Short Story

THE RESCUER

by DIANA ELVIN

At the door she yelled “Go away!” “Aw, Suzy,” he said, pleading, “It’s been a long, hard day.” “It’s been a long, hard day here as well and I’m not having all my cleaning undone by whatever is hiding under your jacket.” He could see the table sparkling with their best glass and china surrounding an elegant vase of flowers. He realised he must have forgotten something important. “Oh Dan you might try, just sometimes – aaah!” Horrified, she watched as a dirty head appeared from under Dan’s jacket. “What on earth’s that?” “I don’t know. Some sort of monkey I think. Certainly shouldn’t have been living in a bedsit. Left behind by squatters. I realise it can’t stay, I’ll find somewhere else, but I just don’t know where at the moment. I thought perhaps….” “No! Mother is coming to tea. She will not be expecting to find us playing host to a very grubby gorilla.” “How could I have forgotten? OK, we’re going. It’s just that we’re both so hungry. I didn’t know what to get for – whatever it is.”

The creature solved that by leaping across the room and grabbing a banana from the artistically arranged fruit dish. Chewing, it tossed the peel away and reached for another, leaving a trail of dirty footprints. “Now you know.” Dan scooped it up. “We’re on our way. It all looks lovely.” “We’d look lovely all the time if you didn’t keep bringing your work home.”

“We’re going. I’m just not sure where at the moment, not having had to rehome one of these before.” For a moment Suzy weakened. Then she remembered her mother and thrust a sandwich at him. “See you soon.” She cleaned the table and opened the window to dispel the mingled smells of dirt and disinfectant. The bell rang. Hoping for a double-glazing salesman or religious preacher, Suzy went slowly to answer it. “There you are at last, darling. I thought perhaps your bell wasn’t working.” Her mother, dressed and made up as though visiting royalty, swept in. “Good gracious, wherever is that cold draught coming from? And the funny smell.” Not “Hello dear, how are you?” thought Suzy wistfully. Didn’t anybody care how she felt? Dan was always bringing home strays which made a mess and took up a lot of time. Her mother expected a spotless house and elaborate meal whenever she called.

When her mother left, Suzy decided she must get out of the house so walked to the park. A woman with a dog passed by. The dog skidded to a halt then flung its muddy self joyfully against Suzy. The woman apologised profusely then took a closer look and exclaimed, “It’s Suzy isn’t it? No wonder Bonny was so pleased to see you. So am I. We can never thank you enough - you and your wonderful husband. But I expect it’s you that does most of the caring and clearing up? Why, whatever’s the matter?” for tears were running down Suzy’s cheeks. “Nobody ever said that,” she gulped at last. “Said what?”

“That it’s tough on me. That I matter.” “Oh my dear, I’m so sorry. Do come home with us. The least I can do is give you a stiff drink.” In Carol’s comfortable home, relaxed by gin, Suzy explained how unappreciated she felt by both husband and mother. “Shall I tell you what to do? “Can you?” “Sure. We can all tell other people what to do. It’s only our own problems we find insurmountable.” “Go on then. I feel better already.” “I’m just repaying a debt." She looked lovingly at the dog she had lost and only got back because Dan had taken it home, dirty and distraught and Suzy had calmed, cleaned and fed it until the owners were found. “I think Bonny would have gone berserk if she’d had to go to the dog pound. So, tell your mother she is welcome but must accept your home as she finds it, with or without animals or mess. Remind your husband when she is due (write out a big notice) and ask him to back you to the hilt. But please go on taking in the waifs and strays he finds through his job. We’ll help in any way we can.” “Won’t you husband mind?” “Not when I explain. He’s as pleased as I am to get Bonny back. We kept falling out after she disappeared, blaming each other. It was awful. You saved our marriage, it’s only fair we should help with yours.” Suzie felt much better. Dan would go on bringing livestock home and her mother would go on criticising. But what she and Dan did was worthwhile and with Carol’s help she could cope.