That night, Vladislav read to Beatrice, a children’s book. Beatrice wore her nightdress now, and was tucked up in bed. Vladislav as he read to her, sat on the floor beside her, leaning back against her bed, close enough for her to look over his shoulder, and see the pictures in the book, along with the large text that was the story. He began to read.

‘Today was a nice day. It was sunny. And pleasant.’ He turned the page. ‘There was a field. It was nice and green and warm. The grass was warm, warned by the sun.’ He turned his head to the other page. ‘There was a log in the field. The log that was in the field, was very big. It was a big log.’ He turned the page again, Beatrice looking at the detailed illustrations that went alongside the text, admiring them as Vladislav continued to read. ‘On top of the log, there was a cat. There was a cat on top of the log. The cat was sleeping.’ He looked to the other page. ‘A dog came along. It was a young dog. A puppy. This puppy saw the cat, and went over to say hello…’

Vladislav continued to read the story.

It was a story, of a puppy wandering in a field, and coming across a cat, snoozing in the sun. The cat, a large ginger male, was laying on top of a large piece of wood, the trunk of a tree that had been felled and cut up into sections. One of the sections had been forgotten, left at the edge of a field, and had become the cat’s favourite spot. The puppy sees the cat, and goes over to say hello. The two species speak about how different their lives are, and learn from one another. The puppy then returns home when called home.

Months pass, and the puppy, now grown into her adult body, meets the cat again. The two become friends, and walk away together to begin that days adventure.

‘That didn’t make any sense’ Beatrice said once the story was over.

‘Well, there is no reason why two different species could not be friends…I mean…we’ve found each other, have we not?’

‘No, I mean…the writing……the letters. It doesn’t make sense.’

‘Don’t worry, it will make more sense when I teach you the alphabet’ Vladislav told her. ‘I just thought that reading something simple to you when you could see the words clearly would be an nice little introductory lesson.

‘There’s something else that doesn’t make sense’ Beatrice said.

‘And what is that?’

‘Well…why does the dog have four little red boots?’

‘Ah well my dear, it’s just a story.’

‘And why do you have a children’s book?’

‘Because I love books and stories of all kind.’

‘Do you have any children?’

‘Not at all.’

‘Have you ever?’

‘No, I have never been a father in any way, I have only been an adoptive figure to the wild creatures that need my help, deer and foxes and such. I even cared for a capybara once.’

‘I don’t know what that is.’

‘It is a large rodent, almost big enough to ride.’

‘That is big’ Beatrice said, eyes growing large.

‘Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to my beloved friend when he grew old enough to begin maturing. They need others of their own kind, and it was best for him to go. I do still miss him though, my little Squishy.’

‘Squishy?’

‘That was his name’ Vladislav explained, closing the book and rising to his feet. ‘He was very cuddly and very sweet.’

‘Would you like to have any children?’

‘Maybe one’ Vladislav answered. ‘If I find the right woman to love, whom I think would make a good mother, and if the moment is right. I refuse to bring a child into a world that I can make anything less than absolutely perfect.’

‘Can you tell me more stories again?’ Beatrice asked.

‘Of course’ Vladislav replied. ‘Perhaps again tomorrow night, or maybe sooner.’ He glanced away, before looking back. ‘The moon is bright tonight. I don’t think I will need to light a candle for you. You are not scared of the dark, are you?’

‘No.’

‘Then goodnight my dear’ he moved away. ‘Sleep well, and come find me if you need anything, or if you are just feeling lonely or scared. I am here for you.’

Then without another word, he walked away, ascending the stairs.

Beatrice snuggled down in her blankets, staring above her as he ascended.

She listened to his fading footsteps…then silence.

 [END OF CHAPTER]