Wrong Number
Amy, hi. Sorry to ring so late. I just didnt know who else to turn to…
Sorry, youve got the wrong number, love came a mans voice, drowsy, puzzled. Have you looked at the clock? Its half one in the morning.
Emily stared at her phone in alarm, blinking in confusion at the screen. Amy lit up brightly. So whose voice was this?
Maybe Amys husband? she wondered, pressing the phone back to her ear. But James never sounded like that. Then who? Someone shes seeing on the side? Or just a mate from work? Still, what are the odds a male colleagues round at Amys flat at half one in the morning and picks up? Thats as good as a lover anyway. Or is Amy at his instead?
The questions tangled and tripped through Emilys mind, and she lost her way for a moment. Still, politeness compelled her:
Is Amy there?
No Amy here, mate. Just me. Was asleep till you called.
Sorry, honestly, I thought I dialled my friend. Numbers been in my phone forever, not sure how I ended up ringing you. Sorry again.
Emily was about to hang up when the mans voice suddenly said:
Emily? Is that you?
*****
A fortnight ago, her boss had sent Emily away for a professional development course.
No, not for lack of ability quite the reverse. Emily was diligent and sharp, which is why he wanted to offer her a promotion, with a much-improved salary. But for that, she needed additional skills and training.
Just two weeks, Em. Its for your own good.
Two weeks wasnt much, but shed have to spend them in another city far from home.
My boyfriend will hardly be thrilled she sighed, picturing Steves reaction.
Only two weeks, Emily. Im sure Steve will understand. Not two years, after all!
Well, she agreed.
A new job with more responsibilityand more paywould help. She could even start saving for a wedding or something. Steve hadnt proposed yet, but surely he would, sooner or later.
Why these extra qualifications? You went to uni Steve had said, bemused, when she told him about her trip.
Exactly. But one can always improve, right? she smiled. Think youll cope for two weeks on your own?
What choice do I have? Ill manage on microwave meals and takeaway.
Ill make you some proper food before I go, dont fret. And after these courses, Ill get the promotion and more money. So I have to go.
Needs must… Go on then.
*****
Emily called Steve every evening, asking after his day, his dinner, what hed been up to. Strangely, it only seemed to annoy him more each time.
You sound just like my mum, honestly. Im a grown man. Dont need keeping tabs on.
Im not checking up, Steve. I just care. You never ask about me, though. Dont you wonder at all?
What would I ask? If you got a detention today or something? Steve snorted.
Alright. Goodnight.
That was early in her second week, and it stuck a needle in her. She loved him, so she laughed it off, but deep down she wanted just a smidge more attention for him to show a bit of interest. To ask about her, her meals, her mood, her day. But Steve never asked, hardly shared anything himself, always a bit evasive, as if distracted by loftier things.
Well, he did say he met mates at the pub most nights. Claimed he stayed out late because home was dull without her. Surely, though, he could spare her a five-minute call? Step outside the bar, ring, then carry on with his night.
Shed never forbidden anything, just that he not get too drunk.
It doesnt matter, she shrugged. Ill talk to him when Im home. Maybe hell see sense…
*****
Time rushed by in the unfamiliar city. The final session of her course was meant to be tomorrow. Emily was fizzing with anticipation, ready to see Steve again.
But that evening, an unexpected call came: the lessons were cancelled.
The tutors been hospitalised explained a tired-sounding woman. No point coming in. Well send the certificate to your email.
Thats fine Emily smiled. The idea of heading home first thing and spending an entire day with Steve was delightful.
Steve had told her hed taken two days off: one to tidy the flat and prepare for her arrival; the second to actually spend with her.
Now well have two whole days together, she grinned.
She almost rang him straight away to share the news, but at the last minute, a mischievous thought crossed her mind: Why wait? There was a coach leaving in a couple of hours, the last one tonight, just late enough to be a proper surprise.
She scooped her things into her suitcase, dashed out of the hotel, called for a taxi with a giddy smile.
*****
The coach station was buzzing, packed with people jostling, shouting, a fug of sweat and impatience settling in the air. Emily ignored it all, lost in her private glee about surprising her boyfriend.
She checked her watch. Still over an hour and a half until her bus was due. The ticket seller had warned it could be delayed.
So she wandered the shadowed platforms, and outside where the air was clear and night-cooled she spotted him: a limp-tailed, doleful-eyed dog slouched against the railings, looking abandoned by the whole world.
She felt a rush of kindness the urge to do something, anything gentle, for such a sorry soul.
Probably dumped, she thought, heading to the pie shop to buy a couple of pasties.
Whats up with you, mate? she asked, kneeling by the dog. All alone, are you? Someone left you here? I brought you some pasties, though. Want one?
The dog eyed Emily, wagged his tail, ever so faintly. She was the first person all day to notice him.
Go on, have some she encouraged, setting the bag on the ground.
Slowly, with a limp, he approached, sniffed, checked again for permission. Only once she nodded did he gulp down the pasties, eyes shining with gratitude.
