Barking Maddy's Puppy Love

by S M Mala

  Stan was behind her as she introduced him and then walked towards Linda, hugging her.

  ‘You know about Lance?’ she whispered into Maddy’s ear. ‘Don’t get upset Maddy. His parents want him to enjoy his life, and this is a great idea, to have a party.’

  ‘Dr. Bob just told me,’ she replied, biting back her tears and making sure no-one could see. ‘I wish he hadn’t.’

  ‘Just have fun and make people happy. You’re good at that.’

  Fifteen minutes later, Maddy had taken over the DJ’ing and was watching the kids dance and have fun. All the time she noticed Stan speak to the parents and kids, introduce Phyllis, let people try on his hat while constantly looking at her.

  She knew he was thinking some big, dark, deep thoughts because of the expression on his face.

  And she wondered if he could see what was worrying her.

  While she skipped and played with the guests, wanting everyone to be happy, Maddy kept looking at Dora.

  If Dora ever died, she knew that was something she couldn’t cope with. It made her fearful for herself and mostly the little girl she adored, who was now dancing with Stan.

  And that’s what troubled her the most.

  Losing Dora for good.

  She wasn’t ever going to be prepared for that.

  ‘It was wrong.’

  Stan said as they walked down the road to Pearl’s house. ‘The kid is ill, and you want to have a dance-off with him.’ Then he burst out laughing and stopped in mid-stride. ‘And you wouldn’t let him win!’

  ‘I can’t help it if I’m a better dancer,’ she replied making sure Phyllis wasn’t going to run off when she saw a squirrel run up a tree. ‘Anyway, he’s not that ill. Just moans a lot.’

  ‘Then why’s he in the hospice for respite now and again?’

  ‘Because his parents think he’s a pain in the bum and needs a break.’

  ‘Are you allowed to do that?’

  ‘He’s Dr. Bob’s private patient, so Boris is allowed to stay there.’ She let out a little huff and thought about Lance. ‘Some of those kids, well, it’s bad for them, but they won’t let you see it. They’re good at covering it up.’

  ‘You’re not though, are you?’

  Maddy stopped, and Stan took the lead out of her hand.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Lance? Maddy, the way you looked at him, it was obvious something was upsetting you.’ Stan pulled a sad face. ‘It shows.’

  ‘I should start wearing sunglasses.’ Thinking for a moment, she glanced up. ‘Is it that bad?’

  ‘You’re sweet,’ he replied, putting an arm around her shoulders while starting to walk again. ‘Kind and all that sugary stuff but you’re not strong, though sometimes the things you say makes me think you’re a little strange.’

  ‘And your point is what?’

  ‘Should you be doing the job? I thought it was pretty hard seeing the sick kids and not wanting to ask what was wrong. Knowing that some of them are going to die has got to be hard, not only for their family but you.’

  Shaking her head, she didn’t want to think about what he was saying, so decided to free herself from his embrace and jog towards Pearl’s house.

  She knocked on the door and waited for Heidi to open it. Maddy was met with a look of concern.

  ‘Hi, Maddy. I see you’ve brought some friends,’ she said, forcing a smile and Maddy knew there was something wrong. ‘Pearl is in the lounge. Do you want to go through?’

  ‘Hi, I’m Stan,’ she heard him say, barging past to shake Heidi’s hand. ‘Is it okay for my dog to come in?’

  ‘My dog,’ corrected Maddy, with a grin.

  ‘Of course, it is,’ Heidi replied, and she noticed the nanny’s face light up when she saw Stan.

  It instantly riled Maddy and not to mention Phyllis who barked at her.

  ‘Hey Phyl, don’t be rude,’ he said, letting out an uncomfortable laugh as he glanced at Maddy then shook his head. ‘We’re guests.’

  ‘Where’s Honey?’ Maddy asked, flashing Stan a warning glance and seeing his face change. She knew he was going to be in flirt mode. ‘I need to see my daughter.’

  ‘Do you instantly own everything you like?’ he asked with a sigh, glancing at her. ‘My dog, Pearl’s child?’

  ‘She’s asleep, but I’ll bring her through when she wakes up. Go and see Pearl,’ replied Heidi, hovering next to Stan. ‘Would you like a drink?’

