So thats how we met
Tom, is something the matter? Alice asked after a few minutes of silence. You look awfully pale. Is everything all right?
Yes, everythings fine, Tom replied, finally pulling himself together. He set his fork aside and reached for his glass of apple juice, stalling the moment he’d have to answer Alices question.
*****
Tom stood at the entrance to Alices block of flats, hand on the cold iron handle. He almost pulled the heavy door open but, at the last moment, hesitated.
He really didnt want to go inside.
He knew he was expected, remembered the promise hed made to Alice to visit her parents, but the nerves left him rooted to the spot.
He was embarrassed, truth be tolda grown man, yet his knees trembled as though he were a schoolboy called up to the blackboard for the first time.
It seemed such a little thing left to do: enter the building, climb to the third floor, find number 36…
But something held him back. Some strange fear made his hands heavy and his feet unwilling to move.
He wanted nothing more than to turn around and walk awayhome, or even to the other side of London if need be. Anywhere but here.
Why on earth did I agree to this? he muttered quietly, taking a step backwards. Of course theyll think Im not good enough.
Tom took a few more steps back and looked up at the third-floor window, glowing in the dark.
So very bright, as though it were a beacon guiding him here, making sure he didn’t lose his way.
And he hadnt. Hed arrived right where he needed to, only now he had no wish to climb up.
The only thing stopping him running was the thought of how Alice would feel if he left now. Shed asked him especially to come.
And hed promised.
*****
Tom, listen, dont panic, Alice had said the night before, her tone thoughtful. It’s just that my parents want to meet you.
Alice was his girlfriend.
Theyd been sitting in a café, enjoying dinner and chatting about their weekend together, when out of nowhere she sprang it on him: her parents wanted to make his acquaintance. It took him by complete surprise. He stopped chewing and stared at her, trying to see if she was joking or not.
Really, it wasnt strange. It was more than typical for parents to want to meet the fellow their grown-up daughter was seeinga potential husband, even. It would have been stranger if they hadnt invited him round.
But still
Tom was terribly worried her parents wouldnt approve. More to the point, that he wasnt what theyd imagined for their son-in-law. And he had his reasons.
Alices motherVictoriais the illustrious sort, the kind who spent her career at Oxford, working her way up from lecturer to dean, and now holding some official post in the Department for Education.
Her fatherCharlesis hardly any less accomplished. He started as an engineer at a large construction company, became deputy director, and now owns the business himself, rubbing shoulders with the mayor. The sort of person everyone respects.
Alice herself, at thirty, hadnt done badly either. She was the head of legal for a major bank in the City.
And Tom, at thirty-five? He was just an IT support chap, without a degree. The pay was decent, but there were no prospects for promotion.
How would he look, sitting at their table? What conversation could he muster? He worried hed embarrass himself utterly.
You may be wondering how on earth he met Alice in the first place. Pure chance, as it turned out.
One afternoon, Tom decided to stroll through Regents Park. Alice happened to be there, too, with two friends. A little way off, the others left her on a bench while they went for ice cream, and Alice phoned her mum.
So engaged in her call, she didnt notice a reckless young lad on an e-scooter barrelling towards her at breakneck speed.
The lad, rather worse for wear, made no attempt to steer clear.
Tom lunged, caught Alice by the arm, and yanked her out of harms way, just as the e-scooter zipped past.
What do you think youre doing?! Alice protested.
But then she saw the drunken youth crash into a litter bin and tumble off. She realised the truth, and looked at Tom very differently.
If it hadnt been for him…
Thats how things started.
While her friends were still queueing for vanilla cones, Tom and Alice fell into conversation, swapped numbers, and agreed to meet again. Now it had been six months.
All that came rushing back to Tom as he sat in the café, mulling over Alices words.
Hed always dreaded the day hed have to meet her parents, certain theyd find him unsuitable and tell Alice as much. Tell her he was just another chancer after her salary. Hed lost a girlfriend before that wayparents who thought the worst of him.
Hed be heartbroken if he lost Alice now…
Tom, whats wrong? Alice asked gently after a stretch of silence. Youve gone quite pale. Are you feeling all right?
Yes, Im all right, he replied, steeling himself. He set down his fork and took a slow sip of apple juice, buying time before he had to answer.
