The Last Call
From the very moment Sophie awoke, a peculiar sense of foreboding lingered in the air, unsettling and damp like a wet wool jumper after too many trips through an English drizzle.
Something dreadful was hovering
She rang her mother at once, but Mrs. Margaret Brown reassured her, cheerfully insistent:
Blood pressures steady as Buckingham guards, love. Heads clear as a bell. Why do you ask?
Oh just making sure, Mum, Sophie mumbled, pressing her mug of tea to her chin. Right, Id best get ready for work. Remember, call me if you need anything.
I will, pet.
The usual comfort that came after speaking with her mum never quite took root. A brittle unease snapped in her chest each time she thought shed finally shaken it. She couldnt quite put her tea-stained finger on whythat nameless, looming dread skittered just beyond reach.
Of course, in her job as a paramedic, anything could happen. Mondays, especially, were notorious for thickening the plot.
She drained her last sip of lukewarm coffee, checked the clockhalf sixand quickly got dressed, slipping a half-eaten biscuit into her bag as she headed out the door.
*****
At the station, Sophie was met by Nickher driver for todays endless urban circuit. Spotting her in the grey morning gloom, Nick gave a wave, a sly grin tugging at his mouth as he lit a cigarette.
Youre looking glum as rain over the Thames, Soph. Everything all right?
She let out a sigh, pressing her lips together. No, Nick. Nothings happened. But Ive got this gut feeling something will.
Blimey, lets not have that. You up all night watching crime dramas again?
Sophie shrugged, lifting her gaze upwards. The sky was slathered with low, iron-grey clouds, threatening a downpour worthy of Somerset.
Even as a child, shed despised the rain.
Is it just the weather? She managed a wan smile, thinking shed finally solved the riddlemood soup, made with a heavy dash of drizzle.
But the dread sidled straight back in.
Best of luck, you two! chirped a new paramedic, breezing past.
Nick nearly choked on his smoke, waving his fist, causing the girl to recoil with a start.
Oh heavens! Sorryforgot myself, she stammered, guilty as a schoolchild caught nicking sweets.
Shed only started last week and hadnt learned the golden rule yet: never wish a crew luck at the start of a shift.
Its bad luck, you see.
Well, now were doomed for sure, Sophie whispered, a chill trickling down her spine.
Talk about tempting fate Nick muttered, flicking his butt into the metal bin.
*****
Sophie chewed her lower lip raw each time dispatch sent a new address to her work tablet, her voice scrolling through the intercom:
Male, 35, complains of acute headache. Speech slurredpossible stroke.
Thats all I need Sophie thought grimly. Sure, ambulance crews must always be ready, but each call carved another notch in her bones. Especially those that might turn fatal. And strokes were notorious for swinging that scythe. Particularly today
Luckily, the chap in question wasnt having a stroke at alljust suffering a heroic hangover after celebrating a mates birthday.
Sophie handed him a tablet and suggested sleep. Should I try a hair of the dog? he asked hopefully, fingers pressed to his brow.
No chance! Thatll only make things worse. If you want to live to a ripe old age, steer clear of drink.
She left the flat, exhaling in relief.
Maybe Nick was right, she thought, recalling their earlier chatwas all this dread simply a case of chronic fatigue, frayed nerves stretched like bunting in the wind? She was just starting to believe it when dispatch rang through again, sending them to the cemetery.
Where, sorry? Nick asked, squinting.
The cemetery, Sophie replied, her fingers latching onto the tablet, as if bracing for a shipwreck.
A crowd had gathered to say farewell to a famous local performer (odd Sophie had never heard of him). Young and old, men and women, some clutching carnations, others sobbing, still others gently reminiscing. Sophies heart thrummed, waiting for disaster. Nick puffed through his entire pack.
But nothing happened, and their services werent required.
The rest of the day passed in a fog of routine calls, the city spinning on its axle. Twelve tattered hours later, their shift was nearly done. Ten more minutes, and shed be back at the station.
Sophie dreamed only of shower steam and sinking into bed, tomorrows moods uncertain but hopefully less storm-tossed.
Just to be sure, she rang her mother one last time.
Alls fine, love, Margaret replied. Just putting on the kettle and Ill catch something on the telly.
Hows she doing then? Nick asked as Sophie pocketed her phone.
All good.
Told you! Nothing terribles going to happen. And stop with this business about bad vibes.
