Once upon a time, in a quiet corner of London, Eleanor sat stiffly on the sofa, her voice barely above a whisper.
«He bought a new sound system,» she murmured, her fingers clutching her knees. «Cost a fortune. Meanwhile, Ive been saving from my wages for a new washing machine because ours howls like a banshee. He said I ‘dont appreciate investments in art.’ In art, Evelyn… Can you believe it?»
The tea in the pot had gone cold, leaving behind a bitter, dark sludge. Slices of stale baguette lay forgotten on the plate, the cheese hardening into a waxy crust. Evelyn had tried everything to comfort her friend, but Eleanor, after yet another row with her husband, had cried herself dry. Now she sat hollow-eyed, staring at the wall as if it held answers.
They hadnt seen much of each other in the past three yearsEleanors husband never let her go out alone and disapproved of her friends. But this time, hed raised his hand to her, and no rule could keep her away.
To distract her, Evelyn offered, «Ellie, would you like to hear an old love story? Once, I saw true devotion with my own eyes.»
Eleanor gave a weary nod. «Go on. Just none of those sickly-sweet fairy tales about princes. I cant bear them.»
Evelyn rose, lit the stove under the kettle, and the soft hiss of gas filled the silence.
«No princes, love. This really happened,» Evelyn said with a smile. «And it wasnt even about people. Years ago, I worked in a warehouse out in the industrial estates. You know the sortalways a few stray dogs lurking about as makeshift guards. One day, two puppies were dumped there: a plump little black bear they called Boots and a russet-coated girl, Rusty. They grew up inseparable. Boots was a scrappy little ruffian; Rusty, quiet and wise, with eyes like an old soul whod seen everything. Everyone adored them.»
Evelyn paused. Seeing Eleanors gaze shift toward her, though still distant, she went on.
«Then disaster struck. Rusty was hit by a lorrythe driver never saw her. We didnt think shed survive, but strays are tough. Only, she could never walk properly again, dragging her hind legs behind her. Clever thing, she understood everything. Broke your heart to see her.»
«Poor darling…» Eleanor breathed.
«But you know what?» Evelyn smiled. «She didnt give up. She became our best watchdog. The moment a stranger stepped foot on the grounds, shed bark the alarm, and Boots and the others would come charging. They made a proper team.»
Evelyns face grew solemn.
«Later, when Rusty came into season, every stray for miles caught wind of it. A pack of rough, wild dogs swarmed our yard. They hounded hershe couldnt run, couldnt fight, just whimpered and crawled to us for shelter. We shooed them off, but they kept coming back.»
Eleanor stilled, listening.
«And Boots? Where was Boots?»
«Boots…» Evelyn sighed. «At first, he was lost. Ran around barking, but didnt dare take on the whole pack. Instincts, smellsit all muddled him. Then… they vanished. Three days later, they returned. And Boots was different. He walked ahead, hackles raised, a low growl in his throat. Rusty limped behind. If any other dog so much as glanced at her, Boots turned into a storm. Hed fly at them like hed tear them apart. He *understood*. Knew she needed protecting.»
Eleanors fists clenched, fresh tears wellingbut not the same kind as before.
«We thought that was the end of it. What sort of life could she have now? But a month later, Rustys belly swelled. And Boots? He never left her side. Brought her the best scraps from his bowl, licked her clean, slept curled against her. Such tenderness… We all fed her extra, worried over her. The women especially.»
Evelyn turned away, voice wavering.
«The labour started on a sweltering day. We didnt notice at first. Boots was the one who raised the alarm. Not howlingthis awful, keening whine. He nipped at our trousers, dragging us to where Rusty had hidden under the old porch. But it was too late… She was already fading. The pups wouldnt come.»
The ticking of the clock filled the room.
«We wrapped her in an old coat… buried her behind the garage. Had to lock Boots in the storeroom. He scrabbled at the door, howled… That sound… I still hear it sometimes in my dreams. When it was over and we let him out, he tore through the yard, sniffing every corner… Searching. By nightfall… he was gone. Never came back.»
Evelyn wiped her eyes. Eleanor sat motionless, hands clenched.
«Good Lord…» she whispered. «Now *thats* love. And me and Michael… two strangers sharing a flat. Barely notice each other unless were rowing. Just… existing in separate worlds.»
«Maybe its just a rough patch? You were mad for him once.»
«There was never anything good, Ev. We fought from day one. I just wanted the wedding so badly, dragged him to the registry office, never thought Id be carrying everything alone after. Now Im paying for it. Right, I should go. Thank you.»
***
After that night, the friends spoke little for months. Work, lifetheyd grown used to their distance. Occasionally, a message would flicker: «You all right?» «Fine. You?» «Same.»
Then, on a dreary autumn evening, Eleanor wrote: «Fancy tea? Ill bring cake.» Two hours later, she stood on Evelyns doorstep, a tall, quiet-faced man hovering behind her.
«Ev, this is Stephen,» she said, eyes brighter than Evelyn had ever seen. «Were getting married soon.»
Stunned, Evelyn ushered them in. Over tea, Stephen won her over with his steady, unassuming warmth. He didnt try to impress, but the way he handed Eleanor her cup, the way he looked at herit said everything.
When he stepped onto the balcony, Evelyn gaped at her friend.
«Well? Whered you find him? What about Michael?»
Eleanor smileda new, easy smile.
«After I left yours, I cried all the way home. Not over Michael. Over Boots and Rusty. Because I saw the plain truth about my so-called marriagethat no one had ever loved me in it. I realised I deserved better. Loyalty. Care. If dogs can manage it… Anyway, next morning, I packed and left.»
«And Michael?»
«Didnt even notice at first. Probably relieved. Hed known we werent right for ages. Wasnt looking for anyonewanted time alone. Met Stephen leaving the courthouse. Literally bumped into him. I was a mess, nearly crying, and he asked, ‘You all right?’ Turns out, hed just got his freedom too. We talked… went for coffee. And… well.» She laid a hand on her stomach. «Babys on the way.»
«Bit quick, mum,» Evelyn smirked.
«Didnt expect it myself. But Ev… Ive never been so happy. For the first time, I feel like Im part of something whole. Safe. Loved. You can see it, cant you?»
Evelyn watched her friend, nodding, smiling through her own tears.
