**Diary Entry**
He bought a new sound systemtop of the range. Spared no expense. Meanwhile, Ive been scrimping from my wages for months to replace the washing machine that howls like a banshee. You dont appreciate investing in art, he said. *Art*, Evie. Can you believe it?
The tea in the pot had gone cold, bitter sludge at the bottom. The baguette slices on the plate had hardened, the cheese waxy and stale. Evie sat motionless, knees drawn to her chest, staring blankly at the wall. Shed cried herself dry by the time she turned up on my doorstep after yet another row with her husband.
We hadnt seen much of each other in three yearsSimon never let her go anywhere alone, never liked her friends. But this time, hed raised a hand to her. Thats when the rules stopped mattering.
To pull her out of the gloom, I offered, Evie, want to hear an old love story? A real oneabout loyalty.
She gave a lifeless nod. Go on. Just no fairy-tale princes. Ive had enough of that rubbish.
I stood, flicked the hob on under the kettle. The quiet hiss of gas filled the silence.
No princes, I promised. This happened right in front of me. And it wasnt even about people. I settled back into my chair. Years ago, I worked in a warehouse on an industrial estate. You know the sortguard dogs everywhere, a pack of strays always lurking. One day, someone dumped two puppies on us: a chubby black scamp called Bear and a ginger girl, Saffy. They grew up inseparable. Bear was all mischief, Saffy quiet and clever, with these knowing old-soul eyes. Everyone doted on them.
I paused. Evies gaze had shifted to me, distant but listening.
Then disaster struck. Saffy got hit by a vandriver didnt see her. We thought she wouldnt make it, but street dogs are tough. Still, her back legs never worked right again. She dragged herself along, sharp as ever. Broke your heart to watch.
Poor thing, Evie murmured.
But heres the thing, I said, smiling. She didnt give up. Became our best lookout. Stranger on the premises? Shed bark the alarm, and Bear would charge in with the others. They had a system.
My expression sobered.
Then Saffy went into season. Every stray mutt for miles turned up. A pack of them, ruthless. She couldnt run, couldnt fightjust whimpered, crawling to hide by our legs. We shooed them off, but they kept coming back.
Evie went still.
Bear? she whispered. Where was Bear?
At first, he froze. Ran in circles, barking, too scared to take on the pack. Instincts, smellsit all confused him. I sighed. Then they vanished. Came back three days later. And Bear he was different. Walked ahead of her, hackles up, growling low in his throat. If another dog so much as glanced at Saffy, hed tear into them like a storm. He *understood* then. Understood she needed protecting.
Evies fists clenched. Fresh tearsdifferent ones.
We thought that was the end of it. But a month later, Saffy started showing. And Bear? Didnt leave her side. Brought her the best scraps, licked her clean, slept curled around her. So tender it made your chest ache. We all fed her extra, worried over her. The women especially.
I turned away, voice wavering.
The puppies came on a sweltering day. We didnt notice at first. Bear did. He didnt howlhe made this awful, keening sound, darting between our legs, tugging at our trousers, leading us to where Saffy had hidden under the old porch. But it was too late. She was already gone. Couldnt deliver them.
The tick of the wall clock was deafening.
We wrapped her in an old coat buried her behind the garage. Had to lock Bear in the warehouse. He clawed at the door, howled That soundit still haunts my dreams. When we finally let him out, he tore across the yard, sniffing every corner, searching. By nightfall he was gone. Walked off and never came back.
I wiped my eyes. Evie sat frozen, palms pressed together.
Bloody hell, she breathed. Thats thats love. And me and Simon? Were just two strangers sharing a postcode. Dont even see each other unless were rowing. Parallel lives.
Maybe its just a rough patch? You were mad for him once.
There was never a mad for him, Evie. We bickered from day one. I pushed for the weddingwanted the fairy tale. Didnt realise Id be dragging him through life forever. Now Im paying for it. Right, Id best go. Thanks for this.
***
After that night, we barely spoke for months. Work, life. Wed grown used to the distance. Occasionally, a message: *You alright?* *Yeah, you?* *Same.*
Then, on a grim autumn evening, Evie texted: *Fancy a cuppa? Ill bring cake.* Two hours later, she was on my doorstep. Behind her stood a tall man with a quiet, steady face.
Evie, this is James, she said, eyes brighter than Id ever seen. Were getting married soon.
Stunned, I let them in. Over tea, James won me over without tryingjust the way he handed Evie her cup, the way he looked at her.
When he stepped onto the balcony, I gaped at her.
Well? Whered you find *him*? What about Simon?
Evie smileda new, radiant smile.
After I left yours, I cried the whole way home. Not over Simon. Over Bear and Saffy. Because I finally saw the truth about my so-called marriagethat no one in it had ever loved me. I knew I deserved better. Loyalty. Care. If dogs could manage it She shrugged. Next morning, I packed my things and left.
And Simon?
Took him days to notice. Probably relievedhed checked out long before. I wasnt looking for anyone, planned to stay single for years. Met James outside the courthouse. Literally bumped into him. I was a mess, and he just asked if I was alright. Turned out hed just got his freedom too. We talked. Went for coffee. And well. She rested a hand on her stomach. Babys due soon.
You dont waste time, I chuckled.
Didnt expect it either. But Evie its *easy* with him. For the first time, I feel like Im part of something real. Safe. Loved. You can see it, cant you?
I nodded, smiling through tears.