Sophie half-smiled, stubborn unease refusing to leave. Its still there though, Nick. I dont even know whats got me all wound up.
Get yourself a pet, Sophie, he teased. Animals are brilliant for nerves.
Seriously?
Yeah! Ive got a catWhiskers. Soon as I get home, he curls up in my lap, and all lifes rubbish melts away. Sleep like a log after.
I cant manage a pet with my hours, she protested. Youve got a family. Im all by myself.
Instead of replying, the tablet in her lap pinged to life; dispatchs voice hovered from nowhere:
Sophie, sorry to bother, but your shift isnt finished. Last call. Larkin Road, 23. Flat hold on
Not forty-eight, is it?
Yes, spot onnumber 48. How did you know? asked dispatch.
Thats Mr. Frederick Allens place. I visit so often, I may as well be his lodger. Chest pains again?
Dispatch exhaled heavily, her words cutting the room. Hes passed away, Sophie. This morning, by the looks of it. Police are already thereyoull need to sign off. You know the drill
I know, Sophie murmured, her voice laced with something ancient and sad.
Her hands shook as she set the tablet down, glancing at Nick, who had already heard everything.
Shame about Fred. From what youve told me, good old chap. But dont start blaming yourself. He never wanted to go to hospital. Never even went to the GP. Not your fault, you hear?
I suppose
Sophie slumped back, eyelids heavy, her thoughts vanishing behind rain-clouded glass.
*****
Sophie had met Frederick Allen a mere six weeks earlier, when hed rung for an ambulance, complaining of sharp chest pain.
The front doors unlocked, so just come in, dispatch had said.
As she entered the little flat, she was greeted by a tiny puppy, all ears and belly, not much bigger than her palm.
At first, he gave a low, suspicious growl, then barked madly, only calming when Fred called him away.
Picked him up stray, I did. Now hes my little guard, Fred grinned, struggling to sit up.
Stay put, Mr. Allen. Hes a gorgeous pup. Id have one myself if I could, Sophie replied.
Well, why not?
There are reasons. Now, tell mehow are you feeling? How longs it been going on? See a doctor at all?
He answered with weary candourheart problems started soon after his wife died last year. He used to go to the surgery, but it never made a difference, so
Truth is, queuing at the surgery only makes me worse, dear. The painwell, it comes and goes. A sip of cordial, a lozenge under the tongue, things settle.
Neithers really a treatment, though, Sophie smiled. Lets do a quick ECG and see.
There were genuine concerns showing on the printout, and Sophie recommended hospital, but Fred always refused.
And what about little Toby? he protested. Cant leave him on his own. Just a tablet or a jab will do.
Mr. Allen, thats only going to help for a bit, Sophie urged, but it was no use.
Your colleagues do that every time. And lookIm still here! But Im not going to hospital, Ill sign whatever you need.
And so, Sophie was the only one sent to his weekly calls.
Pain never used to last, but now it grabs me and wont let go, hed mutter.
Because your healths getting worse and theres no proper treatment. Please, come along to hospital this time?
Sorry, Sophie, its impossible, Fred would sigh, pulling Toby onto his lap, stroking him gently. He needs me. Hes still just a pup.
What if something happens to you, then wholl care for him? Sophie asked.
Nothingll happen! And if it does, Im sure kind people will step in. My neighbour Janets promised to take him. Even showed her where I keep my money, so she could get him food.
Money? Why?
Well, not everyone can afford an extra mouth to feed, Fred reasoned sincerely.
He was a good man.
Now, Sophie was going to his flat againthis time knowing they wouldnt have another chat about the state of the NHS or the weather. A shame
It really was the last call.
And to be quite honest, Sophie couldnt agree with Nicks assessment. Guilt threaded through her fingers. She should have convinced him, should have dragged him to hospital. She should have
Soph, were here.
She startled at Nicks hand on her shoulder.
They trudged up to the third floor, where the community bobby and neighbour, Mrs. Janet, were already on scene. Sophie knew Janet from previous calls.
Once, Fred had gotten ill out on the street, Toby cradled in his arms while Janet phoned for help. Thats how theyd met.
Hello, Sophie.
Evening, Janet, Sophie said softly. Did you call the police?
I had to. That puppy of his started barking at dawn and wouldnt stop. Was surprised Fred didnt pop out for a stroll as usual, but who knows? Couldnt worry about it then.
