And so, we finally met
Tom, whats wrong with you? asked Emily after a few moments of silence. You really dont look yourself. Youre pale Is everything alright?
Yes, Im fine, Tom replied, managing to pull himself together. He put his fork to the side and reached for his glass of apple juice, trying to delay having to respond to Emilys question.
*****
Tom walked up to the front door of the block of flats, grasped the handle, and was about to pull it open, but changed his mind at the last second. He didnt want to go inside.
He knew they were waiting for him, remembered his promise to Emily that hed come visit, but the anxiety was so strong he simply couldnt subdue it.
He felt rather embarrassed by his nervesgrown man, yet his knees were shaking like a schoolboy being called up to the blackboard for the first time.
It seemed only a small step remained: open the door, go inside, climb up to the third floor, and find flat 36
Yet, something was stopping him.
Some unexplainable fear held him back, keeping him rooted to the spot and stopping him from following through.
Right now, all Tom wanted to do was turn around and walk away. Back home or to another part of Londonit didnt matter, as long as it was away from here.
Why did I even agree to this? he muttered quietly, stepping backwards. Obviously, they wont approve of me.
He took a few steps further away, lifted his gaze towards the third-floor window with the light on.
It was bright. Brighter than the other windows in the block, it seemed.
Almost like a beacon, making sure Tom saw it on his way to the door.
To help him find his bearings.
And indeed, he had arrived at the right place. He just didnt fancy going any further.
The only thing stopping him from taking his leave was the thought of how Emily would react if he simply left. She had asked him to come, after all.
And hed promised.
*****
Tom, theres something just dont be alarmed, Emily had said the previous evening. Well, my parents want to meet you
Emily was his girlfriend.
Theyd been sitting together at a café in Camden, chatting over dinner and discussing plans for the weekend. Out of the blueher parents wanted to meet him. He was so taken aback he almost forgot to chew, staring at her to see if she was joking or serious.
There wasnt anything particularly unusual about the situationit was quite normal, really, for her parents to want to meet their daughters boyfriend, perhaps even future son-in-law. It would have been odd if they hadnt invited him round.
Its just
Tom was terribly nervous about making a bad impression. More precisely, he was worried that he wasnt the son-in-law theyd imagined.
He had his reasons for thinking so. Good reasons.
Emilys mumVictoria Harrisonhad spent her whole career working at a respected university in Oxford, climbing the ranks all the way from lecturer to Vice Chancellor, and now held some high position at the Department for Education.
Emilys dadRichard Harrisonhad had a similarly impressive career.
Hed started out as an engineer for a large construction firm, worked his way up to Director, and now
Now, he owned his own building company and was even friendly with the Mayor of Londona very serious man by any measure.
To top it all off, Emily herself, in her early thirties, had done well for herself; she managed the legal department of a top finance firm in the City.
And what had Tom achieved in his thirty-five years?
Not much. He was a systems administrator, without a university degree.
His salary was decent, but there was no room for advancement.
How could he sit at the same table as Emilys parents? What would he say? Would he even be able to look them in the eye?
You might be wondering how Tom and Emily had met in the first place. Pure chance.
One afternoon, Tom decided to take a stroll around Regents Park. As it happened, Emily was walking there toonot alone, but with two friends. Her friends went to buy ice cream, leaving Emily by a bench to save their spot and ring her mum.
She was on the phone, so didnt see the lad on an electric scooter hurtling straight towards her.
The lad was clearly drunk, and didnt even think to swerve.
Tom managed to grab Emilys hand and pull her aside just as the scooter flashed by them.
What do you think youre doing? Emily protested.
But when she saw the drunken youth crash into a litter bin and fall over, she realised. She suddenly looked at Tom in a whole new wayafter all, if not for him
Thats how they met.
While Emilys friends queued for vanilla cones, Tom and Emily struck up a conversation, swapped numbers, and agreed to meet up. Six months later, here they weretogether.
Tom thought about all this as he tried to digest what Emily had told him at the café.
