In the morning, Michael George was having a rough go of it. He was struggling to breathe.
Nicholas, I dont want anything, he wheezed. None of your medicines, nothing. All I ask is that you let me say goodbye to Buddy. Please. Just, take all this rubbish off of me He nodded towards the drips hooked up to his arms. I cant go like this, you see I just cant
A tear trailed slowly down his cheek. Nicholas knew that if he unhooked everything, Michael George would probably never make it out the door.
The other blokes from the ward wandered over.
Nicholas, surely theres something we can do? Cant let a man go off like that
I know, I know, Nicholas replied. But its a hospital everythings meant to be sterile and all that.
Oh, stuff the rules Look at him, the poor chap cant even say goodbye.
Nicholas knew exactly how they felt. But what could he really do? He stood up, squared his shoulders. Sod this nonsense, sod Dads precious company let them fire him if they must. He spun on his heel and caught the eye of Annie. That look couldve powered the National Grid absolute admiration.
Nicholas shot outside.
Buddy, come on, keep it quiet now. Maybe nobodyll notice, eh? Lets go see your owner.
He was just opening the door when his way was blocked there stood Emma Edwards.
And what exactly is going on here? she demanded.
Miss Edwards Please, just five minutes. Let them say their farewells. Sack me if you have to, I dont care.
She was silent for a moment. Who knows what went on in that head, but suddenly she stepped aside.
Oh, go on then. Sack me with you.
Buddy, with me! Nicholas sprinted down the ward corridor, Buddy at his side. Up ahead, Annie held open the door. Buddy, sensing something momentous, bounded straight to Michael Georges bedside. With one last leap, Buddy was on his hind legs, front paws on the mattress.
The ward was silent. Michael George opened his eyes. Tried to lift his hand but the lines stopped him. So he yanked them out with the other hand.
Buddy! You came
Buddy rested his head on Michael Georges chest. Michael George managed a stroke or two, gave a tired smile and the smile just lingered there on his lips as his hand slid down. Someone whispered, The dogs crying
Nicholas approached the bed. Buddy really was crying.
Thats it. Come on, mate. Lets go lets go
***
Nicholas perched on the low garden wall outside as Buddy curled up somewhere in the shrubbery. One of the regulars from the ward, whod once given up his sausages, wandered over and handed Nicholas a pack of cigarettes. Nicholas looked at him, considered saying he didnt smoke, then gave in and lit up.
Annie flopped down beside him, nose red, eyes even redder.
Annie todays my last day.
Why?
You know, at first it was a punishment Dads big idea, the old man trying to show me a lesson. Then, maybe, I wanted to prove I could do it. He was going to hand me the company, if you can believe it. But its not about the company. I cant. Im off home. Ill tell him straight his sons a hopeless case. Sorry, Annie
Nicholas left. He handed in his resignation, packed his things. Annie watched through the window as he pulled his Mercedes up to the entrance, got out, headed to the bushes to talk to Buddy. After a brief chat, Nicholas headed to the car to wait. A few minutes later, Buddy wandered over, looked Nicholas in the eyes, then leapt into the car.
Annie cried again.
Youre not hopeless! Youre the best!
***
A few days later, Annie saw the head doctor strolling the grounds with a man who looked an awful lot like Nicholas. She shot down the stairs like a whirlwind.
Are you Nicholass father? she demanded.
The head doctor looked at her, taken aback.
Annie, whats the matter?
Wait, Dr. Nicholas, you can fire me after! But is this Nicholass dad?
The man blinked in surprise at the little freckled whirlwind before him.
Yes, I am.
You mustnt ever think Nicholas is hopeless! Do you hear me? Hes the only one who wasnt afraid to let a man curl up with his best mate before he died! Nicholas has got more heart than any of you!
With that, Annie stormed back inside. Nicholass father broke into a grin.
Did you see that?
Doctor Nicholas replied, What are we supposed to do with her? Sweet girl, but shell always demand the truth.
That a bad thing?
Its not always simple
***
Three years later.
A whole family filed out of a lovely detached house. Nicholas was pushing a pram, Annie walked alongside with a massive, pampered dog on a lead. They walked down to the river, and Annie set the dog loose.
Buddy, dont go too far!
Buddy bounded away towards the water. A couple of minutes later, the baby in the pram started wailing. Buddy was back in a flash, hovering over the pram, all concern.
Annie laughed.
Nicholas, looks like we wont be needing a nanny. Whats up, Buddy? Sonia just dropped her dummy, thats all.
Baby drifted back off to sleep, Buddy double-checked everything was alright, then dashed off after a butterfly.
