**The Leash of Fate**
The morning sun, soft yet insistent, slipped through the thin curtains, painting golden streaks across the sleeping womans face. It whispered, *Wake upthe world is beautiful and waiting for you.* Stretching lazily, Emily felt the pleasant lightness in her limbs, a hard-earned reward after years of self-discipline.
Eight years, two months, and seventeen days had passed since shed shown her ex-husband the door. Not that she countedthe date was simply etched into her memory as the start of her real life. Their son, James, was now a capable young man, studying his final year at Cambridge. He rarely visited anymore, just callshis voice still familiar yet growing more distant with each conversation.
*”Mum, Ive got exams, then work, and me and Chloe”* Shed swallow the pang of loneliness and chirp, *”Of course, love! Im fine!”* And she meant it. Her life had purpose and order.
At forty-three, Emily felt thirty. Slim, poised, with clear grey-blue eyes, she looked younger than her years. The secret? Four years of strict routine6 a.m. wake-ups, runs, cold showers, healthy breakfasts, then off to the office. She worked as a manager at a prestigious firm and valued her position. Her boss, a punctuality-obsessed man with an uncanny knack for catching latecomers, despised tardiness.
Shed often see him materialise in the hallway at 9:01 sharp, looming over some breathless employee. *”Late again? Earlier alarms, please! Explanation on my desk!”* His low, commanding voice sent shivers down spines, guilty or not.
Respected by her colleagues, Emily was sharp, driven, and kindnever arrogant. Yet her personal life had been silent since the divorce. Work, self-care, and her loyal Labrador, Barney, filled her days.
Barneyher chocolate-coated alarm clock, trainer, and therapist. Intelligent eyes, endless kindness, and a temperament that never faltered. Years ago, a friends husband had advised, *”Get a Labbest decision youll make. A friend, antidote to loneliness, and therapist rolled into one.”* Hed been right.
As a girl, shed always had dogs, but marriage to Daniel had crushed that dream. *”If you or James drag some flea-ridden mutt into this flat, Ill chuck it off the balcony myself,”* hed sneered, eyes burning with such malice she believed him.
In the end, *she* nearly threw *him* out when, drunk and raging, he raised a hand to her. She hadnt the strengthonly the will. Shed sobbed in the bedroom as he stormed out, slamming the door on fifteen yearsthe last three pure hell. Daniel had failed as a husband and fatherselfish, bitter, never satisfied. That slap had been the final straw. Thank God James hadnt been home.
*”Better alone than trapped,”* shed thought then. And shed been right. Eight happy, harmonious yearsmen kept at arms length. Daniel had soured her for life.
—
The warm August air carried the last breaths of summer. Rising, Emily peeked into the hallBarney sat by the door, leash clamped in his jaws, tail thumping. *”Good boy! Who needs alarms with you around?”* she laughed, lacing her trainers.
She loved their parkjust a quick underpass away, a green oasis with neat paths. Mornings buzzed with joggers, cyclists, and fellow dog owners. Unclipping the leash, she watched Barney bolt ahead, glancing back to ensure she followed.
Thena yowl from the lilac bushes. Barney froze, stance rigid. A tiny black kitten, ears flat, huddled in fear. Emilys heart lurched. She knew Barney wouldnt harm it, but instinct propelled her forward
The world tilted. Her foot twisted with a sickening *snap* against a hidden rock. White-hot pain seared through her. She crumpled with a gasp, vision swimming. *”No no, no”* Her leg bent unnaturally. *”Barney, what have you done?”* The kitten vanished. Barney licked her cheekthen dashed away.
Despair choked her. Pain, fear, thoughts of Barney, work, utter helplessnesstears spilled freely.
—
Meanwhile, Barney raced down the path, frantic. He found *him*the tall, athletic man he saw most mornings. Skidding to a halt, the dog barked sharply.
*”Hey, mate! Wheres your mum?”* The manThomasfrowned. Barney spun, sprinted back, checking Thomas followed.
Parting the bushes, Thomas saw herpale, tear-streaked, clutching her leg. *”Morning though not a good one, I see,”* he said gently, kneeling. *”Your clever lad raised the alarm.”*
*”My leg I cant move it,”* she rasped.
*”Ambulance first,”* he said calmly, dialling.
It arrived swiftly. *”Fracture, needs hospital,”* the paramedic said.
*”But BarneyIve no one to”*
*”Ill take him,”* Thomas cut in. *”Thomas Parker. Well sort it.”*
As they loaded her, she watched Barney whine, held firmly by Thomas, who murmured reassurance.
—
Thomas ran a garage and lived alonehis wife had left him for a younger man a year prior. His fathers wisdom had saved him: *”Lifes unpredictable, son. Keep the business in my name.”* Now, he was grateful.
That evening, the hospital called. *”Your friends okay, but its a bad break. Shell need ongoing care.”*
*”Bad breaks exist?”* Thomas joked.
*”Plenty!”* the doctor laughed. *”Visit soon.”*
Emily lay with her casted leg, worrying about Barney, her helplessness, burdening a stranger. When Thomas arrived with fruit and juice, tears welled again.
*”Heywhy the long face?”* he teased.
*”Im so sorry for the trouble Barney”*
*”Stop it,”* he said gently. *”Barneys fine. Misses you, though. Hurry back.”*
His jokes, storiesshe smiled without noticing. He noticed. Noted how her eyes lit up.
—
A week later, discharged, she called him. *”Thomas, I can manage a taxi”*
*”Already on my way!”*
Helping her into his car, Barney erupted from the back seata wriggling, ecstatic mass of fur, licking her face, whining joy. *”Barney! Oh, I missed you!”* She hugged him, crying.
Thomas carried her upstairs, then fetched groceries. *”Ill walk Barney later. Call if you need anything.”*
Alone, Emily wept and laughed as Barney nuzzled her. *”Im here,”* he seemed to say.
—
Their odd trio-life began. Thomas came dailymorning walks so she could rest, evenings cooking, helping, driving her to check-ups. They talked books, old films, order.
He saw her strength and fragility. She saw past his confidence to the wounded heart beneath.
Months passed. Her cast came off. A chilly autumn dayThomas arrived with roses, champagne. *”Its my birthday,”* he told Barney, who wagged.
*”Why didnt you say? Ive no gift!”*
*”Youre walking againbest present,”* he murmured, taking her hands. *”Now weve plans. Like a registry office visit.”*
She blinked. *”What?”*
*”To marry me. Youve no choice now. Say yes?”* His eyes held such hope, her breath caught.
Barney barked*Hurry up!*
She looked at this man, brought by a Labrador, at their shared talisman, and her locked heart swung open. *”Yes,”* she whispered. *”I never thought Id risk it again.”*
*”Thats what friends do,”* he grinned. *”Three best friends.”*
—
They married quietly. Thomass father hugged him. *”Shes the one. Never let her go.”*
Now, their home brims with laughter, warmth, and barks. James visits often with Chloe and their daughter, who adores “Uncle Barney.” Sometimes Emily watchesher husband playing with their granddaughter, their happy dogand thinks: that fracture wasnt misfortune. It was fates leash, pulling her to happiness.