  ‘No thanks. We’re not stopping for long,’ replied Maddy, taking Phyllis’s lead off Stan and marching towards the lounge. She stopped and took out some wet wipes before wiping dog’s paws. ‘Best to be clean.’

  ‘Did you do what I think you did?’ Stan walked up to her and seemed surprised. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes. I don’t know what germs can spread from the hospice, pavement to here, so we all need to be clean. Here.’ She handed over the wet wipes. ‘They’ve got an antibacterial gel in them so wipe your hands.’

  ‘You don’t need to do that?’ laughed Heidi. ‘The chance of infection is small.’

  ‘But there’s a chance,’ replied Maddy. ‘And I can’t risk that with anyone.’

  Stan glanced at her and this time frowned in response to her answer.

  ‘What?’ she asked.

  ‘Nothing,’ he said, walking past her and towards the lounge. ‘Hi, Pearl! Seriously, I think your friend is mad.’

  ‘I know,’ Pearl replied, and Maddy heard the sound of kissing. ‘But she is one in a million, and that’s what makes her unique.’

  ‘That’s me,’ Maddy said loudly and walked into the room, stopping dead in her tracks.

  Pearl wasn’t her usual glamorous self and seemed tired. She glimpsed over her shoulder at Heidi seeing the genuine expression of concern.

  Stan was smiling, and Pearl grimaced when glancing at Maddy.

  ‘Don’t say anything,’ Stan mumbled to Maddy, so Pearl wouldn’t hear.

  ‘Hello, gorgeous!’ Maddy laughed out and hugged her friend, holding her for a little longer than usual. ‘I’ve brought my dog and Phyllis to come and visit. We won’t stay long as I know you have things to do.’

  ‘Like what?’ asked Pearl, slumping back down on the sofa. ‘Sit down, Stan. I hear you’re now staying with Maddy. Sorry about your flat. Are you sure she didn’t sabotage it make sure you and Phyllis would move in?’

  Her friend then patted her seat for Phyllis to sit next to her before indulging in a cuddle.

  Pearl hadn’t even been that friendly to Honey, and Maddy wondered what was up.

  ‘It’s going to take five weeks tops,’ he said, sitting back and observing Pearl. ‘How are things with the new addition to the family? I’ve seen pictures, and she is a beautiful little girl. TJ must be over the moon.’

  ‘Yes.’ Pearl’s reply was emotionless. ‘He is.’

  ‘And your family?

  ‘Delighted.’

  ‘And his?’

  ‘It’s as if she’s the second coming.’ Pearl looked up and blinked. ‘Everyone is very happy.’

  ‘But not you?’ whispered Maddy.

  She stared at Pearl and this time something plummeted in her gut when examining her friend. Her eyes seemed dead, and there was a sense of sadness that she couldn’t figure out. It was if, in the past week where she hadn’t seen her, something had changed.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Maddy asked, sitting next to Pearl.

  ‘Not really.’

  ‘What can I do?’

  ‘Take the baby away so I can have some peace.’

  ‘Would you like us to take her for a walk?’ asked Stan, his tone gentle and kind. ‘Have things been getting you down?’

  ‘I’m fine. It’s just the baby blues, so I’m told.’ Pearl kissed Phyllis on the head and let out a sigh. ‘Yes, take her out for a walk. That would be great. Heidi doesn’t seem to want to leave my side.’

  ‘I got Honey a present,’ Maddy said, taking the package out of her ruck sack. ‘I thought it was cute
.’ She held it towards Pearl who frowned. ‘It’s a really lovely dress.’

  As she opened the package, Stan was still smiling at Pearl, but this was different.

  It was one she had never seen before which was hiding his concern.

  ‘A spotted dress?’ he said, nodding. ‘Why wouldn’t it be? I met Dora today, and she wears the same clothes as Maddy. I think it’s an epidemic, the spots.’

  ‘He doesn’t like the way I dress,’ whispered Maddy, grinning at the outfit. ‘It’s one hundred percent natural cotton and hypoallergenic. Do you like it?’

  ‘If you like it, I like it,’ replied Pearl. She suddenly stood up and let out a yawn. ‘I have to go to bed.’

  ‘Now?’ asked Maddy seeing it was only two o’clock in the afternoon. ‘Did she keep you up late?’

  ‘No.’

  Then Pearl walked out, and Stan put a finger to his lips to instruct her not to speak.

