What are you shouting at me for?! the man protested. Im looking after and feeding your wife, and youve got the nerve to raise your voice at me?! What on earth is this?! They both kept yelling for half an hour, until the bird was hoarse and the man was simply too tired to go on
He was heading home after an early shift at the factory. The weekend was ahead, and that alone put him in a good mood. But it wasnt just about the chance to rest. Saturday evening promised something speciala first date with a woman hed met online.
For a whole month, theyd been chatting: talking about work, their hobbies, sharing thoughts about life. Nothing unusual in that, really. But now theyd finally arranged to meet. All that remained was to ring up that cosy Italian down the road, book a table, and decide what to wear.
Lost in these pleasant thoughts, he was barely fifty yards from homea typical block of flats where he lived in a poky place on the fourth floor. Just one more step and it felt like everything might have turned out differently, but
Oh, theres always a but.
Right by the entrance, from a tree hed never paid attention to before, a crow suddenly dropped at his feet. The poor thing thrashed about, cawing wildly, while a whole mob of crows flapped and screamed overhead. The noise was enough to make you think some disaster had struck.
Just what I needed, he muttered.
The crow kept trying to stand, only to collapse again. He saw straight away that her right leg was clearly broken.
So, what am I supposed to do with you? he sighed out loud.
He couldnt just walk on. Taking off his coat, he gently covered the bird to stop her flailing, scooped her up and marched for the stairwell. Behind him, the crows kept up their anxious, desperate racket.
At home, he carefully set the crow on the kitchen counter and inspected the injury. Immediately, she clamped her beak round his finger.
Blimey, he swore, prising her off and wrapping her beak in a tea towel.
Calls to local vets proved uselessno one touched birds. Friends werent much help either. But an idea popped up. He was a dab hand with toolssurely he could improvise?
For now, he settled her into a low box lined with soft towels and placed it on the windowsill. He called her Clara.
He spent a couple of hours fashioning a little splint: whittling a groove into two small pieces of wood, securing it all with duct tape. When he finished, he freed her beak.
Clara made an instant attempt to bite him again.
Alright, alright! he grumbled. Look, Im just trying to help. But were going to have to feed and water you too.
Google told him the essentials: a fishing shop for maggots and worms, a chemist for tweezers and a syringe. Returning home, he began feeding her.
He had to prise her beak open and push food inside, trickling water in with the syringe. Clara spat, cawed furiously and struggled. He muttered under his breath, but persisted.
Eventually, they were both exhausted. Clara, having eaten and drunk, worn out by the pain and their wrestling, finally calmed down and slept. He hit the pillow himself.
Next morning was the same routine: feeding, indignant cawing, a battle of wills. Then he looked up to find a large crowclearly a maleperched by the outside window, intently watching.
On a whim, he opened the window.
You must be Claras bloke. Well, come on in. See for yourself. Im only trying to help.
The big crow listened closely, cocking his head and glancing at Clara on the windowsill. He shuffled cautiously inside and came closer.
Clara croaked quietly. The male turned to the man, spread his wings and let out a proud, angry caw.
Whats your problem?! the man shot back. Im treating and feeding your wife, and youve got the cheek to shout at me? Whats all this about?!
So they had a proper row, man and bird, for half an hour straightuntil the crow was scratching out a hoarse note and the man was utterly knackered.
Then, without a word, the man pushed towards the crow two little boxesone with maggots, the other with worms. Explained nothing.
The bird eyed the food wearily, as if inspecting the quality, then soon tucked in.
Oh, thats it, is it? the man chuckled. Help yourself, by all means. Glad I picked it up just for you.
Once full, the crow went over to Clara and gently preened her feathers.
Well I never the man murmured with sudden feeling. Proper couple, you two. Dont worry, Ill get Clara back on her feet. Just have a word with hertell her not to bite and to eat nicely.
That night, the male flew off, but was back by morning. He tapped his beak at the glass, waited to be let in, checked over Clara and had his breakfast.
Good morning, the man smiled at him. Looks like weve come to an understanding
While he fed Clara and persuaded her not to peck, her partner watched quietly.
Suddenly, the mans eyes went wide.
Oh, Christ he groaned, grabbing his head. Shes waiting! I didnt call, didnt reserve a table
He scrambled for his phone and rang her number.
