The Last Wish
No, Im not going home, groaned Jeremy, curling up in pain. And Ill never see Emily again. I wanted to propose, and never got the chance Why is life so unfair?
Oh, try not to worry like that, said the nurse with a gentle smile, noticing how pale Jeremy was as the ambulance crew wheeled him in. Youll be right as rain soon.
I doubt it Jeremy wheezed.
He watched with wide-eyed horror as they began prepping him for surgery.
*****
Jeremy had never liked hospitals. Not just a mild dislikehe had a lifelong aversion. In his childhood, hospitals were places of regular torment where people poked, prodded, and never bothered to say sorry for the soulful suffering they caused.
Why are you crying, Jem? a nurse once teased as she jabbed his finger for a blood test. Youre a big boy now, almost ready for school, but you sob like a girl. Arent you ashamed?
Hed look at her through tears, make wild attempts to escape, but to no avail. He wasnt ashamed. He was simply in pain, and yes, rather upset.
Every walk home from the childrens clinic was the sameJeremy determinedly vowed hed never, ever, no matter what, set foot inside a hospital again.
Id rather die than go back, he declared with the righteous certainty known only to small boys.
Oh darling, dont say such things, his mum would chide. Doctors are here to help people so they can live happier, healthier, longer lives. You dont need to be afraid of them.
Sure theyre lovely people, Jeremy sniffed, staring woefully at the finger that had lost half a pint of life-force. Let them fix themselves and leave me in peace!
And dont get me even started on the time his parents forcibly marched him to the dentist to extract a tooth. You could hear his wails halfway down the High Street, through closed windows.
In short, not the happiest childhood memories. So it was little wonder that, even as an adult, Jeremy did his very best to avoid doctors and stuck rigidly to the out of sight, out of mind approach to healthcare.
But fatealways eager for a bit of mischiefhad other plans. Appendicitis doesnt take no for an answer.
It started so suddenly that Emily, whom Jeremy was taking to dinner, had no choice but to phone for an ambulance.
I dont need the ambulance, Ill be fine, just give it an hour Jeremy pleaded.
Dont be silly! I can see youre in agony. It looks an awful lot like appendicitis. Trust me, I’ve been there.
And so, Jeremy ended up, very much against his will, in Leicester City Hospital, Ward 6.
He needed no imagination to picture the horrors awaiting him. And when two grim porters trundled past with a trolley that looked suspiciously like the end of someones time on earth, Jeremys mood plummeted to new depths.
Thats it, I’m finished, he sighed, gripping his side. Ill never see Emily again. I wanted to propose. Shouldve just done it earlier! Why me, universe?
Oh, try not to worry, the nurse smiled, seeing Jeremy had gone quite white. Its a routine operation, and youre here in good time. If you’d delayed, it couldve been really nasty.
Andsurprise of all surprisesthe operation did, in fact, go according to plan. No tragedy, no unexpected drama, no pain even (anaesthetics, glorious invention). For the first time in years, Jeremy had a positive hospital experience. Fancy that!
He was sent to sleep and, when he woke up, it was already over. That night he returned to a regular ward and slept like a logonly stirring briefly when someone swapped his drip, then dozing off again.
And then
in the morning, Jeremy noticed he was sharing the room with an elderly man.
Just great, he thought miserably. Now Im going to be subjected to his life story whether I like it or not.
All Jeremy wanted was peace, quiet, and absolutely no interaction with anyone. He didnt even ring Emily. He sent her a quick message to say everything was fine, tucked the phone under his pillow, and returned to feeling terribly sorry for himself.
Hed been living with Emily for more than a year. Hed planned to propose last nightbooked a table at her favourite restaurant, arranged for the house band to play her song, and the waiter was lined up to deliver a dessert containing a ring. Jeremy wanted everything to be perfect.
But no; fate had him tucked up in bed with a stranger instead, his romantic plans felled by his own treacherous appendix.
To Jeremys surprise, the pensioner didnt launch into endless monologues. They exchanged greetings, and then the old man just muttered quietly into his battered mobile whenever his calls didnt go through. He spent most of his time trying to ring someone, presumably his son, and eventually the mobile died.
With no charger (itd never occur to anyone, apparently, to bring one), and no compatible relic to beg off the nurses, the old man finally stared at the blank screen and wept. Jeremy, whod been rolling his eyes at the fellow in secret, suddenly felt guilty.
After a few awkward minutes, Jeremy swung his legs off the bed and addressed the old man.
Everything all right, sir?
