Thank You for Saving My Dad
What did the police say? whispered Helen as her mother set the phone down on the table.
Nothing good, replied Mary Stevenson, taking a sip of water to steady her nerves. They said its too soon to panic, that we have to wait at least twenty-four hours. But I just know I feel that somethings happened!
*****
Mum! Hello! Is Dad still here? Helen called, bursting into the flat with a cake in her hands.
Hello, love. No, hes already gone. I told you, todays his last day at workbig retirement do. The whole teams there, sending him off together. You know your father, he couldnt possibly miss it.
Thats a shame Helen admitted, disappointed.
But he promised to be back by lunchtime.
Thats alright, then. My David should be here by then, too. Well have the whole family together. Shall we start setting the table?
Of course. Give me a hand in the kitchen; Im not sure Ill manage on my own. But lets have a cuppa first. The kettles just boiled. And Ive got your favourite éclairswill you have one?
With pleasure.
Mum and daughter sat at the dining table, sipping tea and enjoying éclairs, chatting about the weather, the season, and, most of all, about Dad, who was fifty years old today.
Everything was well, except for one thing
Mary noticed that Helen was restless, as if she had something to say but wasnt sure how.
A prickle of unease spread through Mary.
Is everything alright, love?
Am I that obvious? Helen smiled.
I can tell Youre not keeping anything from me, are you?
There is something, actually. But dont worryits good news.
Oh? Well, go on then.
Well, David and I have decided to give you the allotment we bought last year. As a present.
Give it to us? How come?
Honestly, from the bottom of our hearts. Davids just finished fixing up the little house on the plot, so you and Dad can spend the whole season there in comfort.
What about you two?
Oh, well come to visit! But you know, since were not really able to manage the allotment ourselves as wed planned…Helen trailed off, a mysterious smile spreading across her face.
Whys that?
Because you and Dad will soon be grandparents. In eight months!
Really?
Helen nodded.
Heavens! Oh, Im so happy, Helen! And your fatherhes going to be over the moon when he finds out!
Mary leapt up, rushed to her daughters side, and gathered her in a tight hug, peppering her cheeks with kisses.
I wanted you both to hear it together, but I didnt expect Dad to go out so early.
Dont worry, hell be home soon, and you can both tell him. For now, lets get on with the cooking.
Yes, let’s.
And so, the kitchen filled with the clatter of pans and the rhythmical chopping of knives. Some say two cooks cant share a kitchen, but Mary and Helen worked in perfect unison. They managed everything theyd planned, and the result was a splendid spread.
There was a golden roast chicken, homemade fishcakes, creamy mashed potatoes, and three different salads.
Mary glanced at the clock and sat down with a sigh.
There, even finished ahead of schedule.
Thats what happens with four hands in the kitchen, Helen laughed. Mum, ring Dad and see when hes coming home?
Yes, alright… Mary nodded.
And Ill ring David, see how far off he is.
Helen left for the hallway to fetch her handbag.
Mary, meanwhile, picked up her phone and dialled her husband. After a long wait, she hung up and tried again. Still no answer. Glancing at the clock, she felt a chill run down her spine.
Why isnt he answering?
Only now did she remember that Thomas had promised to call when he arrived at workbut he hadnt. Anxiety gnawed at her.
Mum, David says hell be here in an hour! Helen announced brightly as she returned. Any word from Dad?
No… hes not answering.
Thats odd.
It is, darling… Ive tried a few times now. Rings out, but he never picks up.
Mum, you know what todays like. Im sure theyre celebrating. He probably hasnt got a minute to himself.
No, Helen. He should be heading home by now. He promised. And your dads never one to break a promise. He didnt even ring to say hed arrived at work. Thats not like him at all. Why isnt he answering?
Should we call his boss? See if they can let him come home? His familys waiting!
Ill give it a try.
Mary was not one to panic, but right now a terrible sense of foreboding tugged at her. Thomas always answered her calls. Always.
Even if he was busy.
Its because, darling, he would say, theres no one in the world more important to me than you. I never want you to worry.
And today of all days, he really ought to have answered. Hed know shed be anxious.
But perhaps, Mary reasoned, maybe its just the big send-off. Thomas had given more than a quarter of his life to the jobleaving would be hard for anyone
Hello! A mans voice interrupted her thoughts.
Good afternoon, Mr. Gordon! Its MaryThomass wife. Im just ringing to see when you might let my husband come home. Were all waiting for him. Our daughters here, and my son-in-law should be along soon as well.
Oh, hello Mary! replied the boss. If Im honest, Im not quite sure what to say.
