Dont Want To Lose Her
When he spotted Frederick pausing at the zebra crossing, Andrew let out a weary sigh. He understood it was finally time for a serious chat with his mate, but not a clue where to begin. What am I supposed to say? Sorry, Fred, I can’t give your dog back because I need him myself? What will he think? Best case, hell laugh and think Im having him on. Worse, hell reckon Ive lost the plot.
Andrew glanced down at Benny, sitting loyally by his side, and murmured just above a whisper, Maybe you could help me out, mate. Pretend you dont want to go back, would you? Just for a bit?
Benny looked at him with big, earnest eyes that seemed to say, Not want to go home? Course I do! Been looking forward to it for three days! In a second, his tail was wagging madly the moment he saw Frederick.
Alright, Andrew! Frederick greeted warmly, crouching to hug the dog. Blimey, Ive missed you, my shaggy friend. Not giving you to anyone else ever again.
Andrew frowned. Great, this is even more awkward than he feared. With words like that, there was no chance Frederick would easily hear him out.
So Fred, youre not planning to jet off anywhere soon, are you? Andrew tried tentatively.
Ive just got back! Frederick grinned. Why would I leg it again?
You never know Andrew said, gripping Bennys lead a little tighter. Maybe theres a cousins birthday or something?
Thank God, no. We bought the mother-in-law such an extravagant present for her birthday, were basically skint now. All these birthdays, honestly, they bleed you dry! Why dyer ask? You need something?
Yeah, actually, I do Fred, could you I mean I really need your dog. Just for a bit.
Sorry, what?!
Just for a few days, a week at most. Help me out, mate Andrews pleading look made Frederick pause, totally taken aback for a good minute.
Then, regaining his composure, he asked, Everything alright, Andrew? Youve not lost your mind, have you? Why do you need my dog? Youve always said you couldnt stand them. Took all my convincing to get you to look after Benny in the first place!
Oh, dont mind what I used to say. Yeah, couldnt stand dogs. But now Ive changed my mind.
No, mate, youre holding something back. Spill it, why do you need my dog so badly? You planning to rob a bank with him as accomplice or something?
Andrew chuckled. Its complicated, mate. Much more complicated than that.
He realised he had no choice but to come clean and tell Frederick everything. As he spoke, Frederick listened quietly, smiling all the way through.
So, will you let me keep Benny a little longer? Andrew pleaded hopefully. Hes really important to mecould change my whole future.
*****
It all began when Frederick, the same mate Andrew is now begging about the dog, had approached him a week earlier with an unexpected request.
Andrew, my mother-in-laws got her big birthday coming up, and I have to dash off with Susan for about a week. Cant take Benny with ushed be too much trouble, and, to be honest, she thinks hes a bear. Any chance you can dog-sit him for me? Hes really no bother, very well-behaved.
Fred, your mother-in-law means the world to you, I get it. But leaving a dog with me? Ive never really gotten on with them, to be honest. Never liked them. They dont like me either.
Bennyll manage even if you dont! Fred laughed. Seriously, Im begging you. Youre my last hope.
Andrew really didnt want to be responsible for someone elses dog. Actually, for any dog. But could he refuse his friend?
Alright, Fred. Ill look after Benny. Just this once, though, yeah? Andrew relented.
Deal. Thanks, mate.
Benny proved to be a calm, obedient dogat home, anyway. But when Andrew took him for a walk in the local park and, feeling confident, let him off the lead, Benny not only bolted but didnt come back. Vanished without a trace.
Andrew searched every inch of the park, even peered behind bushes, but Benny was nowhere to be found.
Fantastic! Only I could lose a dog on the very first day, Andrew muttered, exasperated.
Right then his phone rangFrederick. Brilliant timing, Andrew thought sarcastically, answering.
Hey, Andrew! Hows it going with you two? Out for a walk?
Alright, Fred. Yeah, out getting some fresh air, Andrew lied.
Good on you! Just remember, dont let Benny off the leadhe loves a good sprint and youll never catch him.
Yep, will do, thanks, Andrew replied, scanning the park frantically for any sign of the absent dog.
Suddenly, he spotted a young woman jogging along the path. All thoughts of Benny faded to the background as Andrew was utterly enchantedshe was stunning, truly beautiful.
His mouth fell open in awe. The woman, spotting the lead in his hand, stopped with a warm smile.
Excuse me, have you by any chance lost a dog? Big lad, black and white with ginger patches?
No, Andrew shook his headthen realised, Actually, yes! Thats my dog. Well, Freds dog, I mean. He ran off and Ive been looking for him everywhere. You saw him?
I did. Was running round a bench, chasing sparrows. Funny thing. Want me to show you where?
Yes please, Andrew replied, unable to take his eyes off this charming stranger. Just minutes ago, settling down and relationships were the last thing on his mindhe was perfectly content with his bachelor life. Now Well, he was suddenly very keen on romance and sharing his life with someone.
Well, are you just going to stand there, or will you come with me? the lady said, amusement in her voice as Andrew stayed rooted to the spot. Keep up, Ive not got much time!
Andrew nodded, gathered himself and set off after her, heart racing. As he jogged behind this vision of loveliness, he thought for the first time that hed gladly chase her anywhere. Even to the North Pole.
