So, this is how it happened
Mike, is everything all right? Charlotte asked after a few moments of silence. You seem a bit off. Youve gone pale Are you sure youre okay?
Yeah, Im all right, I managed, pulling myself back together. I set my fork to the side and reached for my glass of apple juice, trying to delay having to answer Charlottes question.
*****
I walked up to the entrance of the block of flats, took hold of the cold metal handle, and was just about to pull the door openthen stopped myself.
Going inside was the last thing I wanted to do.
I knew they were waiting for me. I remembered my promise to Charlotte: that Id come over to meet her parents. But the anxiety was just overwhelming; I simply couldnt manage to get a grip.
It was embarrassing, reallygrown man that I am, knees shaking like some schoolboy called up to the blackboard for the first time.
All I had to do was open the door, head up to the third floor, knock on number 36, and well, that was the problem.
Something was holding me backa strange fear, wrapping itself around me, making it almost impossible to take the next step.
All I wanted to do was turn round and walk away. Home. Or to the other side of London, it didnt matter. Just further from here.
Why on earth did I agree to this? I muttered under my breath, stepping back. Its obvious theyre not going to want me there.
I took a few steps further away and looked up at the third-floor window, the one with the light on.
It seemed to burn much brighter than the restlike a beacon, making sure Id spot it even from the road.
Just in case I got lost on my way.
But I hadnt gotten lost. I was exactly where I was meant to be. But I still didnt want to go inside.
What kept me standing there was wondering what Charlotte would think. If I bailed nowafter shed asked me, after Id promised She was counting on me.
*****
Mike, look, Charlotte had said the evening before. Dont panic, all right? Its just My parents want to meet you.
Charlotteshes my girlfriend.
We were sitting in a little Italian place in Soho, eating, chatting about our plans for the weekend. Then out of nowhere: her parents wanted to meet me. It took me by surprise; I froze mid-bite, staring at her, trying to gauge if she was having me on.
But, of course, there was nothing unusual about it. Its only natural for parents to want to meet the man their daughters serious about. Odd if anything if they didnt ask me round.
Only
I was terrified theyd dislike me. Or, rather, that I wasnt what they wanted their daughter to marry. And I suppose I had good reasons to think that.
Charlottes mum, Victoria Bennett, is a big dealshes spent her life at Oxford, climbed her way up from a simple lecturer to Vice-Chancellor, and is now something high up at the Department for Education.
Her dad, Charles Bennetthed worked his way up too. Started out as an engineer at a notable construction firm, became deputy director, and now runs his own company and knows the mayor personally. Proper serious type.
And Charlotte, at thirty, is head of legal at a major city finance group.
Me? Im 35, a systems administrator. No university degree.
I earn fairly well, but theres no future for me in it.
So how am I supposed to sit opposite her parents and impress them? What could I possibly say?
Youre probably wondering how I managed to meet Charlotte in the first place. By chance, as it happens.
Id gone for a walk in Hyde Park that day. So had Charlottewith two of her friends. They left her on a bench to go buy ice cream, and she started calling her mum.
While she was on the phone, she didnt see a lad, absolutely legless, hurtling towards her on an electric scooter.
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the way just in time; the guy shot past and crashed straight into a bin.
What do you think youre doing? Charlotte snapped at me.
But when she saw the scooter guy sprawled on the ground, she understood.
And she looked at me differently from then on. If it wasnt for me
So, we started talking while her friends queued for vanilla cones, swapped numbers, and agreed to meet the next week. That was six months ago.
All of this flashed through my mind while I was still processing what Charlotte had said in the restaurant.
I was so worried Id have to meet her parents eventually, that theyd forbid her from seeing me. Say I was after her for her moneyhappened to me before, years back. Lost someone I really cared for that way.
And now theres a risk Ill lose Charlotte, too
Mike, are you all right? Charlotte asked again after a long silence. Youve gone white as a sheet. Are you sure youre okay?
Yeah Im fine. I placed my fork down and reached for the apple juice again, buying myself time before I had to answer.
So, youll come?
Come where?
To my place. She grinned. Mum will cook something nice, and Dad well, Dads bringing out one of his special bottles of wine. Hes got this friend who collects them, and hes been persuaded to bring one round. All you have to do is say yes, Mike. Will you come?
Im not sure I just think your parents are unlikely to approve
Why?
I dont have a degree. Im just a bloke who installs software and recovers files. They probably want a son-in-law whos a business owner or an MPs son Not someone ordinary like me. Have I really got a chance?
