Right, so heres the thingguests are coming over soon, and you lot need to make yourselves scarce.
“Look, weve got company coming, and you two need to clear out. You get it, yeah? No one wants old folks cramping the party.”
“But where are we supposed to go, son? We dont know anyone here,” Mum asked, voice shaky.
“How should I know? That neighbour back in the village used to invite you overgo there or something.”
Victor and Margaret had regretted a thousand times listening to their son and selling their old house. Sure, life there hadnt been easy, but it was theirs. They were the ones in charge. Here? They tiptoed around their own flat, terrified of upsetting their daughter-in-law, Catherine. Everything about them annoyed herthe way they shuffled in slippers, how they sipped tea, even the way they ate.
The only person in that house who actually wanted them was their grandson, James. A proper grown lad, handsome too, and absolutely mad about his grandparents. If his mother so much as raised her voice at them in front of him, hed shut her down quick.
But their son, Michael? Whether he was scared of his wife or just didnt care, he never stood up for them.
James even made a point to have dinner with them, though he was hardly ever homebusy with his internship, staying in a dorm near work. Weekends were the only time he visited.
The old couple lived for those visits. Christmas was just around the corner, and James popped in early that morning to wish everyone a happy New Year. He ducked into his grandparents room, pulling out a pair of cosy socks and gloves for each of themplain ones for Granddad, embroidered for Gran.
Margaret pressed the gloves to her face and burst into tears.
“Gran, whats wrong? Dont you like them?”
“Oh, love, theyre perfect. The most precious thing Ive ever had.”
She hugged him tight, and James kissed her handssomething hed done since he was little. They always smelled of something lovelybaking, apples, or just warmth and love.
“Right, you two, just hang in there without me for a few days. Im off with the lads, then Ill be back.”
“Go on, love,” Gran said. “Well manage.”
James packed up, said his goodbyes, and left. The grandparents retreated to their room.
An hour later, Catherine was screeching at Michaelguests were coming, and the old folks had to go. How embarrassing, having them around. Where were they even supposed to put everyone?
Michael tried to argue”Where am I supposed to send them?”but Catherine wasnt having it.
The old couple sat frozen, not even daring to make tea. Victor dug out some biscuits from his stash, and they nibbled in silence by the window, too afraid to speak. A tear trembled in Margarets eye. How had it come to this? Being unwanted in your own family.
As dusk fell, Michael came in.
“Right, guests are coming. You need to leave. You get itno one wants you here for the party.”
“Son, where do we go? Weve got no one here,” Mum whispered.
“How should I know? That neighbour from the old village used to invite yougo there.”
“But the buses arent running. We dont even know where the station is. What if shes not even alive anymore?”
“Dunno. Catherine says youve got an hour.”
He left. Victor and Margaret stared at each other, fighting back tears. They packed quietly, glad for James gifts, bundled up, and slipped out into the cold.
The streets were bustling, everyone rushing somewhere. Margaret held Victors arm as they shuffled to the park, stopping at a tiny café for tea and sandwichesthey hadnt eaten all day.
They lingered as long as they could. Outside, the wind howled, snow fell, and the frost bit deeper. A little gazebo in the park offered shelter. They huddled together, Margaret tracing the embroidery on her gloves.
“At least our grandsons got a good heart,” Victor muttered. “Unlike his parents.”
Gran sighed. “We promised him wed manage. Couldnt even do that.”
Time crawled. Snow kept falling. Lights twinkled in windowspeople inside laughing, ringing in the New Year.
Thena scuffling sound. A little spaniel trotted up, whining, paws on Grans knees. She smiled, stroking his head.
“Whered you come from, eh? Lost?”
A womans voice called out in the distance. “Lord! Where are you? Time to go home!”
The dog barked.
“Lord! Over here!”
A young woman hurried over. “There you are! Whats” She stopped, taking in the old couple. “How long have you been out here?”
“A while, love. Your dogs lovely.”
“Why arent you home? Its freezingNew Years in an hour.”
Silence.
“Oh. You dont have anywhere to go, do you?”
They shook their heads.
Lord wouldnt leave Grans side, tail wagging.
“Right. Were not staying here. Im freezingonly came out in a jumperand you must be too. Come on, youre staying with me.”
“But, love, why would you?”
“Nope. Not leaving you. Its just me and Lord at homewed love the company.”
She helped them up. Even with the warm socks, their feet were numb.
They walked slowly, Lord darting around them, tail a blur. Along the way, they talkedMargaret admitted why they were in the gazebo. The girl, Emily, looked heartbroken.
“How could anyone do that to their own parents?” she whispered. Shed have given anything to have hers back.
Her flat was warm, smelling of roasting chicken. They had tea first, thawing out, before setting the table. The tree glittered in the cornercosy, like home. Margaret helped Emily cook while Victor played with Lord.
They welcomed the New Year together. The old couple was grateful; Emily was just glad not to be alone. Come morning, she refused to let them leave. “Stay the week at least.”
It felt right, like family.
James came back to an empty room. His grandparents bed hadnt been slept in.
“Mum. Where are Gran and Granddad?”
“How should I know? They left.”
“When?!”
“New Years Eve. We told them to goguests were coming. Cant have old people ruining the fun.”
“Youre disgusting,” James spat. “You should be ashamed.”
He stormed out, searching streets, asking strangershad anyone seen an elderly couple? Two hours in, panic set in.
Thena girl walking a spaniel. And on her handsGrans gloves.
“Whered you get those?”
“What?”
“I gave my gran gloves just like those. Now she and Granddad are missing.”
“Youre James?”
“Yeah. How do you?”
“Emily. Come with me.”
She led him home. On the way, she explainedfinding them in the gazebo, taking them in.
The flat smelled of pancakes. “I love that smell,” James said.
“Look whos here,” Emily called.
Gran rushed to him, crying. Granddad followed. They sat together, eating, talking. James apologised for his parents.
In the end, they stayed with Emily. James visited constantly.
Once, that big three-bed flat had felt emptyjust Emily and Lord. Now it was always full, always warm, always smelling of good food. Lord, the happiest of all, chose who to cuddle at night.
As for Emily and James? Wellthats another story.
The point iskindness matters. Sometimes its just a smile, asking if someones okay. Doing something good. It always comes back.
