Michael, its time you had a check-up. Id recommend seeing a doctorget your heart looked at.
Whats wrong with my heart?
I just get the feeling you dont have one at all!
Charlie never could make sense of why the front doors to their blockthose scuffed brown doors theyd walked through so many eveningswere suddenly locked. Not this time.
He sat, head lowered, just opposite the battered entrance, his nose twitching, paws numb from the cold pressing up through the concrete.
Maybe Ive got it wrong? he dared to think. No he snorted, sniffing againno mistake. The scents were right. This was the place.
He shivered, but clung to hope. I just need to wait a bit longer, thats all. Hell remember me soon Remember he drove me all the way out to the woods and left me there. Hell come back and let me in. Its a game! But I found the way back. Im clever. I can wait!
Snow started falling, the world muffled by flurries and bitter winds. Charlies small body quaked, fur no match for the bitter English winter. He forced his mind away from hunger. Dont think about food. Soon theyll see Im here, be ever so glad, and give me the biggest, juiciest bone
Desperate, whimpering, he rummaged at the snowbank and licked at its edge, icy flakes melting on his tongue, quenching thirst but deepening the chill working through his bones.
Any moment Ill be let in, he consoled himself, curl up right next to the big white radiator Bone first, though. And soup! Then Ill bark at them, show them what for. I know its a gamethey were training me.
His mind scrambled back to cold, sleepless nights, searching for home. Last night, hed slipped in the door left ajar, huddling in the hallway just to warm up. Come morning, a heavy kick from the caretakers boot woke him. Too weak even to nip back, he just squealed.
Strange, these humans. On a lead, walking with my master, they all smile at meevery one. But when Im on my own the looks they give could curdle milk. Some even lash out. My side still aches.
Charlie gazed at those doors, hour on hour, unmoving, hope giving way to a faint, needy whine. In his dreams, hed already eaten, was already warm.
Just need to hold on Just a bit more
But the blizzard thickened. Charlies paws lost all feeling, and the cold crept up to his heart. He curled in on himself, doggedly bracing against the wind, consciousness floating far from the snow-choked street. Hed done his job. Hed made it home. Hed done well. Time to rest
Upstairs, Victor Mitchell sat alone in his flat. So much to dowatch the telly, have a cup of tea, watch more telly, another tea. Maybe a nap. Ten years worth of days just like this stretched out before him. Once upon a time, thoughthose were the days!
Train driver. Hed ferried people from the countryside right to the heart of London. Part of the citys beating heart himself. Most of all, he was needed.
Never mind, he muttered. Spring soon. Time to get seedlings in, bring out the garden chair, make it through these last cold months.
He wandered off to put the kettle on. It used to be, someone would chat with him as water boiledcomplain a bit, trade stories. Now, he was left behinda bit of a trick, a bit of a cheat, all alone.
The kettle whistled. Victor went to fetch the tea. He opened the cupboardno leaves. Just the empty tin.
Bugger, he chuckled. Out of tea. Thats me off to the shop then! With a huff of excitement, he bundled into his coat and stepped into the hall.
The bulb in the stairwell was outmightve burned, mightve been pinched again. Need to get a new one on the way home, he said to himself.
Outside, as he eased open the front door, Victor tripped over something and nearly landed flat on his face.
Oh, for heavens sake! he cursed, blinking down into the snow. There, barely rising above the drift, was a dog, half-buried and still. The snow didnt melt where it lay.
Charlie! Victor gasped, recognising the neighbours dog in an instant.
Charlie, you poor thing! Hold on, boy, let me ring your owners” He darted to the buzzer and dialled Charlies flat. No answer. Next, he tried the neighbours. They picked up.
This is Victor from seventy-two. Know where your neighbours from sixty-four are? Their dogs out here, nearly frozen!
Ohtheyve moved out. Got a divorce or something. Flats up for sale.
Blimey. Cheers.
