«Archie… Our Angel…»
«I crowned you… And gave you to no one… And loved you as best I could… And kissed you… Kissed you… Kissed you…»
James was soaring on the wings of love, speeding home to his beloved Emily on his cherished «swallow» of a motorbike after three long months away. The weight of his pay packet warmed the inner pocket of his jacket. His heart sang, flying toward love! The air smelled of spring, and the crisp breeze brushed his face. «I crowned you…»
As he crossed a small bridge, something caught his eyea dog had fallen through the ice, struggling weakly, exhausted. «Kissed you… Kissed you…»his favourite track called him home to his wife. «Poor little thing,» James thought, but drove on.
Emilys sweet face… Spring… Love… And that poor dog trapped in the ice. Damn it! James cursed and turned his bike around.
He pulled up by the bridge, stripped off, and waded into the icy water. He broke the ice with his hands, cutting himself, but pushed forward until he reached the dog. Shoving the large, half-frozen creature toward the bank, he helped it scramble to safety. The Labrador was massive, too weak to survive alone.
Blood dripped from his cuts. Freezing, he dressed quickly, then finally looked at his rescuea thin, beige dog, staring at him with huge eyes, trembling. «Hey, lad! You’re a purebred! What are you doing out here? Wheres your owner?» The dog just watched him, shivering.
James opened the bikes sidecar. «Get in, mate. You’re coming home.» The dog leapt in and settled. He was going home.
Dusk fell. Nearing town, James hit heavy traffican accident between a lorry and two cars, police, ambulances. His stomach twisted. He glanced back. The dog snored softly in the sidecar, warm, dry. «If not for him…» The thought chilled him.
«Emily, love!» James swept his wife into his arms at the doorstep, kissing her fiercely. The dog sat quietly, grinning. Home. A new life. He already loved this delicate woman in her floral dressing gown, the scent of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. And James? Hed claimed him the moment he saved his life.
«Oh! Whos this?» Emily finally noticed their guest. «Our angel… Archie. Hes family now.» She crouched, offering her hand. Archie sniffed, licked her fingers, thenovercomebathed her face in slobbery kisses.
And so, Archie joined them. Also known as «Hippo» (when he ate Emilys new slippers), «Rascal» (when he drooled all over the neighbours cat), and above alltheir treasure, their love, their angel.
James and Emily lived in a sturdy, red-brick house in Manchester, inherited from his parents. They built Archie a kennel, but in winter, he slept on a mat by the fire. Life rolled onJames worked shifts away, jobs at home paid poorly. Emily wasnt alone now. And soon, her rounded belly hinted at another surprise.
One stifling summer evening, Emily took Archie for a walk. The heat clung as they wandered near the woods. Laughter and music from drunk lads nearby set Archie on edge.
«Oi! Look whos here!» Two men staggered towards her. «Fancy some company, love?»
Emily froze. One reeked of beer, leaning too close. «Want a sweet?»
Archie growled, straining against his leaduseless in a muzzle. Why had she put it on? Hed never bitten anyone. Stupid. When a hand grabbed her wrist, she let go of the lead.
The men had a knife. Archie lungedthey slashed him. Again. Again. Blood soaked the grass. Emily screamed, begged. They only left when Archie collapsed.
«I crowned you…» James was nearly home when Emily called. «Vetsnow! Archies dying!»
He burst into the clinic. Archie looked so small on the table, hooked to drips. The vet worked fast, murmuring. James choked back sobs. «Dont leave us, lad.» He kissed his scorching nose.
Archies eyes flickered open. Just a fraction. But it was enough.
He fought. Came home. Lived five more yearsplaying with baby Henry, loving his family. They buried him together. Emily and James wept. Little Henry, solemn, declared, «We need a new Archie. I dont wanna live without him.»
Love works miracles. Love each other. Love the creatures who need you. You never knownext life, you might be the dog in the ice. Or maybe that lost soul you save? Maybe theyre the angel sent to guard you.
