“Listen, weve got guests coming over soon, and youll need to make yourselves scarce. You understandhaving you around would ruin the whole celebration.”
“Son, where are we supposed to go? We dont know anyone here,” Mum asked.
“Well, how should I know? Mrs. Jenkins from the village invited you oncego there.”
Victor and Margaret had already regretted a hundred times listening to their son and selling their old house.
Sure, life there had been hard, but it was still their home. They were the ones in charge. And here? They barely dared to leave their room, terrified of angering their daughter-in-law, Katherine. Everything about them irritated herthe way they shuffled in their slippers, how they sipped their tea, even the way they ate.
The only person in that flat who cared for them was their grandson, James.
A grown man now, handsome, and utterly devoted to his grandparents. If his mother raised her voice around them, hed snap back without hesitation.
But their son, Edwardwhether he was afraid of his wife or just indifferentnever stood up for them.
James even made a point to have dinner with his grandparents whenever he could. The trouble was, he was hardly ever home. He was doing his apprenticeship and stayed in a dormitory near work, only coming back on weekends.
For the elderly pair, his visits were like little holidays. Now, with New Years Eve approaching, James popped in early just to wish them well.
He brought them each a pair of warm, nicely knitted socks and glovesknowing they were always cold, he wanted to cheer them up. Plain gloves for Grandad, embroidered ones for Grandma.
Margaret pressed the gloves to her face and burst into tears.
“Grandma, whats wrong? Dont you like them?”
“Oh, darling, theyre perfect. The most precious things Ive ever owned.”
She hugged him tight, and James kissed her palmssomething hed done since childhood. Her hands always smelled of something warmfresh apples, baking dough, but mostly, love.
“Right, you two, just hold on three days without me. Im off with the lads, but Ill be back.”
“Have fun, love,” Grandma said. “Well manage.”
James packed his bag, said his goodbyes, and left. The old couple retreated to their room.
An hour later, Katherines voice screeched from the kitchen. Guests were coming, and the old folks had to go. “Its embarrassing having them aroundwhere will we even put everyone to sleep?”
Edward tried to argue”Where am I supposed to send them?”but Katherine wouldnt hear it.
The elderly pair sat frozen, not even daring to make tea. Victor dug out some biscuits from his secret stash, and they chewed in silence by the window, afraid to speak. A tear trembled in Margarets eye. How cruel it was, to live long enough to become a burden.
As dusk fell, Edward came in.
“Listen, weve got guests coming, so youll need to clear out. You know how it iscant celebrate with you here.”
“Son, where are we supposed to go?” Mum asked again.
“How should I know? Mrs. Jenkins invited you oncego there.”
“Where? The last bus has gone, and we dont even know where the station is. And what if shes not even alive anymore?”
“Dunno. Kate says youve got an hour to pack.”
Victor and Margaret stared at each other, holding back tears. They gathered their thingsthank God for James giftsbundled up, and stepped out into the cold.
People rushed past, wrapped up in their own lives.
Margaret took Victors arm, and they shuffled toward the park, stopping at a small café for tea and sandwichesthey hadnt eaten all day.
They lingered, dreading the freezing night. Wind howled, snow fell. The park gazebo offered meager shelter.
“At least theres a roof,” Victor muttered.
They huddled together. Margaret traced the embroidery on her gloves. Victor watched her and sighed.
“At least our grandson has a heart, unlike his parents.”
“We promised him wed manage,” Grandma whispered.
Snow kept falling. Lights flickered in windows. Families gathered for New Years Eve.
Thena small spaniel trotted up, whining. He pawed at Margarets knees. She smiled, stroking his head.
“Lost, little friend?”
A womans voice called out”Lord! Where are you? Time to go home!”
The dog barked.
“Lord! Lord!” The voice grew closer.
A young woman reached the gazebo. Her dog stood guard over the old couple.
“Sorry about himhes harmless. Have you been here long?”
“Long enough, love. Hes a sweet boy.”
“Arent you going home? Its freezing, and its nearly midnight.”
Silence.
“…Youve nowhere to go, have you?”
Lord nuzzled Margarets hand.
“Right. This conversation needs moving indoors. Im freezingstupidly came out without a coat. And you must be half-frozen. Come on, youre staying with me.”
“Oh, love, we cant”
“No arguments. Its just me and Lord. Wed love the company.”
Exchanging weary glances, they followed.
Even in thick socks, their toes were numb.
Lord pranced ahead. As they walked, introductions were made. Margaret confessed their shameful exile.
The girlAlicewas horrified.
“Id give anything to have my parents back,” she murmured.
Her flat was warm, smelling of roasting meat. They drank tea first, thawing out, then set the table. A Christmas tree twinkled in the corner.
Victor played with Lord while Margaret helped Alice.
They welcomed the New Year togethergrateful, no longer alone.
Morning came. Alice refused to let them leave. “Stay the week, at least.”
It felt like family.
James returned, rushing to his grandparents roomempty. The bed hadnt been slept in.
“Mum, where are they?”
“How should I know? They left.”
“When?”
“New Years Eve. We couldnt have them moping about.”
“You should be ashamed! Youre the ones whove grown oldnot them!”
He stormed out, searching blindly. Two hours passed. Despair set in.
Thena girl walking a spaniel.
As he approached, he froze.
Her glovesembroidered, just like Grandmas.
“Excuse me, where did you get those?”
“Why?”
“I gave my grandmother a pair just like them. Now she and Grandad are missing.”
“Youre James, arent you?”
“…How do you know my name?”
“Im Alice. Come with me.”
She led him home. On the way, she explained finding them in the gazebo, taking them in.
The flat smelled of pancakes.
“I love that smell,” James breathed.
Alice smiled. “Look whos here.”
Grandma rushed to him in tears. Grandad followed. They ate together, talking late into the night.
Alice insisted they stay. James brought their things. Soon, he was visiting daily.
Once, the flat had been just Alice and Lord. Now, it was always fullwarm, lively.
Lord, the happiest of all, chose who to sleep beside each night.
As for Alice and James? Well, thats another story.
Kindness is a powerful thing. Sometimes, all it takes is a smile, a question, a small act.
It always comes back.
