Thank You for Dad
What did the police say? whispered Helen as her mother set the phone down on the kitchen table.
Nothing good, Margaret Smith took a sip of water from her glass. They said its too early to worry. At least a day has to pass. But I just know I feel something must have happened!
*****
Mum! Hi! Has Dad left yet? Helen called out, bursting into the flat with a cake in her hands.
Hello, love. Hes gone already. I told you todays his last day at worktheyre throwing him a big leaving do for his retirement and his fiftieth. He really couldnt skip it.
Shame Helens disappointment was clear.
But he did promise hed be back for lunch.
Oh well. Thats when Tom will be arriving, too. The whole family together. Well get the table laid in the meantime, yes?
Of course. Ill need your helptheres so much to do on my own. But first, how about a cup of tea? The kettles just boiled. And I got your favourite éclairs. Sound good?
Absolutely.
Mother and daughter sat down together with their tea, eating éclairs and chatting about the weather, nature, and most of all, about Dad turning fifty today.
Everything seemed perfect, except
Margaret noticed Helen looked unsettled, as if there was something she wanted to share but didnt quite dare.
A feeling of unease crept in.
Helen, sweetheart, are you alright?
Is it that obvious? Helen smiled.
It is Is there something you want to tell me?
Yes. But dont worry, Mum. Its good news.
Is that so? Well, go on then. Out with it.
Well, Tom and I have decided to give you and Dad our allotmentthe one we bought last year.
What do you mean, give it to us?
We mean itfrom the heart. Toms just finished doing up the little summer house, so youll be able to stay comfortably through the whole gardening season.
But what about you two?
Us? Well visit you whenever we fancy a break. Honestly, though, with everything happening, we just wont get around to looking after it the way wed planned Helen paused, a mysterious smile on her lips.
Whys that?
Because you and Dad are about to become grandparents. In just eight months.
Really?
Really!
My goodness! Im so happy, Helen! There were tears in Margarets eyes. And your fatherll be over the moon when he hears.
Margaret leapt up and hugged her daughter tightly, kissing her on the cheeks over and over.
I wanted you both to find out together, but I didnt know Dad would leave so early.
Hell be back soon, Mum. Then you can tell him yourself. For now Margaret glanced at the clock, lets get cooking.
Yes, lets!
There was a cheerful rattle of pots and pans, and knives thumping against chopping boards. They say two cooks spoil the broth, but not so with Margaret and Helentogether, they worked as one, preparing every dish theyd hoped to make and setting the table beautifully.
There were roast chicken, fishcakes, buttery mash, and three different kinds of salad.
Margaret sat for a moment and checked the time.
Well, weve finished even earlier than planned.
Four hands make light work, laughed Helen. Ring Dadfind out when hell be home?
Good idea Margaret nodded.
Ill call Tom, see when hes arriving, too.
Helen headed off to the hallway where shed left her handbag.
Margaret picked up her phone and dialled her husbands number.
She listened to the endless ringing, cancelled and tried again. Still nothingMichael wasnt answering. Phone in hand, she checked the time, a single question echoing in her mind:
Why isnt he picking up?
Only now did it hit herMichael had promised to ring when he got to work, but he hadnt called at all. A chill ran down her spine.
Mum, Tom said hell be here in about an hour! Helen called, coming back to the kitchen. What about Dad?
Hes not answering
Really? Thats odd.
Very odd, Helen Ive called him several times, just ringing out, but no reply.
Mum, come on, you know what today is. Everyones celebrating himI bet hes just busy.
No, Helen. He was meant to head back by now. He promised hed be home for lunch, and your dad always keeps his word. He didnt even call to say he got to work. Thats so unlike him. Why isnt he answering?
Should we phone his boss? Ask them to let the birthday boy go? His familys waiting, after all!
Yes, Ill try
Margaret had never been the panicky type, but her heart twisted with a bad premonition. Michael always answered her calls. No matter what.
Hed always told her she was the most important thing in his life, and he never wanted her to worry.
Of all days, he absolutely should have answered today. He knew shed be nervous.
Then again, Margaret tried to rationalise, it is his retirement bashonce-in-a-lifetime. Hes devoted a quarter-century to his job; must be hard to say goodbye
Hello? A deep male voice interrupted her thoughts.
Hello, Mr Thompson, its Margaret, Michaels wife. I wondered when youll be letting my husband head homewere all waiting, daughters here, our son-in-laws on his way
Ah, Margaret. The boss sighed. To be honest, Im not sure what to tell you.
What do you mean?
The thing is were all waiting for him here as well. Weve rung several times, but hes not answering.
Waitare you saying Michael never arrived at work? Margaret froze.
No, he hasnt shown up. Were still hoping hell come. But if you get through to him, please remind himits tradition to see him off properly.
Of course Mr Thompson, please do let me know if he turns up.