But whilst the athletic young woman ran with grace and ease, Andrew was struggling within seconds to simply keep her in sight. After two hundred metres, he was flaggingstitch in his side, stars in his eyesand ground to a halt.
She stopped, came over, and asked, concern in her voice, Are you alright?
Yeah, just a bit unfit, Andrew panted, trying to laugh it off.
Do you smoke?
Quitting.
Good for you. Theres nothing good about that habit. When youre finally done with them, start joining us for morning runsrunning does wonders for you. Besides, youll need to run fast in life sometimes.
To escape the police after a bank robbery? Andrew grinned.
She chuckled. No, but if you could sprint, your dog wouldnt have got away. Youd have caught him in no time.
Hes not mine though Freds. Im just looking after him while hes off at a birthday do at the mother-in-laws.
And you agreed to it? she smiled. Thats rather chivalrous of you. You must love dogs?
Andrew almost contradicted her, but the interest in her eyes made him nod instead. Love them, always have.
So, why havent you got one yourself? Or do you walk them in turns?
Andrew was caught off-guardhe didnt know how to answerbut was saved when Benny suddenly bounded over, stick in mouth.
Andrew quickly clipped the lead on and, as she fussed Benny, invited the lady for a stroll. He didnt expect much, but he had to try.
To his surprise, she agreed. She liked Andrewand Benny, clearly.
Andrew, for the record, didnt scold Benny for running away. After all, it was thanks to him hed met Caroline, the woman whod just stolen his heart.
Obviously, the next day, Andrew and Benny returned to the parkand once again crossed paths with Caroline.
While she played fetch with Benny, Andrew admired her from afar. They found themselves sitting on a bench, chatting away.
So, what do you do for a living? asked Caroline as she tossed the ball again.
Ive got my own little repair shopcomputers and mobiles, Andrew replied, head held high.
Nice! Mum and I have a small family business too, Caroline said with a grin.
She kept the details vague, but Andrew didnt pryhe was interested in her, not her work.
Not that it stayed a secret for long. On their sixth day of meeting, Andrew invited Caroline on a date. On the way, he popped by the market to buy flowers. He meant to buy them from the nearest stall, but Benny pulled him firmly the other way.
Hold on! Where are you taking me, you daft dog? Andrew grumbled.
When they arrived at a pretty flower stall, Andrew let out a sigh of relief. Inside, he stopped deadbehind the counter was Caroline, arranging blooms alongside her mother.
Oh, umhello, Andrew stammered.
What a coincidence! Caroline smiled. How did you manage to find me?
I wasnt actually looking for you I was buying flowers for a girlwell, you, actually, Andrew admitted.
Caroline, is this the Andrew youve told me about? her mum asked, surprised.
The very one.
Well, come closer, young man. Let me take a good look at you. And bring that handsome dog as well
So, thanks to Benny, Andrew had now met not just Caroline but her mum as well.
For what its worth, Mrs. Jenkins was a lovely woman. Andrew even caught himself thinking he wouldnt mind having her as a mother-in-law.
See you tomorrow? Caroline asked as Andrew walked her home.
Of course.
And dont forget Benny.
Benny? Probably cant bring himhis owners back tomorrow, so Ill have to give him back.
Really? Oh, thats a shame Caroline sighed.
Why? Am I not good enough on my own?
No, its not that. Ive always dreamed of a big dog like him, but Ive never had the courage, always too worried about the responsibility. Weve always kept cats, theyre simpler. But lately Ive been realising dogs arent so hard to get on with. I love walking and running with him Ill miss him, thats all.
Andrew could see how disappointed Caroline was, and he didnt have a clue what to do.
If he returned Benny to Frederick, his fledgling relationship with Caroline might just fizzle out just as quickly. The thought terrified him.
I dont want to lose her, understand? Andrew confessed to Benny, desperate. What do I do?
He couldnt think of a better solution than begging Frederick not to collect his dog just yet. He needed time to sort things out.
Frederick was surprised, hesitated for ages, but in the end clapped him on the back. Alright, Andrew, go sort out your love life. Just dont get too attachedI cant hand Benny over for good.
I know. Thanks, mate.
The next day, when Andrew showed up at the park with Benny, Caroline was first delighted, then suspicious.
Thought you said you had to give the dog back? Dont tell meyouve stolen him! she teased.
Try stealing him! Andrew laughed. Frederick couldnt make it. So Bennys still with me for a bit. With us.
As the weekthe final hire period for the dogwound down, Andrews nerves were in shreds. He dreaded telling Caroline Benny wouldnt be coming on their walks anymore. But as it turned out, Benny fixed things himself.
While Andrew and Caroline were chatting on the bench, Benny dashed about the park until he returned with a tiny puppy in tow. Not a pedigree, perhaps, but a dog all the samea friend.
Oh, hes adorable! Caroline beamed. Looks like Bennys found a replacement!
Seems that way, Andrew replied thoughtfully.
So can we keep him?
Of course we can!
And so it was. Benny returned home to Frederick, while Andrew and Caroline adopted the sweet little puppy. Andrew, like a true gent, took all responsibilitybrought him home with him. Before long, Caroline moved her things in too.
Soon enough, there was a wedding, with Frederick, his wife, and Benny among the honoured guests.
Thats how it all happeneddont want to lose her.
