Edward was heading home from work, one of those ordinary winter evenings when the world seemed wrapped up in a heavy fog of dullness. As he walked by the grocers on Market Lane, he spotted a dog sitting outside. A mutt, ginger and scruffy, with eyes that held the lost look of a child.
What are you doing here, eh? Edward grumbled, though he came to a halt.
The dog lifted his head and looked at him. He didnt beg, didnt whimperjust watched.
Probably waiting for his owners, Edward thought, and moved on.
But the next evening the sight was just the same. And the night after that too. The dog seemed almost part of the cold paving stones, as if hed always belonged to that spot. Edward began to notice that some people walked by, others tossed a crust or a leftover sausage.
Still here, are you? he said one evening, squatting beside the animal. Wheres your master then?
This time the dog crept towards him, gently, and rested his furry head on Edwards leg.
Edward froze. When had he last stroked another living being? It had been three years since the divorce. The flat was silent nowjust himself, the telly, and the fridge.
My dear Molly, he whispered, unsure why that name came to him.
The following day he returned with a paper packet of sausages for her.
A week later, he posted an advert online: Dog found. Owners sought.
No one replied.
A month passed. After finishing a long late shifthe was an engineer, sometimes kept alert through the night on siteEdward came upon a crowd gathered by the grocers.
Whats happened? he asked Mrs. Robinson, his neighbour.
Its that dogthe one thats been here ages. Knocked down by a car.
His heart sank.
Where is she?
Theyve taken her to the veterinary over on Oxford Road. But, you know, itll cost a bomb there Whos going to pay for a stray?
Without a word, Edward turned and hurried away.
At the clinic, the vet shook his head gravely.
Broken bones, internal bleeding. Treatment will be expensive. And, well, theres no guarantee shell survive.
Do it, Edward said. Whatever it takesIll pay.
When she was discharged, Edward brought Molly home.
For the first time in three years, his flat was alive.
Everything changedutterly.
He no longer woke to the shrill of his alarm, but to Mollys gentle nose brushing his hand, urging him uptime to get going, master. And hed get up, smiling.
Mornings had once begun with coffee and the news. Now they started with chilly walks down the old park path.
Come on girl, lets get some fresh air, hed say, and Molly wagged her bushy tail in delight.
Hed got everything made official at the vetsher passport, her vaccinations. Now, she was properly his. Edward photographed every slip of paperwork, just in case.
His colleagues noticed the change.
Edward, you look years younger, mate! Must be in the spring of your life again.
And for the first time in years, Edward felt needed.
Molly proved herself to be clever. Remarkably so. She understood half-spoken words, seemed to follow his moods. If he was running late, she waited at the door, staring up as if to say, I was worried.
Evenings, theyd walk the park. Edward would talk about work, about life. Perhaps it sounded silly, but Molly listened, ears perked, sometimes emitting a quiet whine in response.
You know, Molly, hed say, rubbing her head, I used to think it was easier being alone. No one to bother you, no one to lose. Turns out, I was just frightened of loving again.
The neighbours took to them. Mrs. Robinson always saved Molly a bone. Shes a bonny dog, shed say. You can tell shes cherished.
The weeks rolled by, one after another.
Edward even toyed with starting a little diary online, posting Mollys photographs. She was photogenicthe sunshine turned her ginger fur to gold.
And then, everything changed again.
It was a typical stroll in the park. Molly nosed at a bush; Edward sat on a bench scrolling through his phone.
Maggie! Maggie!
Edward looked up. A woman, perhaps in her mid-thirties, strode towards them, decked out in a flashy tracksuit, blonde hair styled, face full of make-up. Molly stilled, her ears flattened back.
Excuse me, Edward said. I think youre mistaken. This is my dog.
The woman put her hands on her hips. What do you mean, yours? Thats my Maggie! She disappeared six months agoIve been searching everywhere!
Really?
Yes! She vanished right outside my flatI looked everywhere! And now youve stolen her!
Edwards world wobbled.
Wait. Lost? I found her by the grocers. She was a stray there for an age.
She was lost, thats why! I adore her! My husband and I paid good money for hershes pedigree!
Pedigree? Edward looked down at Molly. Shes just a mutt.
Shes a crossbreedexpensive all the same!
Edward stood up, Molly pressing to his side.
Alright then, if shes yoursshow me her papers.
Papers? Theyre at home. But thats not the point! I recognise her! Maggiecome here!
Molly didnt budge.
Maggie! Come now!
The dog pushed herself even closer to Edward.
See? he whispered. She doesnt know you.
Shes just sulking because I lost her! But shes mine and I demand her back!
I have documents, Edward answered calmly. Proof from the vetsafter she was hit by a car. Passport, vaccination records, even pet shop receipts.
I couldnt care less about your records! This is theft!
People were beginning to stare.
Shall we let the law settle it, then? Edward produced his phone. Ill call the police.
Go on then! the woman sneered. My neighbours saw her run off! I have witnesses!
Edward dialled, his heart hammering. What if she really was right? Maybe Molly had escaped from her.
