Grandad, look! – Lily pressed her nose against the window. – A puppy!

Author Harlan CovingtonReading 11 minViews 1

Granddad, look! Rosie pressed her nose to the window, pointing. A dog!

Outside the gate a scruffy mongrel darted about black, filthy, ribs sticking out.

Not that mutt again, grumbled Thomas, pulling on his wellies. Been prowling for three days now. Off it! He waved a stick. The dog jumped back but didnt bolt. It trotted a few metres away and just stared.

Granddad, dont shoo it away! Rosie grabbed his sleeve. Shes probably hungry and cold.

Got enough of my own worries, the old man snapped. Shell bring fleas, disease. Get out of here!

The mutt tucked its tail and shuffled off, but as soon as Thomas slipped inside, it shuffled back.

Rosie had been living with her granddad for six months, ever since her parents were killed up in the hills. Thomas had taken her in, even though hed never been much of a people person. He liked the quiet, his routine.

And then came a girl who cried at night, who kept asking, Granddad, when will Mum and Dad come back? How do you explain that they never will? The old man just muttered and turned his back. It was hard for both of them but there was nowhere else to go.

After lunch, while Thomas napped in front of the telly, Rosie slipped out into the yard with a bowl of leftover soup.

Come here, Biscuit, she whispered. Thats what Im calling you. Nice name, isnt it?

The dog crept forward, lapped the bowl clean, then settled, head on its paws, watching her with grateful eyes.

Youre a good girl, Rosie cooed, petting the mutt. Really good.

From that day on, Biscuit never left the gate. She guarded the entrance, saw Rosie off to school and welcomed her back. Whenever Thomas stepped outside, hed shout, You again! How many times must I hear this?

Biscuit seemed to understand: the man barked, but he never bit.

Neighbour Sam, who was smoking by the fence, watched the whole circus and said, Youre being harsh, Tom.

Cause I need a dog like a toothache! Thomas retorted.

Maybe, Sam went on, God didnt send her here for nothing.

Thomas only snorted.

A week passed and Biscuit stayed at the gate in rain or frost. Rosie kept sneaking food, and Thomas pretended not to notice.

Granddad, can we let Biscuit into the hallway? Its warmer there, Rosie begged at dinner.

No, and no more, Thomas thumped his fist on the table. Animals dont belong inside.

But she

Enough! Im done with your whims!

Rosie pouted and fell silent. That night Thomas tossed and turned, then in the morning peeked out the window. Biscuit lay curled up in a snowball right on the garden path. Shell die soon, he thought, a sour feeling in his gut.

On Saturday Rosie went skating on the frozen pond, Biscuit trailing behind as usual. Rosie twirled, laughed, while the dog sat at the edge watching.

Watch this! Rosie shouted and skated toward the centre. The ice gave a thin crack, then shattered, and she slipped through.

The water was black and icy. She was pulled under, flailing, shouting, but the noise was swallowed by the splashes. Biscuit froze for a heartbeat, then bolted back to the house.

Thomas was chopping firewood when he heard a frantic bark. He turned to see the dog racing across the yard, lunging at his trouser leg, pulling him toward the gate.

Whats wrong with you, you mad thing? he grumbled.

Biscuit kept yapping, lunging, clawing at his clothes, eyes full of panic. Suddenly it clicked.

Rosie! he yelled and chased after the dog. Biscuit ran ahead, looking back as if checking whether hed catch up, then sprinted toward the pond.

Thomas saw the black surface, heard faint splashes. Hold on! he shouted, grabbing a long pole. He scrambled on the cracking ice, bent low, and hauled Rosie by her coat back to shore. Biscuit stayed close, barking encouragement.

When they pulled her out, Rosie was blue and shivering. Thomas rubbed snow into her skin, fanned her face, whispered prayers.

Granddad, she whispered hoarsely, Biscuit, wheres Biscuit?

The dog sat trembling beside them.

Shes here, Thomas croaked. Right here.

After that, Thomas stopped shouting at the mutt, though he still wouldnt let her inside.

Granddad, why? She saved my life! Rosie whined.

Saved, saved. Theres still no room for her.

Why not?

Because thats how its always been! he barked, angry at himself for the first time. He felt something gnawing at his chest, like a cats claws.

Sam popped in for a cuppa later, and they smoked together in the kitchen.

Heard what happened, Sam said cautiously.

Yeah, Thomas grunted.

Good dog, smart.

Sometimes.

Youd better look after her.

Thomas shrugged. We look after her, we dont chase her away.

Alright, then where does she spend the night?

Out here. Shes a dog, or not a dog?

Sam shook his head. Youre odd, Tom. You saved a kids life and now you call it ingratitude.

I dont owe that mutt a thing! Thomas snapped. Feed her, dont beat her thats enough!

Owe or dont owe, whats the human way?

Being human means loving people, not every stray.

Sam fell silent, realizing arguing was pointless.

February was brutal, blizzards piling up as if winter wanted to claim the land. Thomas spent his days shovelling paths, only to find them buried again by morning.

Biscuit stayed at the gate, now thin as a bone, fur matted, eyes dull, but she never left her post.

Granddad, Rosie tugged his sleeve, look at her. Shes barely alive.

She chose to sit there, Thomas waved off. No one forced her.

But she

Enough! Thomas roared. How many times do I have to hear the same thing? Im fed up with your dog!

Rosie huffed and fell silent. Later, as Thomas read the paper, she whispered, I didnt see Biscuit today.

And? he grunted without looking up.

Shes been gone all day. Maybe shes sick?

Maybe shes finally gone. Thats where she belongs.

Granddad! How can you say that?

And how should I? he set the paper down, staring at her. She isnt ours. Shes just stray.