What happened after?
Well, I went up the allotment, only came back in the evening, and still the pup barked nonstop. So I rang the police. The copper came with a council locksmith. They opened the door and well. She gestured toward the bedroom.
Thank you.
Sophie entered the room, lingered silently, nearly losing her composure. She filled out the report, thensuddenly rememberingbegan searching through each room.
Lost something? the constable asked, eyeing her kindly.
There should be a puppy here, yet I cant see him anywhere. Have you seen him?
Little black scrapper, right? Saw him earlier, yapping and weaving underfoot. Then the neighbour took him, said the constable.
Thank goodness! Sophie breathed.
She’d been terrified the pup was turned out onto the street. Fred had loved him dearly; he’d have hated the thought.
Sophie excused herself and headed to Janets place, hoping shed find the pup safe inside.
Sophie? Janet blinked in surprise. Something wrong?
I just wanted to thank you for taking in Toby. How is he coping?
Who?
Toby the puppy. Youve got him, havent you?
Oh! The dog. Well, I took him, then let him outside for a run about. The barking was terriblelost my patience. He was distracting the officer. Besides, I’ve got a headache from all the commotion. Hes probably better off out there than stuck inside now.
Wait you let him out?
I didnt throw him out. Just opened the door. Theres no point leaving him in the flat, is there? The owners gone.
But Fred said youd promised to look after him. Showed you where his money was for dog food, even.
Janets face changed, first frightened, then cross.
I dont know what youre on about, Sophie. He never made any agreement with me.
But he told
Im sorry, love, but Ive really got to dash. The dogll be finesomeones bound to take him in. Good people everywhere, arent there?
*****
Sophie practically flew down the stairs and burst out onto the street. In her absence, the skies had opened up and a curtain of rain swept the estate.
Cold, round drops battered her hair.
Soph, what are you doing out in the rain? Youll catch your death! Nick shouted from the ambulance.
Sophie opened the car door, dropped her medical box inside and shut it again.
Oi, what are you up to? Nick hurried after her.
Ive got to do something, Nick. I need to find that puppy. You get back to base, our shifts over, but I
What puppy? Will you please just explain?
In clipped words, Sophie told the story. Nick, exhaling smoke into the sodden air, simply listened.
I doubt Tobys gone far. He must be close, Sophie insisted. You head backIll manage.
Nick ground his cigarette onto the pavement, brushed the water from his eyes.
No way am I leaving you here alone. Itll be dark soon. Lets look together.
You cant just leave the ambulance
What they dont know wont hurt them. Dont fret, nothings gonna happen.
For the next ten minutes, they trampled the rain-splashed estate, calling and peering beneath hedges for the vanished puppy. The constable joined them, offering searchlight and encouragement.
Found him! Nick called, triumphant.
Sophie hurried over. There, beneath a battered park bench opposite Freds old flat, was tiny Toby.
True to form, the pup growled fiercely at Nick, determined to protect his patch.
Toby, darling! Sophie cried, tears indistinguishable from the downpour. Do you remember me?
He did, of coursea familiar friend whod shared her lunch while visiting.
He crept out, looked up at her with mournful eyes, and whimpered softly.
I know our Freds gone now. Its just us.
Nick turned away to wipe his eyes. So did the constable; English menespecially in uniformdont show tears easily.
I cant be your Fred, Sophie crooned, but I promise Ill try to be good to you. Will you come with me?
And Toby went.
Because he knew Sophie was kind, and wouldnt leave him in the rain. Not when he, too, despised storms.
*****
At first, Sophie worried shed never manage, but her mother soon stepped in. When Sophie worked nights, Margaret would walk and feed Toby for her.
On her days off, theyd stroll together in the parkSophie, her mum, and the little dog. She never once regretted taking the shivering stray in; hed filled her life with meaning.
She even came to understand Fred, even if the doctor in her couldnt condone his stubborn ways.
Not long after, another member joined their patchwork family: the very constable whod helped search for Toby. Sophie had rather caught his eye from the start, though the timing hadnt been ideal for a romance.
He arrived one day with flowersgreeted at the door by Toby. The pup sniffed, gave a thoughtful stare, and then, satisfied, barked in a bright, approving way, as if to say, Hell do!
Which meant Sophie, at last, was safe.
From harm, at least. As for happinessthe sort shed quietly yearned for: there, it seemed, was no end to it.