But why the months spent outside that grocers? Why didnt she find her way home?
And why now, after all this time, did she cling to him with dread and trust?
Hello, police? I could use your help here…
The womans lips twisted in a malicious smile. Well see justice done. Give me back my dog.
All the while, Molly pressed close, shaking.
Right then, Edward knewhed fight for her, come what may.
For Molly was no longer just a dog.
She was family.
Half an hour later, the local constable arrivedSergeant Whitmore, methodical and steady. Edward knew him from old matters with the building manager.
Well, lets hear the story, Sergeant Whitmore said, pulling out his battered notebook.
The woman started at once: Thats my dog! Maggie! We paid a thousand pounds for her, she ran off half a year ago and this man stole her!
I found her, Edward replied, calmly. By the grocers. She was starving and alone for weeks.
She was lost, thats all!
Sergeant Whitmore leaned to eye Mollystill glued to Edwards leg.
Does either of you have documents?
I do, said Edward, pulling out a sheaf of paperworkhed thrown the file in his satchel after the last vet appointment and forgotten to unpack it.
Heres the vets report, after the accident. Heres her passport, vaccinationsall up to date.
The constable looked over the documents.
And what about you? he addressed the woman.
Theyre at home! But whats the difference? Im telling youshes my Maggie!
Could you describe just how she was lost? continued Whitmore.
We were out walking, she slipped the lead and ran off. I put up notices everywhere!
Where did you walk her?
The park, this very one.
And where do you live?
Oxford Road.
Edward stiffened.
Thats nearly two miles from the grocers where I found her. If she was lost in the park, howd she turn up there?
She must have wandered, surely?
Dogs usually find their way home.
The woman flushed. What would you know about dogs?
I know, Edward said quietly, that a loved dog doesnt sit and wait for weeks in one place. She wouldve found her way back home.
May I ask, the constable put in, you posted noticesdid you also report her missing to us?
To the police? That never occurred to me.
For six months? A pedigree worth a thousand pounds and you didnt call us?
I thought shed be found!
Sergeant Whitmore frowned. Miss, may I see your ID?
My ID?
Yes, your passport or driving licence. And could you confirm your address?
She fumbled in her purse, her hands shaking.
Here, my passport.
Whitmore glanced through. You do live on Oxford Road, number forty-one. And your flat?
Sixth.
I see. When exactly did she go missing?
About six months, give or take.
Do you know the exact date?
Twentiethmaybe the twenty-first of January.
Edward checked his phone. I picked her up on the twenty-third, and shed already been there nearly a month.
That meant the dog would have been missing even longer.
Perhaps I got the date wrong! the woman was flustered now, almost frantic. Suddenly, she broke.
All right! Let it be yours! But I did love her, truly.
Silence.
How could you? Edward asked quietly.
My husband saidwere moving, no pets allowed in the new place. Couldnt sell herno one would take a crossbreed. So I left her by the grocers. I thought someoned take her home.
Edward felt sick.
You abandoned her?
I left her, yes. Not abandoned, just left. People are kind, I thought someoned find her.
And why take her now?
She sniffled. Hes left me now. Im alone. I just wanted Maggie back. I loved her.
Edward stared, disbelieving.
Loved her? he said. You dont leave the ones you love.
Sergeant Whitmore shut his notebook.
Thats quite enough. The dog belongs to Mr…, he checked Edwards ID, Hargreaves. He paid for treatments, has documents, feeds and keeps her safe. Theres nothing more to discuss.
The woman sobbed. But I changed my mind! I want her!
Its too late, said Whitmore crisply. Abandonment is abandonment.
Edward knelt beside Molly, hugging her close.
Its over, girl. Youre safe.
May Imay I stroke her, just once? the woman pleaded.
Edward looked at Molly. She laid her ears back and pressed hard into his side.
Shes afraid. I think its best you dont.
I didnt mean it circumstances and all
People make their own circumstances, Edward said quietly, standing. You created a situation where a helpless creature was left in the cold. Now you want that to change to suit yourself.
The woman turned and hurried away, crying softly.
Sergeant Whitmore patted Edward on the shoulder.
You did the right thing. The dog trusts youanyone can see.
Thank you, for understanding.
Think nothing of it. Im a dog man myselfI know what it means.
Once the policeman left, Edward and Molly were alone again.
Well, he said, stroking her head, no one will ever take you away. I promise.
Molly looked up at him, and he saw something in her eyesnot just gratitude, but that boundless, uncomplicated love unique to dogs.
Love.
Shall we go home, girl?
With a joyful bark she bounded beside him, and together they set off.
That night, Edward reflected: The woman was right about one thing. Circumstances change. You can lose your job, your home, your money.
But some things you must never loseresponsibility, love, compassion.
At home, Molly curled up on her favourite rug. Edward brewed himself a cup of tea, sat by her side.
You know, Molly, he mused, perhaps it all worked out for the best. At least now we both knowwe belong together.
Molly sighed contentedly.