She saved me. We didnt even give her a warm spot.

No room! Thomas slammed his fist on the table. This isnt a zoo!

Rosie sniffed and fled to her room, while Thomas sat back, the newspaper now meaningless.

That night a gale rattled the house, wind howling in the chimney, windows shuddering, snow lashing the panes. Thomas tossed in bed, unable to sleep.

Dog weather, he muttered, cursing himself. What does it matter to me?

But it did. He felt a hollow thump in his chest.

By dawn the wind died. Thomas brewed a tea, looked out. The garden was buried up to the windows, the pathway vanished, only a lone bench poked out. Near the gate something dark poked up from the drifts.

Probably just rubbish, he thought, but his heart lurched. He pulled on his coat, slipped on his wellies, and trudged out. Snow was deep, kneehigh. He reached the gate and stopped.

In the snow lay Biscuit, motionless. Snow covered her up to the ears and tip of the tail.

Dead, Thomas whispered, feeling something snap inside him. He brushed the snow away. She was barely breathing, a weak, rattling gasp, eyes closed.

Bloody thing, why didnt you run? he muttered. Biscuit twitched at his voice, tried to lift her head but couldnt.

Thomas stared, then, with a sigh, lifted her gently. She was light as a bag of feathers, just bone and fur, but still warm.

Hang on, he murmured, cradling her back to the cottage. He set her on an old blanket by the stove.

Granddad? Rosie popped in, still in her nightgown. Whats happened?

She froze out there, he said, stumbling over his words. Shell warm up now.

Rosie ran over, eyes wide. Shes alive? Is she alive?

Alive. Put some warm milk in a bowl.

Coming! she darted to the kitchen.

Thomas crouched beside the dog, stroking her head, thinking, What a bloke I am, bringing a creature to the brink of death and then not even giving her a proper home. Biscuit opened her eyes a fraction, looking at him with gratitude that made his throat tighten.

Milks ready! Rosie announced, placing the bowl near the dog. Biscuit licked it hesitantly, then more eagerly, while Thomas and Rosie watched, both feeling a tiny miracle.

By lunch Biscuit was up on her feet, and by evening she was wandering the kitchen on shaky legs, Thomas glancing at her and grumbling, This is temporary, understand? Shell get stronger and then well decide what to do.

Rosie just smiled, watching how Thomas slipped her the best bits of meat when he thought no one was looking, wrapped her in a warmer blanket, and petted her whenever he could. She knew he wouldnt chase her away again.

The next morning Thomas rose early, found Biscuit perched on the rug by the stove, eyes fixed on him. Well, look at that, he muttered, pulling his trousers up. Shes still here.

The dog wagged her tail cautiously, as if testing whether hed send her packing.

After breakfast Thomas put on his coat and stepped out, strolling along the fence, lighting a cigarette, eyeing the old doghouse by the barn a ramshackle shed that hadnt been used in years.

Rosie! he called into the house. Come here!

She burst out, Biscuit trotting close behind, but the dog no longer looked at Thomas.

Look, he said, pointing to the shed. The roofs rotten, the walls are mouldy. We ought to fix it.

What for, Granddad? Rosie asked.

For a proper shelter, he grumbled. Its useless sitting empty.

He hauled old boards, a hammer, nails, and started patching the roof, cursing each splinter and mismatched piece. Biscuit sat nearby, watching, seeming to understand he was working for her.

By lunch the shed had a new roof. Thomas dragged an old blanket inside, laid it down, then set out bowls for water and food.

There, done, he said, wiping his brow.

Granddad, is that for Biscuit? Rosie asked softly.

Who else? Thomas snorted. Shes not allowed inside the house, but she needs somewhere decent to live.

Rosie threw her arms around him. Thank you, Granddad! Thank you!

He waved it off. Dont get soft now. Its only temporary until we find her proper owners.

Deep down he knew no one would ever claim her; shed become theirs, odd but theirs.

Neighbour Sam stopped by to admire the refurbished doghouse, the dog, and Rosies bright smile.

Told you, Tom, God wasnt sending her for nothing, Sam said with a grin.

Leave your God out of it, Thomas growled. Im just doing whats necessary.

Sure, but youve got a good heart, you just keep it hidden.

Thomas wanted to argue but stayed quiet, watching Biscuit sniff her new home, Rosie patting her head, and feeling, at last, they were a family a little broken, a little strange, but a family.

Alright, Biscuit, he whispered. This is now your home too.

The dog looked at him, settled down by the shed, eyes fixed on the doorway where the cottage lived, as if keeping watch over the people who finally accepted her.

