Go. Dont come back.
Go, do you hear me? Tom whispered, tears stinging his eyes. Go, and never come back. Never.
His hands shook as he unclipped the heavy iron chain. Tugging Lily towards the garden gate, he wrenched it open and did his best to shove her into the lane beyond.
She didnt understand what was happening. Was she really being turned away? But why? She hadnt done anything wrong, had she?
Please, just go, Tom pleaded, hugging the trembling dog to his chest. You cant stay here. Hell be back soon and
The door of the cottage banged open, interrupting him. And there on the steps, swaying with an axe in hand, stood drunkard Graham, his father.
*****
If only people knewjust for a momenthow hard life could be for dogs thrown to the streets, maybe theyd have a little more compassion. Perhaps theyd look at strays with sympathy, not annoyance or contempt.
But how could they know what ordeals these four-legged friends of ours go through? They cant tell us their stories, nor complain about their lot. All the pain, they just bear it silently.
But Ill tell you a talea tale of love, betrayal, and loyalty
It all began when Lily found herself unwanted, barely out of puppyhood.
What had she done to displease her first owner? No one really knew.
Maybe it was enough just that shed been born.
Her owner saw no use for her. So, one grey morning, he drove two-month-old Lily to the nearest village, left her on the edge of the tarmac and simply drove away.
He didnt even bother to take her into the village proper, where perhaps someone might have taken her home. He just dumped her beside the road, headed back into London without a backward glance.
Cars, lorries, vans thundered by at breakneck pace. On such a road, a misstep could spell certain death for a tiny pup.
Maybe thats what her owner expected.
And even if she survived the traffic, how long could a pup last without food or water? She would have perishedso small, so helpless.
But fortune has its moments.
On that very day, Lily met Tom.
Tom had just turned fourteen, and his dad had given him a gleaming new bicycle. Eager to try it out, he set off down the village lane, legs pumping, the air cool against his cheeks.
Stay on our street, Tom! his mum, Margaret, shouted as he soared down the drive. You hear me, love?
I will, mum! he shouted back. Dont worry!
But of course, Tom cycled past the village boundary. The local roads were a maze of potholes, barely fit for walking, let alone riding. Only the new lane leading out towards town was smooth as a dreamand Tom couldnt resist.
On a Sunday, hardly anyone was about. As Tom neared the main road, ready to turn back, he spotted the puppy scampering wildly at the vergelunging toward each car, leaping back just in time. The sight made Toms heart clench.
Whats wrong with him whats he doing there? Tom wondered aloud, dismounting. He laid his bike gently in the grass and walked over with slow, cautious steps.
*****
Mum, Dadlook! Look who I found! Tom called when he burst in, cradling the trembling puppy. Someone dumped her on the road. Can we keep her? Shes so sweet.
Tom! Did you go beyond the village? Margaret snapped, hands on hips. How many times have I
I only went as far as the main road, honest! Tom stared at his shoes. Im sorry, butlook, if I hadnt, shed have died out there.
And you? Did you think about yourself at all? Margaret said, exasperated. Its dangerous, you know. You couldve been hit too. Childrenespecially on bikesought not to play round the roads.
Mum, I wont do it again, I promise. Butwhat about her? Please Can I keep her? Ill look after her, I swear. Ive always wantedwell, you know. And its my birthday today.
Birthday, is it? Margaret shook her head. Youre lucky you arent in trouble after scaring me like that.
Tom clung to the pup, fearing his parents would take her away.
Oh, leave the lad alone, Margaret, his dad, Brian, chimed in. He was in high spirits, thanks to a midday pint. Hes fourteen nowabout old enough to know a few things. You remember what we got up to? Good on him for saving her. Nice pup, too. Not some scraggly thing, a proper young lady wholl guard the house. Of course you can keep her, sonshes yours.
Well, if your dad says yes Margaret relented, smiling at Tom.
Thank you! Both of you! Youre the best parents in England!
Tom was giddy with happiness that day, the kind of happiness only a child with a new friend can know. He named her Lily, after the wildflowers that grew outside his bedroom windowbelieving at first she was a boy until a closer look revealed her gentle, feminine nature.
Tom and Lily became inseparable. His birthday bicycle soon lay forgotten while the days filled with games, walks, laughter, and the simple peace of a loyal companion at his side.
It seemed, for a time, that nothing could go wrong.
The pup was saved, Tom had the dog hed quietly yearned for, and even his strict father, whod never liked dogs, seemed pleased enough.
His parents were delighted in his happiness.
Wasnt this, then, a fairy tale ending? Not quite.
After six months, everything changed.
It began with BrianToms fatherlosing his job at the garage. Grief turned to drink, and his pay packet vanished into the tills of the local pub.
Nothing Margaret saidher tears, pleas, or argumentscould halt his slide. Instead, her every word seemed to irk him more.
His temper flared often. The Brian they all knew faded, replaced by a surly, sharp-tongued stranger. Drink made him mean, quick to lash out.
Sometimes, the anger spilled over into violence. At first it was shouting, then the odd shoveuntil even the smallest thing could spark it. Lily would cower, Tom would flee to his room or the garden. But the blows were not always reserved for Margaret.
One day, Tom felt his fathers wratha heavy hand and a sting across the scalp for the crime of playing outside with Lily.
