He bought a new sound system Emily spoke quietly, not shifting her posture. A ridiculously expensive one. Meanwhile, Ive been saving from my paychecks for a new washing machine because ours howls like a siren. He said, «You dont appreciate investing in art.» In *art*, Rachel… Can you believe it?
The tea in the pot had turned cold, leaving behind a bitter, dark sludge. Slices of baguette on the plate had dried out, the cheese had formed a waxy crust, and Rachel couldnt seem to comfort her friend. Emily had come over after yet another fight with her husband and, having cried herself empty, now sat hugging her knees, staring blankly at the wall.
They hadnt seen much of each other in the past three years Emilys husband rarely let her go out alone and generally disliked her friends. But this time, hed raised his hand to her, and the usual restrictions no longer mattered.
Trying to distract her from the gloom, Rachel offered,
«Em, do you want to hear an old love story? I once got to witness true loyalty.»
Emily gave a lifeless nod.
«Go on. Just… no saccharine fairy tales about princes. I cant stomach it right now.»
Rachel stood, walked to the stove, and turned on the burner under the kettle. The quiet hiss of gas filled the pause.
«No princes, love. This really happened, right in front of me,» Rachel smiled. «And it wasnt even about people. I used to work at a warehouse in an industrial estate. You know the sort of place they always have guard dogs, a few strays running around. One day, someone dumped two puppies there: a plump little black bear of a pup named Bear and a ginger girl Flick. They grew up inseparable. Bear was a rowdy little troublemaker, Flick was quiet, clever, with eyes like an old woman whod seen everything. Everyone loved them, spoiled them.»
Rachel paused. Noticing Emilys gaze had shifted to her distant, but present she continued,
«Then disaster struck. One day, Flick got hit by a lorry the driver didnt see her. We didnt think shed survive, but strays are tough. Only, she couldnt walk properly after that, dragging her hind legs. She was so sharp, understood everything. Broke your heart just looking at her.»
«Poor thing…» Emily exhaled.
«But you know what?» Rachel smiled. «She didnt give up. She became our top lookout! If a stranger stepped onto the grounds, she was the first to sound the alarm with that sharp bark of hers. And Bear? Hed charge right where she pointed, the others following. They made quite the team.»
Rachels face grew serious.
«Then Flick grew up, went into her first heat. And every stray in the area descended on our quiet yard. A pack of hungry, mangy mutts. They hounded her, poor thing she couldnt run, couldnt fight back, just whimpered and crawled, hiding at our feet. We chased them off, but they kept coming back.»
Emily froze, listening.
«And Bear? Where was Bear?»
«Bear…» Rachel sighed. «At first, he panicked. Ran around barking, but couldnt bring himself to fight the pack. Instincts, smells… it all confused him. Then… they both disappeared. Came back three days later. And Bear wasnt the same. He walked ahead, hunched, bristling, a low growl in his throat. Flick trailed behind. And if any other mutt tried to get close to her, Bear turned into a storm. Hed lunge with such fury, youd think hed tear them apart. He *understood*. Understood she needed protecting.»
Emily clenched her fists. Fresh tears welled, but this time different.
«We thought that was the end of it. But a month later, Flick grew round. And Bear? He wouldnt leave her side. Brought her the best bits from his bowl, licked her clean, slept curled up beside her, head resting on her belly. Such tenderness, such care… We all fed her extra, worried over her. The women especially.»
Rachel turned away, her voice wavering.
«The labour started on a sweltering day. We didnt notice at first. Bear was the one who raised the alarm. He didnt howl he made this awful, wrenching whine, running between our legs, nipping at our trousers, dragging us to where Flick had hidden under the old porch. But it was too late… She was already dying… couldnt deliver.»
The tick of the wall clock grew loud in the silence.
«We wrapped her in an old jacket… buried her behind the garage. Had to lock Bear in the storeroom. He thrashed, clawed at the door, howled… That sound… I still hear it sometimes. When it was over and we let him out, he tore through the yard, sniffing every corner, every gap… Searching. By evening… he was gone. Never came back.»
Rachel wiped her eyes. Emily sat motionless, hands clenched.
«Bloody hell…» she whispered. «Thats… love. And Mark and I… were just two strangers sharing a flat. Dont even *see* each other unless were arguing. Otherwise, were just… existing in parallel worlds.»
«Maybe its just a rough patch? You were mad about him in the beginning. It was good once.»
«It was *never* good, Rachel. We fought over every little thing from day one. I just wanted the wedding so badly, dragged Mark to the registry office, never stopped to think Id be carrying everything alone after. Now Im paying for it. Right, I should go. Thanks for this.»
***
After that evening, the friends barely spoke for months. Work, life, the usual. Theyd grown used to their meetings being rare. Occasionally, a message would pop up: «Hey, how are you?» «Alright. You?» «Same.»
Then, on a dreary autumn evening, Emily texted: «Fancy a cuppa? Ill bring cake.» Two hours later, she stood on the doorstep. Behind her was a tall man with a calm, slightly shy face.
«Rach, this is Stephen,» Emily introduced him, her eyes brighter than Rachel had ever seen. «Were getting married soon.»
Stunned, Rachel let them in. Over tea, Stephen won her over with his quiet, steady warmth. He wasnt trying to impress, but the way he handed Emily her cup, the way he looked at her, spoke volumes.
When Stephen stepped out onto the balcony, Rachel gaped at her friend.
«Well? Whered you find *him*? What about Mark?»
Emily smiled a new, happy smile.
«You know, after I left yours that night, I cried all the way home. But not over Mark. Over Bear and Flick. Because I saw the plain, simple truth about my so-called marriage that no one had ever loved me in it. I realised I didnt want to live like that anymore, that I deserved something real. Loyalty. Care. If dogs can manage it… Anyway, next morning, I packed my things and left.»
«And Mark?»
«Didnt even notice at first, probably. Then I reckon he was relieved. Hed known we werent right for ages. I wasnt looking for anyone, wanted to be on my own a while. Met Stephen outside the courthouse. Literally bumped into him in the doorway. I was a wreck, nearly in tears, and he just… asked if I was okay. Turned out hed just got his freedom too. We got talking… went for coffee. And… well,» Emily rested a hand on her stomach. «Babys on the way.»
«Bloody hell, you dont waste time,» Rachel snorted.
«Didnt plan it,» Emily laughed. «But Rach… its *good* with him. For the first time, I know what its like to be part of something whole. To feel safe. Loved. You can see it, cant you?»
Rachel looked at her friend, nodding, smiling through her own tears.
