Déjà vu
She was always waiting for a letter. Ever since she was a child. For as long as she could remember.
Addresses changed. Trees seemed to shrink, people felt further away, and her anticipation softened.
He never trusted anyone, nor expected much. He was an ordinary mansolid, dependable. He worked, and at home there was his dog. He travelled alone, or with his four-legged companion.
She was a charming English girl with large, sorrowful eyes. Someone once asked her,
What could you never leave the house without?
A smile! shed reply, those lovely dimples in her cheeks confirming it.
Ever since she could remember, she was friends mostly with boys. A pirate in a skirt, theyd affectionately called her in the neighbourhood. But she had a secret game for when she was alone. Shed imagine herself as a mumwith lots of children, a good husband, and together in a big, cosy house, surrounded by a beautiful English garden.
Sport was his life. In his garage, a box held trophies, medals, and certificates, all from years gone by. He never quite knew why he kept themperhaps out of respect for his parents, whod always been so proud. He always thought to bring them round to theirs. He didnt care much for winningthe challenge was what he loved: to push himself to exhaustion, to feel the rush after fatigue, that new surge of energy, a second wind.
Her parents were killed when she was about seven. She and her younger brother were sent to different childrens homes. Thats how they grew up, each fighting their own battles, carrying their own joys and sorrows. Those days were behind them now, and they lived opposite each other on a street lined with short, cheerful houses, sunlit lanes, neat little gardens, and the hustle of local farmers markets. Her brothers family were her greatestand onlyfriends.
It was a worrying day Her shift had just ended. She was making her way through the car park. Old Arthur, like a father, caught up with her, gave her a squeeze, thanked her for the pies.
Go home for some sleep, all right?
I will, she waved back, pecked his cheek, and hurried to her car.
Ahh sighed the ambulance driver as she left.
On holidays, she and Arthur often wound up covering the same shift. Nobody liked working holidays, not even the doctors.
There were two men in the crew besides her. The other medics wife disliked her. She liked to look tidy and smarteverything was brighter, shed found, if the doctor was optimistic and looked well.
He drove as fast as he dared. His box of trophies clattered around in the boot, his dog whining restlessly in the backseat. His father had suggested they spend New Years Eve together this year. That same day, hed shifted the old box into the car, excited that for once he wouldnt be working through the holidays. Coaching the lads was his passion, but rare visits with his parents always left a bittersweet mark. A few days before New Years, the phone woke him before dawn.
Mums poorly. His fathers voice trembled. A retired colonel, a strong man, yet he couldnt hide his fear. His parents had been together since school days, and still looked at each other like a young couplehed always envied that glint in their eyes, like they shared some secret.
She wore a tired smile. Every New Years Eve, she baked dozens of pies and delivered them throughout the city after her shift. Today, shed managed a little nap at work. Without it, Arthur wouldnt have let her drive; hed have taken her home himself, thrilled by her bashful grin.
It was about six miles to her familys house. Suddenly, the snow came down in a blizzard. He remembered how the dog, just hours earlier, had resisted jumping in the car, and the constant rattle from the boot, so many journeys, so many roads
Mum, Dad, hang on Youre all Ive got
His dog licked his ear as if hed read his thoughts.
Sorry, mateand you, too, of course
She eased off the engine. The storm was relentless. Only one pie left. Just over a mile till she reached the countryside, where her favourite patient liveda spry old woman with sparks in her eyes, impossible to call granny even now. And her husbands eyes lit up the same. A wonderful pair, both keen travellers, never ones to complainperhaps just like her parents would be, if they were still here
A dark blur. Right in front of her, against the blinding white flurry.
Where on earth did you come from, dog? Out the woods, or run off from someone?… Those eyes!… Whys your neck sticky?… Jumpers soaked So tired, mustnt sleep Jack, Jack, mate Whys it hurt so much?… Mum, Im coming, Dad, Im nearly home So dark
Couldnt reach Arthurhed gone to fetch the grandchildren. No, the ambulance couldnt make it down this road, not through this snow.
Stay with me, lad, nearly there, Ill get you out Good heavens!… And the dog too
She was just about to pull out when a grey car sped past.
Someones in a hurry to get home, she thought. Minutes later, she spotted the same caroverturned on the verge. A black dog was a few yards away, seemingly alive.
Whats the time, anyway? She never liked hot water, but now a steaming shower thawed her trembling muscles. Sitting in the bathroom, eyes closed, she longed for a little sleep…
How did you manage to pull him outhes not small! her brothers voice echoed as she remembered, and her body throbbed with pain.
She took the injured man and his two dogs to hospital in her car. Her brother met her halfway and helped. That same afternoon, she went back to the little country lane to deliver her last pie. For some reason, she picked up the box that had fallen from the grey cars boot.
It might be precious to that lad. The main thing is, theyre all alive. When he comes round, Ill give it back.
The older womans husband opened the door, looking lost.
Has something happened? she blurted.
My wifes in hospital. Im heading there nowgave up waiting for our son, cant reach him
She stayed silent, head bowed.
Are you all right? the colonel asked, touching her hand.
Let me drive you, she offered.
They drove in silence. The blizzard had eased.
Noticed that box on your back seatwheres that from? he suddenly asked.
There was an accident. A man was trying to avoid a dog that darted out the woods, car flipped over, and the box fell out the boot
Grey car, white dog inside, black dog from the woods? he said quietly.
She pulled over, turning to face him. The colonel clenched his fists, staring up the road.
Hes alive! And your wife will pull through. She wrapped him in a hug.
Listen, lass May I call you that?
Of course! Tears glistened in her eyes.
For days now, my wifes told me shes dreamt of a black dog. Our sons got a white one. Where did this black one come from!?
Beautiful eyes. Absolutely incredible. So sad That was his first thought as he came to in hospital. His father dozed in the chair beside him.
Mum. The accident. He remembered it all. And that girls eyes
They celebrated New Year at the end of January. Mum was recovering, Dad was overjoyed. Jack, the dog, limped a little but would soon be fine. Work awaited him; it was time to get the boys back to training, ready for spring competitions. Hed stayed too long at his parentsit was time to get back to London. Except, he couldnt get that girl off his mind
He was at the gate, ready to leave, when his father called him from the attic window.
Dad, need a hand?
His father grinned slyly. He glanced round and saw his old trophies on the shelf.
Hang on Whered you get those, Colonel? he grinned.
Go on, guess! Im off to take Jack for a walk before you go.
She was heading home early. Dina was waiting for her. She couldnt leave her behind at the vets, not when the poor animal finally came round; she couldnt let her end up in a shelter. Dina wasnt all blacka white patch shaped like a heart sat on her chest.
She let herself into the block of flats, almost absent-mindedly opened her letterbox, and was about to shut it when she glimpsed a white envelope.
Inside, it read:
Ill come by this evening. Thank you, my dear!
Love is like a compassalways leading us home.