Victor whipped off his puffy coat, tucked it round the dog, brushed away the snow with shaking hands, and gently lifted Charlie, who barely breathed.
Come on, lad. Dont you dare give up now! Victor hauled him inside, cradling him by the radiator, stroking shivering fur. Knocked on the first door he could find. Nita from downstairs answered.
Victor, whats happened?
Nita, pleasecan you find the nearest vet and ring us a taxi?
A few phone calls later
Hello, Helen? Sorry, its Victor Mitchell from seventy-two. Nita gave me your number.
Oh, hello, Victor.
Its about Charlie.
Youll want Michael. That dog was never my idea.
WellWere at the veste”
Listen, Victor, he couldnt even keep up with the mortgagenever mind, suddenly, a dog! You know how many years I held this family up? Asked him to get rid of the mutt, and lookhe couldnt manage even that! Goodbye!
Next, he phoned Michael.
Michael, its Victor. Charlies come home!
You must be mistaken. Charlie got lost in the woods.
Im telling you, this is Charlie.
No, thats not possible.
I see People shouldnt treat them like that.
I dont follow.
Oh, I reckon you do. Im glad I dont have neighbours like you any more.
Months passed. Charlie thrived in Victors home. Hed lost the tips of his ears to frostbite, his paws ached in winter, but he managed. He came to understand: this had never been a game. Rather, it was a contest between two grown-ups, and Charlie was asked to play deadliterally.
But that was in the past. Now he had a new owner. Walks three times a day, always at Victors heels. He made sure Victor never sat in front of the telly for too longhe needed the exercise. The old man grumbled, but beneath it all, Charlie sensed kindness.
People are a funny lot, he mused. The others smiled but nearly killed me. This one mutters and moans, but always cares
A knock at the door.
Victor? It was Michael, sheepish as he stepped inside. Im with someone new now. Shes got a little girl, wants a dog. Why dont I take Charlie? Sorry about before. What do I owe you for the vet?
Victor frowned.
Michael, I dont understand. It is what it is. You never earned much, but thats never mattered to a dog
But Victor, hes right therelying by your bed!
Thats Norris. Charlies lost to you.
Charlie, come here!
The dog didnt so much as twitch on his matjust bared his teeth.
Michael, its time you had a check-up. Id recommend seeing a doctorget your heart looked at.
Whats wrong with my heart?
I just get the feeling you dont have one at all.Michaels jaw worked, words crumbling unsaid. Finally, he just looked at the dogat Charlie, at Norrissearching for any flicker of recognition. The room was silent except for the gentle tick-tick of the old clock and the low, reassuring sound of Charlies breathing.
Victor crossed to the window, parting the curtains. Outside, the citys usual gloom was softened by sunlight burning through the last of the winter clouds. Theres nothing for you here, son, he said, voice gentler than before. Hes home now. If you want kindness, try giving it somewhere else.
For a moment, Michael hovered in the doorway, uncertainthen he turned and left, closing the door behind with a finality that echoed down the hall.
Victor returned to his chair, releasing a sigh that seemed to empty out a lifetimes worth of loneliness. Charlie rose stiffly, padding over to nuzzle Victors palm, pressing close until Victor laughed, a deep rumble that startled them both.
Come on, old boy, he said softly, scratching between Charlies ragged ears. Lets get some fresh air before tea. The two set off together down the stairs, Charlies tail wagging slowly, Victor steadying himself on the rail.
Outside, the thaw had begun. Icicles dripped from the ledges, and someone had scattered grit along the walk. Charlie sniffed the freshened air, then glanced up at Victorold eyes meeting old eyes, each seeing something cherished reflected back.
Somewhere behind them, a door opened, then shut again. But neither of them looked back. The past was gone. And as they strolled into the waking sunlightman and dog, togetherthey carried with them a simple truth: belonging isnt claimed, but offered, paw to shaking hand, again and again, until spring finally returns.