Just cant reach my son, the elderly man sighed.
Doesnt he know youre in hospital? Jeremy asked.
He does, said the old chap. The nurse phoned him when I was admitted. But he doesnt want to speak to me. We had a row, six months back. Right before my birthday. He wanted me to go into a care home so he could flog my house, but Well, I wouldnt have it. Its not about the house, really.
He explained that hed landed in hospital after a heart attack. The doctors had stabilised him, but insisted surgery was needed.
Its scheduled for the day after tomorrow, the pensioner said quietly. But, to be honest, Im worried I wont make it that far.
Nonsense! Jeremy rallied. Doctors are here to keep us going, youll be fine. They took my appendix out just yesterday andas you can seeIm alive and (mostly) kicking.
The old man gave a wry smile, but didnt bother explaining the difference between appendicitis and his particular cardiac misadventure.
Im worried about my dog more than anything, he continued. Shes on her own now, outside. Id asked my son, if well, if anything happened, would he look after Puddles? Maybe find her a new home if he cant. Neighbours wont take herthey’ve got enough on their plate. But my son could manage one little dog, couldnt he? Especially as hell be the one getting the house soon enough. Only, he wont answer the phone, and when the nurse called, he refused to come. Thats my son for you.
Jeremy pondered this. The old chap cared deeply for a dog called Puddles.
He recounted how he found her. It was on my birthday, six months ago. My son didnt ring, Ive no one else reallymy wife, God bless her, passed years ago. But the night before, I dreamt of her, walking a dog down our street, smiling and waving. Strange, that. The next day I found the dog, tied to a railing in the rain. I waited for hours but no one came for her, so, in the end, I took her home. You could say my wife picked her out for mea birthday gift from the other side. He chuckled.
You never know, do you? Jeremy replied, even though, truthfully, he doubted the universe worked that way. Still, it seemed important to be supportive.
We hit it off, me and Puddles, the pensioner continued. Tried to find her old owner for weeks, but no luck. And Im glad because, well, shes become more than a petshes my purpose.
That night, Jeremy thought about the lonely dog outside and her gruff but gentle owner. How cold youd have to be to ignore your own father for months, especially when hes in hospital
When he finally fell asleep, he dreamed of a little mongrel wandering the streets, searching for someone, while Jeremy trailed behind, never quite knowing why.
He woke with a jolt: his elderly roommate was gasping and clutching his chest.
Should I get a doctor? Jeremy asked, scrambling over.
No, not yet. Please call my son, Simon. The numbers on that bit of paper by my bed. I just want to say goodbye. If he cant come ask him to please, please look after Puddles. If shes all right, Ill be all right.
Jeremy hesitated but did as asked, nerves getting the better of his coordination as he copied the number into his phone.
HelloSimon? Im your dads roommate. Hes hes really not well, and he wishes youd come. If not for him, then at least for his dog, Puddles
Is he dying? came the reply, somewhat too briskly. Which hospital? Sixth, right? Clearly, this sort of crisis wasnt a new routine for Simon.
Ward 314, third floor, Jeremy confirmed, and rattled off the address before racing to wake the night nurse.
By the time Jeremy returned, the old man was barely hanging on.
Just hold on, sir. The nurse is fetching a doctor and your son said hed try to come. Please, dont close your eyesstay with us
Before the nurse and doctor arrived, the old man slipped away, his hand growing still in Jeremys.
When Simon finally turned up the next day, Jeremy tried to explain.
Your father passed away with me by his side, he said.
Well, at least he didnt suffer, I suppose, Simon replied stiffly. At least I wont have to look after him now. Ive got my own life, work, a familyits not as if I had the time
He wanted you to take care of his dog, Jeremy pressed, Find her a good home, at least. Thats all he asked. Plus, you have the house nowseems a small thing to do in return.
Simon just looked at Jeremy, pocketed the old mans mobile and the scrap of paper, and walked outno goodbye, just the slam of a door.
Jeremy lay back, feeling empty. It seemed so unnecessarily sad. The old man had lived to seventy-seven, but he could have had more yearssome people make it to a hundred. Now a good little dog was left behind, no longer needed by anyone.
Simon probably wont bother looking for a home for Puddles, Jeremy thought. Hell sell the house, and the dog will end up a stray, or worse. Maybe the neighbours will feed her maybe not.
That night, Jeremy dreamt of the old man wandering the empty streets, calling for his dog, wiping tears from his cheeks. Even Jeremy, not usually given to emotion, found himself in tears upon waking.