Stop worrying, Charlotte said, taking my hand. My parents are just regular people. You dont know them. Ill see you tomorrow at sevendont be late.
All right, I nodded, though I still didnt know if Id actually show up.
*****
And nowhere I was.
Standing outside Charlottes block, five to seven, shivering in the cold. I didnt know what to do.
I knew Id have to meet her parents sooner or later (Im serious about CharlotteI want to marry her). But today? I wasnt ready. In a few months or so, Id be moved into the IT department at my firms new branch, and then then her parents might think better of me.
Maybe Victoria and Charles Bennett wouldnt toss me out after all.
I was just about to walk away when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Charlotte was calling.
Hi, Mike! she said, sounding cheerful. Were almost all ready hereMums fine-tuning a dish and Dads stuck in traffic, but hell be here any minute. Where are you? Nearly here?
Hey, Char I mumbled. Yeah, Im
I can hardly hear you. Youre close, right?
Yeah, Im nearly there its just
Listen, if this is about what you said yesterday, I dont want to hear it. Itll all be fine. Want me to come out and walk in with you?
No, really, dont. Ill be there soon.
All right. Were waiting.
I shoved the phone back in my pocket, walked to the kerb and rubbed my right temple furiously, wracking my brain for some excuse to turn back.
But nothing suitable sprung to mind.
And now, I thought, Charles will pull up and find me loitering outside. Wonderful In a panic, I set off down the block.
On the way, I passed a guy, asked for a cigarette (Id quit ages ago, but right then, I really needed one), and stopped at the corner of the block, blowing out a cloud of smoke into the biting air, trying to calm myself.
There wasnt much to seerubbish bins on one side, a patch of scrubby grass on the other. Charlotte told me there were garages there before, now pulled down, soon to be a new housing estate.
Nothing of note, except a dog caught my attention, lying out on that patch.
At first, I tensed upstray dogs arent always predictable. They might lash out if you get too close, especially if youre a stranger.
But, watching closer, I relaxed. The dog couldnt have cared less about me.
It was just lying there. On the icy ground.
Strange, really, to pick a spot like that, but then, what choice did he have?
He goes where theres space. Not likely hed be welcome in one of the stairwells, not in this weather
*****
Jack (thats what the stray was called) hadnt eaten in several days.
He used to stay in another courtyard, where a few people would sometimes feed him. But then
a lady from the flats decided shed had enough.
She wrote letters to the council, rallied a few neighbours, and soon the block split into two campsthose who let him be, and those who wanted him gone.
That stray comes too close to the playground! What if he bites? shed complain. Look at those desperate eyes! Hes dangerous!
Truth was, Jacks eyes werent dangerousthey were sad. His first owner, a boy called Ben, had found him one summer, wandering near a country lane.
Mum, Dad! Can we keep him? Ben begged. The parents eventually agreed.
But when holiday ended, Bens family left Jack behind.
We cant bring a dog into a flat, said Bens parents. And wholl walk him? You?
Ben shook his head, and that was that.
Jack was left behind, confused and heartbroken.
A month later, an older lady took pity, brought him back to the city, then dragged him to the market, trying to pedal him as a pedigree. Eventually, a young couple bought him.
Dont worry, the woman said, hes pure-bred, I just dont have the papers.
But as Jack grew up and it became clear he was just a mix, the couple dumped him out by the ring road.
Thankfully, it was March, and the weather was kind.
From then on, Jack was on his own.
He wandered the city until he got used to a peaceful housing estatequiet, safe, few aggressive dogs.
Hed often watch children at the playground, remembering Ben.
Part of him kept hoping hed see Ben again. Maybe find a home.
He didnt. And then a few days back, things turned sour.
One old lady hurled sticks at him. Others glared. Jack had done nothing to deserve it.
Hed watch the kids from a distance, dreaming someone would take him in. But people said he was dangerous, so he had to move on.
He didnt want to be a bother.
Now he lay on frozen grass, barely able to move, hunger and cold sapping the last of his strength.
Jack noticed a man on the corner, smoking, but didnt expect help. Hell finish his smoke and be off, Jack thought bleakly.
*****
I finished my cigarette, looked around, and paced towards a nearby doorway to stub it outcould have flicked it in the snow, but my mum always said, If you want to change the world, start with yourself. So I used the bin.
Just then, a car pulled into the car parkflashy and black, blinding me with its headlights. I paused. Could have been Charlottes dad, I thought, so I quickly moved away, towards the grassy patchcompletely forgetting about the dog until I nearly tripped over him.
