“Gran, Hello! – shouted Matthew. – Who gave you permission to keep a wolf in our village?”

Gran Alice! shouted Matthew. Who allowed you to keep a wolf in the village?

Alice Stevens burst into bitter tears when she saw the ruined fence. Shed patched it up many times with loose boards and rotten posts, hoping the rickety barrier would last until she could save up enough pounds from her meagre pension. But luck wasnt on her sidethe fence had collapsed.

For ten years, Alice had managed her cottage all on her own since her beloved husband, Peter Andrews, had passed away. Peter had a touch of gold in his hands; as long as he was with her, Gran Alice never worried. He could do anythingcarpentry, repairs, you name it.

He took care of everything himself, so there was no need to call in tradesmen. Everyone in the village respected him for his kindness and hard work. Theyd shared forty happy years together, missing their anniversary by a mere day. The tidy cottage, the bountiful garden, and healthy livestockall were thanks to their devotion.

The couple had one son, Edward, their pride and joy. Edward learned the value of work from early childhood; he never needed reminding to help. Whenever Alice returned home from the dairy tired, shed find her son had already fetched firewood, carried water, lit the stove, and fed the animals.

Peter, after coming home from work, would wash up and step onto the porch for a smoke while Alice prepared supper. Evenings saw them gathered at the table, sharing the days news as a family. They were content.

Time passes, leaving only memories behind. Edward grew up and left for Londonstudied, married a city girl named Heather. They settled down in the capital. To begin with, Edward visited on holidays, but soon Heather persuaded him to holiday abroad each year. Peter, for his part, was annoyed with his sons choices.

How can Edward be so exhausted? he grumbled. Heathers put odd ideas into his head. What use are those holidays abroad?

The parents were left lonely, just living in hope for word from their son. Then one day, Peter fell ill. He stopped eating, grew weaker by the day. The doctors prescribed medicines, but, in the end, sent him home to live out his days. In the spring, as the woodlands filled with birdsong, Peter passed away.

Edward came back for the funeral, crying bitterly for not having seen his father one last time. He spent a week at the old cottage, then headed back to London. Over the next ten years, he wrote his mother only three letters. Alice was left on her own. She sold the cow and sheep to neighbours.

Why would she need livestock now? The old cow lingered near Alice’s gate, listening to her mistresss sobs before leaving for good. Alice locked herself in the furthest room, covered her ears and wept.

Without Peters hands, things steadily fell apart. The roof leaked, the porch planks broke, water flooded the cellar… Gran Alice did what she could, saving from her pension for the odd job, sometimes managing herselfafter all, shed grown up in the countryside and knew her way around.

She scraped by on precious little, when yet more misfortune struck. Alices eyesight suddenly worsened, though she’d never suffered with it before. At the village shop, she barely made out price tags. Within months she couldnt even read the sign outside.

The district nurse came by, examined her and insisted on tests at the hospital.

Mrs Stevens, do you want to go blind? Theyll operate and your sight will come back!

But Alice was frightened of surgery and refused. Within a year, she could hardly see at all. Yet it didnt bother her much.

What do I need sight for? she said. I dont watch television anymorejust listen to it. The voice reads the news, and it makes sense to me. I do everything around the house by habit.

Sometimes, though, she grew uneasy. There were more questionable folk in the village. Thieves visited the area, breaking into abandoned cottages and nicking whatever they could lay their hands on. Alice wished she had a proper dog to bark at strangers, something to make undesirable visitors think twice.

She asked Simon, the local huntsman:

Do you know if the gamekeepers got any pups? Id raise one myself, even the runt.

Simon looked at her, curious. Gran Alice, why would you want a husky pup? Theyre for the forest. I can fetch you a pedigree Alsatian from the city.

That must cost a fortune

Not more than money, Gran Alice.

Well, then go on.

Alice counted her savings and calculated shed have enough for a good dog. But Simon, unreliable as ever, put off the promise time and time again. Alice scolded him for his empty words, but deep down she pitied him. He was a sad, lonesome man, no family or children; his only companion was a flask of spirits.

Simon, Edwards own age, had never left the villagehe felt smothered in the city. Hunting was his greatest passion; hed vanish in the woods for days on end.

When the season ended, Simon did odd jobs for villagers: digging gardens, mending things, fixing machinery. Any money he earned from old ladies went straight to his drinking habits.

After a binge, Simon would retreat to the woodsill, swollen and remorseful. A few days later, hed return, hands full of mushrooms, berries, fish, pine cones. He sold it cheap and wasted what he earned. He was a drunk, but helped Alice with her choresfor pay. Now, with the fence collapsed, she needed him once more.

Looks like the dog will have to wait, sighed Alice Stevens. I must pay Simon for the fence, and Im short of cash.

Simon came round, not empty-handed. His rucksack stirred with something alive. Grinning, he called Alice over.

Look what Ive brought you. He opened the bag.

Alice reached out and felt a little furry head.