  She slumped on the sofa and didn’t know what to say as he got up and set next to her, holding tightly onto Phyllis.

  ‘Please don’t say anything,’ he whispered, looking above at the ceiling. ‘She’s not well, and there’s nothing you can do about it, even buying Honey spotted dresses.’

  ‘I told her to go and see a doctor. I even said something to TJ.’ Maddy gulped hard. ‘This isn’t like Pearl. I need to do something.’

  ‘Barking Maddy, some things you can’t wave a magic wand at and make it better,’ he said gently, fluffing up Phyllis’s ears. ‘It’s a mental thing that only medical people can fix. Very much like the kids in the hospice.’

  ‘On the internet, it said about post-natal depression and-.’

  ‘Listen to me. It’s up to Pearl to get help not you. By even forcing her to seek guidance might make it worse if she doesn’t want to.’

  ‘But-.’

  ‘No, Maddy. This is a complicated thing.’ Stan sat back on the couch and looked around the room. ‘This place is amazing, don’t you think?’

  ‘Pearl designed it.’

  ‘Of course, she did.’ He glanced at her then at the room. ‘I see.’

  ‘See what?’

  ‘Where I might be able to help Pearl.’

  ‘Are you two okay?’ asked Heidi, walking in and letting her shoulders slump. ‘Pearl’s not well, and TJ has asked that I stay for as long as possible to look after her. She won’t seek help.’

  ‘That’s like her,’ nodded Maddy looking slyly at Stan grinning at Heidi. ‘She’s one of the invincible people. I told TJ he should do something. Bet he hasn’t.’

  ‘He spoke to her time and time again, but she’s not listening. I can’t make her bond with Honey and my colleague Sunita, and I are on 24-hour watch. TJ’s worried.’

  ‘Shall I come and stay?’ offered Maddy, sitting up in her seat. ‘I don’t mind.’

  ‘Just keep coming as much as you can. Pearl needs her friend right now. And as for Honey? I noticed she gave more affection to your pooch than she did to her daughter.’

  Maddy looked at Stan who was still smirking at Heidi.

  ‘Well then that’s it,’ Maddy said, pulling Stan up by the arm. ‘We will use animal therapy to help Pearl get better and bond with her child.’ Then she turned to Stan. ‘But it’s best I come alone, as I don’t want any distractions.’

  And just as she said it, she noticed Heidi smile back at Stan.

  For the first time in years, she had an uncomfortable feeling in her chest and couldn’t figure out what it was.

  Then it hit her.

  She was insanely jealous.

  ‘Fun run?’

  Maddy sat there looking at her boss, the CEO of the hospice, shaking her head from side to side. ‘Marian, I don’t run and especially not for fun.’

  ‘It’s raising money for your favourite place, and I’m sure you’ll have a good time.’

  ‘Nope.’

  Marian smiled at her as if she had no choice. She watched her short, sharp, white-grey hair glisten in the light as she peered over her glasses at Maddy. They were sat in Marian’s office that overlooked the garden of the hospice. Maddy watched a couple with their child in a wheelchair, laughing together.

  ‘They enjoy the time you spend there,’ continued Marian. ‘And it would be so good for us if someone from the hospice turned up. You know some of the children will be doing the five-kilometre challenge. It must be hard for them, but they want to do well for this home from home.’

  ‘You’re using emotional blackmail on me?’ Maddy sat there with her mouth gaping open. ‘That’s not fair. I cycle, but I don’t do that sort of exercise. I’ll never make it to one kilometer.’

  ‘I know it’s a big ask and you volunteer so much for us. Sometimes I feel a bit bad for not paying you a thing.’ She shrugged her shoulders and smiled once again.

  Maddy noticed Marian’s new shoes, wondering if that was where the saving was going. Then she felt mean knowing Marian didn’t get paid either. She didn’t need to. Her partner, a well-known female fashion designer, was rich enough to maintain their lifestyle.

  ‘How do you cope without earning a salary?’ quizzed Marian leaning forward. ‘I do worry about you, you know.’

  ‘If you worry so much, you wouldn’t even be suggesting that I do this misery mile.’

  ‘You are funny, Maddy,’ said Marian, flinging her hair back. ‘Such a joy!’