So, will you come? Alice pressed.
Come where? Tom stalled.
To my parents place, Alice grinned. Mum will cook something special, and Dads bringing a lovely bottle of wine from his friends cellar. All I need is your agreement, Tom. Will you come?
Im not sure, Tom hedged. I just feel your parents will never accept me.
Why do you think that?
I mean, I havent got a degreeI just keep everyones computers going. They must want something better for you, someone with a proper careeror the child of an MP, at least. Im just a sysadmin, with few prospects. What chance have I got with your family?
Oh, Tom, dont be daft. Alice squeezed his hand. My parents are perfectly normal. You just dont know them yet. Anyway, I expect you tomorrow at seven. Dont be late.
Yeah, Tom nodded, though he still wasnt sure if hed show up.
*****
And so the next day arrived.
There Tom stood, outside Alices building, five minutes to seven and shivering in the chilly evening. And yet
He still didnt know what to do.
He understood hed have to meet her parents sooner or laterhe truly wanted to marry Alice. But he didnt feel the least prepared for it tonight. Perhaps, in a few months, hed be promoted to the IT department of the companys new branchand then, maybe, hed appear more impressive in Alices parents eyes.
Perhaps then Victoria and Charles wouldnt send him packing on sight.
Just as Tom was about to slink away, his mobile buzzed insistently in his pocket.
Alice was calling.
Hello Tom, she said brightly. Mum and I have nearly finished getting things ready. Dads just running late but should be here any minute. Where are you? Nearly here?
Hi Alice Tom managed, voice tight. Well, Im
I can barely hear you. Youre coming, arent you?
Yes, Alice, almost there, Tom sighed. Its just
Dearest, if youre thinking what you told me yesterday, I dont want to hear it. Trust me: everything will be fine. Do you want me to come down and meet you?
No, no, thats okay, Tom stammered. Ill be there soon.
All right then. Were waiting.
Tom dropped his mobile into his pocket, stepped into the road, and massaged his temple, trying to think of some convincing excuse not to go.
But none sprang to mind.
And whats worseCharles might arrive and I’ll run straight into him! Tom thought nervously, deciding to pace to the far end of the block.
Along the way he passed a young chap and cadged a cigarette. He hadnt smoked in ages, but suddenly the craving hit. He needed to calm himself and think.
He stood on the corner, exhaling a plume of smoke that drifted into the darkness, nervously glancing up and down the street.
There was little to look at: bins to the right, a cleared-out patch of land to the left. Alice had told him theyd recently cleared some garages and would soon be building new flats there.
All rather unremarkableexcept for a dog on the patch of earth. At first, Tom tensedstray dogs could be unpredictable, especially towards strangers.
But, watching more carefully, Tom realised the dog paid him no heed.
It was simply lying there on the icy ground.
Odd, he thought, for a dog to choose such a cold spot, but what choice did it have? No one would let it into a warm hall, not on a night like this…
*****
Jack (for that was the dogs name) had gone several days without a single meal.
Hed once lived in another street, and folks seemed to tolerate him, even feed him scraps. But
there was one lady, living in the flats, determined to have him gone.
She penned letters to the council, rallied neighbours, and soon enough opinions split: some wanted Jack to stay, others to escort him off the premises.
That stray dogs always loitering round the playground! shed say. What if it bites someone? Just look at those vicious, hungry eyes! Its dreadful!
But Jacks eyes werent vicious, only sad. His first owner had been a boy called Ben.
One summer, Ben and his parents drove out to the countryside. Jack, then a four-month-old pup, ran alongside the road, lighting up with joy when Bens family stopped and the boy jumped out.
Mum! Dad! Look how adorable he is! Ben cried. Lets take him to the cottage! The parents, eager to please, agreed.
But when the summer ended and it was time to return to town, no one intended to bring Jack along.
We cant keep a stray dog in our flat, Bens parents insisted. And wholl walk him every morning and evening? You wont do it.
Ben shook his head. No, I wont
And so Jack was left behind. He didnt understandafter all, everything had seemed wonderful.
Luckily, a month later, a kind woman found him and took him to town. After that, she took him with her to the local Saturday market each week, hoping, not so much to find him a home, but to sell him off. At last she persuaded a young couple to buy the dog.