Hed been dreading the day when hed have to meet her parents, certain theyd forbid her from seeing him. Theyd say he was just another freeloader, chasing after her money. It had happened beforehed lost a woman he really cared about over something similar.
And now he risked losing Emily
Tom, whats wrong? Emily asked when he fell silent. Youve gone so pale. Are you okay?
Yes, Im alright, Tom replied, recovering his composure. He set his fork aside and reached for his apple juice, delaying the inevitable response.
So, youll come then?
Come? Where to?
To my place, Emily grinned. Mums making something special, and Dad Dads bringing one of his prized bottles of wine. Hes good friends with a wine collector who agreed to give him one for the night. All I need from you, Tom, is a yes. Will you come?
I dont know Tom hesitated. Its just, I feel they might not approve.
Why not?
Because Im just an ordinary bloke without a degree. All I do is install software and rescue lost data. I imagine they always pictured someone elsesome successful businessman or an MPs son. Or, at the very least, someone with prospects. Im just a system admin with nowhere to go. What hope do I have of impressing your parents?
Dont be so daft, she smiled, squeezing his hand. My parents are just people, same as everyone else. You really dont know them yet. Anyway, Ill expect you tomorrow at seven. Dont be late.
Alright, Tom nodded, though privately he still wasnt sure if hed actually go.
*****
And now it was tomorrow.
Tom stood in front of Emilys flat, five minutes to seven, the January air bitterly cold. And he
he had no idea what to do.
He knew hed have to meet her parents at some pointhe was serious about Emily, he wanted to marry her. But not tonight. In a few months, maybe half a year, hed be moving to the IT team at their firms new Liverpool branch and then, maybe, hed look more respectable in her familys eyes.
Maybe then Victoria and Richard Harrison wouldnt send him packing.
He was just about to walk away when his phone started to buzz insistently in his coat pocket.
It was Emily.
Hi Tom, she said, sounding cheerful. Mum and I have almost finished. Dads running a bit late, but he should be there any minute. Where are you? Are you nearly here?
Hi, Em Tom mumbled. Yeah, I just
I cant hear you properly. Youre nearly here, arent you?
Yes, Em, almost there, he sighed. Its just
If youre about to say what you said yesterday, Im not listening. Trust me, everythings going to be fine. If itll help, Ill come down to meet you?
No, no, dont do that, Tom blurted nervously. Ill be there soon.
Good. Ill be waitingwell, well all be waiting.
Tom shoved his phone back in his pocket, stepped out onto the pavement, and rubbed his right temple, searching for a solid excuse not to go in.
But nothing came to mind.
What if Richard Harrison pulls up now? The last thing I want is to bump into him down here Tom thought, and headed towards the far end of the block to kill some time.
Along the way, he bumped into a young lad and bummed a cigarette off him. Tom hardly smoked these days, but now his nerves demanded it. He needed a moment to think.
So there he was, standing on the corner, taking a long drag, blowing out a cloud of smoke into the dark, and glancing about.
There wasnt much to seean overflowing bin to his right, a patch of derelict ground to his left. Emily had told him it used to be garages, but theyd been knocked down to make way for a new housing development.
Nothing particularly interesting, except
He caught sight of a dog, lying out on the patch of ground. For a second, Tom tensed. Stray dogs could be unpredictablethey could attack a stranger, especially one they didnt know.
But, looking closer, Tom relaxed. The dog wasnt interested in him at all.
It was just lying there on the cold frosty ground.
Strangeit must be freezing, but, then again, what choice did it have?
Wherever its allowedthats where it settles. No one would let it inside the block, not tonight, not in this weather.
*****
Jack (that was the strays name, as Tom would later find out) hadnt eaten in days.
Hed once lived in another part of town, where people seemed to like him enough to feed him sometimes. But
there was a woman in the block who decided he didnt belong.
She kept filing complaints with the council, even found others to back her up, and pretty soon residents were split: half of them saying, let him stay, the other half wanting him gone.
