So, that’s how we met…
Ben, are you alright? asked Emily after a few minutes of silence. Youre not yourself at all. You look pale Is everything okay?
Yeah Im fine, I replied, trying to pull myself together. I put my fork down and reached for the glass of apple juice, delaying the moment when Id have to properly answer her.
*****
I walked up to Emilys building, grabbed the cold brass handle of the front door and was about to pull it open, but paused at the last second, changing my mind.
I didnt want to go inside.
I knew I was expected, I remembered my promise to Emilythat Id finally come round to her placebut nerves had the better of me. Completely.
Honestly, it was embarrassing: a grown man, knees wobbling like a lad called up to the front of class for the first time. All that was left to do was open the door, take the stairs to the third floor, and find flat number 36
But something held me back.
It was some elusive fear that seemed to tie me up, making it impossible to finish what Id started.
Right now, I just wanted to turn around and leave. Didnt matter if it was home or the other side of Londonjust so long as I got away from here.
Why did I even agree to this? I muttered, taking a few steps backwards. No doubt, theyll take one look at me and say Im not good enough.
I took a few more steps, glanced up at the third-floor window that was shining with a bright, warm light.
It seemed brighter than all the others in the block. Like a beacon set up just so I wouldn’t lose my way.
And I hadnt, not technically. Id made it this far. I just didnt want to go any further.
What stopped me now was mainly the thought of Emilys reaction if I simply legged it. Shed asked me to come, after all.
And Id promised.
*****
Ben, theres something I need to tell you… promise you wont freak out? Emily had said last night. Well, my parents they want to meet you.
Emily was my girlfriend.
We were having dinner at a little Italian place, chatting about plans for the weekend, whenjust like thatshe dropped it: her parents wanted a proper introduction. I nearly choked on my pasta. She looked so calm, too, and I could hardly tell if she was joking.
Really, it wasnt an odd request. It was normal, even, for parents to want to meet the man their daughter was spending time withmaybe even the man she was thinking of marrying. Itd be a bit odd if they didnt, really.
Except
Except I was terrified theyd instantly take a dislike to me. Or, more precisely, decide I wasnt up to scratch as a possible son-in-law. And those worries weren’t baseless.
Emily’s mum, Mrs Victoria Sinclair, had had a long and illustrious career at Oxfordstarting as a lecturer and rising all the way to Vice-Chancellor; now she held an important position with the Department for Education.
Her father, Mr Charles Sinclair, had climbed the ranks too. Started out as a site manager for a big national construction firm, made his way to director, and now he actually owned his own company, socialised with mayors, the lot. Proper bastion of respectability.
And Emily, at just thirty, was head of the legal department at a big London financial company.
And what had I managed at thirty-five? Not much to write home about, frankly. I was an ordinary IT bloke. Didnt even have a degree.
Pay wasnt bad, but career prospects were slim.
So how was I supposed to sit at a table with her parents? What on earth would I say to them? How would I look them in the eye?
You might be thinking, how did Emily and I even meet? Pure chance, really.
Id decided to take a walk in Hyde Park one afternoon; Emily and her two friends had done the same. While her friends popped off for an ice cream, Emily stayed by the bench to keep it free and call her mum.
She was distracted, chatting on her mobile, and didnt see some lad on an e-scooter heading her way, fast.
He was clearly drunk, and had no intention of stopping. I reached over and quickly pulled Emily aside just as the scooter whizzed past, barely missing her. The rider crashed into a bin and flew off.
What do you think youre doing? Emily had snapped at first, but then, seeing the commotion, she realised Id just saved her.
We got to talking while her friends queued for 99 cones. We swapped numbers, met again a few days later, and here we were, half a year on.
All this replayed through my head as I reflected on Emilys dinner proposition.
Id always dreaded having to meet her parents, convinced theyd shut things down. Theyd think I was with Emily for her money or connections. Id even lost a girlfriend years ago for similar reasons.
Now, I risked losing Emily.
Ben, are you alright? Her voice broke my thoughts. Why have you gone so pale? Is something wrong?
No, everythings fine, I replied, collecting myself. I put my fork aside, reached for the juice, and did my best to keep stalling.
So, youll come then?
Sorry, come where?
To my parents place, Emily smiled. Mum promised to cook something special. And Dads bringing one of his prize bottles of wine. All I need from you is a yes. Will you come?
Im not sure I just think maybe your parentswont approve.
Why not?
Well, Im just an average sort; I never even finished university. I spend my days fixing computers, recovering lost files. They probably want someone more impressive. Business owner, MPs son, orat the very leasta civil servant climbing the ladder. Not some system administrator whos gone as far as hell ever go. How could they ever like me?