Dont worry, shed say. Hes pedigreejust I havent the papers.
But when Jack grew, the couple realised he was no purebred, just a mongrel. They drove him to the edge of the city and left him by the roadside.
It was fortunate the weather was mild by then.
Since then, Jack had been on his own.
He wandered the streets until he found a quiet estate where at least aggressive dogs didn’t hassle him.
Often, Jack would watch the children at play and remember his first owner, Ben.
He dreamtdeep downthat perhaps one day he’d find Ben again. And maybe, just maybe, have a home.
But that reunion never happened. And a few days ago, Jack had to move on. It was clear, from the angry words and thrown sticks and stones, that he was no longer wanted.
He didnt wish to be a nuisance, so he left quietly.
Now, Jack lay on the cold ground, exhausted and numb with hunger, barely able to move.
He saw the man with the cigarette at the street corner, but he never expected help. Hell finish his smoke and leave, just like the rest, sighed Jack.
*****
Tom finished his cigarette, looked about, and walked briskly to the bins to dispose of the butt. He could have tossed it into the snow, but that wasnt in him.
As his mum always said, If you want to make the world better, start with yourself.
Just then, as Tom reached the litter bin, a sleek, black car pulled into the courtyard, lights dazzling him.
He guessed it could be Alices father, and hurried away from the entrance, towards the patch of landforgetting the dog until he nearly stumbled over him.
Oh bother, I hope he doesnt bark, Tom thought, not wishing any more attention.
But the animal made no noise.
It didnt even look at himjust lay there, motionless, as if asleep, or worse.
Hey, are you all right? Tom called out, uncertain why.
No responsenot even a twitch. Odd, that.
He found his courage and approached. Closer, then nearer still, until he was beside the dog. Still it didnt react, lying there inert.
Mate, whats up? Tom said, more softly. You even alive?
He took out his phone, switched on the torch, and shone it over the hound.
Crouching, Tom gingerly touched the animalno sign of response.
But he felt the dogs breathing, faint though it was. Jack was alive, only so frozen and weak he couldnt lift his head.
Tom brushed the dog in several placesthe body was icy cold, as if the chill had got right into the bones.
If he doesnt get help, he wont live to see morning, Tom thought desperately.
He scooped the dog into his arms and headed towards the building, hoping to slip inside, stand by a radiator, and ring for a taxi to take Jack to a vet.
He had no idea which vet yet, but there had to be 24-hour clinics somewhere in London.
But the doors were all locked. Tom pressed on to the next block.
His phone kept buzzing but, with both hands full, there was no way he could answer. Right now, Jack was all that mattered.
Passing Alices stairwell, he looked up at the glowing third-floor window, hesitating. Alice would surely have helped. But her parents
Theyd hardly be thrilled by him turning up with a half-dead stray dog.
At the end of the row, just as another elegant car drew into the yard, Tom paused, startled by its bright headlights.
The car stopped level with him. The door creaked open and a gentleman peered out.
You all right, mate? Need a hand with something?
Its this dog Hes freezing out here, Tom stammered. Any idea if theres a 24-hour vet nearby?
Nearby? No, not on this side of town. But I know where there is one. Good friend of mine works there. Hop in the backIll drive you.
Youd drive us? Really? Tom was taken abackthe mans car was a rather posh Jaguar, and Tom was a muddied stranger with a bedraggled stray.
Of courseno time to waste. You said the dog was dyingwell, lets save him then.
Tom didnt need asking twicethey were soon speeding through the night.
On the way, the driver dialled his mobile: Sorry darling, somethings come up. Ill be late. Who? No, I havent seen him. Hes not there yet? You tried his mobile? Strange. Didnt see anyone on the street. What does he look like? I see well, if I spot him, Ill give you a ring.
Sorry if Ive made things awkward, Tom said as the driver finished his call.
Not at all. Just tell meis the dog breathing? Eyes open?
No, not yet. But hes breathing, though its weak.
Then wed best step on it.
Ten minutes later, Tom and Jack arrived at the clinic, where the drivers friend was waiting, ready to take the case in right away.
Jack was whisked off. Tom was left in the hallway, phone in handseveral missed calls from Alice, and a message: Tom, where are you? Are you okay?
