Andrew spotted the dog lying on the park bench and sprinted over. In his line of sight was also the leash that Natalie had carelessly tossed aside. Milo, the pooch, gave his owner a plaintive, bulgingeyed stare
He and his sister had barely spoken for almost two years. Poppy still didnt understand how a tiny misunderstanding could explode into such a fierce row.
Poppy and Victor Rumley were born a year apart. From the moment they could walk, they were inseparable, always ready to stick up for each other. No matter what mischief they got into, they shared the blame equally and never let the other take the fall.
Their home village, Littleford, grew and thrived year after year. They were lucky to have the local council leader, Paul Mitchell, a native son whod made a name for himself as a topnotch economist.
After graduating from the agricultural college, Paul returned to Littleford and threw himself into community projects. His hard work was soon recognised, and a decade later he became the head of Littlefords council.
Their private lives were just as smooth. When Poppy finished nursing college, she started working as a trainee nurse at the village health centre. Paul couldnt look at such a beauty without feeling a tug at his heart, and Poppy returned the interest. They married, and the whole village turned up for the wedding. Victor was genuinely happy for his sister, even though his own marriage to Natalie was anything but pictureperfect.
While Poppy was still a newlywed, Natalie would occasionally mutter about her, calling her useless or selfabsorbed. After the wedding, though, jealousy took the place of the old complaints. Natalie began demanding more and more from her husband a bigger house, a nicer car, a better wardrobe
Victor would often vent, Everyone else seems to have it all, and were left with nothing! He did his best, but Natalies wishes were impossible to satisfy with either cash or effort.
Natalie herself was far from content; motherhood never came her way. Meanwhile, Poppys life was marching on: she married well, had a boy and then a girl, built a spacious home, and her husband landed a respectable post
Family gatherings increasingly ended in arguments. Whenever Victor visited the Poppys, Natalie would immediately start nagging her husband.
The final showdown erupted on Victors birthday. Poppy presented him with a Labrador puppy shed saved up for in town hed been dreaming of a dog for ages. Paul handed him a brandnew motorbike as a bonus.
Everything went smoothly until drunken Natalie lost her temper and unleashed her pentup venom on Poppy:
Oi, Ellie! The dog whats that, a placeholder? If theres no kid, can we just get a dog instead?
Ellie tried to calm her down:
Nat, take it easy. Youll be ashamed of this later
Her words fell on deaf ears. A huge argument broke out, the guests split into two camps, and Paul whispered to his wife that they should leave. After saying goodbye, they slipped out of the celebration.
Two years passed. That same evening Victor began avoiding his sister; their contact dwindled to a few brief, rare meetings. Tension also rose between him and Natalie.
Every night Victor found himself walking down to the river with Milo. The two looked perfectly content: Victor would toss a stick, Milo would chase it, then plop himself at Victors feet and listen attentively to his quiet stories.
Neighbours knew about the river walks but said nothing Victor was stubborn as ever.
After that bitter spat, Natalie grew to hate both Poppy and the dog shed received. When Victor wasnt home, she would chase Milo out of the house, kick him, even give him a slap now and then.
Nosy neighbours fanned the flames:
Did you hear, Nat? Your husbands out by the river again with that dog
Yesterday they all ran into each other Victor, the kids they were laughing and having a great time!
Jealousy completely consumed Natalie. One day Victor asked:
Nat, arent you hurting Milo?
Do I need *your* dog? she snapped, storming out of the room.
Milo started hiding from Natalie more often, shaking whenever she appeared.
It all came to a head one morning when Victor, fed up, shouted:
Ive had enough of this endless jealousy!
Seething, Natalie dragged Milo onto the garden bench, tied a leash around him, and began to strangle him. The poor dog whimpered in agony. When her rage finally subsided, she tossed the leash aside, packed her things and left home for good.
That evening Victor returned, only to find Milo missing from the front gate. The house was in disarray. In the garden bench he discovered Milo, his paw caught in a knot. Victor quickly freed him, cradled the trembling animal and rushed to the clinic.
Poppy was just about to head home when she saw her brother, clutching the bleeding dog:
Ellie, help me Victor croaked.
They whisked Milo into the treatment room. Poppy examined him carefully:
Who did this?
Natalie Victor lowered his eyes.
Poppy nodded silently, stitched up the wounds, washed his eyes, and gave him water.
Later, in the hallway, Victor whispered apologetically:
Sorry, Ellie
Dont be ridiculous, she said with a weary smile. And Natalie?
No, Ellie. Thats over.
Poppy phoned Paul:
Paul, come quick, please.
When Paul heard his wifes exhausted voice, he was already on his bike.
Half an hour later he was in the hallway. Seeing the siblings huddled together, with Milo whimpering softly, he chuckled:
Come on, you two heroes.
They took Victor home and handed him a pamphlet on caring for a rescued dog.
When Poppy told their mother what had happened, she sighed:
They should have split up ages ago.
She gathered herself and headed to her sons house to help tidy up.
In the living room Victor sat, stroking Milo. Their mother arrived, patted both of them:
Are you alright?
Alive, Victor replied.
A pleasant aroma drifted from the kitchen roast beef and fresh vegetables. Milo nudged his nose, wagged his tail, and Victor smiled, getting to his feet.
Life, as always, carried on.