Julia Steps Off the Bus With Heavy Bags and Heads Home – “I’m Back!” She Calls Out as Her Family Rushes to Greet Her Saying They Felt She Was Coming. That Night, While They Sit Around the Big Family Table, a Knock at the Door Brings Unexpected Guests. Julia Looks at the Visitors and Can’t Believe Her Eyes Julia Sat Silently and a Bit Sad, Gazing Out the Window as the Bus Carried Her Away from Her Beloved Village. On Her Lap Was a Large Checkered Bag Packed with Essentials—Plus a Bundle of Warm Pasties from Grandma, Filling the Bus with the Tempting Aroma of Fresh Baking. Unable to Resist, Julia Unzipped Her Bag, Pulled Out Two Golden, Crispy Pasties, and Offered One to a Young Man Nearby Who Had Kindly Given Up His Window Seat for Her. “Want one?” she asked. “Yes, please!” he replied eagerly, swallowing hard. “I’m Julia,” she introduced herself. “And I’m Stephen! Heading off to uni?” he asked. “Yep! There’s no college or uni close to home—only tractor school, and I’m definitely not a tractor driver!” “I’m off to uni too,” sighed Stephen. “But I like the countryside.” It was a four-hour journey to the city. By the time they arrived, the two had chatted and become friends, exchanging numbers before heading their separate ways. *** The hustle of entrance exams passed swiftly—both Julia and Stephen were accepted at their chosen universities and over the moon. Worries and exam nerves were behind them; the future was full of big plans and hope. One day Stephen called Julia: “Julia, fancy celebrating our exams at a café?” Julia was delighted, not least because she liked Stephen—he was easygoing, genuine, and comfortingly familiar, so different from the city types. They met in the city centre at a quirky café called “Hippo.” They watched sightseeing boats cut across the river as tour guides bellowed into megaphones. “I wonder why this café is called Hippo?” Julia mused. Stephen laughed. “Probably because if you keep eating the cakes here, you’ll turn into one!” “Sounds about right!” Julia snorted, munching her cake. Soon “Hippo” became their regular spot, and setting up dates was: “Let’s meet at our table.” That evening, they shared their first, unforgettable kiss—tender and passionate. Time passed; Julia grew closer to Stephen than anyone else, except her parents. One day Stephen suggested, “Julia, move in with me! Let’s marry in summer.” “Is this your proposal?” Julia teased. “Sort of!” “Then I’m supposed to ask, like in that old film, remember? ‘Aren’t you worried I’ll always be in your sight?’” “Flutter around as much as you like!” Stephen grinned, twirling Julia round in the street. Julia returned to the flat she shared with friends glowing with happiness. “You’re radiating joy! Spill!” Vera, her flatmate, asked. “Oh girls, I might move in with Stephen soon!” Julia sang. “Are we invited to the wedding?” Marina cheered. “The wedding’s for summer! We’ll just live together for now.” “Don’t rush it, Julia—lots can happen before summer!” Vera warned. Julia laughed it off. “Vera, you’re such an old soul! Everyone does this now.” “I’m not old—I just don’t trust these informal arrangements. My mum’s a solicitor—I know how they end…” Vera grumped. “Alright, Vera, don’t be mad—I was kidding,” Julia soothed. *** Julia brushed off Vera’s worries as nonsense—who needs a stamp in a passport when love is so rare and true? Yet, the conversation nagged at her, making her hesitate about moving in with Stephen. Eventually, he stopped asking. One December day, Julia and her friends wandered the festive city, shivering in the sparkling snow. Spotting “Hippo,” Julia chirped, “Let’s warm up inside—Stephen and I love it here!” “Look—Stephen’s already there!” Marina remarked glumly, nodding at the window. Julia saw Stephen laughing with a younger girl across “their” table… She turned away, quietly: “I think I’ll head home.” “We’re coming too!” Vera and Marina chorused. Back at the flat, her friends tried to reassure Julia, but the way Stephen looked at the girl stuck in her mind. Their table, their café—it felt like a betrayal. Julia stopped answering Stephen’s calls and asked her friends to turn him away at home. When he finally caught her at uni he asked, “Julia, what’s wrong? Are you seeing someone else?” Julia shot him a furious look. “You’re asking? Nice job flipping it! Let go, I’m late for my exam.” And with that, she slipped into the institute, leaving Stephen baffled. *** Julia finished her exams early and went home for Christmas, sure her family’s cosy house would help her get over the hurt and betrayal. And indeed, her spirits lifted stepping off the village bus, surrounded by diamond-sparkling snow and old trees twinkling in the winter sun. Her arms full of gifts for her family, she smiled at the familiar scene—the old Christmas tree outside was even decorated, just like when she was little. “Happy Christmas!” she called, stepping inside. “Julia, darling!” her family cried, rushing to hug her. “We knew you were coming!” It was a joyful day—though winter nights arrived early, Dad cheered, “Let’s light up the tree!” That evening, as they sat at their big family table, someone knocked at the door. “Probably neighbours dropping in,” Mum shrugged, heading to answer it. But she returned not alone—she was with Father Christmas and his helper. “Stephen?” Julia gasped, peering at Father Christmas and the helper—the same young woman she’d seen at the café. “How did you find me? What is all this?” Stephen burst out laughing, the girl too. “Your friends told me where to find you. Also, let me introduce you—this is my younger sister, Irene!” “My sister?” said Stephen. “Yes, sister!” Irene confirmed. “We do look alike, if you check!” Julia felt relief flood her—she scolded herself for assuming the worst instead of simply asking. Stephen then knelt. “Since your whole family’s here, with my own kin as witness, Julia, will you marry me?” He offered her a little box with a ring. “Yes—yes, of course!” Julia cried, hugging him. “This is the best Christmas ever!” “And there’ll be lots more wonderful Christmases together—just promise we’ll talk through misunderstandings from now on!” Stephen said. “I promise!” Julia beamed.