  ‘I have a friend who is a journalist. I can ask him to say something about the hospice and see if we can raise money there. He’s quite popular, but it’s for a men’s focussed website and publication.’

  ‘Men’s?’

  ‘Oh, not porn!’ laughed out, Maddy. ‘You know a lad’s mag is what they used to call it. I suppose one says Metro Man or something more right on nowadays.’

  ‘Would I have heard of him?’

  ‘Doubt it. He’s called Stan Franks and his column is-.’

  ‘‘Frankly speaking’.’

  ‘You know it?’ She sat there, once again, open-mouthed. ‘But it’s for men.’

  ‘It’s for anyone with a sense of humour! He’s very funny, you know, and you say he’s a friend of yours.’

  ‘He’s Ted’s girlfriend’s brother. Twin to be precise.’

  ‘And how is the lovely Ted? Still being fabulous? He’s a lucky man doing the job he does, surrounded by those beautiful women.’

  ‘I know,’ Maddy mumbled, standing up. ‘Then he comes crashing down to earth when he’s with me.’ Marian laughed at the joke. ‘And Stan’s funny, you say?’

  ‘You don’t know you’re friends with a new cult writer?’

  ‘Cult?’

  ‘His column is getting a lot of publicity. He is quite frank about what he thinks about things and people, especially people. There’s one person he’s always scathing about like he really can’t stand to be in the same room as.’

  ‘It’s not me,’ she immediately said, not wanting Marian to think it was anyway connected to her. ‘I think it’s some of Ted’s friends. They’re not that nice.’

  ‘They’re not nice to you because you seem to have monopolised his attention in all things, and have done so for years. I’m surprised he even has a girlfriend considering you like to check them all out, including police searches.’ Marian giggled again. ‘But I can tell you’re looking out for him.’

  ‘As a loyal friend does.’ Maddy started walking backward towards the door. ‘Can I go now?’

  ‘Maddy, it’s only five kilometers.’

  ‘That’s over three miles. I don’t even ride my bike more than two miles at any given time.’

  ‘Think about it for me, please?’

  Heading out and shutting the door, Maddy let out a deep breath. She wasn’t going to do any fun run, for the hospice or anyone, as it simply wasn’t something that was within her realm.

  Anytime she watched people running marathons on television, she would simply shake her head, wondering if they were mad before changing channels.

  Today she had a free day, an
d Maddy needed time to think.

  Stan had been in her home for a week and had put most of his things in her garage and spare bedroom. He didn’t want to go into the small room on the ground floor, especially when he saw her array of spotted clothing stored there. He preferred to work at her dining table and look out onto the garden.

  She planned to watch a box set with her headphones on so as not to disturb his concentration. In the meantime, she was happy enough to write copy for various leaflets and the hospice’s website while he created a racket with his guitar playing.

  It made her smile especially when he quietly sang alone making her think he had a bad voice, hence the secrecy.

  Then what she saw startled her to the very core.

  Maddy had to step back and hide around a corner to make sure she wasn’t losing her mind.

  The bully from school, Tara, was walking towards a very expensive, car. There were two children in the back.

  Nothing had changed with her nemesis other than she was dripping with money. Her long dark hair straightened within an inch of her life and perfectly made-up face. Maddy noticed the painted talons and toned figure cover in designer clothes.

  ‘What a bitch!’ Maddy mumbled before being frightened by a barking dog.

  It was Phyllis and Stan were standing behind her, watching her glare at the woman.

  ‘Who are you looking at? Oh, her. Now that’s some classy piece of arse!’

  ‘She’s got no class, believe me, and don’t be so derogative about women, other than her, because she’s not bloody human!’

  ‘Maddy! That’s not like you to bad mouth someone,’ he said, spinning her around so she could face him. ‘Madeleine Berkeley, what has she done to upset you?’

  ‘Let’s go!’

  She pulled his arm and then took Phyllis’s lead out of his hand breaking out into a fast run, pulling the puppy behind her.

  It made her recall all those feelings of insecurity and hurt. All she wanted to do was hide in her home and hope she never saw Tara Burton ever again.

  ‘Wait up!’ Stan said, grabbing her by the waist so she would stop. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘I hate her.’ Maddy turned and looked straight into his eyes. ‘More than I hate anyone in the whole wide world. She’s a bitch and a cow, and shit bag, and lots of other words that I can’t say in public!’