A Miracle on New Years Eve
“Henry, do explain to me how you managed to forget!” Elizabeths eyes narrowed at her husband, her arms folded tightly. “I reminded you several times this morning, and I even sent a message!”
Henry hovered in the kitchen doorway, sheepish, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.
“I honestly dont know, Lizzie It just slipped my mind, thats all,” he muttered, trying to excuse himself.
“And your mobile, Henry?”
“I never took it out of my coat. Didnt see your message…”
Elizabeths lips pressed into a thin line.
“So, you remembered to buy a new battery for your car, but you forgot that your own daughter needed a present under the tree?”
He shrugged, his gaze fixed on the floor. “The motoring shop closed at eight, so I rushed. I forgot about it all. Im sorry.”
“Sometimes, Henry, I think you love that old banger of yours, which breaks down every month, more than you love Molly.” Sitting heavily on a kitchen stool, Elizabeth sighed, her eyes flicking to the clock.
Nearly five to eleven. The night was deep and cold, and nothing could be changed now. The helplessness settled in her chest.
“Dont be ridiculous, Lizzie! You know how much I love Molly. It was just a mistake. Everyone slips up sometimes.”
“Not me, Henry! Not with something like this,” Elizabeth whispered, careful not to raise her voice. Molly mustn’t overhearher little girls faith in Christmas was sacred.
Henry reached to comfort his wife, but she turned away, focusing instead on spooning potato salad into a bowl.
“I should have just gone myself, as I always do,” Elizabeth murmured. “But no, I trusted you, Henry. I thought you were the responsible one.”
“Alright, Lizzie. I know I mucked up. But honestlytheres nothing to be done now. Its just a gift, under the tree or not. Lets tell Molly”
“Tell Molly what, exactly? That her fathers memory is worse than Granddads, and he cared more about his car battery?
He shuffled miserably. “We could say Father Christmas was terribly busy this year, so hell come in the morning instead. Ill pick out a gift, wrap it upsay its from Father Christmas.”
“And where, dear, will you find a present? All the shops will be closed tomorrow, save the grocers. Well done, Henry.”
Elizabeths frustration was only natural. Since Mollys birth, their family had cherished a gentle traditionon New Years Eve, after the clock chimed midnight, theyd gather round the twinkling tree and discover presents nestled underneath.
Molly, like many children her age, still believed in Father Christmas, in magic, and in miracles. Her delight at finding the very thing shed wished for was pure and radiant, her joy infectious.
Molly had already peered several times beneath the tree this evening, confiding in her mother about what she hoped Father Christmas might bring this year.
“I wonder what hell bring,” she mused, tugging at her sleeve. “Maybe a bicycle, like Charlie from next door? If not, roller skates would do!”
Elizabeth smiled, remembering shed asked Henry to pick out skates for Molly. Usually, she chose the gift herself, but a call at work had kept her in the city, and shed thought Henry could manage.
He had returned after eight, and it was only when Elizabeth set the table in preparation, conspiratorially asking about the gift, that Henrys memory failed him.
“Lets not ruin tonight, Lizzie. Its New Years Eve.” Henry once more tried to soothe her. “Let me explain to Molly. Shell understand. Shes a sensible girl.”
Elizabeth said nothing, the tears stinging her eyes as she arranged the plates. How could he forget Mollys present? Even now, she hoped Henry had hidden it somewhere, waiting for the right moment to surprise them.
But the shops were shut, the night had fallen, and all hope slipped away.
“Would you like some help?” Henry offered, lingering awkwardly as Elizabeth set glasses on the table.
“Youve helped enough. Best leave it.”
At that moment, Molly bounced into the kitchen, having watched every last festive cartoon.
“Mum, Dad! Only two hours left until the New Year! Father Christmas is bringing my present soon!”
Elizabeth shot a glare at Henry, but quickly looked away, not wanting to dampen Mollys spirits.
Shed devised a planshed place an envelope with some money under the tree, writing, “For Mollys Skates” on the front. Not ideal, but better than nothing at all.
*****
It was nearly eleven when the family finally settled at the table when a knock interrupted them.
“Henry, did you invite anyone over tonight?” Elizabeth was startled. “I certainly didnt.”
“Nor did I. Must be the neighbours. Ill check, you keep pouring the juice,” Henry replied.
He opened the door and found a bearded man in a battered red coatnothing like Father Christmas, far more like one of the local homeless. One glanceand the lingering scentmade that clear.
“What can I do for you? Are you after the wrong flat, or looking for handouts?” Henry said, wary. “I wont give out any money, so dont bother asking.”
“No, no, not after charity,” the stranger replied cheerfully.
Henry almost laughed. “Not struggling? Youre digging in your heels, arent you?” Still, hed always felt sympathy for the homeless, though this claim made him smirk.
“So what is it you want?”
“I found a kitten in the stairwell. Look” The man produced a fluffy white bundle from his coat. “Is it yours, by any chance? Didnt want it to get lost.”
Henry shook his head, bemused. “Never seen that kitten before. Weve never kept pets.”
“Would you care to take him? Hes a sweet thing. If youve got a little girl, shed love him.”
As Henry suspected, the man was hoping hed buy the kitten off himone stray for another.
“No, thank you. Were not interested.”