I’ll Make a Real Man Out of Him “My grandson will NOT be left-handed,” declared Mrs. Tamara Smith indignantly. Denis turned to his mother-in-law, his eyes darkening with irritation. “And why is that so terrible? Ilya was born this way. It’s just who he is.” “Who he is!” sniffed Tamara. “It’s not some special trait, it’s a mark of underdevelopment. That’s not how things are done. For generations, the right hand is the proper hand. The left — that’s the devil’s work.” Denis nearly laughed. This was the twenty-first century, yet his mother-in-law talked as if they still lived in medieval England. “Mrs. Smith, doctors have long proven—” “I don’t need your doctors telling me what’s what,” she interrupted. “I retrained my own son, and he turned out perfectly normal! Retrain Ilya before it’s too late. You’ll thank me, just wait.” She marched out of the kitchen, leaving Denis alone with his lukewarm tea and an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach. At first, Denis didn’t take it too seriously. The mother-in-law had old-fashioned ideas—what could you do? Every generation has its own bundle of prejudices. He watched as Mrs. Smith “gently” tried to correct her grandson at the table, moving his spoon from his left to his right hand, and thought: it’s harmless. Children are resilient—grandparents’ quirks can’t do real damage. Ilya had always been left-handed. Denis remembered him, just eighteen months old, always reaching for toys with his left hand. Drawing later, awkwardly, childishly—but always with his left. It felt so natural, so… right for Ilya. Just part of who he was. Like his blue eyes, or the dimple in his cheek. But to Mrs. Smith, it was a flaw—a blunder by Mother Nature that demanded fixing. Every time Ilya picked up a pencil with his left hand, his grandmother pursed her lips as if he’d done something shameful. “With your right hand, Ilya. Use your right.” “Here we go again! There have never been left-handers in our family, and there never will be.” “I trained your Uncle Simon out of it, and I’ll do the same with you.” Denis once overheard her telling Olga this “triumph.” The story of little Simon, who “started off wrong,” but whose mother took charge. Tied his hand back, watched his every move, punished him for disobedience. Now he’s a respectable man—“thanks to me.” There was such pride in her voice, such certainty in her “rightness,” it made Denis uneasy. At first, the changes in his son seemed minor. Ilya started hesitating before reaching for things. His hand would pause mid-air, as if solving a hard puzzle. Then he developed a habit of glancing around, checking: was Grandma watching? “Dad, which hand should I use?” He asked the question at dinner, staring nervously at his fork. “Whichever hand feels right to you, son.” “But Grandma says…” “Don’t listen to Grandma. Use whichever one you want.” But it no longer felt “right” to Ilya. He fumbled, dropped things, lost confidence. His once-decisive movements grew hesitant, as if he’d stopped trusting his own body. Olga saw it all. Denis noticed her biting her lip whenever her mum corrected Ilya yet again, or turned away when the lectures about “proper upbringing” began. Olga had grown up under the steamroller of her mother’s “will” and learned one thing: don’t argue. Just survive the storm. Denis tried talking to her. “Ollie, this isn’t healthy. Look at Ilya. Look at what’s happening to him.” “Mum means well…” “I don’t care what she means! Can’t you see what’s becoming of him?” Olga only shrugged and turned away—old habits of obedience beating even a mother’s instincts. The situation worsened. Mrs. Smith was now relentless—commenting on every move Ilya made. Praised him when he happened to use his right hand, made loud sighs when he didn’t. “See, Ilya, you can do it! Just try. I made your uncle a real man, and I’ll make one out of you.” Denis finally confronted his mother-in-law. With Ilya safely out of earshot, he began, “Mrs. Smith, please leave my son alone. He’s left-handed. It’s normal. Stop trying to change him.” Her reaction was explosive. “You’re telling me what to do? I raised three children! And you want to teach me?” “I’m not teaching. I’m begging—just leave my son alone.” “Your son? Isn’t he Olga’s child, too? He’s my grandson! I will not let him grow up… like that.” She almost spat the word “that”, dripping with contempt. Denis realized: this would not end peacefully. The next days settled into a cold war. Mrs. Smith ignored him, speaking only through Olga. Denis returned the favor. Olga ran between them, pale and exhausted. Ilya spent ever more time hidden on the sofa with his tablet, hoping to become invisible. Denis had an idea that Saturday morning, as Mrs. Smith performed her ritual making borscht in the kitchen, chopping vegetables with the confidence of thirty years’ practice. He stood behind her. “You’re doing that wrong.” She didn’t turn around. “Excuse me?” “You’re supposed to slice it thinner. And not across the grain—along it.” She snorted and kept chopping. “I’m serious. No one does it like that. That’s not the correct way.” “I’ve made borscht for thirty years.” “And you’ve done it wrong for thirty years. Let me show you.” He reached for the knife. She pulled back. “Are you crazy?” “No. I just want you to get it right. Look, too much water. Too high a flame. And you’re adding the beetroot wrong.” “That’s how I’ve always done it!” “That’s not a reason. Time to relearn. Let’s start over.” Mrs. Smith froze, knife raised. Her face was a picture of pure disbelief. “What are you on about?” “The same thing you tell Ilya every day. ‘Relearn. This is wrong. That’s not the way. Use a different hand.’” “That’s completely different!” “Really? Not to me.” She put the knife down, cheeks flushed with anger. “You compare my cooking to… He’s just a boy, he can change!” “And you’re an adult set in your ways—you’ll never change, right? So what gives you the right to force him?” She pressed her lips together, eyes bright with fury. “How dare you? I raised three children! Simon, too—I retrained him. Look at him now!” “Is he happy? Really confident?” Silence. Denis knew he’d hit a nerve. Simon—Olga’s older brother—lived far away and only called Mrs. Smith twice a year. “I only wanted the best,” her voice trembled. “I know. But your ‘best’ means ‘my way or the highway.’ Ilya is his own person—as real as you or me. And I won’t let you crush that.” “You’re not going to teach me!” “I will, if you don’t stop. I’ll criticize your every move—every gesture, every habit. Let’s see how long you last.” They stood off—son-in-law and mother-in-law—angry, exhausted, unyielding. “That’s petty, mean-spirited,” Mrs. Smith hissed. “Any other way, you just don’t get it.” Something in her seemed to collapse then. Her certainty cracked. Suddenly, Tamara Smith looked older, smaller, deeply vulnerable. “I only ever did it out of love…” she trailed off. “I know. But this isn’t love the way Ilya needs it. If you can’t stop, you won’t see your grandson here again.” The borscht on the stove began to boil over. No one moved. That evening, after Mrs. Smith retreated to her room, Olga sat next to Denis, silent, leaning her head on his shoulder. “No one protected me as a child,” she whispered. “Mum always knew best. Always. I just… learned to live with it.” Denis held her close. “In this family, your mother doesn’t get to set the rules anymore. Not for any of us.” Olga nodded, squeezing his hand in gratitude. From the children’s room came the faint sound of pencil moving across paper. Ilya was drawing. With his left hand. No one told him he was wrong—ever again.