Emily stood there, a little ways off, a sadness growing in her chest for the poor limping stray. Who would look after him? Winter was coming too…
She was still mulling over the injustice of it all when, suddenly, she was jostled hard by a bloke striding past, half-knocking the wind from her.
Her first instinct was to snap, Theres loads of room, mate! Cant you mind yourself?
But only a weak apology came:
Sorry, was miles away. And then he trod right on her foot, hard enough to make her yelp.
Oh for goodness sake!
He smiled sheepishly, bumped her again, and was about to shuffle off when the dog, roused to protectiveness, growled and barked loudly.
Just then, a cleaning lady in hi-vis and clutching a broom appeared, having caught the commotion.
Knew thisd happen! Shouldntve let that dog in! Out the way, people, Ill sort it out and chase him off.
The young man scarpered. Emily stood between the dog and the cleaner, restraining the animal who was set on chasing after the bloke.
Hang on, what are you doing? she protested as the cleaner raised her broom. Dont you dare. You cant hit a dog! Are you completely off your rocker?
He went for that fella! Nearly bit him the cleaner retorted, scandalised.
He only barked cause that chap hurt me, thats all. He wasnt trying to bite.
Maybe, maybe not, but he cant stay. What if hes got rabies? You dont know what trouble this could cause.
Hes not dangerous. Just look at his sad eyes. And hes lame. Where is he meant to go now? At least here, people feed him.
No stray dogs in my station, thanks! If he had an owner, thatd be another matter…
Hes mine! Emily blurted out.
Dog and cleaner both looked gobsmacked. Especially the dog. Whod ever want a gimpy stray like him?
Pardon? asked the cleaner.
Hes mine, I said.
How do you mean, hes yours? Hes a stray.
Was, yes. Now hes mine. Im taking him with me. And if you lay a finger on him, Ill complain. Maybe even call the police.
Arent you feisty, eh? Well then, put a muzzle on him, if hes yours. Oh, forget it, Ive got better things to do tonight. Take your dog or Ill call animal control tomorrow, right? Got it?
Of course. I promise Emily declared for all the world.
As the cleaner huffed off, reality crashed down on her. Shed really done it now. She couldnt leave the poor dog here, after all. A promise is a promise.
What will Steve say, she worried, when he finds out Ive brought a dog home from another city? He definitely wouldnt like it. She smiled apologetically at the dog. Never mind, well work something out. As long as they let you on the coach, well be fine. Speaking of which…
Checking her watch, she realised the bus was due in ten minutes.
All right, you coming then, pal? Its my job to look after you now.
The dogs tail wagged like a flag, and he limped cheerfully after her.
Just behave on the bus, okay? Otherwise well be kicked out on the side of the road, and then what? Walk the rest of the way?
Emily waited at her platform, digging in her bag for the ticket. As she rummaged, keys slipped from her bag and clattered to the ground with a metallic ring.
Looking down, she spotted them, oddly out of place. When she checked inside her bag, her jaw dropped the lining was slashed open. Worse, her phone and purse were both gone, along with her cash, cards, and ticket.
Oh, good grief! she gasped. But how? Who?
After a dizzy moment, the puzzle snapped into place.
That bloke the one who tripped me and stepped on my foot! He was right up against me, not by accident. The dog mustve spotted what he was at thats why he barked… What do I do now? No money, no ticket, howll I get home?
She looked at her canine companion, who dropped his eyes as if hed caused all this trouble.
Oh, dont worry, mate. Its not your fault in the slightest, she soothed. You tried to protect me. Wish Id caught on sooner.
*****
The bus was delayed by fifteen minutes, but by now it hardly mattered she couldnt board anyway, not with no ticket.
She considered calling Steve (her old brick phone was buried in the suitcase, kept for emergencies), but what could he do? Drive to fetch her? It was a long way.
He could, in theory. But what about the dog? Steve surely wouldnt let him in the car. And Emily refused to abandon her new friend. She didnt fancy arguing about it with Steve either.
She couldnt stay at the station all night, not unless she fancied winding up at the police station herself. She needed time to think.
While she pondered, the coach finally rumbled up. Other passengers were absent; only Emily was waiting.
The driver stuck his head out the window.
You getting on, love?
My tickets been nicked… Emily fought back tears. And my wallet…
No way… The man came down, shaking his head sympathetically. What will you do now?
I dunno. Sleep here, maybe with a begging bowl in the morning.
Dont be daft. Hop on, Ill take you for free. Havent got any other passengers. We can have a natter on the way.
I cant…
You cant chat?
I mean Ive got a dog. I promised him I wouldnt leave him.
Bring the dog, too. I said Im empty, didnt I? Theres space for both of you.
Really? You mean it? Emilys sobs faded.
I do. Get in. Its freezing out. Ill help you with your case, come on.
*****
All the way, Emily chatted away to the driver, perched beside his seat. The dog lay on the floor, content, watching them both with calm brown eyes.
The bus pulled in at the coach station in her hometown. She thanked the driver profoundly and hopped out, case and loyal dog in tow.
Dyou want cab fare? the driver offered.
Ill be all right, Emily managed a smile. Ill ring my boyfriend to fetch me.
Good luck, love. And be careful next time. Though, with a guard dog like that, I doubt anyone will try anything.