Oh, dont worry, Emily reassured, squeezing my hand. My parents are normal peoplejust like anyone else. You just dont know them yet. Ill see you tomorrow at seven. Dont be late.
Alright, I nodded, though I wasnt sure if Id turn up or not.
*****
Then the next day arrived.
I stood in front of Emilys block; it was five to seven, chilly and grey outside. And I still had no idea what to do.
I knew, sooner or later, Id have to meet her parents. After all, I was serious about Emilyif things went well, I wanted to marry her someday. But I just wasnt ready.
In a few months (six at most, Id been told), there was a chance Id get promoted to the IT team in their new Canary Wharf branch. Then, maybe, Id look a bit more respectable. Then, perhaps, Victoria Sinclair and her husband, Charles, wouldnt turf me out before Id even hung up my coat.
I was just about to leg it when my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket.
It was Emily.
Hi, Ben! she said cheerfully. Mum and I have almost finished getting everything ready. Dads running a bit late but should be here shortly. Where are you? Are you nearly here?
Hi, Em I muttered. Yeah, Im just
I can hardly hear you! Nearly here, yes?
YesI’m just about to arrive,” I sighed. Just
Darling, if this is about what you said yesterday, I dont want to hear it. Trust me, itll be fine. Want me to come down and meet you?
No, no, thats alright, I blurted, panicking slightly. Ill be there soon. I promise.
Alright then. See you soon. Or rather, well all see you soon.
I shoved the phone back into my pocket, stepped out into the road, rubbing my temple as I tried to invent a decent excuse not to go up.
But nothing came.
And with my luck, Charlesll appear in a minute and catch me skulking downstairs, I thought, and wandered off to the far end of the building.
A bloke coming the other way handed me a cigarette when I asked. I hadnt smoked for ages, but right now, I really needed one to steady myself.
As I stood in the gloomy corner, smoke curling away, there wasnt much to look at: a row of bins, an empty patch where, according to Emily, garages had been knocked down to make way for more flats.
Then I noticed a dog over on the patch of bare earth. At first, I tensedstrays can be unpredictable, especially with strangers around. But after a closer look, I relaxed. The dog was ignoring me completely.
It was just lying there, flat in the cold.
Odd, really, to just lie out in the frost. But perhaps it didnt have a choice.
Not likely to be let into the warm, poor thing.
*****
Jack (thats what I later found out his name was) hadnt eaten in days.
Hed once lived in another courtyard, where hed been tolerated, sometimes even given scraps. But then a woman in one of those blocks had decided he didnt belong.
She started writing to the council, rallying her neighbours, and in the end, people split into two campslet him stay and chuck him out.
That stray dogs always hanging round the playground! What if he bites a child? Look at those wild, hungry eyes! Its a disgrace!
The truth was, Jacks eyes were just sad. His very first owner was a boy called Oliver.
One summer, Oliver and his family collected Jack (then only a four-month-old pup) by the roadside on their way to their cottage. Oliver had begged them to take the puppy back into the city with them, but after the holidays…
Where would we put a stray dog in a flat? Whod walk him? Would you? his parents asked.
No, I suppose not, Oliver admitted.
So Jack had been left behind, confused and lonely.
A month later, a woman found him and brought him into the city. She tried to sell him at the market, saying he was purebred. Eventually, she convinced a young couple to take him.
Dont worryhes purebred. I just cant find his papers.
As Jack grew, the couple realised he was nothing of the sorta regular old mongrel. They drove him out to the edge of town and abandoned him.
Luckily, it was spring, not winter, so he survived.
He wandered the city until he fetched up in this quieter block, where he felt safeno rough dogs to hassle himand stuck around, hoping, perhaps, to find his original family, Oliver.
He never did, and a few days ago, Jack finally left when it was obvious he was no longer wanted. One woman in particular threw sticks and stones at him, hurling insults, and others eyed him with suspicion.
Jack had never harmed anyone. Hed only watched the children, remembering Oliver, and daydreamed of being chosen again. But you cant stay where youre not welcome.
Now, he lay shivering on the unforgiving ground, too weak from hunger and cold to move.
He spotted me, cigarette in hand, but he didnt expect help. Hell finish his smoke and walk away, Jack thought.
*****
I finished my cigarette, looked around for a bin, and made sure to put it out properlymy mums voice in my head, If you want to make a difference, start with yourself.
As I reached the bins by the building, a car rolled slowly into the drive. Slick, black Mercedes, headlights glaring. Maybe Emilys father. I quickly ditched the stub and rushed back across the courtyardended up nearly tripping over Jack.
Id forgotten all about him until I was right there. For a moment, I wondered if hed bark and draw attention.
