**Archie The Angel**
*”I crowned you And gave you to no one And loved you as best I could And kissed you Kissed you Kissed you Kissed you”*
Victor soared on wings of love, racing home to his beloved Mary on his trusty motorbike after three long months away. The crisp pound notes in his jacket pocket warmed his heart. His soul sang, rushing toward her embracespring hung in the air, a fresh breeze brushing his face. *”I crowned you”*
Then, as he crossed a narrow bridge, movement caught his eyea dog, trapped beneath the ice, thrashing weakly. It had been there too long, strength nearly gone. *”And kissed you Kissed you Kissed you”*his favourite track pulsed, pulling him home. *”Poor thing,”* flashed through his mind, but he rode on.
Marys face. Spring. Love. And that dog, drowning in the frozen river. *Damn it.* Victor cursed, wrenched the bike around.
He skidded to a halt, stripped off his coat, and plunged into the icy water. He swam, fists smashing through the thinning ice, hands sliced rawbut he reached the dog. Pushing the shivering mass toward the bank, he hauled it free. A massive, emaciated Labrador, trembling violently. No collar. No chance alone.
Blood seeped from Victors cuts. His teeth chattered as he dressed. The dog watched him, unmoving.
“Hey, mate. Youre a pedigree, arent you? Whatre you doing out here?” Victor opened the sidecar. “Get in. Youre coming home.” The dog clambered in, curling up with a sigh.
Dusk fell. Nearing home, traffic snarled aheada lorry and two cars mangled in a crash. Police. Ambulances. A chill slithered down Victors spine. He glanced back. The dog snored softly, warm and safe. *”If not for him”* The thought flickered, unwelcome.
“Mary, love!” Victor swept his wife into his arms at the doorstep, kissing her wildly. The dog sat quietly, tail thumping.
“Oh! Whos this?” Mary blinked at their guest.
“Our angel. Archie. New family member.” She knelt, offering her hand. Archie sniffed, licked her fingersthen, in a burst of joy, bathed her face in slobbery kisses.
And so, Archie*also* known as *Hippo*, *the menace who ate my new slippers*, *the fiend who licked the cat bald*became their treasure. Their love. Their life.
Victor and Mary lived in the sturdy brick house inherited from his parents, right in the heart of town. They built Archie a spacious kennel with a heated bed, though winter nights often found him sprawled on his mat by the door.
Life rolled on. Victor took distant contract workdecent wages were scarce locally. Mary stayed home, now with Archie and soon, with more. Her rounded belly held a secret. A surprise.
Then, one stifling summer evening, Mary took Archie for a walk. The heat clung like a blanket. Laughter and blaring music from nearby youths set Archie on edge.
Two drunk lads lurched into their path. “Oi, look at this one!” one leered, reeking of beer. “Fancy some company, love?”
Fear coiled in Marys throat. Archie strained against his muzzle*why had she put it on?* Hed never bitten a soul.
A hand grabbed her wrist. She let go of the lead.
The boys had a knife. Archie lunged. They stabbed. Again. Again. Blood pooled on the pavement. Mary screamed, begging. They fled only when Archie collapsed.
Victors phone rang as he neared home. *”Vets office. Archies dying. Hurry.”*
He burst in. Archie looked so small on the table, swathed in tubes. Vets worked frantically. Victor choked back a sob.
“Archie lad dont leave us.” He pressed a kiss to the dogs scorching nose.
A flicker. Archies eyes openedjust a sliver. A promise.
He lived. Five more years, filled with love, watching over baby Jack, showering them with devotion.
They buried him under the old oak. Mary and Victor wept. Little Jack, solemn, declared, *”We need a new Archie. I cant live without one.”*
Love works miracles. Its true. Love fiercely. Help those who cannot speak.
For who knows? Next life, you might be the dog drowning under ice. Or the one who saves youmight just be an angel.
