, shes not dead, and it wasnt me. Someone else. And its not a person.
Not a person? Who then?
A dog looks like a German shepherd. Definitely a stray. She’s still breathing, but only just. There arent any 24-hour vets here, are there? I dont know who else to call. Youre the animal expert, Mum.”
Jamie glances down at the dog, lying by the edge of the road, chest barely moving in the headlights. Her eyes are so sad, so tired.
“At least she’s breathing,” he thinks. “That’s something.”
So what do I do? Jamie repeats. You know any vets?
No pet vets I know, I’m afraid. And there aren’t any all-night clinics here. As for driving to another townit could be too dangerous; she might not make it. Listen, bring the dog to me.
To yours? Seriously?
Of course. Why are you surprised? Worried about what the neighbours will say?
No, its just youve got four cats in your flat. What will they think about a dog? Wont it be chaos?
Son, theyre cats, not crocodiles. Well manage. Stop wasting timecarefully get her into your car and bring her here. Ill get everything ready. We might at least be able to help a bit.
*****
Half an hour later, Jamie is carrying the dog up four flights of stairs to his mums door.
Hes got mucky seats, dirty jeans, but for the first time he doesnt care. He only wants the dog to survive. Hes genuinely worried, as if the creature in his arms were a person.
Just set her here. Gently, Margaret calls, motioning to the sofa covered in old sheets.
Margarets never trained as a vet, but shes watched closely in animal clinics and remembered as much as she could. Just in caseas it turns out, tonight.
Even Jamie doesnt sit on his hands: hes Googling treatments on his smartphone.
Somehow, bit by bit, they stem the bleeding and the dog begins to settle.
Believe it or not, the cats play a part, too.
At first wary of the big, hurt newcomer, the cats soon curl up around her, purring softly. Under their warm rumble, the dog falls asleepnot unconscious, but peacefully dozing.
Its goodat least she isnt in pain till morning (the cats, Margaret jokes, have magical paws).
Mum, do you think shell be alright? Jamie asks quietly, resting his hand on the sleeping dog.
Im certain, Margaret says, tired but hopeful. Her injuries arent too bad. And, Jamie, if this remarkable dog has awakened your compassion, maybe there was a reason you found her tonight.
Mum, I couldnt just leave her thereabandoned, suffering. That wouldnt be right.
Thats exactly what I mean. Three days ago you thought I was daft for feeding cats. Tonight youre sitting up, exhausted, minding a dog. And I have a feeling you wont be turning her back out on the street, am I right?
I suppose not Jamie murmurs, flushing. Its strange, but it feels good. Feels right, somehow, to care.
*****
At first light, Jamie drives the dog to the nearest veterinary surgery, arriving as the doors open. Other early arrivals, seeing him clutching an injured dog, step aside without a wordthey understand perfectly.
In that moment, Jamie truly realises theres nothing wrong with kindness towards animals. That helping them helps us become better, gentler, kinder people.
They patch up the dog at the surgeryJamie names her Mollyand from then on, every weekend he joins his mum for walks with Molly by their side. Sorryby their sides.
The thing is, some of the cats now tag along too. If they want in, whos to say no?
Neighbours watch, bemused, as the odd group strolls past, muttering and shaking their heads. But Jamie doesnt mind any more.
All thanks to Molly, who came into his life so unexpectedly; and to his mum, who always set the right example.
Hes grateful, too, to those at the surgery for their warmth and understanding. In that moment, hes sure the world really is a bit kinder than before.
And whatever anyone else says, Jamie, like his mum, is going to help anyone who needs itwhether its a cat, a dog, or a person.
Thats the story.