Never Let Go: A Story Her stepdad never mistreated them. At least, he never skimped on bread, never scolded about school, only got angry when Anya came home late. “I promised your mum I’d look after you!” he’d shout at Anya’s timid protests that she was, technically, an adult. “I know better than you what you can and can’t do! Just because you’ve got a certificate, doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want! Get a proper job first if you intend to act grown-up!” Later, when he’d calmed down, he spoke more quietly. “He’ll drop you, I’m telling you. Haven’t you seen the guy who picks you up? Flashy car, pretty face—why would someone like that want an ordinary girl like you, Anya? You’ll be crying soon, mark my words.” But Anya didn’t believe her stepdad. Yes, Oleg was handsome and in his third year at university, albeit a private one. She would’ve gladly studied on a paid course herself, but couldn’t afford it. She hadn’t gotten in through exams, didn’t like college, so she handed out flyers, delivered newspapers, and mainly prepared for next year’s exams. That’s how she met Oleg—he took all her flyers and said with a smile, “Tell you what, I’ll take all your leaflets if you come to the café with us?” On a whim, she agreed. She didn’t throw the rest away—she shoved them in her bag and tossed them in the rubbish chute on the way back from the café. Oleg introduced her to his friends, treated her to pizza and ice cream. She and her sister only had treats like these on birthdays—money was scarce, and her stepdad wouldn’t let them touch their pensions, insisting they save it for a rainy day. His salary was fine, but he spent half fixing his car and the other half gambling. Anya didn’t complain—at least he hadn’t kicked her and Alyona out. The flat was his; they’d had to sell her mum’s when she got sick. Sure, she longed for chocolate, pizza, fizzy drinks, but if they did get something, Anya always gave it to her younger sister. Even at the café, she’d asked Oleg if she could take a piece of pizza home for Alyona. Surprised, he ended up buying her a whole pizza and a big chocolate bar for takeaway. Her stepdad was wrong to think Oleg would hurt her. He was kind, and with him Anya felt her own inadequacy all the more—she studied harder, took a real job as a cashier, earned enough to buy decent jeans and even get a professional haircut, so that Oleg would be proud of her. When he invited her to his family’s cottage, she knew what would happen, but wasn’t scared—she wasn’t a kid. He loved her, didn’t he? She loved him. She worried her stepdad wouldn’t let her go, but he started coming home late himself, sometimes not at all. Anya knew where he was—at Aunt Lyuba’s, a nurse on their estate, whom he’d been flirting with. Lyuba hadn’t wanted to get involved with a man with two girls from his first marriage, but in the end, she relented. It helped Anya—they weren’t supervised. Alyona cried at first when she had to sleep alone, but Anya bought her chocolate, crisps, and pop, which helped smooth things over. It was late when Anya realised she was pregnant; her periods were always irregular, and she didn’t track much. The other cashier, Veronica, joked, “What are you glowing for—is there a baby in there?” They laughed, but that night Anya took a test. Two lines. At first she couldn’t believe it. Oleg wasn’t happy. He said it was bad timing and handed her money for the doctor. Anya cried all night, but went anyway. Sixteen weeks; it was too late. It must’ve happened at the cottage. She’d thought you couldn’t get pregnant your first time. She managed to hide it from her stepdad for a while, but the bump grew fast. She had to confess. He shouted even louder. “So where’s your boyfriend? Is he going to marry you?” Anya looked down. She hadn’t seen Oleg in a month—he’d vanished as soon as he realised she’d have to keep the baby. Her stepdad sighed. “I warned you, Anya…” He didn’t speak straight away, probably consulted with Lyuba. “Well, you’ll have to give the baby up at the hospital. I can’t afford another mouth. Thing is… I’m getting married, Anya. Lyuba’s pregnant too. Twins. Three babies in one house? That’s madness.” “She’s going to live here?” Anya asked, stunned. “Where else? She’s my wife now.” He wasn’t joking. Every day he repeated it, threatening to kick both Anya and Alyona out if the baby came home with them. Anya knew those words were Lyuba’s, but it didn’t matter—she couldn’t give up her child. Lyuba said, “Don’t worry, babies like that are adopted quickly, and they’ll love her as their own.” Anya cried, phoned Oleg, tried to think where they’d all live, but couldn’t. Then one day, Veronica pointed at a couple shopping together. “They’re still in black after all these years. Devoting a whole life to grief—I don’t get it. Should’ve had another child. Or adopted.” Anya saw the pair often—kind, polite, if a bit sad. She hadn’t known why. “Their daughter died—you remember that coach crash with the