Michael, your time has come. I reckon you ought to see a doctor. Get your heart looked at.
And why would anything be wrong with my heart, then?
Seems to me you havent got one!
Charlie couldnt quite fathom why the front door of the flatthrough which he and his people had returned from so many walkswas now locked.
He sat opposite a peeling brown front door, paws pressed to the icy pavement.
Maybe Ive made a mistake after all? he wondered. No! Not at all, he replied to himself with peculiar dream-logic certainty. The scentsyes, the smells were right.
I only have to be patient. My person will remember soonhe must! He took me in the car, deep into the wood, left me there. Its all a game! But Ive found my way home, see? Now I simply wait.
Snow began to fall, drifting like dust in a hall of mirrors. Charlies paws grew colder still, his whole body quaking despite his thick, shaggy coat.
Dont think about hunger. If I do, Ill see them at the window soon enoughtheyll be so pleased with me, therell be a fat, delicious bone
The trembling little dog padded over to a heap of snow and began to eat. The snow melted cold against his tongue, lessening his thirst but sharpening the cold that pressed against his ribs. If cold could get sharper.
Any minute now, theyll let me in. Ill stretch out by the big white radiator. But first the bone. And soup. And after, a low, warning growljust so no one gets ideas. I know its all a test. Training, even.
I searched for my courtyard for several nights. Yesterday I slipped through an open front door, searching for warmth. By morning, I woke to a caretakers boot in my side. I yelped, but was too weak to bite. People are strange. When Im out on the lead with my person, almost everyone smiles, greets him. Left alone, they glare; sometimes they kick. Now my ribs ache.
Charlie watched the door for hours, his gaze frozen. No one came or went. Quietly, he whined. In his mind, he was already fed and warmed.
Just a little longer. Hold on.
The blizzard began. Charlie could barely feel his paws. He folded himself up into a tight bundle. Sleep began to slip over him, pulling him away. Hed made it. Hed found his way home. He was a good boy. He should rest just for a moment.
Victor Mitchell was alone in his flat. His day was rather full: watch the telly, have a cuppa, telly again, another cuppa, nap, perhaps another cuppa for good measure
There wasnt much else to do. In truth, this was likely his routine for the next ten years. Oncewell, once things were different!
A driver, he had beenwhisking people from the outskirts into the very heart of London. Part of the citys circulatory system. He mattered.
Never mind! Victor cheered himself up, Spring isnt far off. Ill plant the tomatoes. Allotment season just round the corner. Hold out a little longer, old man.
He shuffled to the kitchen and put the kettle on. In the old days he might have someone to natter with while it boiled, have a good grumble. Now he felt a bit cheatedeveryone hurried off, left him behind.
The kettle shrieked. Victor opened the cupboard for his stash of loose tea. No luck. The box was empty.
Blimey, out already. Ill have to pop to the shop, he thought, oddly pleased for an outing. He quickly dressed and left his flat.
In the blocks dim stairwell, the hallway bulb was outor maybe someone had nicked it again. Must fit another when I get back, he thought lazily.
As he swung open the main door and stepped outside, he promptly tripped on something hidden under a dusting of snow.
Bloody hell! he grumbled. It was a dog, covered in snow that did not melt upon him.
Charlie! Victor recognised the neighbours dog at once.
Charlie, what are you doing here, old chap? Youre in a right state! Wait, let me ring your people. He hurried to the intercom and dialed Charlies old flat. No answer. Then he tried the neighbours across the hall, and someone picked up.
Sorry to trouble you, but dyou know where your neighbours from number sixty-four have got to? Their dogs out here freezing!
Oh, theyve moved out. Got a divorce, sounds like. Flats up for sale.
Well, I never thanks.
Victor shrugged off his coat and laid it on the ground. Gently, with mittened hands, he brushed the snow from Charlie and placed him atop the coat. The dog barely seemed to breathe.
Oh, for pitys sakeCharlie, come on, stay with me!
Victor dragged him inside, settled him near the warm radiator, and stroked the matted, cold fur. He knocked on the first door he found downstairs. Nina, his friendly neighbour, answered.
Victor, whatever happened?
Nina, pleasethe poor dog. Could you find the nearest vet and ring us a cab?
Hello, Helen?
Yes, whos this?
Its your neighbour from seventy-two, Victor. Nina gave me your number.
Oh, hello, Victor.
Its about Charlie.
Thats Michaels dog. I never wanted that silly mutt.
Right well, were at the vet
Victor, he couldnt put two pennies together, Michael. And he still went and bought a dog! Do you know how many years I supported the whole family? Asked him to get rid of the mongrel and even that he botched! Goodbye!
Next, Victor tried Michael.
Michael? Its Victoryour former neighbour. Charlie made his way home!
Youre mistaken. Our Charlie vanished in the woods.
Im sure its him!
It cant be.
Well… no need to do this to animals.
I beg your pardon?
Oh, you know exactly what I mean. Im glad youve moved elsewhere.
Months passed. Charlie now lived in a new house. The tips of his ears were gone, two paws still ached in the cold, but hed adjusted.
He realised now: it hadnt been a game after all. It had been the grownups game, and his part was to do as commandedPlay dead. For good.
Charlie also understood he belonged to someone else nowVictor. They walked three times a day. Victor was old and prone to sinking into the sofa with the television, and Charlie made sure to keep him on his toes.
People are odd, all right. The first lot smiled but nearly destroyed me. This one grumbles endlessly, always muttering. Soft-hearted, though, and kind. Im no fool: those you bite, this one you love!
There was a knock at Victors door.
Victor, its Michael. I live with a woman now. Shes got a daughterlittle girls been asking for a dog. Let me take Charlie back. Sorry about everything. How much do I owe for the vet?
I dont follow, Michael.
It just happened. I was skint and
Dogs dont care what you earn Charlie got lost in the woods.
ButVictor, hes right here on the mat.
Thats Norris. Charlie, you lost.
Charlie, come here!
The dog remained where he was, curled on the mat, baring his teeth.
Michael, your times up. You ought to get your heart checked. At a surgery. Or something.
Whats the matter with my heart?
I suspect you havent actually got one at all.
And what do you reckon about all that? Tell me below, drop a like if you like.