Last thing I needed was a stray barking and drawing attention. But the dog wasnt interestedjust lay there, not even turning his head.
Hey, are you all right? I asked.
No response.
I edged closer, and closer, till I was right next to him. Nothing. He just lay there, breathing but not moving.
I crouched down, switched my phone torch on and reached out tentatively. He was so cold, it was like touching a log.
He was alive, but barely. If I dont help, he wont make it through the night, I thought.
So I scooped him up and headed towards the flats, hoping to find an open foyer near a radiator, planning to call a cab and rush him to a vet.
All the doors were locked. So I pressed on to the next block.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, but both hands were full. And honestly, this felt more important.
Passing Charlottes entrance, I hesitated, looked up at her window. Charlotte would help me, I was sure, but her parents Bringing a stray, half-dead dog into their home? Hardly the best first impression.
Just then, another car glided into the courtyarda sleek, expensive thing.
The driver slowed, wound his window down. Mate, are you all right? You need a hand? he asked.
Theres this dog Found him freezing on the grass, I stammered. You dont know if theres a late-night vet nearby?
The man frowned, then nodded. Not nearby, but I know oneand the vets an old friend. Get in. Ill drive you.
Youd let me? With the dog?
Get in, quickly! You said theres no time.
He didnt need to say it twice. I climbed in, and we took off.
On the drive, he called someone. Sorry, darling, something came up. Ill be late. You can start without me. Seen who? No, not yet. Hes not there? Have you tried his phone? Ill keep a look out
He glanced in the rear-view mirror.
I mumbled a worried apology for causing trouble.
What? Not at all. Hows the dog? Still breathing?
Shallow, but breathing
Lets hope were not too late, he said, pushing the accelerator.
Ten minutes later, we screeched to a stop outside a 24-hour vet. The mans friend was already waiting. They whisked Jack away.
Left alone in the corridor, I finally checked my phoneabout a dozen missed calls from Charlotte. There was a text: Mike, where are you? Is everything okay?
I knew I should call back and explain myself. But I couldnt. All I could think about was the dog.
I didnt even get the chance to thank my driverwhen I ran out after him, his car was already gone.
I went back inside, decidedif Jack made it, Id take him home. If things blew up with Charlotte, at least Id have a dog to keep me company.
*****
Forty minutes ticked by. I kept my eyes glued to the vets doorno one came out.
Then I heard a flurry of voices at the receptionists deskone of them sounded familiar.
I turned, and there was Charlotte. With her mother. Andmost unexpectedlythe man whod just given Jack and me a lift.
He smiled broadly at me.
I told you, darlinghes here, looking after the dog, said the manCharlottes father, of course.
Immediately, I felt awkward.
Mike, why didnt you call? I was worried sick! Charlotte hurried over.
Sorry, Char I looked at her apologetically. I just didnt think your parents would be thrilled about a stray dog in your living room.
Oh, youre such an idiot! she laughed. I told youmy parents are ordinary people. And they love animals. Mums rescued three street catswho all live with us.
Really?
Really.
Then her parents came over, and, finally, the dreaded introduction happened.
So, at last, said Charles, shaking my hand, weve met
Mike, added Victoria, let me shake your hand too. What you did today is a real act of kindness. Charlotte was rightyou shouldve just come straight up. But I hope the dog survives. I hope hell be all right.
He will, the vet appeared, smiling. Hell live.
That same day, we were allowed to bring Jack homehe was stabilised, just needed feeding and care now. Love, really.
Love works miracles, the vet said as we left. It can bring anything back from the brink.
I was all for going straight home.
But Charlotte and her parents insistedbring the dog. Their cats would supervise his recovery better than any doctor, and besides, this called for a proper celebration. And a toast to new friends.
So as Jack, still blinking in disbelief at his good fortune, curled up on their sofa, surrounded by three curious cats, I sat in the kitchen with Charlotte and her parents, a glass of wine in my hand, realising they werent people to be afraid of at all.
They were kind, warm, and real.
A few days later, Jack was back on his feet, and I took him back to my place.
And what about me? Dont I get to come? Charlotte joked, stepping out of her room with a bag.
You? Seriously?
Absolutely. Thing is my parents have banned me from staying home tonight.
What?
They want grandchildren. Say its time to do our bit for the British population!
I burst out laughing. So did Charlotte. And Jack wagged his tail furiously.
He didnt quite understand what was happening, but he knew it was something wonderful.
Thats the story.