What do you mean?
To tell you the truth, were waiting for him as well. Weve rung several times, but he hasnt answered.
What? You mean Thomas hasnt turned up at all? Mary was startled.
No, hes not appeared yet. But were still expecting him. As soon as he gets in touch, please remind him to comewont keep him long, but as you know, its tradition for us to say farewell.
Alright and please let me know if he comes in.
Hands trembling, Mary replaced the phone and turned to Helen.
Helen, he never made it to work… And he isnt answering. So much time has passed Where could he be?
Lets keep calm, Mum. Well try ringing him together.
*****
Thomas left the flat, smiled up at the morning sunshine, greeted the elderly neighbours chatting on the bench, and headed for the bus stop.
For twenty-five years, hed followed the same routetoday was no different, except this time he was off to work solely to pick up his leaving papers and say his goodbyes to colleagues.
Hed seen many others off into retirement; today it was his turn.
He should have been relaxed, but he was on edge. Hed hardly slept, turning restlessly, getting up several times in the night for a glass of water. Even as he accepted his wifes birthday wishes, he said nothing of his discomfortdidnt want to worry her unnecessarily.
It wasnt the first time hed felt like this, and usually it would fade. Hed even left early so she wouldnt notice. He didnt want her to cancel the days planshis friends and colleagues were waiting.
Itll pass, he told himself, rubbing his chest absently.
At the bus stop, feeling the pressure build, Thomas saw that the bus was already packed to the rafters. The thought of the crowds made him feel faint.
He checked his watch and decided hed walk insteadplenty of time, lovely weather, and the fresh air would do him good.
He didnt call Mary, planning to ring her once he reached the office, just as theyd agreed.
But Thomas never got there.
His shortcut took him through a small city park, empty on a weekday morning. Here, the chest pain worsened, and he sat down on a bench, unbuttoning his collar and loosening his tie, gasping in the crisp autumn air.
He wasnt sure how long he sat there, but he could feel himself weakening, not recovering.
At first he resisted calling Maryno need to alarm herbut realising how serious it was, he groaned and fumbled for his phone.
Ill ring Mary, then call an ambulance, he decided. But his trembling hands betrayed himthe phone dropped to the pavement, rolling beneath the bench.
He tried to stand, but the pain forced him back. His vision blurred.
This isnt how I imagined retirement, he thought sadly. Worse still, he realised he wouldnt see his wife or daughter one last time.
Wouldnt be able to say goodbye.
*****
Mary sipped her heart medicine, then tried ringing her husband again. Just ringing out. Helen tried too, over and over, to no avail.
David arrived. The three of them sat silently around the barely touched banquet, waiting.
What are we waiting for? Mary suddenly said. We must call the policethey might help find him.
Helen and David agreed instantly. Everyone understood that Thomas wouldn’t just disappearcertainly not someone whod devoted his life to serving in the local fire brigade, used to emergencies.
If hed been unreachable this long, it meant something must be badly wrong.
What did the police say? whispered Helen as Mary set the phone down.
Nothing reassuring, Mary replied, taking a gulp of water. Said its too soon to worrytwenty-four hours, they said. But I just know I feel it in my bonessomethings happened.
Then we need to search for him ourselves, Helen declared, this time with resolve.
Yes, love. Youre right. Lets look. He was meant to catch the bus from the stop just by the house. Well start thereask everyone, maybe someone saw something. Even ask the bus drivers, just in case.
Mum, David and I will go. You stay homein case Dad comes back. And call the hospitals, just to be safe.
Yes, alright
Helen and David hurriedly put on their coats and dashed out. Mary, left in the quiet flat, phoned one hospital after another.
Please let him be alright… she whispered, crossing herself.
*****
Thomas was still conscious, but fading. He could barely move, and speech was beyond him.
Help he managed to croak, stretching a hand towards two passing women.
But they just glanced at him with disgust and turned away.
Another drunk! one muttered.
Probably been at the bottle since sunrise, sneered the other. Now look at himcant even make it home. Shameless!
Thomas heard them, and tears slipped down his cheeks. Not for the pain, but for his helplessness. Once, he had saved many liveshuman and animal alikebut now he could do nothing.
And why, of all days, today? he wondered.
Then, just as he gave up hope, a loud barking startled him.
Very closeright by his ear.
A weight pressed gently onto him and a rough tongue licked his chin.
A dog! thought Thomas in relief. Where theres a dog, someone must be nearby.
He forced his eyes open, and, beside the bench, recognised an elderly little terrier. He knew this dog, but from where?
Suddenly, memories flashed vividly.