school trip? Driver fell asleep. He died, and so did their daughter. Such good people—he’s a doctor, she teaches English. I used to live next door. People brought them angel figurines. Their daughter bought one on the trip, held it in her hand when she died. They just managed to recover it. Someone brought the mother an angel, then others did too. I thought it would make things worse, but it seems to help.” Anya had seen a film where a woman gave her baby to a couple who couldn’t have children. She knew this couple probably could have, or didn’t want one, but she kept thinking about them. Eight months along, still working, she didn’t want to lose her job, and the couple turned up at her till. The man joked, “Miss, aren’t you due any day? You’ll deliver there at the checkout!” No one had ever asked how she felt—her back ached, she had heartburn, swollen feet. His kindness brought tears—she was constantly emotional lately. A few days later, after her shift, the man caught up with her and offered to carry her shopping. She was embarrassed but grateful; he was a good man. She saw an angel figurine in a shop window—on summer sale, apparently unpopular. On impulse, Anya bought it, got their address from Veronica, and went. At the door, nerves nearly made her turn back—hadn’t it been too long for them to receive angels anymore? The woman recognised her, eyebrows raised. Anya silently handed her the angel, bracing for a slammed door or angry words. Neither came. Smiling, the woman invited her in for tea. Over tea, she shared her story, which Anya had already heard—yet it hurt more, sounded harsher from her own lips. “Why didn’t you have another?” Anya finally whispered. “Tough birth. I had a hysterectomy. I couldn’t have any more.” Awkward now—how could she ask about adoption? “We thought about it,” the woman said, as if reading her mind. “We even trained as adopters. But at the last moment, I couldn’t go through with it. I asked my daughter for a sign. Nothing happened.” Just then, a crash from another room startled them. They went to see—Anya worried it’d be a dark shrine with candles and photos. But there was just one photo, light, bright room, shelves full of angel figurines. One lay shattered on the floor. The woman gathered the pieces. “That’s her figurine,” she said softly. Anya’s cheeks burned. If this wasn’t a sign, what was? Anya gave birth right on time. By then Lyuba lived with them and had her twins early. They already had two white baby cots at home; no one bought one for Anya’s child. Only Alyona whispered, “Can’t we hide her somehow? So they don’t know she’s here? I’ll help.” Anya nearly cried, but held back in front of her sister. She’d planned her note carefully. She wrote that she couldn’t keep her baby, assured she was healthy, reminded about the shattered angel. She included all her saved pension money, hoping it would help—these were good people. Discharged in the morning, she was scared to abandon her baby in broad daylight. She sat in the shopping centre for hours, aching, dizzy, but her baby came first. As dusk fell, she slipped into the couple’s block, timing it as someone left with a dog. She had a carrier—Veronica brought it for her, no questions asked. She left the bundle safely in front of the door, tucked in the note and money, about to ring and run when the door opened. The man, their bereaved father, saw her. “What are you doing there?” Anya jumped. He noticed the carrier. “What’s this?” She burst into tears and told everything—about Oleg, her stepdad, Lyuba’s twins, the pressure to give up her baby. He listened intently, then said, “Galya’s asleep—I won’t wake her. We’ll talk in the morning. Come on, you can sleep in the lounge.” She slept among angel figurines, clutching her daughter tightly. When she woke, her arms were empty—her daughter gone. Panic rose; she couldn’t let her go. She leapt up to search, but Galina entered, holding the baby gently. “Here you go,” she smiled. “Time to feed—she needed rocking, I wanted you to rest.” As Anya fed her daughter, she couldn’t meet Galina’s eyes. What had her husband told her? Had they already decided to adopt? “How old is your sister?” Galina suddenly asked. “Twelve,” Anya answered, surprised. “Think she’d agree to move in with us?” Anya stared, baffled. “What?” “My husband explained everything. No place to live, your stepdad throwing you out. I thought, if Alyona stays, they’ll make a housemaid out of her. She should come too.” “What do you mean, ‘too’?” Anya stammered. Galina nodded at the glued angel figurine beside the photo—restored but recognisable. “I think it was a sign. We should help you,” she said simply. “We’ve room—both of you move here. I’ll help you with your little girl. Don’t even think about giving her up. You can’t separate a mother and baby.” Overwhelmed with joy and shame, Anya blushed, hiding her face in her baby’s blanket. “So, would you like that?” Anya nodded, tears soaking the soft fabric as Galina smiled…

