“Love, dont go thinking the worst! Im not homeless. My names Michael Simmons. I came to see my daughter. Its hard to talk about”
New Years Eve was just hours away. All the office workers had long since dashed home, but no one was waiting for Ellie
To avoid dragging herself back to work on the second of January, shed decided to plough through her tasks early.
Shed make it home in timepre-made salads, fruit, and a bottle of sparkling wine were already chilling in her fridge.
There was no one to dress up for. All she wanted was to kick off her heels and slip into her cosiest pyjamas.
Things with Andrew had ended months ago, and the divorce had been such a mess that Ellie wasnt exactly rushing into anything new.
Honestly? Being alone suited her just fine.
Andrew had tried to win her back, ringing a few times, but Ellie wasnt about to reopen that chapter. Some stories just dont have happy endingstoo complicated, too much water under the bridge.
She didnt even want to think about him now. Ancient history. No need to ruin the holidays.
Ellie stepped off the bus. Just a short walk, and shed be home.
By the entrance to her building, an old man sat on a bench. Beside him stood a small Christmas tree.
“Must be visiting someone,” she thought.
Ellie greeted him, and the man nodded without looking up.
For a second, she thought she saw tears glinting in his eyesor maybe it was just the fairy lights. Either way, she shrugged it off and hurried inside.
The evening had turned frosty, and she shivered.
After a hot shower, she pulled on her fluffiest pyjamas, poured herself a coffee, and wandered to the window.
Oddly, the old man was still there.
“Over an hour since I got home, and New Years is just two hours away. If hes visiting, whys he still outside? And those tearsor were they?” The thought nagged at her.
She set the table, flicked on the tree lights, but her mind kept drifting back to the lonely figure on the bench.
Half an hour later, she peeked outside again. He hadnt moved.
“What if hes unwell? Hell freeze out there!”
Ellie threw on her coat and dashed downstairs.
Approaching the bench, she sat beside him.
The man glanced at her, then looked away.
“Excuse me, are you alright? I noticed youve been out here a while. Its freezing. Can I help?”
The old man sighed.
“Nothing to worry about, love. Just resting a moment before I go.”
“Go where?”
“The station. Home.”
“Honestly, thats no good. I dont fancy finding you here tomorrow morning. Come on, up you get! Pleasecome inside. Warm up, then head off wherever you need to.”
“But”
“No buts! Lets go!”
If her mate Sophie could see her now, shed have gawped like a goldfish. But Sophie wasnt here, and Ellie couldnt leave him.
The old man rose stiffly, lifting the little tree.
“Can I bring it?”
“Course you can!”
Inside, he set the tree politely in the hallway, shrugged off his coat. Every movement seemed labouredhe really had been out there too long.
At the kitchen table, Ellie poured tea. He cradled the mug, warming his hands before taking a sip. Then he met her gaze.
“Love, dont go thinking the worst. Im not homeless. Names Michael Simmons. Came to see my daughter. Hard to explain”
Split from her mother years agomy fault. Met another woman, fell head over heels like a fool. Hid it at first, then the wife found out about me and Martha. Row after row, till one day I slammed the door and left.
My girl was just five.
Tried to stay in touch, sent money, but my ex, Louiseproud as anythingwouldnt take a penny. Wouldnt even file for child support, wanted to prove she could raise our girl alone.
I tried slipping help through my parents, through herno luck. She turned my daughter against me.
Once, at the nursery, I brought toys. My girl ran off, said I was nobody to her. So I stepped back. Stopped trying. Martha and I moved away.
Sent money at firstLouise always returned it. Eventually, I stopped. Understood shed never accept anything from me.
Ten years ago, we came back. Parents were gone by then, so we moved into their flat. Sold it later, bought a cottage near town. Never had kids of our own.
Then Martha passed two years ago. Left me on my own.
Dont know what I was thinking today, turning up at my daughters. Didnt expect forgiveness.
Havent seen her in decades. She still lives in that same flat.
Brought this tree, rang the bellshe wouldnt even let me in.
Cant blame her.
What was I hoping for? Im a stranger to her.
Dont need anythinggot the cottage, decent pension. Couldve helped her, shes all the family Ive got left.
Mightve been different if Louise had let me be part of her life.
After she shut the door, I just walked, nowhere in particular. Ended up here. Sat on that bench and froze. Mightve stayed all night.
But fate had other plans. Maybe Im still good for something. Cheers, love. Im warm nowbest be off, catch the morning bus.”
“Whered you go at this hour? No buses till dawn, and New Years is minutes away. StayIll make up the sofa, leave in the morning.”
Michael studied her.
“Awfully kind of you, love. Not manyd let a stranger in these days. Truth is I dont fancy being alone tonight. If its no trouble, Ill stay.”
“Sorted, then.”
Come morning, Michael gathered his things.
“Thank you, Ellie. Youre an angel. Saved me from a daft decisionI really mightve stayed out there all night.
Listen, come visit sometime! Cottage isnt fargot plenty of room. Keep a few beehives out back, lovely in summer.
Martha adored the gardenapples, pears, you name it. Even winters cosy. Come stay, love. River nearby. Proper peaceful.”
“Promise I will, Michael.”
“Good lass. Right, best be off”
Ellie watched from the window till he turned the corner.
Funny, isnt it? Family wants nothing to do with you, yet strangers become family in a heartbeat.
Ellie had lost her parents young. After hearing the old mans story, she knew shed visit him soon.
Some bonds are worth forging, even late in the day.