He remembered a house long ago, ablaze with flameswatching as his team carried out the owner and his wife. Then he heard frantic barking from an upstairs window.
Theres a dog inside? Thomas had asked the man in the ambulance.
Yes! Forgot, in all the panic
Why didnt you say something sooner? Thomas shouted. And with no hesitation, he plunged into the burning building.
They tried to hold him backit was dangerous. But he ignored them all.
Ten minutes later, coughing and gasping, he emerged with the terrier in his arms.
He handed the dog to its owner but stood quietly afterwards, looking into its eyes.
In those eyes, he saw the deepest wordless gratitude. The dog seemed to thank him for risking his life.
And just like that, the memory faded again. Darkness closed in.
Woof! Woof! barked the dog by his side, licking Thomass cheek.
He recognised his rescuer, and now
Now, the dog wanted to help in return.
If you can, whispered Thomas, fetch help. Anyone. Please.
And then he slipped out of consciousness.
But the dog had heard. Understood. He ran towards the edge of the park, searching for someoneanyone.
He barked at a student by the newsstand, at a mum with her young son, even at a man queuing for a sandwich.
But no one paid him any heed. They shooed him away, thinking he was a nuisancea stray who might bite.
He was only asking for help.
*****
At the bus stop, Helen and David drew a blankno one had seen the man in the photo Helen brought from home.
They searched corner shops, nearby gardens, every possible path.
But Thomas was nowhere. No answers to his phone, either. Where are you, Dad? Where?
Rushing past the park, Helen was startled by the urgent barking of a dog. She turned to see the little terrier, barking at passers-by and dodging angry gestures.
Oi! Clear off! an old man shouted, shaking his stick. No peace from these wretched animals!
Helen, whats up? David asked as she stood still.
I dont know this dog isnt barking for nothing. Hes trying to tell us somethingI can feel it, David.
She locked eyes with the terrier and saw in its gaze not just a plea, but a cry for help.
Where are you going? David called, alarmed, as Helen moved towards the dog.
She didn’t answer.
She approached the terrier, who wagged his tail and led her deeper into the park. Helen, trusting her instincts, ran after himwith David hot on her heels.
In five minutes, they reached the bench where Thomas lay unconscious. He was still breathing.
He was alive!
Dad! Helen screamed, lifting his head and trying to rouse him. David, call an ambulance!
*****
The ambulance arrived swiftly, and Thomas was whisked to the local hospitals cardiac unit.
Helen, with the terrier in tow, rushed with David to the car, phoned her mum with the news, and promised to update as soon as they knew more.
You know, your dads lucky, said the doctor later. Lucky you found him when you dida half-hour more and thered have been nothing we could have done.
Hell live? asked Helen, tears running down her cheeks.
Hell live.
Helen went outside, knelt next to the terrier David was holding, and hugged him tightly.
Thank you Thank you for saving Dad.
How is he? David asked.
Hell be alright, replied Helen, exhausted but relieved. All because of him, she nodded at the dog.
Hes got a collarso someone owns him.
Yes, but I think we should keep him for now, until we find his owners. He saved Dads lifewe cant leave him out here.
Of course, love.
*****
Mary Stevenson, David, and Barry (the dogs name was engraved on a tag on his collar) waited at the hospital entrance.
After a while, the doors opened, and out came Helen with her father.
Barry wagged his tail excitedly and dashed to greet Thomas, barking joyfully, eyes shining.
Dad, Barry saved you. He gave you the greatest birthday presenta second chance at life.
Thank you, old friend, Thomas smiled, kneeling carefully to pat Barrys head. But Helen, where are his owners? I know he must have some.
We tried to find them, put up appeals online, but no one came forward while you were in hospital.
Later, Thomas himself went back to the house that had burned down the year before.
No one lived there now; the neighbours said the owners had moved away, leaving Barry behind. They hadnt wantedor hadnt been ableto take him.
So Barry stayed with Thomas, and was happier than ever.
Thomas took him to collect his leaving documents at work, spent afternoons with him on the allotment, and, with David and Barry at his side, fetched Helen home from the maternity ward.
Congratulations, Dad! Helen beamed. Youre now a granddadwith two granddaughters!
Im over the moon, love!
Woof woof! barked Barry, thrilled that all his favourite people were safe and well.
Thomass life gradually settled back into harmony. Things seemed brighter, more meaningful. For the rest of his days, he was grateful to Barry for giving him the most precious gift: a second chance at life.
And so, our lives often intersect with othershuman or animalin the most unexpected ways, proving that when you show kindness, it often finds its own way back to you.