Margaret, fighting the tremor in her hands, put the phone down and looked at her daughter.
Helen, he never made it to work and hes not answering. Its been ages where could he be?
Alright, Mum, calm down. Lets both try calling him again.
*****
Michael stepped out of their building and smiled at the morning sunshine, greeted the local old ladies on the benches, and headed straight to the bus stop.
For twenty-five years, his commute hadnt changed, and this day felt no differentexcept he was only heading in to pick up his paperwork and say goodbye.
Hed seen off many retiring colleagues in his time and now it was his turn.
Nothing out of the ordinary, but still, he was nervous. Hed barely slept, tossing and turning all night, taking heart drops, feeling no better.
He hadnt told Margaret how poorly he really feltno need to worry her.
It had happened before, usually wore off after a while.
So, he left early, not wanting to give himself away. He didnt want to ruin the dayMargaret would have cancelled everything if she knew. His mates were counting on him.
Itll pass Michael reassured himself, his hand pressed to his chest more often than not.
Waiting at the stop, thinking of what he might say to his colleagues, he realised he couldnt bear the stuffy, crowded double-decker that just pulled up.
He worried hed feel even worse in there.
Glancing at his watch, Michael decided to walk instead. Gorgeous weather, plenty of time, and surely the fresh air would help.
He didnt call home; he figured, as agreed, hed ring his wife on arrival.
But he never made it to work.
The shortcut was through a small town park, usually empty on weekday mornings. It was there that Michael felt itterrible chest pain.
He slumped onto a bench, unbuttoned his collar, yanked at his tie, drawing in ragged breaths. He wasnt sure how long he sat like that, but it made no differencethe pain only grew worse.
He hadnt wanted to ring Margaret, but as it became clear this was much more than a turn, he fumbled for his phone, deciding to call her first, then an ambulance.
But his hands shook so much, he dropped the phone; it slipped beneath the bench, just out of reach.
He tried to get up but couldnt. With every breath, the pain squeezed tighter. Vision blurring, he could only lie across the bench.
So much for a celebration. So much for retirement, Michael thought bleakly.
The worst parthed never see his beloved wife or daughter again.
No chance to say goodbye.
*****
Margaret took her heart medication, then reached for the phone and tried Michael again. Ringing, but nothing else Helen must have called ten times herself, also with no luck.
Tom soon arrived. The three of them sat around the feast, silently, waiting.
What are we waiting for? Margaret finally burst out. We must ring the police. They might be able to help us find him!
Helen and Tom agreed. It was clearto each of themthat Michaels sudden disappearance was not normal.
Hed worked for the Fire and Rescue Serviceand facing emergencies was routine for him. If he was out of contact this long, something was very wrong.
What did the police say? Helen whispered after Margaret hung up.
Nothing helpful, Margaret took a shaky sip of water. They say its too soon to panic. We need to wait at least twenty-four hours. But I know I feel somethings happened!
Then well search for him ourselves! declared Helen, more determined now.
Yes, love, youre right. Hed have taken the bus. The stops not farlets start asking around. Maybe someone saw something. We should check with the drivers, toomaybe the morning driver remembers.
Mum, Tom and I will handle it. You stay in, in case Dad comes back. And ring the hospitals, just to be sureI know its probably nothing, but better safe than sorry.
Alright, yes
Helen and Tom quickly grabbed their coats and set off, searching for Michael.
Margaret, closing the door behind them, began calling every local hospital with trembling hands.
Please let him be alright, she whispered, crossing herself out of habit.
*****
Michael was still conscious, but fading. He could barely move his arm, and speech was almost impossiblehis tongue thick, the words mangled.
Help he managed, stretching his hand towards two women passing by.
But they cast him a disgusted look and turned away. They didnt see someone in need. They muttered:
Another drunk, honestly, one said.
Typical. Probably been at it since morning. Cant even make it homelying here like rubbish. Disgraceful!
He heard them, and tears ran down Michaels cheeks. He was helpless, unable to help himself or properly ask for help. How strange, he thoughthed saved so many lives during his career; even animalsand now, he couldnt do a thing.
Why today, of all days?
When their heels faded away, he closed his eyes, resigned to the fact that no one would help him. And then
There was a loud bark. Very closepractically in his ear.
Suddenly, he felt paws on his chest, and a warm, wet tongue on his chin.
A dog! Michael thought with sudden hope. Where theres a dog, there must be someone nearby.
He managed to open his eyes, and there beside him was a small, elderly dog. And as he looked, Michael realised he knew this dog. But from where?
In a flashthe memories came.
The burning house, the flames, neighbours shouting, firefighters carrying out a man and a woman, then a sudden bark from a smashed window.
Theres a dog in there? Michael had asked one of the paramedics.
