**The Leash of Fate**
The gentle but insistent rays of the morning sun slipped through the thin curtains, casting golden speckles across the sleeping womans face. They seemed to whisper, *”Wake up, the world is beautiful, and its waiting for you.”* Evelyn stretched in bed, savouring the lightness in her limbs after a deep sleep. It was a well-earned reward for years of self-discipline.
Eight years, two months, and seventeen days had passed since she had shown her husband the door. Not that she countedit was simply the day etched into her memory as the start of her real life. Their son, James, had grown into a self-sufficient man, studying in Cambridge in his fourth year at a prestigious university. He rarely came home now, only brief phone calls, his voice growing more distant with each passing day.
*”Mum, Ive got exams, then work, and Lucy and I”* she would hear, swallowing a pang of sadness. *”Of course, love, I understand. Im doing just fine!”* And she wasnt lying. Her life had purpose and order.
At forty-three, Evelyn felt a decade younger. Slender, poised, with sharp grey-blue eyes, she looked younger than her years. The secret was simple: four years of unwavering routine. Up at six, a run, a cold shower, a healthy breakfast, then off to the office. She was a manager at a respected firm and valued her position. Her boss, a punctual man with an uncanny sense for tardiness, had no patience for lateness.
Shed often see him materialise in the corridor at precisely 9:01 before some breathless colleague. *”Late again? Shouldve woken earlier! Explanatory note on my desk!”* His low, commanding voice made even the innocent flinch.
Evelyn was respectedsmart, driven, always ready to lend a hand. Humble, easy to talk to. Yet her personal life had been quiet since the divorce. She filled her time with work, self-care, and her loyal Labrador, Barney, whom she affectionately called Bear.
His arrival four years ago had sparked those invigorating morning runs. Barney was her alarm clock, personal trainer, and most devoted friend. A handsome chocolate-coloured dog with wise eyes and boundless kindness. He never caused troublehis easygoing nature was the best antidote to loneliness. Years ago, when choosing a breed, shed asked a friends husband for advice. *”Get a Labrador. You wont regret it. Theyre a friend, a cure for loneliness, and a therapist all in one.”* He hadnt been wrong.
Shed always had dogs as a child, but during her marriage to Richard, the dream had faded. He loathed animals. *”If you and the boy bring some mangy mutt into this flat, Ill toss it out the seventh-floor window. Mark my words.”* The venom in his eyes had convinced her.
In the end, it was she who nearly threw *him* out when, in a drunken rage, he raised a hand to her. She hadnt the strengthonly the will. She sobbed in the bedroom as he raged in the living room. Then he slammed the door himself, taking the bags shed packed. Fifteen years together, the last three a living hell. Richard had failed as a husband and fatherselfish, bitter, never satisfied. That strike had been the last straw. Thank God James hadnt been home.
*”Good riddance. Well manage. The salarys decent. Better alone than trapped, showing our son a warped idea of family.”* She hadnt been wrong. Eight years of peace, of harmony. She kept men at arms lengthRichard had soured her for life.
The warm August morning carried the last whispers of summer. Evelyn rose and peeked into the hallway. Barney sat by the door, leash clamped in his jaws, tail thumping the floor. *”Bear, lets go! Good boywho needs an alarm with you around?”* She smiled, pulling on her trainers. *”All right, all right, were going!”*
She adored their parkjust a quick crossing through the underpass, and there it was, a green oasis with neat paths. Mornings bustled with joggers, cyclists, fellow dog walkers. Evelyn unclipped the leash, and Barney bolted ahead, glancing back to ensure she followed.
She jogged leisurely, enjoying the air, nodding at familiar strangersfellow morning enthusiasts. Then, from beyond the lilac bushes, a yowl. Evelyn veered off the path and froze. Barney stood rigid before a tiny black kitten, ears flattened in fear. Her heart lurched. She knew the Labrador wouldnt harm it, but instinct drove her forwardjust as her foot caught a hidden rock.
A sickening crack. White-hot pain seared through her. She crumpled with a cry. Darkness swam in her vision. *”No not this”* She forced herself to look. Her leg lay at an unnatural angle. *”Bear, what have you done?”* The kitten had vanished. Barney licked her cheekthen dashed away.
Despair clamped her throat. Pain, fear, thoughts of the dog, work, utter solitudeall tangled into one. She tried to rise, but it was useless. Tears spilled freely.
Meanwhile, Barney raced down the path like a mad thing. He found the man he soughttall, athletic, a regular face in the park. The dog skidded to a halt before him, barking urgently. *”Hey there, handsome!”* the man chuckled. *”Wheres your owner? Something wrong?”*
Barney barked again, spun, and bolted back, glancing to ensure the man followed. At the bushes, he stopped and barked once more.
The manThomasparted the branches and saw her. Pale, tear-streaked, leg twisted beneath her. *”Good morning Though, clearly, not for you.”* He knelt beside her. *”What happened? Your four-legged friend sounded the alarm. Clever dog.”*
Evelyn gritted her teeth. *”My leg I think its broken. Cant move it.”*
*”Well call an ambulance.”* His calm, steady voice soothed her.
The medics arrived swiftly. *”Fracture, yes. Hospital for X-rays and setting,”* the doctor confirmed.
*”The hospital?”* Her voice wavered. *”But Barney I live alone. Wholl take him? They wont let him in”*
*”Absolutely not,”* the nurse agreed.
Thomas didnt hesitate. *”Give me the lead. Ill take him.”*
*”Butweve only just met! Im Evelyn.”*
*”Thomas. Its fine. Well swap numbers.”* He spoke as if offering to carry her shopping.
As the medics lifted her, she saw Barney whining, straining toward her, Thomas holding him firmly, murmuring reassurances.
The ambulance left. Thomas stood with the dog. *”Right, mate. Partners now.”* He led Barney away. *”Youll stay with me, then well fetch your food. Got work, but Ill pop back.”*
Barney walked obediently, but his drooping tail betrayed his worry.
Thomas ran a garage and parts shop. Hed lived alone nearly a yearhis wife, whom hed spoiled, had left for a younger man. His wise father had insisted the business stay in his name. *”Son, lifes unpredictable. Trust me.”* Now, Thomas was endlessly grateful. The divorce had left bitterness, a wariness of trust.
That evening, the phone rang. *”Thomas? Doctor from St. Marys. Your friends stable, but its a complex fracture. Shell need time.”*
*”Are fractures ever simple?”* Thomas chuckled.
*”Plenty!”* The doctor laughed. *”Visit soon. Shell need follow-ups after discharge.”*
Evelyn lay in the ward, leg encased in plaster. The pain had dulled, but loneliness crept in. She stared out the window, thinking of Barney, her helplessness, burdening a stranger. When Thomas entered with fruit and juice, tears welled again.
*”Hello! Why the long face?”* He set the gifts down.
*”Thomas, Im so sorry for the trouble And Barney How can I thank you?”*
*”Dont fret!”* He switched effortlessly to warmth. *”Barney sends his love. Model behaviour. Weve bonded. Though he misses you. So hurry upwell grow dull without you.”*
He joked, shared stories, and soon she smiled. Thomas noticedher smile bright, her eyes alight.
A week later, discharged, she called him. *”Thomas, could you? Ive got crutches, I could manage a taxi”*
*”Already on my way!”*
An hour later, his car waited. As he helped her in, a chocolate whirlwind launched from the back seatBarney licking her face, whining with joy. *”Bear! My good boy!”* She hugged him