The mans face dropped. “Ah. Well, Ill just leave the little one by the bins then.”
The words stopped Henry cold. “Hang onwhy leave such a tiny thing by the bins? Let it stay here in the stairwell, at least.”
“Theyll just throw it out onto the street, wont they?” the man replied. “At least by the bins, there are boxes and scraps to hide in, food to be found.”
Henry had never cared much for animals, but something about that helpless kitten tugged at him. He pictured the little thing shivering through the nightcold, hungry, alone.
Without another thought, Henry reached out. “Give it here! Dont dump him by the bins.”
“As you wish,” the stranger smiled kindly, handing over the kitten and tipping his cap before leaving down the stairs.
*****
Henry came back inside, hiding the kitten behind his back, praying it wouldnt make a sound. Elizabeth and Molly peeked round the kitchen door.
“Whereve you been? Everything alright?”
“All fine,” Henry grinned nervously, desperately hoping the kitten wouldnt start yowling. If Elizabeth found out what hed brought home, shed have them both out on the street in a heartbeat.
He needed a moment before explaining why, one hour before midnight, hed arrived with a stray.
“So, who was at the door?” Elizabeth eyed him, suspicious. “You werent scheming something, were you?”
“Only Tom, from the fifth floor. He wanted advice on buying a new car battery.”
“Of course. Who else? Only you could be so useful,” she said with a sigh. “Well, wash up and come to the table. New Year will be here soon.”
“Just five minutes!”
With the girls back in the kitchen, Henry darted through the flat, searching for a hiding spot. The balcony was too cold, the loo too risky, Mollys room and the bedroom too obvious. Only the sitting room remained.
“Henry! Are you coming?” Elizabeth hollered.
“I am! Just a sec!”
He tucked the kitten on the bottom shelf of the bookcase, leaving the door ajar to let in air, and dashed to the kitchen.
*****
Outside, the street erupted with shouts of “Happy New Year!”
Henry toasted his wife and daughter, wishing them health and joy as he always did.
As he spoke, Molly set her juice down and dashed into the sitting room. Elizabeth, suddenly remembering the envelope, shot Henry a reproachful look. “You can calm her yourself now!”
But Mollys shriek cut above the streets clamour.
“Mum! Dad! Come quick! Look what Father Christmas left me under the tree!”
They hurried in to find Molly kneeling by the tree, clutching the little white kitten.
“I wished and wished for a kitten, and Father Christmas really brought me one! Im going to call him Snowy.”
She cradled the kitten in delight, while Elizabeth looked at Henry aside.
“And whats this, then? Your handiwork?”
“Please, Lizzie, dont be cross. Let me explain.”
“Cross? Look at Mollyshes never been happier. But you might have let me know youd planned this surprise. I was quite unfair to you tonight,” Elizabeth said, hugging him warmly.
Henry stood, stunned that such a disaster had turned so sweet. Maybe old sayings held truth: New Years Eve had its share of real miracles. Molly was overjoyed, Elizabeth reconciled all thanks to a white kitten and
Henry suddenly remembered the homeless man.
“Listen, Lizzie Theres something I ought to do.”
He whispered to her, and she nodded her assent.
*****
“Well, George,” said the bearded stranger, clapping his friend on the back as they sat on a battered bench nearby, “We found homes for every kitten, thank the Lord. Wed best get back to the shelter before they lock it up.”
“Good thing, too, John. Clever idea, what you said about the bins,” George chuckled.
“Do you think so? I worried itd see me chucked out myself. But only a soul who truly cared would take the kitten in, rather than see it dumped on the tip.”
“True enough.”
“So, the little ones are safe, and will have a better life,” John said with real satisfaction.
The two sat silently, their breath hanging in the cold as people passed bysome wishing them well, none running them off as usual.
Just then, Henry hurried up from the building, clutching a hefty carrier bag.
“Happy New Year, gentlemen!” he beamed, offering the bag. “My wife and I put together a little supper for you, as a thank you.”
“Why, thank you kindly. Wasnt expecting that,” John and George smiled, genuinely touched.
“And this ones from me,” Henry added, passing John a bottle of bubbly. “Something to toast the New Year with.”
John grinned, hands rubbing together. “See, George? Miracles do happen. Well celebrate properly tonight.”
Henry started to leave, but paused. “Have you a spot for the night?”
“Just the usualshelter round the corner. Not bad, but theres not much space for sleeping,” George explained.
“Well then, come along with me,” Henry insisted.
Within five minutes, hed unlocked his own garage and welcomed them inside.
“Settle in here, lads. Theres a sofa, a heater, dishesmuch more comfortable than a shelter. Ill leave the car outside tonightmake yourselves at home.”
“Oh, we could manage as it was,” the men protested.
“Nonsenselet the car rest for a night,” said Henry with a wink. “Just dont drink yourselves silly, mind!”
“Well behave. Just a toast to count our blessings,” John promised.
“Thats the spirit. Tomorrow Ill come round for a chatmaybe theres more I can do for you both.”
The two men exchanged a look.
“Well, wouldnt that be something,” George murmured.
“A proper New Years, after all,” John said softly.
And so, a truly wondrous New Years Eve unfoldeda night of kindness, small miracles, and the warmth of strangers and family alike.
