Chapter 1
New Faces
The gate creaked and groaned open as Lucy pushed it and unwillingly scrunched up her face in dismay. 'Come on then,' She stepped through and was followed by her small furry companion. Her partner was already pulling at the leash before she had the chance to turn and close the gate behind her, 'Hold on, hold on,' she laughed. The leash was unclipped and her companion darted off across the field. She smiled and took in the fresh air; it filled her nostrils and seemed to relieve her mind from all the stresses it had held in during the day. It was evening, the sun still high in the sky behind a blanket of grey clouds that rumbled in the distance and terrorised the next victims of its thunderstorm, that had just recently passed here. The recent rainfall meant the air had a sweet crisp feel to it and the grass was cold but alive.
Lucy was halfway across the park when she took a seat by the only bench in it, she scanned the area, satisfied by seeing her dog busy with another, and closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing. She listened to the distant birdsong, the gentle rustling of the leaves above her, and occasionally felt the stray raindrop falling from the same tree.
Once she reintroduced the world to her eyes, her partner was sitting down in front of her, watching her contently. 'Hey Plue,' She smiled warmly, 'Come on, let's go play.' The small, white dog jumped to his feet and ran circles until Lucy stood and started to play fetch with him while walking around the park.
Lucy was down the opposite side of the park when she heard the gate creak, when she found the source of it, her eyes were met with a small blue haired figure waving frantically. She smiled and returned the greeting, continuing with her walk.
Inevitably her path crossed with the new arrival, they exchanged loving smiles and engaged in the usual small talk. The topics of interest were not new; work, family, and the weather. 'It is so grey today though, it's like August, I know we can't have sun all the time but you know,' Levy said whilst pulling up her hood. 'Mhm, but you can't beat the calmness after a storm,' their dogs were chasing each other playfully, 'I guess, but, it just becomes so muddy,'
'Not if you wear the wellies that I got you for your birthday!' They exchanged laughs and paused, interrupted by the distant creak of the gate opening. 'Right well, I better be off, mum's waiting for me,' Levy announced after a brief pause. They parted ways and continued with their walks, Lucy coming up to the finishing run of the park.
She was deep in thought when interrupted by an assertive bark from Plue, Lucy found her companion meeting a larger, but younger, dog who had his tail pressed down between his legs, ears pinned flat, and beginning the early stages of rolling over onto his back in submission. Lucy laughed and found the owner, who was walking across from her, smiling too. 'Oi Happy! You're supposed to be the bigger dog here.' Lucy didn't recognise the voice nor the face upon further investigation, so she smiled and nodded her head to him, 'Good evening,' they exchanged and went along their separate ways.
