**»I Want to Marry a Decent Man»**
*»He bought a new sound system,»* Emily murmured, her voice hollow, her posture rigid. *»Cost him a fortune. Meanwhile, Ive been scrimping from my wages for a new washing machine because ours screeches like a banshee. He said I ‘dont appreciate investments in art.’ In art, Claire… Can you believe it?»*
The tea in the pot had long gone cold, reduced to a bitter sludge. The baguette slices hardened on the plate, the cheese forming a waxy crust, and Claire couldnt seem to comfort her friend. Emily had arrived after yet another row with her husband, cried herself dry, and now sat curled up, knees to her chest, staring blankly at the wall.
They hadnt seen much of each other in three yearsEmilys husband never let her go anywhere alone, never liked her friends. But this time, hed raised a hand to her, and his usual restrictions no longer mattered.
To distract her, Claire offered softly, *»Em… want to hear an old love story? I once saw what real devotion looks like.»*
Emily gave a lifeless nod. *»Go on. Just no sickly fairy tales about princes. Ive had enough of those.»*
Claire stood, moved to the stove, and flicked on the gas under the kettle. The quiet hiss filled the silence.
*»No princes, love. I saw this with my own eyes,»* Claire said with a faint smile. *»It wasnt even about people. Years ago, I worked at a warehouse in an industrial estate. You know the sortguard dogs everywhere, strays roaming the lot. One day, someone dumped two puppies there: a chubby black scamp named Bear and a ginger girlSandy. They grew up inseparable. Bear was all energy, always stirring trouble. Sandy? Quiet, clever, with these knowing old-soul eyes. Everyone adored them.»*
Claire paused. Seeing Emilys gaze flicker toward herdistant, but listeningshe continued.
*»Then disaster struck. Sandy got hit by a lorrydriver didnt see her. We thought she wouldnt make it, but mutts are tough. Only, she couldnt walk right after. Dragged her back legs. Broke your heart to watch her, so sharp, so aware of everything.»*
*»Poor thing…»* Emily breathed.
*»But heres the thing,»* Claire said, smiling. *»She didnt give up. Became our best watch-dog. Stranger on site? Shed sound the alarm first, that sharp little bark. Bear and the others would charge wherever she pointed. They made a proper team.»*
Her expression sobered.
*»Then Sandy grew up. First heat came, and every stray for miles caught scent. A pack of rough, hungry dogs. They hounded hershe couldnt run, couldnt fight. Just whimpered, crawling to hide by our legs. We shooed them off, but they kept coming back.»*
Emily went still. *»And Bear? Where was Bear?»*
*»Bear…»* Claire sighed. *»At first, he froze. Ran in circles, barking, but wouldnt take on the pack. Instincts, scentsit all muddled him. Then… they vanished. Came back three days later. And Bear? You wouldnt recognise him. He walked ahead, hackles up, growling low in his throat. Sandy limped behind. If another dog so much as glanced at her, Bear turned into a hurricane. Savage. Like hed tear them all apart. He *understood*. Knew he had to protect her.»*
Emily clenched her fists. Fresh tears welleddifferent this time.
*»We thought that was the end of it. But a month later, Sandys belly swelled. And Bear? Never left her side. Brought her the best scraps, licked her clean, slept curled around her. So gentle. So devoted. We all fed her extra, worried over her. The women especially.»*
Claire turned away, voice wavering.
*»Labour started on a scorching afternoon. We didnt notice at first. Bear did. He didnt howlhe *shrieked*, this awful, gut-wrenching sound. Ran between our legs, nipped at our trousers, dragging us to where Sandy had crawled under the old porch. But it was too late… She was already gone… couldnt deliver the pups.»*
The tick of the wall clock filled the room.
*»We wrapped her in an old coat… buried her behind the garage. Had to lock Bear in the warehouse. He went madscratching the door, howling… That sound… still haunts me. When we let him out, he tore through the yard, sniffing every corner, every crack… Searching. By nightfall… he was gone. Never came back.»*
Claire wiped her eyes. Emily sat motionless, hands clenched.
*»God…»* she whispered. *»Thats… love. And me and Mark… were just two strangers sharing a flat. Barely notice each other unless were rowing. Otherwise, were just… coexisting.»*
*»Maybe its just a rough patch? You were mad about him once.»*
*»No, Claire. We were never right. Bickered from day one. I wanted the wedding so badly, I dragged him to the registry office. Didnt think Id be carrying everything alone after. Now Im paying for it. Anyway, I should go. Thanks.»*
***
After that night, months passed with little contact. Work, lifetheyd grown used to the distance. The occasional text: *»You alright?»* *»Yeah. You?»* *»Same.»*
Then, on a drizzly autumn evening, Emily wrote: *»Fancy tea? Ill bring cake.»* Two hours later, she stood on Claires doorstep. Behind her, a tall man with calm, gentle eyes.
*»Claire, this is Daniel,»* Emily said, her face alight in a way Claire hadnt seen in years. *»Were getting married soon.»*
Stunned, Claire ushered them in. Over tea, Daniel won her overquiet, steady, no pretence. The way he passed Emily her cup, the way he looked at her, said everything.
When he stepped onto the balcony, Claire gaped. *»Well? Whered you find him? What about Mark?»*
Emily smilednew, radiant. *»After I left yours, I cried all the way home. Not over Mark. Over Bear and Sandy. Because I finally saw the truth about my so-called marriagewhere no one ever loved me. I realised I deserve better. Loyalty. Care. If dogs can manage it… Anyway, next morning, I packed my things and left.»*
*»And Mark?»*
*»Probably didnt notice at first. Then he was relieved. He knew we werent right either. I wasnt looking for anyonewanted time alone. Met Daniel outside the courthouse. Literally bumped into him. I was a wreck, nearly crying. He asked, You okay? Turns out, hed just got his freedom too. We talked… got coffee. And… well.»* She rested a hand on her stomach. *»Babys due soon.»*
*»Bloody hell, you move fast,»* Claire snorted.
*»Didnt plan it. But Claire… its *good* with him. I finally know what its like to be part of something real. Safe. Loved. You see it, dont you?»*
Claire watched her, nodding, smiling through tears.