That stray goes right up to the childrens playground! the woman would argue. What if it bites someone? Just look at its wild, hungry eyes! Its terrifying!
In truth, Jacks eyes werent wild, just sad. His first owner had been a boy named Charlie.
Charlie and his parents were going to their cottageJack, then just a four-month-old pup, running along the road. Hed been delighted when the car stopped and the boy stepped out.
Mum, Dad! Look how cute he is, Charlie shouted. Lets take him with us!
The parents agreed, wanting to make Charlie happy.
But when it was time to head back to London, no one wanted to bring Jack along.
We cant keep a stray in the flat, they said. And wholl walk him twice a day? You?
No, I wont Charlie replied, shaking his head.
And that was that. They left Jack behind. He was heartbroken, not understanding why.
Life had seemed good until then.
Luckily, a month later, a woman took Jack from the country and brought him to town. She took him to the market each day, not to find him a home, but to sell him. Eventually, she persuaded a couple to buy him.
Dont worry, she told them, hes a pedigree. I just havent got the papers.
But as Jack grew, it became obvious he was simply a mongrel. The couple got rid of himabandoned him on the city outskirts.
Fortunately, it was spring, not winter.
From then on, Jack was on his own.
He wandered the streets, ending up eventually in one of the quiet suburbs, where it was peacefulno gangs of aggressive dogs looking for a fight.
He liked watching children play at the park, remembering his first owner, Charlie, and hoping one day theyd meet again. Maybe, just maybe, he’d have a home once more.
Of course, he never saw Charlie again. And a few days ago, Jack had to leave that area too. He left on his own, realising he wasnt wanted.
One woman would hurl sticks and stones at him, calling out nasty things.
Others started looking at him with suspicion, though hed never harmed a soul.
He just kept himself to himself, watched the kids play, and dreamed that one day, someone would take him in.
But the decision had been madehe was a threat. He had no choice but to go, not wanting to cause trouble.
Now
He lay on derelict ground, the bone-cold seeping into him, too weak from hunger and cold to move.
His energy was draining away.
Jack saw the man with the cigarette on the corner, but knew it was hopeless to expect help. No, he wont help Jack sighed inside. Hell finish his cigarette and be off.
*****
Tom finished his cigarette, glanced up and down the street, and moved towards the nearest block, looking to toss away the stub. He could have flicked it into the snow, but his mum had always said, If you want to make the world better, start with yourself.
As he dropped the stub in the bin, he saw a flash of headlightsa smart black car entered the estate. Alarmed it might be Emilys father, he hurried away from the buildingtowards the waste ground.
He almost forgot about the dog until he realised he was just a few metres away.
Oh great, just what I needif he barks, Ill give myself away, Tom thought, trying not to draw attention.
But the dog didnt bark.
Didnt even look at him. Just lay there, as if asleep. Or maybe
Hey, mate, are you alright? Tom called out.
No response. The dog didnt even flinch.
Tom took a deep breath, walked over, then squatted down beside him and shone his phone torch.
Gently, he touched the dognothing.
But he realised Jack was alivehe was breathing. Just frozen, it seemed, and too exhausted to react.
Tom gingerly checked him over. The poor thing felt more like a log than a living creature.
If I dont help, he probably wont make it through the night.
With no hesitation, Tom scooped the dog up and carried him towards a block, hoping he could get inside and sit by a radiator, ring a cab, and take him to an all-night vet.
Unfortunately, all the entrances were locked. So Tom headed for the next street.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he couldnt answerhis hands were full, and right now, other matters took priority.
As he passed Emilys building, he slowed, glanced up at the third floor, and hesitated. Emily would want to help. But her parents?
Doubtful theyd appreciate a stray dog, barely hanging on, in their flat.
Just as he reached the end of the block, another car pulled in. A sleek, black, expensive-looking one.
The headlights blinded him; he stopped. The car drew level, and the driver poked his head out.
Mate, are you alright? Dyou need a hand?
Theres this dog Tom managed. Found him on the ground over there, frozen stiff. Dyou know if theres a 24-hour vet nearby?