Yes, theres a dogwe couldnt get her, everything happened so fast
Why didn’t you say sooner? Michael had shouted, then dashed back into the burning house.
Hed been stopped, told it was too dangerous, roof about to go, but he ignored them allnot even his superior could halt him.
Ten minutes later, gasping for breath and coughing from the smoke, Michael carried the terrified dog outside.
Hed handed her over to her owner, then stood for a long time, meeting the animals eyes.
He saw in them a huge, wordless thank you. The dogs gaze said it allThank you for saving my life.
The memory faded; darkness returned, and the cold set in.
Woof! Woof! the dog barked, licking Michaels facerecognising his rescuer, and now trying to help him.
If you can please get someone Michael managed to whisper. Anyone
Then everything went black.
But the doghed heard what Michael said.
He ran, first to a student outside a corner shop, then to a woman with a child, then an elderly man buying his newspaper.
But none of them understood. They shooed him off, thinking of themselves, not noticing the urgency. He was just pleading for help.
*****
At the bus stop, Helen and Tom found nothingno one had seen the man in the photo Helen carried from the family album, hoping it would help.
No luck.
Every minute mattered, Helen thought, and she was done waiting. Together, they dashed from shop to shop, courtyard to courtyard.
There was no sign of Dad. Hed vanished utterly. His phone was no more helpful.
Where are you, Dad? Where?
Running past the park, Helen heard a loud bark. She turned sharplyto see a small, elderly dog barking at passersby and skipping back whenever anyone tried to shoo him.
Get out of here! snapped a pensioner, waving his cane. Animals these daysno manners!
Helen, whats up? Tom asked, seeing his wife pause as they headed towards the taxi rank, hoping for a lead.
Im not sure Its justlook at that dog. Hes trying to tell someone something. I cant explain itI just feel it.
The dog met Helens eyesand in his look, she didnt just see a plea, but an urgent call for help.
Helen, where are you going? Tom called, surprised.
But Helen didnt hear him.
She walked to the dog, who barked again and started trotting into the parkleading her on. Sensing this mattered, Helen followed. Tom hurried after her.
In five minutes, they came upon the benchthere lay Michael, unconscious, but still breathing.
He was alive!
Dad! Helen screamed, lifting his head and trying desperately to rouse him. Tom, call an ambulance!
*****
The ambulance arrived quickly, rushing Michael to the nearest hospital with a cardiology ward.
Helen, taking the dog, hurried back to where Tom had parked the car.
On the drive, she rang her mother, relaying what had happened as best she could, and promised to call as soon as there was news.
You know, your fathers a lucky man, said the doctor later as he left the intensive care unit. If youd found him half an hour later, it would have been too late.
Hes going to be alright? Helen wiped her tears.
He is.
Helen stepped outside to Tomwho was waiting with the dog. She knelt, hugging the furry little hero tight.
Thank you Thank you for saving my dad.
Hows Dad? Tom asked.
Hell livethanks to him, Helen nodded to the dog.
Hes got a collarso he belongs to someone.
Yes, but I think we need to look after him, at least until we track his owners down. He saved Dads lifeI couldnt just leave him out there.
Of course, love.
*****
Margaret, Tom, and Barrythe dogs name was engraved on his collarstood outside the hospital, gazing at the entrance.
Ten minutes passed, then the doors opened and out came Helen and Michael together.
Barrys tail wagged furiously as he bounded towards Michael, leaping up and barking with joy.
Here, Dadhes the one who saved you. He gave you the greatest birthday gifthe gave you your life back.
Thank you, mate, Michael smiled, gently stroking Barrys head. But Helen, where are his owners? Hes definitely got some.
We tried everythingposted online, asked around. While you were in hospital, no one came forward.
Margaret came up to Michael. Her tears kept flowing, hands trembling, but her face was smiling.
Thank God youre alright, Michael.
Im sorry, Maggie. I shouldve told you how rough I was feeling Thought it would pass.
Youre forgiven. Lets head home, shall we? Time to celebrate your second birthday, she said, dabbing her cheeks.
Lets go.
*****
As for Barry, Michael did everything to track down his old owners, even returning to the house that had burned down a year ago.
But it had been empty for ages. The neighbours said the owners had moved to another city, leaving the dog behind. Perhaps theyd had their reasons, perhaps not.
And so, Barry stayed with Michael from that day on. He was quite happy with thatand so was Michael.
Together, they went to the office so Michael could finally pick up his papers and say goodbye to his colleagues. Barry joined him at the allotment, and even at the hospital when it was time to bring Helen and Toms new baby home.
Congratulations, Grandad! Helen smiled. Youve got two granddaughters now!
Im so happy, Helen!
Woof! barked Barry, delighted that those he loved most were safe and sound.
Slowly, things fell into place for Michael. Life became brighter, more meaningful. And to his last day, he would always thank Barry for the life that dog had given him.