Stunned, Tom endured as long as he could before sobbing, breaking free and running. For a moment, Sharonusually so calm and tenderburst out barking, a fierce sound that made Brian pause.
He stomped inside, slurring threats behind him. Tom knew, in his gut, that the next time might be worse. He panicked.
So it was that nighta man, an axe, and a stormwhen Tom acted to save Lily.
Go, just go, he choked out, unclipping her chain and dragging her to the gate. Dont come back. Hell kill you if you stay.
Lilys brown eyes were full of confusion and hurt.
But Tom knewhis mum, too terrified now to argue, couldnt protect her this time.
And as Brian staggered out onto the porch, axe gleaming in the moonlight, Tom forced Lily through the gate, whispering, Go! Please forgive us, Lily. I never wanted it to end this way.
Lily looked back only once before she fled into the dark woods beyond.
Im sorry! Tom called, voice cracking with grief. Dont come back, Lilyplease dont!
Afterwards, Lily would never know what became of her old life. She could only hope that those she loved would be safe in her absence.
*****
And so the years rolled by.
Not just a yeara whole seven passed, long and heavy, with Lily surviving as best she could.
In time, when courage returned, she made her way back to the village. But the cottage stood empty, half-burnt and roofless, its gate creaking open to the wind. No sign of Tom or Margaret. Not even Brian, the spectre she least wished to see.
She tried a few more times, circling the village, hoping for a familiar scent or kindly voice. No one came. But she didnt feel something terrible had happenedsurely, theyd simply moved away. With nothing left of home, what else could they do?
And so Lily wandered from one hamlet to the next, never settling long. Until, near another town with a familiar bend in the road, an old man whistled her over from the lane.
Lost, are you? Arthur chuckled, his beard white as snow and eyes as blue as summer. Fancy keeping an old man company?
Lily had no better idea, so she followed him home.
Arthur was fond of a pint, perhaps, but never cruel. He fed her soups and scraps, shared his meagre savings on treats, and, being a night watchman, took her along to his workpatrolling the cemetery at night.
At first Lily was uneasy among the gravestones, but soon it became their nightly ritual.
Arthur, it turned out, was as lonely as Lilya wife gone, a daughter estranged, memories that stung. Hed sigh, nursing a mug of tea, and tell Lily his sorrows, grateful for the company.
And when he fell silent, Lily would lay her head on his foot, listening quietly, remembering her own golden days with Tom and Margaret.
She never spoke of Brian. She tried to forget him forever.
Then, one damp autumn night, Lily discovered something she never expected: among the gravestones, she caught a bitter, familiar scent. She paused by a new markerBrians name carved into the headstone.
Why have you stopped? Arthur asked, noticing her linger. Lets see Brian Alcott. Oh yes, the fellow who drank himself into an early grave. Family went off to London, I recall. Shame. But I suppose what goes around comes around. Now, I wont speak ill of the deadmay he rest easy, if thats even possible.
Lily gazed at the grave, uncertain, but then followed Arthur away.
For nearly five years, they made a life together after a fashionuntil Arthur, too, passed on. Once more, Lily was alone, no longer a puppy, with nowhere special to go.
She decided to remain at the cemetery. There was always a bit to eat, a warm place to curl up, and perhapsthough it was meant for humansa quiet corner at journeys end for herself.
It was on a snowy afternoon, not long after, that something remarkable happened.
Lily overheard voicestwo people, a man and a woman, talking near Brians grave.
I told you, Alice, I dont know why we needed to come here. Why should I visit my father? He made my mums life hell, made us flee. What could I possibly forgive him for?
You must, Tom, the woman replied gently. Forgive him, and youll be free of those nightmares. He was your father, for good or ill. My gran always said: forgive the dead, and peace will come, to you both.
Tom stared at the grave, scowling, then sighing.
Fine, he muttered. If it means peacefor Mum, for me, for LilyI forgive you, Dad. Still wish I hadnt had to drive my best friend away because of you. I hope shes alright wherever she is.
All this time, Lily watched from behind a stone, heart pounding. It was himher Tom, grown tall and solemn, but just the same.
Would he know her?
Feeling his gaze upon her, Tom spun around. His breath caught.
Alice, lookover there. That dog I swear, she she looks just like Lily.
Lots of dogs about, love, Alice replied. Dont be daft.
No, its her. Has to be.
He knelt, calling softly. Lily fixed her eyes on his, tail wavering with hope. She took a tentative step. He did, too.
Thenracing across the cold groundshe flung herself into his arms. Tom hugged her tight, laughing, crying for the dog who, seven long years ago, hed never stopped loving.
Lily licked his cheeks, nose and chin, her old friend restored at last.
*****
Of course, Tom took Lily home. She accepted Alice as family at once, and life settled into a quiet, happy routine.
Soon there were three in the flat. Then four, when Lily rescued a bedraggled kitten from a storm and everyone agreed he should stay.
Not long after, Tom and Alice welcomed their baby, Henry.
In time, Tom rebuilt the old cottage. Each summer, the whole familyTom, Alice, little Henry, the kitten, and beloved Lilyreturned to the countryside to walk familiar lanes once more.
And despite everything, all the pain and heartache, Tom and Lily had found their way back to happiness.