Simon, you brought me a puppy? she exclaimed.

The best of the best. Pure-breed Alsatian, gran.

The pup squealed, wriggling to escape. Alice panicked:

But I dont have enough money! Only for the fence!

Im not taking it back, Gran Alice! Simon declared. Do you know how many thousand pounds I paid for this dog?

What could she do? Alice hurried to the shop, where the shopkeeper gave her five bottles of whisky on credit and wrote her name in the ledger.

By evening, Simon had finished the fence. Alice gave him a hearty meal and poured him a drink. Buoyed by whisky, Simon began instructing her about the new puppy, curled up beside the hearth.

Feed him twice a day. And buy a strong chainhell grow up healthy and powerful. I know dogs, I promise.

And so, little Toby entered Alices cottage. She grew fond of the pup, and he answered her with devotion. Each time Alice stepped outside to feed Toby, he bounced with joy, ready to lick her face. Trouble was, the dog grew enormousbut never barked. That disappointed Alice Stevens.

Oh, Simon! Oh, you scoundrel! Sold me a useless dog.

But what could be done? She couldnt cast away such a gentle creature. Barking wasnt neededneighbours dogs wouldnt dare make a sound at Toby, who grew so big in three months he almost reached Alices waist.

One day, Matthew, the local huntsman, came to the village for groceries, salt and matches, stocking up for the long winter season in the woods. Passing Alices cottage, he stopped short at the sight of Toby.

Gran Alice! Matthew cried. Who told you to keep a wolf in the village?

Alice clutched her hands to her chest in fear.

Oh, Lord! Fool that I am! That rascal Simon tricked me! He said it was a pedigree Alsatian…

Matthew gravely advised her, You must let him go into the woods, Gran. Otherwise, therell be trouble.

Tears filled Alices eyes. How hard it was to say goodbye to Toby! Gentle, loving, even if he was a wolf. Lately, hed grown restless, tugging the chain, longing for freedom. Locals eyed him warily. There was no choice.

Matthew took the wolf to the woods. Toby wagged his tail and vanished among the trees. Nobody saw him again.

Alice missed her dear friend and cursed Simons trickery. Even Simon regretted it, for he meant well. Once, out wandering, he stumbled upon bear tracks and heard an odd whimper from afar. He was ready to leave, knowing where there are cubs, thered be a mother bear. Yet, the sound was not bear-like.

Pushing aside brambles, Simon found a den. Nearby lay a dead she-wolf; around her, savaged cubsthe bear had attacked. Only one cub survived, still hiding.

Simon pitied the orphan. He took it in, then decided to give it to Alice, hoping shed care for it. He imagined the wolf, once grown, would return to the woods while he sourced Alice a proper dog. But Matthew spoiled his plan.

Simon paced around her gate for days, unable to step inside. Winter raged outdoors. Alice kept the hearth ablaze against the cold.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Alice hurried to answer. A man stood outside.

Good evening, gran. May I sleep here tonight? I was heading for the next village but got lost.

Whats your name, lad? My sights poor.

Brian.

Alice frowned. Dont recall any Brians in our village…

Im new, gran. Just bought a cottage nearby. Came to look at it, but my car got bogged. Had to walk, and the snows fierce tonight!

You bought old Denning’s place, then?

He nodded. Thats right.

Alice invited the stranger in, put the kettle on. She didnt notice how eagerly he eyed her battered old cabinet, where rural folk often kept their savings and trinkets.

While Alice fiddled at the stove, the visitor started rifling through the cabinet. Alice heard the door creak.

What are you doing, Brian?

There was a currency change! Im helping you get rid of outdated money, he lied.

Alice scowled. Nonsense. Theres been no such change! Who are you?!

He whipped out a knife and held it near her chin.

Be quiet, old woman. Hand over your money, gold, food!

Alice was terrifiedclearly a criminal, hiding from the law. Now her fate seemed sealed…

Just then, the door burst open. In flew the huge wolf, leaping at the thief. He shouted, but his thick scarf saved him from serious wounds. The burglar stabbed the wolf’s shoulder and darted away.

At that moment, Simon was approaching to apologise. At Alices gate, he saw a man fleeing with a knife, cursing. Simon rushed inside to find Alice with bleeding Toby on the floor. He understood and hurried to summon the constable.

They caught the criminal and sentenced him afresh.

Toby became the village hero. Neighbours brought treats for him and greeted him fondly. He roamed freely, yet always returned to Alice, ambling home with Simon after woodland outings.

One day, a sleek black 4×4 appeared outside her cottage. Someone was splitting firewood in the yardit was Edward. Seeing his old friend, he opened his arms wide.

That night, they all sat around the table, Alice beaming with joy. Edward convinced her to come to London for surgery to restore her sight.

Well, since its needed… she sighed. The grandsons coming in summer, and Id like to see him. Simon, take good care of the cottage and Toby for me, would you?

Simon nodded. Toby settled near the fireplace, his head contentedly on his paws. His place was with friends.

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