Im ever so sorry he began, and explained honestly what had happened and why hed failed to book the restaurant.
So, a flipping crow is more important to you than meeting me?! the woman snapped.
No, its not like that really It justwell, it just happened
Well, live with your crow then! she barked, slamming the phone down.
Well, thats that, he sighed, speaking to the crow. Dates off, before it even began.
Then the big crow hopped up onto the table right in front of him. Wings wide, chest puffed out, he strutted back and forth, as if to show the man how its done.
The man couldnt help but smile.
Ive no idea if you understand any of this, but it feels like support. You reckon theres no use moping and I should keep my chin up?
At that moment, the doorbell rang. On the doorstep stood his neighbour from upstairsa lovely woman who always greeted him in the lift.
Sorry to bother you, she said, a little shyly, but theres been a flock of crows circling your windows for days. Is everything alright? Nothing happened, did it?
Its hard to explain in a hurry, he said. Why dont you come in and see for yourself?
She stepped inside, stunned by the sight.
Oh, wow youre nursing a crow?
Clara, he told her.
In that case, the other must be Charles, the neighbour laughed.
Her laugh was so sweet and silver-bright he realised he hadnt heard anything so pleasant for ages. As he looked at her, he thoughtforget that failed date.
Charles puffed his chest and strutted once more, and the neighbour laughed again.
From then on, things became easier. Charles clearly took a shine to the visitorwhenever she popped in, hed preen his feathers and sidle close. She laughed, flushed, and the flat felt lighter.
Clara soon cottoned on that nobody wished her any harm. She stopped fighting and started to feed herself. With two of them caring for her, recovery sped up. The man even gave his neighbour a spare key; when he was working, shed drop by to check up on the crow.
The more time he spent with his neighbour, the more he liked her. He was just working up the courage to ask her out when something rather dramatic happened.
Late one night, after the second shift, he was heading back. It was a special dayduring his lunch break, hed popped out and bought her a small present: a silver chain with a red heart pendant.
He was walking along, grinning to himself about giving it to her, when two blokes stepped out from under a streetlamp.
Wallet, phone and watchnow! said one, flicking open a knife.
Coat too, his mate added.
He hardly had a chance to feel afraid.
Suddenly, a black cloud descended from above. Screams: horror, pain, panic. Dozens of beaks struck out with ferocious force. The crows mob was upon them.
He dashed home, and next morning
His neighbour stood in the doorway, pale and trembling.
Oh, thank goodness! she gasped, hugging him tight. Youre alright! I read something happened last night and thoughtwhat if it was you?
Whats the matter? he asked, stroking her hair.
Last night, a flock of crows attacked two men in the street. Nearly pecked them to death. Theyre in hospital, in a bad way.
He smiled and suddenly remembered.
I bought you something.
Oh, you shouldnt have she blushed.
But when he showed her the silver chain with a heart, she smiled and pecked him on the cheek.
Its lovely. Thank you, she said, reaching for it, but
Then, of courseanother but.
In a flash, Charles swooped in and snatched the shiny chain from his hand. He landed beside a now almost fully-healed Clara and carefully set the gift by her feet.
The man and his neighbour burst out laughing.
Ill buy a new one, he promised.
Charles spread his wings, puffed out his chest, and cawed in triumph. Clara delicately picked up the chain and tucked it into her little box.
And right there on the threshold, the man and the woman kissed.
And really, what does it matter?
Some things are just a matter of familyThe two birds, side by side on the windowsillClara preening her glossy wings, Charles standing proud guardwatched them with keen, black eyes. Rain had started to patter at the glass, tapping a loose rhythm, but inside all was warm light and laughter.
He took her hand, still grinning, and drew her gently into the kitchen. Above the citys grey roofs, the crowshundreds of themnow circled in wild, joyful waves, riding the wind like a living crown.
As long as we stick together, he said, well be alright.
Even if the crows do steal our treasures? she teased.
He glanced at Charles and Clara, and shrugged. I dont know some things are meant to be shared.
She squeezed his hand, and together they turned toward the window. Outside, the crows scattered like night swept away by day, a thousand wings beating promise into the sky.
For the first time in years, he felt not lonely, nor lost, but exactly where he belonged.
And as dusk settled, Charles hopped onto Claras box and let out one long, contented cawa sound like homewhile inside the little flat, laughter, hope, and the flutter of wings filled the air.
