The Puppy
Emily and her mum lived alone. Of course, Emily had a father—technically—but he had no interest in them. She hadn’t asked about him yet. In school, kids bragged about whose parents were cooler, but in nursery, toys mattered more than the presence or absence of a dad.
Hope decided it was better if Emily never knew the truth—that she’d fallen hopelessly in love with the man who would become her father, only for him to confess he was married when she told him she was pregnant. There were problems with his wife, he’d said, but he couldn’t leave her—her father was his boss. If he did, he’d be left with nothing, and what good would that be to Hope? He advised her to “get rid of it” before it was too late because she’d get no support from him. And if she tried to push things, well… she’d only make it worse for herself.
She didn’t argue. She vanished from his life and raised Emily on her own. And Emily turned out lovely—that was enough for her.
Hope worked as a primary school teacher, while five-year-old Emily went to nursery. They didn’t need anyone else.
After New Year’s, a new PE instructor arrived at school. Tall, fit, always grinning. Every single female teacher—and most of them were—started flirting and fussing over him. All except Hope, who never glanced his way, never laughed at his jokes. Maybe that’s why he noticed her.
One afternoon, as she stepped through the school gates, a sleek SUV pulled up beside her. The PE teacher—Daniel—stepped out and opened the passenger door with a flourish.
“After you,” he said with a smile.
“Oh, it’s really not far,” Hope answered, flustered.
“Still, better than walking,” he reasoned.
She hesitated, then climbed in. Daniel shut the door, slid behind the wheel, and asked for her address.
“I, um… I’m actually headed to the nursery. I don’t know the postcode offhand.”
“Nursery?” He frowned.
“Where my daughter goes.”
“You’ve got a kid?” Unexpectedly, he’d dropped the formalities.
“Emily. She’s five.” Hope reached for the handle. “I should just walk.”
“Wait.” He turned the key in the ignition. “Let’s go.”
She let the door click shut. Fine. He could drive her. It didn’t mean anything. What man would want a woman with a child when there were so many unattached women around?
“If you really don’t mind…” Hope sighed.
“Not at all. No one’s waiting for me. No wife, no kids,” he said quickly, as if answering her unspoken question.
“Why’s that? Terrible temper? Can’t keep a woman? Or did someone break your heart so badly you’re scared to try again?”
He blinked. “Feisty. Didn’t see that coming. You look so quiet.” He smirked. “Been there, done that. Love, heartbreak. Never made it to marriage—not just my fault. Just… didn’t work out. As for temper—nobody’s perfect, Miss Hope.”
“Regretting offering me a lift yet?” She pointed. “Turn left here.”
The car slowed outside the nursery gates.
“I’ll wait,” Daniel said as she unbuckled.
She lingered by the car. “Don’t. We live nearby. I don’t want Emily asking questions.” Her tone was firm, like she was scolding a slow learner. “Don’t wait.” She shut the door and walked away.
Daniel sat there a moment, thoughtful. Then he started the engine and drove off. When Hope emerged ten minutes later, hand in hand with Emily, she exhaled—relieved, but also a little disappointed. Of course. A woman with a child wasn’t what he wanted. Fine. They didn’t need him either.
But the next day, he was waiting again.
“Thought I’d run off when I found out about the kid, didn’t you?” He grinned. “Nope. Get in. Nursery again?”
Hope smiled and nodded. When she brought Emily to the car, the girl studied Daniel with the same serious look Hope had given him the day before, then turned to her mum.
“This is Mr. Daniel. He works at my school. Come on, in you get.” Her tone was artificially bright.
Emily didn’t cheer or bounce into the car. She climbed silently into the back seat and stared out the window.
“Where to?” Daniel twisted to face her.
“Not far,” Hope cut in. “No child seat—could get fined.”
“How about the arcade? Too cold for the park. Emily, sound good?” His voice was loud, exaggeratedly cheerful.
Emily said nothing, eyes fixed on the window. Daniel chuckled and pulled away.
At school, conversations hushed when Hope entered the staff room. When Daniel walked in, colleagues hurried out, exchanging knowing looks.
He didn’t rush things. He was patient. Twice, he left after dinner. The third time, he stayed till morning. Hope slept fitfully, waking to check the clock—terrified Emily would walk in on them.
“Relax,” Daniel murmured at dawn, pulling her close. “She’s a smart kid. She’ll adjust.”
Hope pulled free. On weekdays, Emily slept like a log, but today, of all days, she might wake early.
When Emily walked into the kitchen after washing up, Hope was flipping pancakes. Daniel sat at the table.
“Hello,” Emily said, eyeing her mum.
“All clean? Breakfast’s ready.” Hope smiled—first at Daniel, then at Emily—and brought the pan to the table. She served Daniel first. Emily noticed.
“Tea?” Hope asked him. “Sugar?”
“Two.” Daniel watched Emily. “Bet I can eat these faster than you.”
“Why?” Emily stared.
“Just for fun. Real men rise to a challenge.” He shoveled in a bite, gulped his tea noisily.
Emily picked at her food, chewing slowly. Hope was proud she wasn’t swayed by his antics—but also disheartened. She didn’t like him.
“Mum says your birthday’s coming up,” Daniel tried again. “What d’you want? A Transformer? Remote-control car?”
“A puppy,” Emily said.
“An electronic one? That’s for babies.”
“A real one.” Emily gave him a withering look.
“We’ve talked about this,” Hope cut in. “Puppies need attention. They chew things, make messes. And we’re out all day. When you’re older—”
“Then I don’t want anything.” Emily’s voice was flat.
“Eat up. We’ll go to the toy store,” Daniel said through a mouthful.
March ended bitterly. Thawed snow refroze. The wind whipped icy needles against their faces as they left the shopping centre. Hope carried bags of clothes—Emily outgrew everything, and shoes cost nearly as much as adult ones.
Daniel had tried to impress her in the toy aisle. Emily barely glanced at the robots and cars—until a sleek Transformer caught her eye. But Hope hurried her off to try on a coat.
As they crossed the car park, snow stung their cheeks. Something small and filthy darted at their feet. Daniel swore.
“Did you see that?” He glared at the scraggly mutt. “Could’ve tripped over it.”
Emily dropped to her knees. The shivering puppy pressed itself against her, tail tucked.
“Shoo!” Daniel nudged it with his foot. The puppy yelped, skidding toward the wheels of a car.
Emily lunged, scooping it up. “You’re horrible!” she spat.
“Emily!” Hope gasped. “Apologise!”
The puppy trembled in her arms. She held it tighter.
“It’s filthy—probably sick,” Hope insisted.
“He’s freezing! I’ll clean up after him!” Emily’s chin quivered.
“Listen to your mum,” Daniel snapped. “We’ll get a proper one from the breeder.” He reached for the dog.
Emily spun and bolted—straight into the path of a reversing car.
“Emily!” Hope screamed.
The bumper clipped her. She crumpled to the tarmac, still clutching the puppy, tears streaking her face.
“Where does it hurt? Let go of it—you almost got hit because of that thing!” Hope wiped her cheeks.
The driver burst out. “Watch your kid! I couldn’t see her—blind spot!”
“It’s fine,” Daniel said coldly. “No harm done.”
The man scowled and sped off. Hope helped Emily up.
“For God’s sake, dump that mongrel,” Daniel growled. “She’s playing you. Needs a good smack.”
“Enough.” Hope’s voice was sharp. “Let’s go home.”
“He’s mine.” Emily glared at Daniel. “You kicked him.”
“Watch your mouth, you little brat!”The puppy licked Emily’s hand as she held him close, and Hope knew that despite everything, this tiny, scrappy little life was all the family they truly needed.
