On the Edge

David carefully closed the front door and readied himself for his walk. It was the same walk he’d done for the past twenty years, but it wasn’t quite the same now he had lost his wife Maggie. In the weeks that had passed since she’d died, he had truly begun to feel his age, seemingly exacerbated by his grief. As a result, the daily walk was becoming increasingly difficult, but still having their elderly Border Terrier, Bertie, forced him to continue. It was a dark and dull day, the sky filled with ominous clouds that threatened a downpour at any moment. David was nevertheless confident that they’d have time to walk before the heavens opened. So, with a slow and steady step, he made his way along the well-trodden coastal path. He was immediately drawn into the maze of his mind, reminiscing on the past, on happier days when Maggie would have been beside him, laughing and chatting. It took everything he had to hold back the wave of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

As he walked along the path, the cool breeze ruffled his messy, unkempt hair. At that moment a small drop of rain struck his face, drawing him back to the present. He quickly realised the storm had breached the land a lot faster than he had expected. Within seconds a great wall of rain passed over him, crashing into the ground. He was soaked. Begrudgingly, he turned to go back home. As he did, David’s gaze fell on the silhouette of a woman just ahead of him; watching him. She was petite, with short hair framing a long, narrow face. David recognised her straight away and his stomach lurched painfully.

“Maggie?” he said in a quiet, croak. His heart beat heavily in his chest and an unwitting smile spread across his face. “Maggie!” he repeated joyfully as the woman waved at him.

Forgetting his stiff joints and his ever-aching hip, he set off at a run. As he drew closer he could just make out the finer details of the face he’d missed so much. Tears began falling, instantly mingling with drops of rain. Bertie ran reluctantly beside him, keen to remain by his owner’s side, but his hackles were raised by the sight of the woman in the distance. As David drew close a smile appeared on Maggie’s face. It was a strange smile, utterly different to the warm and comforting one he knew so well. Any doubts he may have had however, were soon pushed aside as absolute joy began to fill that desperately…

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