Simon Visits the Countryside to Look After His Aunt, His Late Mother’s Elder Sister, Fulfilling Her Last Request

Simon travelled down from the city to visit his aunt, his late mothers older sister. On her deathbed, Simons mother had asked him to look after Aunt Lucy, who had grown frail with age.

Aunt Lucy was a tiny, elderly woman. More than once, Simon had urged her to move in with him and his wife in London, promising her a room of her own, a nice garden, and the company of other pensioners. He assured her it would be lively, but Aunt Lucy, stubborn as ever, refused to leave her cottage in the countryside.

So, every three months, Simon would take five unpaid days off work. The journey itself took two daysone there, one backso that left him three full days to help Lucy about the house and garden. Fortunately, Simon headed his own department and could get away for these short leaves, and his firms director was an old friend.

That spring, work had piled up, and Simon couldnt visit in March as usual. It was nearly the end of April by the time he managed to get away. He found Aunt Lucy changed by the winter; she seemed even more fragile, and her neighbour, Mrs. Mary Wilton, mentioned theyd summoned the doctor twice.

Why didnt you call me? Simon asked. Whenever I phoned, you both told me everything was fine.

She made me promise not to trouble you at work, Mrs. Wilton replied quietly. Said I was only to let you know after she was gone.

Simon walked to the village shop for sugar and salt, as Aunt Lucy requested, picking up plenty moregrains, tinned meat, condensed milk. When he returned, he spotted a young sheepdog puppy, about five months old, sitting shyly by the front steps.

Lucy, where did this puppy come from? he called.

Oh, he showed up about a month ago, she said, her eyes twinkling. I opened the gate, and there he was, shivering, skin and bone. Ive fattened him up a bit. Took him in for the company.

Simon knelt and stroked the pups head. The dog rested its chin trustingly on his knee. Simon had loved dogs since he was a boy, always wishing for a canine friend, but his parents had never allowed it. Now, as an adult, pets still seemed unmanageable. His wife once kept a cat, but it had vanished after three years. He and his wife, Margaret, had no childrenshe was unable to conceive, and together theyd accepted a childless life, filling it instead with travel.

Whats the pups name? Simon asked.

Timmy, Lucy replied. That was my old cats name.

Simon laughed. Is it quite right, calling a dog by a cats name?

Oh, it makes no difference. He comes when I call.

While Simon stayed, Timmy followed him everywhere. When it was time to leave, Simon pleaded with Lucy not to hide it if she felt unwell, to call if she needed medicine, and to please, always ask for help.

Youre already worn out by these trips, Lucy said gently. I doubt Ill be around much longer.

Dont talk like that, Simon replied. I dont mind. I like coming.

Simon, if I can ask you just one thing, she said, voice trembling. If something should happen to me, please dont abandon Timmy. Hes a living creature.

I wont, Simon promised. Ill find someone to take him in.

Not just anyone, please. Take him yourself. I do believe he found his way here for a reason.

As if agreeing, Timmy pressed his head into Simons lap and gazed into his eyes. All right, Aunt Lucy, he said softly. If it comes to it, Ill take Timmy with me.

Just one month later, Aunt Lucy passed away. Simon arranged her burial, held a wake with the neighbours, and, after the ninth day, visited her grave with Timmy to bid farewell.

Then came the time to return to London. Simon brought a collar and lead, and they arrived at the village rail station to catch their train. Hed booked a seat in the carriage that allowed pets. When they entered their compartment, Timmy suddenly bristled and growled at the man by the window.

The man spun round in surprise. You lot have lost your mindsbringing wolves onto trains!

Sir, are you drunk? Hes not a wolf, just my sheepdogTimmy.

Timmy? Looks more like a wolf to me. Im a hunter, Id know.

Timmy growled again, showing his teeth. The man paled. Keep that beast away, or Ill put him down myself.

Youd do best to keep quiet if you want to reach your stop in one piece. No ones bothering you.

Well, Im not sitting here another minute. Ill wait in the corridor til my station.

After he left, Simon looked at the dog and, with a wry smile, asked, Timmy, are you really a wolf? The pup wagged his tail and plopped his head on Simons knee. No matter if you are. Youre wonderful as you are.

Presently, the train guard stopped at their compartment. Excuse me, is that a wolf or a sheepdog?

Did the fellow from earlier send you? Of course not, hes a special breed of sheepdoga search dog, Simon replied.

Oh, I see. Do you have his papers?

Certainly, just a moment. Simon rifled through his coat, then exclaimed, Oh dear, Timmy, I left your papers at the ticket office. Without them, they wouldnt have sold us a ticket, he explained to the guard.

Thats quite all right, the guard replied, letting it go.

Although he showed no documents, the ticket clerk was Mrs. Wiltons daughter, so there was no trouble. By morning, they were back in London. Simon took Timmy straight to the local vets surgery. The vet eyed the dog carefully.

Are you with the circus? she asked.

No, why do you say that?

Many circuses try to pass wolves for dogs, she replied, studying Timmy. He has wolf in him.

Simon sighed. Hes a wolf-dog, but not from a circus. My aunt passed away in Dorset, and she asked me to take him.

Drawing closer, the vet nodded thoughtfully. Hes a crossbreedone parent a German Shepherd, the other a wolf. Wolf-dogs like him can be gentle and loyal, so theres little to worry about. Lets get him registered and make sure his vaccines are up to date.

Simons wife, Margaret, warmed to Timmy at once, taking charge of his walks and meals. Nearly ten months slipped by. Then, one winter evening during the new year holidays, Margaret took Timmy out for some fresh air in the nearby parka ten-minute walk from their flat.

As they wandered the paths, Timmy suddenly pricked up his ears and darted into the gloom. Margaret called after him frantically, but he vanished. A tense five or seven minutes dragged by. She was about to ring Simon when she spied Timmy returning, carrying something heavy in his mouth.

Margaret hurried over and, to her amazement, found a newborn baby inside a bundle, alive. Though a doctor herself, she wasted no time calling an ambulance and the police.

Help arrived quickly. Margaret couldnt accompany them because of the dog, but she hurried Timmy home and then dashed to the hospital, taking Simon along. There, the staff told them the child was a girlabout a month old and healthy.

Pinned to her clothes was a note: Her name was Alice, and her mother begged for her to be given to good people. Margaret, on seeing the infant, fell instantly in love.

She glanced at Simon, asking the question wordlessly. He nodded without hesitation. Margaret told the nurse that she and Simon wished to adopt Alice.

Two months later, little Alicerescued by Timmy, the faithful strayfilled their lives with laughter. Just as Aunt Lucy had believed, the dog had come to her doorstep for a reason.