It was a wet, winter’s evening.
Rain lashed down on the cars flashing past and people ran to shelter themselves
from the torrent falling on their heads. Monty slinked through the passers-by,
being careful not to bump into them. His black coat was soaked with rain. He
wondered when Harry would be home. It had been a long day and he wanted to see
Harry. The rain poured even harder and a passing car drove through a puddle and
soaked him. He howled at the car, his coat completely drenched. He found
shelter under a tree and waited for the rain to subside. Gradually, it began to
lessen. Occasionally rain would fall from the leaves, bowing under the weight
of the water. Monty hopped around looking for a dry patch. He saw Harry’s car
pulling into the driveway and waited. He wanted to be sure it was Harry. When
he saw Harry’s head pop out of the car, he ran over and stood by the door,
waiting. Harry acknowledged him and opened the door. They both darted in, glad
to be out of the rain. Harry embraced Monty and began to make dinner.
Driving home from work, Harry was
glad to be inside his car. His windscreen whippers danced back and forward,
pushing the water away. He thought of Monty, out in the rain, and felt sad. He
knew he should have let him stay inside, but Monty had wanted to go out and who
was he to refuse. He imagined him, his black coat soaked with water, huddled by
the back door, looking at him with big green eyes. Soon Harry was pulling into his
driveway. He had seen Monty under the tree, sheltering himself from the down
pour. He waited a few seconds, then got out of the car. Monty appeared, hanging
his head and scratching at the door. Harry opened the door and let him in
first, as was their custom. Harry picked up Monty and cuddled him. His coat was
soaked, but Harry didn’t mind. He put Monty down, and began to make him dinner.
By the time Harry had finished, Monty was curled up asleep under the radiator,
his stomach rising and falling in a slow rhythm. Harry placed Monty’s food next
to him and watched him sleep.