But Jack didnt even lift his head.
He just lay there, motionless.
Hey, mate, you alright? I called.
No reaction. Nothing.
I gathered my courage, went closer, kneeled beside him. Still nothing. I switched my phone torch on and checked if he was breathing.
He was alive, just barely. If I left him here, he wouldnt last the night.
I didnt think much further. I gathered him uphe hardly weighed a thingand set off for the block. Maybe, I thought, I could duck into a hallway, lay him near a heater, and call a taxi to take us to a vet.
But every entrance was locked.
Carrying Jack, phone buzzing madly in my pocket, I circled to the next building, nearing Emilys again. I glanced up at her window, weighing whether to ask for help. Emily herself, yes; her parentsprobably not thrilled if their daughters guest turned up with a half-frozen stray.
At the far corner, another car pulled upanother smart one. Its headlights caught me; a man leaned out of the door.
You alright there, mate? Need a hand?
Its the dog, I stammered. He was just lying out in the cold. You wouldnt know if theres a twenty-four-hour vet around here, would you?
Not nearby, said the driver, thinking. But I know a good one a couple miles off. Friend of mine works there. Jump inthe backll do. Hurry, if the dogs in a bad way.
Youll give us a lift?
Of course! No time to discuss itlets save your friend.
I didnt argue. In moments, we were speeding through the city, the man swiftly making a phone call on the way.
Sorry, love, somethings come upmight be a bit late. Who? No, havent seen him. Has he rung? Odd. Didnt spot anyone outside. What does he look like? I see. Ill call if I spot him.
Youre in trouble cause of me, arent you? I asked as he hung up.
Not at all. Focus on your dog. Still breathing?
Just about
Right, lets step on it.
Ten minutes later, I was sitting with Jack at the vets. The man had rung ahead, his friend promised wed be seen straight away.
They took Jack, rushed him off for treatment.
I sat staring at my phonetwo missed calls and a message from Emily: Ben, where are you? Are you okay?
Really, I shouldve called her and explained, but all I could think about was Jack.
I made it outside to thank the driverbut the car was already gone. I tucked myself back in the waiting room, determined: if things with Emily went belly-up, at least I’d rescued a mate whod never judge me.
*****
Time trickled by. Id probably been waiting forty minutes when I heard voices at receptionone in particular sounded distinctly familiar.
I looked round, and saw Emily walk in, her mum in tow, followed by the man whod driven me.
He grinned, spotting me.
Told you, lovehed be waiting right here with the dog. Your Bens got a good heart.
Thats when it clickedthese were Emilys parents.
Ben, why didnt you call? I was so worried, Emily said, rushing to me.
Sorry, Em, I said, feeling small. I just didnt want to be the guy who brought a stray into your parents place.
Dont be daft! I told youmy family are animal lovers. Mums rescued three cats already. All live with us.
Really? I said, incredulous.
Absolutely.
Her parents came over, and at long last, the dreaded introductions happened.
Well, I suppose weve finally met, Charles said, offering his hand.
Ben, Mrs Sinclair said, shaking mine firmly, what youve just donetaking in that poor dogthats exactly the sort of character we admire. And Emilys rightyou shouldve come straight to us; wed have helped. Heres hoping the dog pulls through.
Hell be fine, the vet said, coming out with a smile. Hell live.
That evening, Jack was discharged. All he needed now was rest and a bit of love.
Love can work miracles, the vet said as he saw us out. Sometimes its the difference between life and death.
I was ready to take Jack straight home, but Emily and her parents insisted I bring him to theirsThe cats will nurse him better than any vet, and besides, a rescues as good a reason as any to celebrate. And we still have plenty of wine and Emilys mums shepherds pie.
So, while Jack, surrounded astonished by three well-fed cats, couldnt quite believe hed never shiver or starve again, I sat in the kitchen with Emily and her parents.
I shouldnt have worried. They were genuinely lovely people. Warm, down-to-earth, and kind.
Within days, Jack was much improvedmoving about, tail wagging. When I came to collect him, Emily stood at the door with a bag packed.
Got room for me as well? she smiled.
Youre serious?
Deadly. Listen, my parents have banned me from staying at theirs
What?
They want grandchildren, apparently, she grinned. Say its high time the population got a boost.
I couldnt help but laughso did Emily. Jack wagged his tail joyfully at our side, not quite sure what was happening, but knowing for the first time in ages that things were going to be alright.
Looking back, I learned that you cant let nerves hold you prisoner. People who matter will see you for who you are, not who you fear you ought to be. And sometimes, a small act of kindness leads to a new beginning for everyoneman, woman, or dog.