A 24-hour vet? the driver mused. Not around here. But I know where there is one, and the head vet is a mate of mine. Hop in the backwell drive you over.
You really? Us? Tom was surprised. He hadnt expected the owner of such a fancy car to let him in with a stray.
I said, get in! You said yourselftheres no time to waste.
Tom didnt need to be asked twice. A minute later, they were tearing across the city.
On the way, the driver made a call.
Sorry, love. Somethings come upIll be late. No, havent seen him. Hes not there either? You called him? StrangeI didnt see anyone nearby. What does he look like? Right Well, if I spot him, Ill let you know.
Sorry if Ive caused trouble, Tom said after the driver had hung up.
What? Oh, not at all, mate. Tell mehows the dog? Still breathing? Any sign hes awake?
No, but hes breathingjust.
Good, said the man. Lets hurry.
Ten minutes later, they screeched to a stop outside a vets surgery, where the drivers friend was already waiting.
The dog was whisked away out back.
Tom waited nervously in the corridor, checking his phone for missed callsseveral from Emily. Shed texted: Tom, where are you? Are you alright?
He really should have called. But right now, he couldnt face explanations.
His mind was wholly with the dog.
He never even thanked the man whod driven him there.
He ran out into the night to catch the car, but it was already gone. He returned inside, desperate for news. Hed already decided hed keep the dog. And if things didnt work out with Emily, well at least hed have a loyal companion.
*****
Forty minutes passed, and Toms eyes never left the surgery door.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the reception. He thought he recognised a voice.
Turning, he saw Emily. Her mum, a smart, kind-faced woman, was right behind her. Andwouldnt you know itthe man whod driven him here.
The man caught sight of Tom and grinned.
I told you, Emily, hed be herecouldnt just walk away, not when a dog needed him.
Tom realised immediatelythis was Emilys dad. He flushed deep red.
Tom, why didnt you call? I was worried sick, Emily said, rushing to his side.
Sorry, Em, Tom said sheepishly. I just thought your parents might not be best pleased if I turned up with a sick stray.
Oh, you idiot! Emily laughed. I told youmy parents are ordinary folk. And they love animals. Weve got three rescue cats at home.
Really?
Really.
Emilys parents came over, and finallywhat Tom had dreaded most happened.
They met.
Well, there we go, Richard Harrison said, giving Tom a firm handshake. Pleased to finally meet you.
Victoria smiled warmly, reaching out to shake his hand as well. Tom, I must say, what you did tonight is the mark of a true man. Emily was rightyou should have just come straight to us. I hope the little dog makes it.
Oh, hell pull through, dont worry, said the vet, poking his head out. Hes a tough lad. He smiled. Love works wondersnever underestimate it. It can even bring the dying back.
That same night, Tom was allowed to take Jack home. Hed recovered enoughnow, all that was left was to care for him and show him some love.
Love can work miracles, the vet said at the door. It really can.
Tom had planned to head home, but Emily and her parents talked him into bringing Jack back to theirsThe cats will look after him better than any doctor! Besides, we ought to raise a glassto the dogs survival, and to getting acquainted.
So, while Jack lay on the living room sofa, surrounded by three curious cats and seemingly unable to believe hed never freeze or go hungry again, Tom sat round the kitchen table with Emily and her family, sharing stories and getting to know them.
Turned out his fears were all for nothing. Emilys parents were warm, genuine, down-to-earth sort.
A few days later, Jack was walking about happily and Tom decided to bring him home.
Will you be taking me with you as well? Emily smiled, suitcase in hand.
Youre not serious?
Deadly so. Theres just thisMum and Dad wont let me stay at home tonight.
What? Why ever not? Tom was baffled.
They say its time for grandchildren. Someone needs to do their bit for the population.
Tom burst out laughing. Emily joined in too, while Jack wagged his tail, thrilled by the change.
He didnt quite know what was happeningbut he could feel that, whatever it was, it was very, very good.
So thats the story.