He ought to have called and explained, but his thoughts were only on Jack.
He didnt even get the chance to thank the driverby the time he rushed outside, the car had vanished. So he returned to the waiting area, determined that if nothing else, he would take the dog home with him. If things didnt work out with Alice, at least hed have found a true friend.
*****
Forty minutes might have passedhe couldnt saybefore anything changed.
Suddenly, he heard bright voices by reception. One, especially, sounded familiar.
Tom looked up, and there was Alice, her mother, andmost surprising of allthe helpful driver.
Seeing Tom, the gentleman beamed.
There you go, sweetheart. I told you hed be waiting here, worrying over the poor dog.
Tom realised at once that the man and woman were Alices parents and froze.
Tom, why didnt you call? I was so worried, Alice hurried to him.
Sorry, Alice, Tom mumbled. I just thought your parents wouldnt be too pleased about me bringing a stray into their home.
Silly thing! Alice laughed. I told you, my parents are normaland they love animals. Weve got three cats from the street, all taken in by Mum.
Really?
Really.
Alices parents approached, and the moment Tom had dreaded for so long finally camethey were introduced.
Well, weve finally met, Tom, Charles said, shaking his hand warmly.
Tom, let me shake your hand as well, Victoria added. What you did tonight was the mark of a true man. Alice is rightyou should have brought the dog straight to ours. But lets hope the poor thing recovers.
Oh, hell live, dont worry, grinned the vet, emerging at that moment. Hell pull through.
That evening, Jack was allowed home. With care and patience, he would recover. All he needed was a little bit of love.
Love works wonders, the vet said as Tom left. It can draw you back even from the edge.
At first, Tom intended to go home.
But Alice and her parents persuaded him to bring Jack to theirsthree cats would keep him better company than any doctor, and it was cause for celebrationboth for the dog and, at long last, for their introduction.
While Jack, surrounded by cats and in disbelief at his fortune, lay in comfort in the lounge, Tom sat at the kitchen table chatting with Alices parents. He neednt have worriedthey were good, warm, utterly genuine people.
Within a few days, Jack regained his strength and could walk about. Tom decided to bring him home at last.
And are you going to take me, too? Alice grinned, stepping out of her room with an overnight bag.
You? Are you serious?
Perfectly. Only thing ismy parents said I cant stay the night at home.
What do you mean? Tom blinked.
They want grandchildren, of course! Said its time to increase the family numbers.
Tom couldnt help but burst into laughter. So did Alice. And Jack, tail wagging, stood beside them.
Jack didnt fully understand what was happening, but he sensed something wonderful had begun.
And that, as I recall, is how it all happenedSo, with Jack prancing ahead, Alice and Tom set off together down the night-bright street, her hand tucked into his and warmth settling somewhere deep inside both of them.
Once, Tom might have thought the distance between him and Alices world too greata gap measured in degrees and titles, in invisible lines drawn by anxious hearts. But now, side by side in the gentle winter air, with Jack snuffling contentedly along, it all seemed laughably small.
At the door to his flat, Alice turned to him, her overnight bag balanced on one hip and her eyes sparkling. You see, Tom? Youve already made this place a little more like home.
Inside, Jack claimed a spot by the radiator, sighing in satisfaction. Alice hung her coat, Tom switched on the kettle. Steam curled upwards, the cats would arrive soon for a visit, and laughter echoed in the small kitchen.
There would be other challenges, awkward moments and bigger dreams aheadawkward dinner parties, grumpy landlords, a lifetimes worth of little worries. But Tom found himself made braver by them: by the reckless hope that had led him to reach out for Alice in a crowded park, by the stubborn decency that had stopped him for Jack on a cold night, by the everyday courage of simply showing up, again and again, even when terribly afraid.
He glanced at Alice, and she smiled, her hand cool in his, and he knewsome beginnings come disguised as endings, and some endings are only the threshold of the best kind of beginning.
And so it was that a frightened man and a stray dogeach certain of being unwantedfound, together, a place they belonged.
If you pass by their window on a winter evening, youll see the glow of a golden lamp, two hearts side by side, a happy dog sprawled on a rug, and the promise that tomorrow, the world might turn out just as unexpectedly kind.