It was the same every night, even after Jeremy returned home. Emily couldnt help but notice his dreamy silences at breakfast.
Jem, are you all right?
Im fine, just thinking.
About what?
There was this old chap in my hospital room. He came in after a heart attack, they were meant to operate, but he didnt make it. He was all alone, reallyjust his son, Simon, who never came. Theres a dog, Puddles, left behind. Simon seemed much more interested in getting the house than the dog. Didnt even give his dad a proper funeraltoo busy ringing estate agents. And I cant stop thinking about that poor animal.
Shall we go and try to find her? Emily suggested. If the dogs still around, we could take her in.
Seriously? Youd be okay with a dog?
Of course! It would be brilliant to have a petdaily walks, little adventures together.
Jeremy grinned. But I dont even know the address!
Leave that to me, said Emily with a wink. But well need to stop for a chocolate bar and some decent coffee on the way.
It turned out that a posh coffee and a bar of Dairy Milk perform miracles: after Emilys charm and Jeremys heartfelt explanation, the receptionist at the hospital quietly scribbled out the address for them.
Forty minutes later, they arrived at the old mans house. The garden was empty.
A woman from next-door appeared.
Hello, can I help you? she asked, peering curiously. No one lives there now, you know.
I know, Jeremy replied. I was with Mr. Stanley in hospital. He passed away.
Oh, poor dear. He was a lovely mangentle and honest, not like his son. Did the bare minimum for the funeral and now just wants to flog the place. She shook her head.
Have you seen his dog, Puddles? He was worried sick about her.
I have. She barely left the front gate, always lying there, waiting. She howled all night after he passedkept at it, night after night. Simon finally lost patience, shouted at her, took her off somewhere. I doubt he plans to keep heralways hated animals, that one. Cant imagine how such a good man had a slippery character like Simon for a son.
Do you know where he took her, or at least what sort of dog she is? Emily asked.
Shes a small thing, a corgi I thinkhere, Ive got a photo, the neighbour said, flashing her phone.
Emily smiled. Adorable! But he didnt say where he took her?
He said hed found someone to take her in, but I wouldnt bank on it.
Jeremy and Emily thanked her and left, both quietly glum. Too little, too latethey could have saved Puddles if theyd come sooner. Had Simon dumped her by the roadside? Or, with any luck, found her a real home?
Just in case, they did the rounds of local streets, asked anyone whod listen, but no one had seen a stray corgi.
When Jeremy tried to ring Simon, he found his number blockedno texts, no calls going through.
Lets just hope Puddles is okay, Emily said, squeezing Jeremys hand.
Stuck in traffic on the way home, Emily turned onto a country bypass. As they drove along, she suddenly slowed and pointed.
There! Do you think thats Puddles?
Jeremy peered out. Looks like her. Lets see.
They pulled over, and the little corgi lifted her head. Jeremy crouched down.
Puddles, he called quietly, we were friends with Mr. Stanley. He wanted us to look after youwould you like to come home with us?
The dog eyed him warily, sniffed, then wagged her tail. Something about Jeremyhis hands, maybe, still faintly smelled of the old man. She pressed her head against them, as if to say, Youre the right sort.
As Jeremy stroked her, tears pricked at his eyes. Emily wiped her own cheeks, crouching next to both.
Soon all three were on their way home, happy at last.
Jeremy and Emily were delighted theyd found Puddles (courtesy of Simon) and managed to rescue her before it was too late. Puddles was simply happy to have a home, new hands to trusthands scented forever with love for someone shed lost.
At home, Jeremy looked down at Puddles, fast asleep on the sofa, her little paws twitching in a dream.
Theres family for you, Jeremy grumbled. Simon re-homed the dog, all right. Feels like I ought to track him down and tell him what I think.
Dont bother, Jem, Emily said firmly. Hell get his comeuppance, life sorts these things out. One day hell grow old, be all alone, and realise its too late.
Youre probably right, Jeremy sighed, glancing at Puddles twitching feet, and fetching the little velvet box hidden in his wardrobe.
That very evening, Jeremy took his chance. No grand gesture, no restaurant, no musiciansjust an ordinary evening, a sofa, and Emily.
He knelt and proposed right then. Because he knew better than to wait for the perfect moment that might never come.
And Emilyvery sensiblysaid yes on the spot.
So, thats the story. Not the most dramatic love story on earth, but full of ordinary people, little heartbreaks, and a happy dog who got her second chance. Which, really, is all any of us can hope for.
