Emma spotted the dog lying on the garden bench and rushed over in a heartbeat. The leash that Sarah had carelessly tossed aside was now within reach, and the mutt gave her owner a plaintive, droopyeyed stare
She and her brother, Thomas Whitby, had barely spoken for almost two years. Emma still couldnt fathom how a trivial spat had ballooned into such a fierce feud.
Emma and Thomas were born a year apart. From the moment they could walk, they were inseparable, always looking out for each other. No matter the mischief they got up to, they shared the blame equally and never left the other to take the heat alone.
Their home village, Littleford, grew steadily year after year. Luck smiled on them thanks to the villages longstanding squire, Sir Philip Harcourt, a native son who turned out to be a brilliant agricultural adviser.
After finishing his farming degree, Philip returned to Littleford and threw himself into community projects. His hard work soon earned recognition, and a decade later he was appointed the chief magistrate of the parish.
Their private lives flourished as well. Emma, fresh from a nursing college, began working as a senior assistant at the village clinic. Sir Philip couldnt ignore such a striking young woman, and Emma returned his interest. They married, and the whole village turned out for the wedding. Thomas cheered his sisters happiness, although his own marriage to Sarah was anything but pictureperfect.
While Emma was busy with her new life, Sarah would occasionally mutter about her, calling her useless or pretentious. After the wedding, however, envy replaced the sniping. Sarah began demanding more from Thomas a larger house, a fancier car, a better coat for the dog
He grew increasingly frustrated, sighing, Everyone else has it all, and we cant even get a decent nights sleep! Thomas tried his best, but Sarahs wishes were impossible to satisfy with either money or effort.
Sarah herself was far from content; motherhood never came her way. Meanwhile, Emma built a happy family, having a boy and later a girl, a spacious home, while her husband rose to a respectable position
Family gatherings grew louder and more argumentative. Each time Thomas visited Emmas house, Sarah would immediately start hounding him.
The final blow came on Thomass birthday. Emma presented him with a Labrador puppy from the town a longstanding wish finally granted. Sir Philip, not to be outdone, handed him a brandnew motorbike.
Everything went smoothly until a drunken Sarah exploded, unleashing a torrent of venom on Emma:
Come on, Em! The dog whats that about? If we cant have kids, lets at least get a dog, right?
Emma tried to calm her:
Sarah, settle down. Youll be mortified later
Her words fell on deaf ears. A massive row erupted, the guests split into two camps. Sir Philip whispered to his wife that they should leave, and once the farewell was said, they slipped out of the celebration.
Two years slipped by. That evening Thomas began to distance himself from his sister, their contact reduced to a few brief, rare meetings. Tension also thickened between him and Sarah.
Night after night Thomas found himself strolling down to the river with Buster. The two looked content: Thomas would toss a stick, Buster would dash after it, then curl up at his feet and listen to Thomass lowkey stories.
Emma heard about the riverside visits from nosy neighbours, but did nothing Thomas remained stubborn.
After the bitter argument, Sarahs hatred for Emma and for the very dog shed been given grew worse. Whenever Thomas was out, she would chase Buster out of the house, scold him, and sometimes even give him a smack.
The gossiping neighbours only added fuel to the fire:
Did you hear, Sarah? Your husbands out by the river again with that dog
Yesterday they ran into Emma, the kids, all laughing together!
Jealousy swelled inside Sarah until it burst. One day Thomas asked:
Sarah, are you still angry with Buster?
Do I need your dog? she snapped and stormed out.
Buster began to hide from Sarah, trembling whenever she appeared.
The last straw came one crisp morning when Thomas, furious, shouted:
Ive had enough of this endless jealousy!
Left alone, seething, Sarah dragged Buster out to the garden, tied him to the bench, and slapped the leash hard. The poor dog whimpered in pain. After venting her rage, she tossed the leash aside, packed a bag, and walked out for good.
That evening Thomas came home to find the garden in disarray. Buster lay on the bench, his head tucked under his paw. Thomas scooped him up, cradling the injured animal, and rushed to the clinic.
Emma was just about to leave for home when she saw her brother, clutching the bleeding dog:
Emma, help me Thomas gasped.
They carried Buster into the treatment room. Emma examined him carefully:
Who did this?
Sarah Thomas lowered his gaze.
Emma nodded silently, stitched the wounds, cleaned his eyes, and gave him water.
Later, in the hallway, Thomas whispered apologetically:
Forgive me, Em
Come off it, she smiled wearily. And Sarah?
No, Emma. Thats over.
Emma dialled Sir Philip:
Phil, could you come over, please?
When he heard his wifes weary voice, he was already on his way.
Half an hour later he arrived, finding the siblings huddled together, Buster whining softly, his eyes bright despite the pain.
Come on, you heroes, he chuckled.
They took Thomas home and handed him a list of care tips for Buster.
When Emma recounted the whole episode to their mother, the old lady sighed:
They shouldve split up ages ago.
She gathered herself, marched off to her sons house, and started tidying up.
At the gym, Thomas sat on a bench, patting Busters head. Their mother stopped by, stroked both of them:
Alive and kicking?
Alive, Thomas replied.
A fragrant smell of roast beef and fresh vegetables drifted from the kitchen. Buster nudged his nose, wagged his tail, and Thomas grinned, standing up.
Life, as ever, trudged on.