The Road to Humanity Max sat behind the wheel of his brand-new car – the very one he’d dreamed about for the past two years. He’d spent months saving, pinching pennies and skipping little luxuries, and now, at last, he could savour this long-awaited moment. The dashboard gave off a gentle, ambient glow, filling the car with a cosy light, and the steering wheel seemed to beckon his hands, ready to respond to his every touch. Running his palm along the cool, smooth wheel, Max couldn’t hold back a grin. This wasn’t just any car – it was the embodiment of his determination and effort. Flicking on the radio, the cabin filled instantly with an upbeat, rhythmic tune. Max found himself humming along, fingers tapping the dashboard in time with the music. Right then, he felt genuinely, utterly happy. He was heading home, where his friends were already waiting. They’d planned a little get-together to celebrate his big purchase. In his mind, Max replayed what he’d share that evening: how he’d scraped together every spare pound, juggled weekend shifts on top of his normal job, skipped nights out, and put off buying new clothes. But for now, those thoughts felt distant and unimportant. All he wanted was to enjoy the drive, feel the control, and bask in the triumph of a dream fulfilled. The road wound through a quiet, residential neighbourhood. Houses stood in neat rows, their windows twinkling with warm yellow light, promising comfort and security. The streetlights dusted the pavement with a golden glow, casting whimsical shadow patterns on the tarmac. A few late-night strollers hurried past, bundled in coats and scarves – it was a chilly evening. Max eased his speed at a junction, eyes alert to the road ahead. Suddenly—out of nowhere—a small child darted out in front of his car. Max didn’t have time to think. Reflexes kicked in; he stamped on the brakes. The car fishtailed slightly, tyres screeching as they gripped the asphalt, leaving long black streaks behind. An instant stretched into eternity, but the car finally stopped – barely a hair’s breadth from the boy. Max’s heart pounded so hard it threatened to burst through his chest. Cold sweat stung his eyes, and a shrill ringing filled his ears. He took a shaky breath, trying to steady his trembling hands, only now realising how close he’d come to disaster. One second more, and everything could have ended in tragedy. He’d almost hit a child… For a few heartbeats, Max sat frozen, catching his breath. His pulse thudded in his neck, and his hands clenched the wheel, knuckles white as chalk. All he could think was, “It’s okay. He’s safe. It’s okay.” But anger—hot and scalding—was rising, desperate for an outlet. He flung open the door and leapt out. His legs wobbled but he strode toward the boy, who stood hunched and shivering, eyes downcast. Max grabbed his shoulders, not noticing how tightly his fingers dug in. “What on earth do you think you’re doing?!” he hissed, trying to keep his voice low, but it still broke. “Trying to get yourself killed? There are easier ways, you know!” The boy didn’t struggle. He just stood there, head bowed even lower, and murmured so quietly Max almost didn’t catch it: “I didn’t mean to… I just…” “Just what?” Max tightened his grip, then loosened up as he saw the child flinch. “Don’t you think about your mum? How do you think she’d feel, having to bury her own son? I might not have been able to stop!” Max’s voice wasn’t just angry; it was afraid—a flash of the terror he’d felt that split second when he’d nearly hit the boy. Only now did he process how close disaster had come. The boy started to sob, tears tracing shiny streaks down his cheeks. He looked up at Max, his eyes full of confusion and misery, and Max’s anger began to dissolve. “Please help me…” the boy whispered, his voice wavering. “My brother’s really poorly, but no one would help. I had to run into the road.” Max froze. The anger disappeared, replaced by bewilderment and a hollow pang. He looked at the boy—skinny, tear-streaked, lips trembling—and saw not a troublemaker, but a frightened child desperate to save his brother. “Your brother’s not well?” Max asked gently, flattening worry in his own voice. He searched the child’s eyes for any sign of deception, but all he found was genuine fear. “Where is he?” “There,” the boy pointed towards a small park across the street, his hand shaking. “We were playing, then he suddenly collapsed. He’s in so much pain!” Not sparing a second for his shiny new car, Max shut the door, locked it, and hurried after the boy. Each step echoed with anxiety: “What if it’s serious? Does the kid need an ambulance right now?” The questions spurred him to move even faster. They crossed the street, Max barely letting the boy out of his sight. The boy ran ahead, glancing back to check the adult was still following. “Where are your parents?” Max asked, striving for calm, though his voice still trembled. “It’s not safe to be out on your own like this.” “At work,” the boy shrugged, not slowing his pace. “They always work. They need the money.” Max nodded grimly. He knew what it was to work tirelessly and stretch every penny, but the idea of kids left unsupervised set his nerves jangling. “So are you always left to look after yourselves?” he asked, carefully. “And what’s your name, by the way?” “I’m Sam,” the boy replied, glancing back just for a moment. His eyes were red and puffy, but his voice held a streak of pride. “Well, our nan’s supposed to, but she’s really old and can’t get out much. Anyway, we’re not babies, we can play by ourselves.” They entered the park. Dusk filtered through the trees, sending long shadows across the ground. In the stillest part, under a sprawling oak, Max could see a small figure curled up on the grass. Max knelt straight down, ignoring the wetness soaking his trousers as dew chilled his knees. Every part of him was intent on the child. “Where does it hurt?” he asked softly, making his tone as soothing and confident as he could. Gazing into the boy’s face, he sought any flicker of relief, but all he saw was pain and fright. “My tummy…” the boy whispered, barely opening his lips. Max leaned in closer to hear. “It’s really hurting…” Panic twisted in Max’s gut. He wasn’t a doctor; he had no idea what was wrong, but it was plainly serious. This needed more than kind words or a plaster—he needed real medical help. Even calling 999, he reckoned an ambulance might take ages to arrive… “Right, we’re getting you to hospital,” Max said, striving to keep his voice level. He gently lifted the child, who whimpered but didn’t resist—too ill now, it seemed, even to argue. “Sam, can you ring your mum and dad?” Max asked, turning to the older brother. “I left my phone at home,” Sam answered glumly, fiddling with his jacket hem. “But my auntie works at the hospital… she can call Mum!” “Well, that’s something,” Max said, relief flickering inside him. At least some grown-up would know what was going on. He carried the boy to the car, laid him carefully in the back, and clipped his seatbelt shut. The child merely sighed, silent with pain. Sam clambered in beside his brother without prompting, taking his hand firmly, as if he could lend him strength by holding on tight. Max saw how the younger boy seemed to relax a little at his brother’s touch and silently applauded Sam for his care. Getting in behind the wheel, Max cranked up the heater—it was chilly, and the boys looked half-frozen. Then he started the engine, checked his mirrors, and headed off to the hospital. He tried to keep