Emily Carter feels the cold stare of the hallway neighbours, knowing she must slip away again to find a new hiding spot and some food her tired paws can no longer bear the weight of her frail, sick body. She understands perfectly: no one is waiting for her here. She has to crawl on, look for shelter and a meal, but her paws cant support her exhausted, ailing form any longer.
Emily has always: she is the sort of person who takes responsibility seriously. In nursery she watches the children put their toys back in the right bins. At primary school the teachers trust her with the duty roster. At university she leads her project group. At work she volunteers to collect money for company parties and colleagues gifts. Responsibility seems woven into her character.
So when the flatblock residents unanimously elect her as the stairwell manager, Emily is not surprised. Despite her youth she throws herself into the role with gusto.
Emily, the Browns keep shouting on the fourth floor until the early hours, we cant get a wink of sleep, complains Mrs. Thompson, the elderly neighbour.
Emily steps in, speaks so convincingly to the noisy tenants that even the loudest residents admit their fault and promise to change.
Emily, some people just fling rubbish into the bin without taking it to the container! the tenants sigh.
Emily stands stern, watches the misbehavers, and shames them mercilessly. The stairwell shines with cleanliness, the flower bed by the entrance bursts with colour. Emily feels proud of the order. Occasionally she pauses at the front door just to admire the result of her work. Everything is as it ought to be, and she copes with it, a clever girl.
All of this goes on until one evening a dog appears in front of the building
A scruffy, shaggy, limping redmixed mutt drags itself to the doorstep and curls under the balcony, trying to survive the night.
The children spot it first, approach, but the mothers, sensing danger, shout at them:
Back off at once! It could bite!
They grab the kids and shoo the poor animal away:
Get out of here! Shoo! Leave!
The dog tries to rise, fails, then attempts to crawl, but even that is too much. It starts whimpering, eyes the shouting people, and tears stream down its face.
The mothers are at a loss. The situation calls for decisive action, yet calling animal control or the police feels excessive. Then Emily steps onto the courtyard their only hope:
Theres a dog! the neighbours cry in unison. Emily, sort this out! Its dangerous!
Emily walks closer and looks beneath the balcony. Their gazes meet her stare is firm, the dogs is bewildered.
The dog sighs, makes one last futile effort to pull itself away, realising there is no help here. It lacks the strength to stand or walk, a soft whine escaping its mouth.
Emilys heart tightens.
It looks like its leg is injured, she says loudly. We need to take it to the vet.
The mothers exchange glances, all thinking, We dont want to get dragged into this! and hurriedly usher the children inside:
Right, weve got to go, the kids need their sleep! Come on, Emily, sort it!
They leave her alone with the abandoned animal.
Emily sighs, reaches into her bag, and wonders if she has enough cash for a veterinary visit. She cant carry the dog its dirty and heavy.
Looking for help, she spots an old Mini Cooper rolling up to the stairwell the same model the Brown family uses.
Tom Brown hops out, grinning.
Well, look at that, the whole blocks inspector! What offence have you committed today? he teases.
Just a hand, please, Emily replies seriously, nodding toward the balcony.
Tom kneels, spots the dog.
Yours?
Of course not! Emily snaps. We just need to help. The vet is close, but we have no transport.
Tom gauges the dog, then his car, and mutters:
I know my neighbour Lottie shell scold me if she finds out! But a good cause outweighs a reprimand.
He pulls an old blanket from the boot and spreads it on the seat.
Lets get moving, and if any trouble pops up, youll cover me! he says.
Deal! Emily promises, then leans gently toward the dog: Come on, little one, well take you to the vet. Hold tight.
The dog lets itself be lifted, offering no resistance. Emily strokes it all the way, murmuring soothing words.
At the animal clinic a young vet in a messy bun examines the patient, splints the injured leg, and writes a prescription.
It needs plenty of rest; theres a fracture, the vet explains.
And its pregnant? Emily asks, surprised, feeling foolish.
It appears so, just recently, the vet nods.
What now? Emily asks, almost at a loss.
I cant take it home, the vet shakes his head. Mrs. Brown will collect it from the practice.
I have no place for it either, Emily adds quietly.
They need a quick solution.
Lets gather all the residents! Together well figure something out, Toms voice asserts.
I hope so, the vet agrees. In fact, bring it back in a week for a checkup. Ive already put you on the list. Whats your name?
Emily, she replies.
And what shall we call the dog? the vet asks.
Emily and Tom look at each other. Theres no tag, no collar.
How about Bella? Emily suggests.
The dog perks up its ear and turns its head toward Emily.
Do you like the name? Bella, then? Emily asks gently.
The dog sneezes in response.
Agreed, the vet notes with a smile. You can keep Bella. Im sure shell bring you good luck.
When the trio returns to the block, Mrs. Brown stands on the stairwell, arms crossed, a stern look on her face.
Where the hell have you been? she snaps, but softens as she sees Tom cradling Bella, and she opens her eyes wide in surprise.
Liza, its just a dog It knocked itself into the building and is even pregnant We took it to the vet, Tom explains quickly. We thought wed make a little nest for it under the balcony Its sad lady.
Under the balcony in this cold?! Mrs. Brown fumes. She needs warmth and a proper home!
Wed like to discuss a solution with the neighbours, Tom adds. Maybe we can all come up with something together.
Unexpectedly, Mrs. Brown doesnt argue. A maternal instinct seems to take over. She and Emily set off, knocking on each flat, calling an emergency meeting of the residents.
No one wants to adopt Bella, but a suggestion emerges: pool the money for a dog house, place it beneath the balcony, and set up a small fund for food.
Thus Bella gets her own little home.
A tidy, cosy dog house sits under the block, a miniature replica of the building. Inside, soft blankets are strewn, a comfortable bed is made. Bella steps in cautiously, careful not to strain her sore leg.
We should write a statement to the local council, Emily proposes. Make everything official.
The residents sign the paper quickly, and Emily delivers it to the police station herself. Fortunately, the officers understand and grant permission for Bella to stay on the premises.
When Emily returns to her tidy flat, a sense of duty washes over her, but sleep still eludes her.
After several attempts, she dresses and heads out to check on Bella.
How are you feeling? she asks, sitting on the step.
Bella whines softly. Shes warm now, the pain has eased, and most importantly, a human stands beside her, slowly winning her trust.
Ill visit you again, Emily promises. Maybe well think up something even better
She doesnt yet know what fate will bring.
Emily will keep ferrying Bella to the vet until shes fully healed. The young vet, Dr. Valera, will look after the redtinged dog and also keep an eye on the responsible, sincere Emily.
He eventually proposes to Emily, and they move into his country cottage with Bella, where theres room for everyone people and animals alike.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Brown discovers shes expecting, and the whole atmosphere in the block changes. Their flat is no longer the loudest, and when baby Lily is born, even the strict Mrs. Thompson merely smiles instead of complaining.
The fourth stairwell sees positive changes for every resident, though no one suspects that it all started the day a redmixed dog appeared under the balcony.
Emily, now with a new address but the same restless good heart, once more watches Bella and her new puppy playing, smiles, and thinks:
Im so happy Thank you, Universe! It all began with our Bella, the dog of the fourth stairwell.
