Sunday Morning

Andrea ran heavily after the tiny dog, her body aching and exhausted was no match for that of the young dog. She stopped and, resting her hands on her knees, half shouted half panted his name with a growing embarrassment.
‘Smelly! Smelly, come back here!’
Why she had let the kids name the dog was beyond her, but despite embarrassing moments like this, she had to admit the name was apt. She looked after the dog, which was sniffing a bush a few yards off and decided to give up. She dragged her aching bones to the nearest bench and flopped onto it sure that he would return when he got bored or hungry. Andrea closed her eyes and massaged her temples; this was no way to spend a Sunday morning. She thought wistfully of the long lie-ins with papers and coffee she had had before the children. Before the dog. She opened her eyes and watched Smelly chase a leaf when she noticed someone was standing next to the bench. He was a tall man who looked to Andrea to be in his early 70s; he had thin white hair and a matching moustache and was fighting to regain control of two small Yorkshire terriers. Finally he unclipped their leads and, throwing himself down on the bench, allowed them to run off. He turned and smiled genially at Andrea,
‘I give up!’ She laughed and nodded,
‘Wise choice.’ She caught his eye for a moment and laughed in an awkward sort of way.
‘Which one is yours then?’ He asked surveying the park.
‘The grey one about to pounce on the dandelion.’ She replied pointing to Smelly whose bottom was sticking up in the air as he prepared to leap. The man laughed and offered her his hand,
‘Alfred.’
‘Andrea.’ She took it.
‘Nice to meet you Andrea.’ They sat in silence for a few minutes watching the dogs running around; Andrea cleared her mind and tried to concentrate on relaxing her muscles, which from her shoulders to her calves were tense and aching.
‘Thank God for benches, ey.’ Alfred laughed to himself. ‘Can’t make it round the park all in one go any more, not at my age.’ Andrea nodded her head in agreement wishing he would be quite for a few minutes. ‘I suppose you are wondering why I would have dogs if I hate to walk them.’ He suggested, Andrea shook her head but again said nothing. ‘My kids brought me them. Kids.’ He let out a short laugh. ‘Don’t know if I can call them kids anymore they are all in their 40s now.’ Andrea smiled politely. ‘My wife died a few years back; I think my kids actually thought they were a suitable substitute for their mother.’ He laughed. ‘Well friendly as they are their conversational skills are dire.’ Andrea found herself genuinely laughing and turning towards Alfred.
‘Smelly, my dog, he is my kids really. But of course I am the one looking after him.’
‘That’s why my wife and I never brought our children a dog when they were young. And now look at me.’ He motioned towards his two dogs and they both smiled.
‘As if two kids were not enough to be keeping me busy…’ Andrea took a deep breath and surprised herself to find that her shoulders were beginning to loosen.
‘How old?’
‘Seven and Five, both boys, complete rascals.'
‘And do you care for them full time?’ Andrea contemplated her answer ‘Sorry I didn’t mean to pry.’ Alfred looked worried.
‘No, no you didn’t. Yes, I am a full time mother, just now. I have a law degree and well maybe someday…’ Andrea trailed off. Alfred didn’t respond just nodded. They fell back into silence for a few minutes watching as the dogs continue to run around them.
‘I miss work.’ Alfred told her. ‘I know you young people these days can’t wait for your retirement but I retired ten years ago and not a day goes by when I don’t miss it.’ His voice was softer, quieter and, Andrea noted with surprise, filled with emotion. ‘Its worse since my wife died of course. No one to talk to most days, except for the dogs.’ Alfred smiled up at Andrea and her heart went to him.
‘When I was a lawyer I would work sometimes upwards of fifty hours a week.’ Andrea surprised herself as she began to open up. ‘I hardly saw anyone, friends or family, didn’t see my colleagues outside of work even. Not once did I feel lonely. I felt…’ she paused searching for the right word ‘I felt satisfied and useful. Then I got married, to another lawyer, had kids and became a stay at home mum. Nowadays I spend my weeks cleaning and cooking, running around after my children and their dog while my husband is working 60-hours a week trying to make partner. I have a family which I see and friends who come round for coffee and…’ again Andrea laughed nervously. ‘I am so sorry; I don’t know why I am telling you this. I have only just met you.’ Alfred paused before responding,
‘It’s easier to talk to strangers.’ Andrea sighed and felt the muscles in her back loosen and relax. After that, the two strangers sat on either side of the bench in silence for a long time, watching the dogs, the other people milling around the park, a five-a-side game that was happening in the distance and absorbing the silence.
‘Sometimes it is nice to be silent too.’ Said Andrea after a while. Suddenly she felt tears welling in her eyes and a rush of emotion, which she identified, to her surprise as happiness and gratitude towards this man. She turned to face Alfred full on for the first time since he had sat next to her. She looked straight into his small blue eyes and said simply,
‘Thank you.’ She did not know what else to say. Alfred stared back and nodded again. After a moment, he lifted himself to his feet.
‘Snuffles, Cuddles.’ He called to his dogs, which ran straight over, turning to Andrea he said in an amused voice. ‘My grandchildren named them.’ The both laughed as he tied the leads back on to their collars. ‘Well Andrea’ he straightened up ‘it has been a delight to meet you, and Smelly.’ Andrea nodded one last time and Alfred turned to leave. He got a few paces before stopping and turning back to the bench. ‘I will be back here next week, same time, same bench…in case you are free…’ then smiling broadly he turned away and continued his walk. Andrea found, as she struggled with Smelly’s own collar, that she was already looking forward to next Sunday morning.