his focus on the road, but every so often his gaze flicked to the rear-view: the sick boy slumped against Sam, both boys pale and tense. Sam whispered reassurances, stroking his brother’s hand. To break the tension, Max turned the radio down low. A calming instrumental tune filled the space—not words or raucous pop, just soft piano and gentle guitar, soothing nerves. “How’re you doing, mate?” Max called, not turning round. “Hang in there—won’t be long now.” “I’m okay…” the boy replied weakly, voice trembling, but the edge of pain had eased. “That’s it, you’re doing brilliantly. Nearly there,” encouraged Max. Sam whispered something else, and his brother even managed a faint smile. The sight soothed Max’s rattled nerves—at least, for now, they were coping. “You did good, Sam,” Max told him as the hospital’s neon signs flashed into view. The road veered to the A&E entrance, its windows glowing. “You kept a cool head and helped your brother. But let’s agree on one thing—” He stopped the car, switched off the engine, and turned round, his face soft in the glow from the overhead light. Sam’s cheeks were streaked with tears, eyes wide but determined. “No more running across roads. You could’ve died tonight, and your brother would be left alone.” Sam just nodded, silent tears welling in his eyes—this time, not from fear, but the dawning realisation of how dangerous his actions had been. “Alright,” he whispered, twisting his jacket in his hands. “I won’t do that again.” Max smiled gently, squeezing his shoulder. “That’s right. Now let’s get your brother sorted.” Together, they brought the sick boy into A&E. He winced with each step, but said nothing, only glancing back at Sam now and then. A nurse in blue hurried over, quickly taking charge and whisking the boy away for checks. Sam slumped onto a hard plastic chair in the corridor, fists clenched in his lap, staring at nothing. Max paced, eyes flicking often to the doors where the boy had disappeared. Half an hour crawled by. Then, the doors to the department swung open and a woman came running, out of breath and wild-eyed with terror. Spotting Sam, she cried out, “Sweetheart!” Sam sprang up, burying his face in her coat, body shaking, while she hugged him tight as though she’d never let go. “Mum!” Sam sobbed. “It’s Davy, he’s really poorly. We didn’t know what to do… I tried to help, I did…” “That’s alright, darling, you did so well,” she soothed, stroking his hair. Though her voice shook, she managed to keep it steady. “Where is he?” “They’ve taken him for tests,” Max replied, stepping forward. “I found him running across the road, stopped the car, and he told me about his brother—so we drove straight here.” The woman turned to him, gratitude and fright battling in her eyes. “Thank you… I can’t thank you enough. Me and my husband both work late, and their nan usually keeps an eye on them, but she wasn’t well today… I never thought they’d go out alone…” “The main thing’s Davy now,” Max said, trying to steer things to calmer waters. “The doctors are with him. We just have to wait.” She nodded, squeezing Sam closer. The three sat quietly, each in their own thoughts—but at least, now, they waited together. She gently stroked Sam’s head, fingers working through his hair, her voice soft and reassuring as she whispered, “It’ll be alright. I’m here. It’ll be alright.” Sam pressed closer. His tears had dried now, but he still shivered—maybe from all that had happened, maybe from the lasting cold outside. Max paced quietly nearby, letting them have their moment. He didn’t want to intrude, but couldn’t bring himself to leave just yet—he needed to know the boy would be alright. Gradually, the tension in his shoulders unwound, replaced by the bone-deep weariness of a long day, but also a gentle satisfaction—things, at last, seemed to be turning out okay. The mother turned, meeting his gaze. Tears still shimmered in her eyes, but now they held relief and gratitude. “You helped them?” she asked, stepping nearer. “I did,” Max nodded, keeping his voice even. “Saw Sam run out, stopped as quick as I could. Then he told me about his brother, and… well, we came straight here.” He didn’t spell out the risks—the main thing was, it was over now. “Thank you,” she said again, taking his hand in both of hers. “Not everyone would stop to help… Sadly, most people these days just don’t want to get involved.” “It’s all right,” Max said, feeling warmth stir inside at her words. “What matters is your boy’s in safe hands.” She squeezed his hands, then hurried over to meet the doctor, who’d just come out with an update. He saw her face relax into a grateful smile—relief at last. As quietly as he could, Max made his way outside. The door glided shut behind him and the evening air wrapped him in its brisk chill. He paused, looking back at the hospital’s glowing windows, then took a deep breath. Turning away, he headed for his car, that familiar sense of satisfaction growing inside—tonight, he’d truly made a difference. It was cold outside now, the kind of coolness that crept through your coat and made you huddle deeper. Max pulled out his phone, unlocked the screen and found his friend’s number. He hovered on the call button, ready to explain that the party would have to wait, to share all that had happened. But something stopped him. He just stood there, phone in hand, gazing up at the sky, clear and scattered with stars, twinkling serenely as if watching over the world’s chaos with silent composure. Max closed his eyes, breathing in the crisp night air. Images buzzed in his mind: Sam’s panic, Davy’s pallor, their mum rushing in, all the fear and the relief. “I was able to help tonight,” he thought, and that knowledge warmed him despite the cold. It had all happened by chance—he’d just been driving home, just noticed a boy on the road, just couldn’t drive by—but what came of that accident mattered enormously. “Who knows—maybe tomorrow, someone will help me…” The thought arrived, calm and unexpected. He slipped the phone back in his pocket, took another deep breath, and returned to the car. Settling into the driver’s seat, he slid the key into the ignition and started the engine. Slowly, the warmth crept through the car, the muffled purr of the motor lulling him back towards a more familiar rhythm. As Max eased off the hospital car park and back onto the quiet roads, his thoughts stayed with Sam and Davy—were they alright, what had the doctor told them, was their mum any calmer? He pictured them waiting together, clutching hands, hoping with all their hearts for better news. He understood, too, that even if everything turned out fine, none of them would ever forget this night. Nor would he. Driving along, he remembered childhood evenings with his own parents, how they’d always been there for him, how they’d faced everything together. Not every child had that—sometimes, what counted most was a stranger’s helping hand, a kind word at the right time, the simple decision not to walk away. You didn’t need to be a hero—just someone who cared enough to get involved. The cancelled party no longer mattered. In fact, Max felt a deep, quiet fulfilment. This day was important, not because he’d finally bought his dream car or planned to celebrate with friends, but because he’d had a chance to do something real. That feeling was worth more than any party. He drove home, watching the city’s lights, the late walkers, the glowing shopfronts, realising once again that life goes on—and there is always room for simple, but genuine, acts of kindness…