Too right, she grinned.
She moved away from the bus, out of sight, and dug out her ancient phone, dialled Steve.
Whos this? Steve barked, irritated. What is it?
Steve, its Emily… Im ringing off my old phone. Can you come pick me up from the station?
Emily? From which station?
Steve, come on, how many Emilys do you know? Im at our local station. I wanted to surprise you. My wallets been stolen. Please fetch me Ive got my suitcase and… a dog. Long story.
Wait, a what? Did you say dog? Are you having me on?
Can we talk about it at home, please? How long before you can get here?
He was silent for a while.
Uh… Thing is, Im not able to drive right now.
What do you mean?
Well, I, um, had a few drinks. Cant drive, sorry.
How am I meant to get home? I dont have any cash. Unless you want me to walk through the city on my own?
Look, just wait at the station till dawn, its not long. Get the bus or tram in the morning.
Steve, I AM telling you: I have no money for the tram! Cant you just order a cab for me, or come get me?
Dont shout, Em. If youd let me know in advance, none of this wouldve happened.
I wanted to surprise you…
Yeah, well. Now its my fault, is it? I just cant right now.
Why NOT, Steve?
Because Im not at home.
So where are you?
Well, Im at Toms. We were out at the pub and I crashed here. Look, his wifes asleep in the next room its awkward. Lets talk tomorrow.
Emily hung up, silent and seething. Shed lived with Steve for six months, been seeing him a year and a half but shed not expected this.
Oh, so Im to take the tram home, am I? she muttered bitterly. What good are you? She scrolled her contacts. Amy would never leave her stranded she dialled.
Amy, hi. Sorry to ring so late. I just didnt know who else to turn to…
Sorry, youve got the wrong number, love came that same groggy mans voice. Do you realise its half one in the morning?
Blinking, Emily stared at her phone, confused.
Amys name shone up.
Maybe her husband? she wondered, pressing the phone back to her ear. But definitely not Jamess voice. Someone else? A colleague? Or maybe Amy is at a blokes for the night?
So many questions that Emily fumbled.
Is Amy there?
No Amy here. Only me in the flat. Was asleep until you rang.
Sorry, honestly. Must be some old number saved wrong. Sorry to bother you.
She was about to hang up, when the man suddenly said:
Emily? Is that you? I didnt look at caller ID at first but, yeah, its your number.
Will?
Yeah, its me. Why on earth are you ringing at this hour? Whats happening?
I honestly dont know how I dialled you… I meant to call Amy, but this is a different number…
Emily trailed off, realisation dawning. Her emergency phone stored an ancient contact: Will, her old classmate and first boyfriend from school. Shed broken it off ages ago, certain he wasnt the one. Still, shed never deleted his number couldnt say why.
When she started seeing Steve, hed grabbed her phone once and kicked up a scene over that Will of yours. She told Steve shed deleted Will, but really shed only renamed him Amy. And now, by chance, shed called him after all these years.
Whyve you gone quiet? Will asked gently. Somethings happened, hasnt it? I can tell by your tone.
He always could, even from afar. And so, quite without meaning to, Emily told him the whole lot: the stolen purse, the limping stray, the kindly coach driver, and about Steve, who thought it was fine for her to wait all night at a deserted station with not a penny to her name.
Good thing Ive got a penny or two, then Will joked, brightening the gloom.
Eh? Whats that supposed to mean?
My old man left me his Morris Minor Penny you remember? I can come get you, no trouble. Be there in half an hour, and yes, the dogs welcome too. Dont go wandering. If you need me, ring again.
O-okay, she stammered.
Honestly, how is it my boyfriend wont lift a finger, but my ex, whom I dumped ten years ago, is straight in the car at 1am for me? she thought shakily. I must be rotten at choosing men
One wrong number can tip your world on its head.
As she hugged her loyal stray to her side, pondering her values and choices, Will the same Will who once swore to love her, and (perhaps) never truly stopped was already speeding along the empty city roads in his dads old Morris, ready to help, no strings attached.
*****
No doubt you, dear readers, are curious what happened next.
Emily ended it with Steve, of course.
Not because he wouldnt come for her, but because, once home, she found an empty bottle of pink prosecco in the bin, and a long blonde hair on Steves rumpled sheets. The kind of hair that belonged to neither Emily nor Steve.
Clarity landed like a guillotine.
When Steve screamed and pleaded innocence the next day, Jack (her dog yes, she named him Jack) would growl and bare his teeth until Steve retreated, threatened with the prospect of replacing his trousers.
So Steve left.
And a few days later, Emily was striding through the park with Will. They sat on a bench, lost in bright conversation, while Jack and Linda (Wills dog, as you may have guessed) met for the first time. Will had found Linda by the roadside a year ago, hit by a reckless driver, nursed her back to health. She still limped on one leg, but it hardly mattered.
What truly mattered was that Emily and Will, after all these years, were ready to start again. And Jack, the once-unwanted, limping stray, seemed quite taken with limping Linda. They, too, quickly found common ground.
So goes the tale. If you liked it, dont forget to tip your hat.
