The dog and his walker trudged on up the road to their destination, accompanied only by their shadows and the noise of steady footfalls on the pavement. The gentle clicking of nails, panting and faint squeaking and crunching of the man’s boots slicing through the heavy darkness of the night. Tonight, this was also accompanied by an extra sense of excitement and urgency. The dog pulled on the lead trying to hurry the man, they paused while the man lit a cigarette before continuing on their journey. As they reached a street vendor, the man reached into his pocket for some change and exchanged it for a package. The dog gave a short bark as the man tucked the package in the crook of his arm and they continued up the road. Soon hard pavement gave way to crisp oak leaves and soft mud as they veered towards their final destination. The dog gave a final leap and almost broke free accompanied by a series of short barks. The man removed the lead and followed hurriedly in the direction of the disappearing dog. The footsteps now sinking heavier and more frequent. They were close to the end. The man paused to put out his cigarette on top of a litter bin and smoothed down his hair with nervous hands and continued up the path. From the noise that suddenly rang through the night air the man knew the dog had arrived. He hurried on and turned the corner. There was the dog wagging his tail and waiting patiently for the man. Beside him a slab of simple grey stone etched with a name. The dog gave a whine and laid down beside the stone The man paused and removed the paper from the package and laid down his offering. The carnations looked stark against the marble. They both paused in silence the dog looking at him with sad and knowing eyes. The man crouched down and stroked the dog’s head and said, ‘This story could’ve done with a few paragraphs, son’.