“I was making pancakes at home when a strange man walked in,” Margaret tells everyone these days. At the time, she didnt find it funny at all. Just imagine youre alone, nobody else is supposed to be in your flat, and suddenly, there he is! She couldnt believe her eyes.
Margaret had divorced her husband John five years earlier. Shes nearly sixty now and never even thought about a new relationship. Her children live far away.
She went about her life, quite happily. She got along wonderfully with her neighbours, so even though things arent always calm in the world, she had the habit of sometimes leaving her front door unlocked. Who knows, perhaps her neighbour Susan might pop round. On this occasion, no Susan was expected, but Margaret had just taken the bins out. After washing her hands and feeding her cat, Tilly, she simply forgot to lock up. Besides, she wasnt afraid of anyone. It was broad daylight and the building was full of people not like wandering alone through a dark forest.
She decided to make a batch of pancakes. And just as she was about to stack another one onto a plate, she spotted a stranger standing in her own kitchen, as if hed appeared out of thin air!
“In that moment, my whole life flashed before my eyes, starting from nursery school. It does happen, you know! I thought, well, this is it. Not that theres much to steal, but Id just bought a big new telly, have a computer, just been paid. My purse with my cash is in the hall. I assumed hed nicked it and was now checking what else he could grab. I whispered, Take whatever you want, just please dont hurt me I have grandchildren, Id like to see them. I wont tell a soul about you!”
Suddenly, the man began apologising and explaining himself. Her head spun, barely taking in his words. He advised her to switch off the hob, and she did so automatically, then sat down on a chair. He sat down opposite and started to explain. He said hed been walking down the street, bothering no one, when a rowdy group started hassling him for money. He decided to avoid trouble and fled. At that moment someone was leaving her block, so he darted inside with the group right behind him. There was no time to call for help. He knocked on a door, nobody answered, tried a few handles and hers opened, of course, since shed left it unlocked. He asked her to look out of the window, and indeed, there were some dodgy characters loitering around. They hung about for a bit before moving on.
The stranger introduced himself as Anthony Osborne. Once her fear subsided, Margaret took a closer look. He was big and a little awkward, but his eyes were kind. Put a red coat on him and hed be a dead ringer for Father Christmas.
“Sorry to be a bother, but would you mind terribly if I had a pancake? I havent had any since my wife passed away,” Anthony asked, removing his boots and sitting there in his coat.
“And you actually fed him? Gosh, Margaret, youre braver than me! Id have chucked him out on his ear!” her neighbour Susan marvels later.
But Margaret surprised even herself. She only asked him to wash his hands. He made straight for the bathroom. Then they had a long cuppa together while he shared his story widowed, no children, living on his own ever since.
Eventually, it was time for him to leave. He apologised once more and went on his way.
Margaret felt like she was starring in an episode from some British TV drama. She was bursting with things to tell, and after chatting on the phone with everyone she knew, she suddenly felt… empty. Perhaps she should have… continued the acquaintance? Maybe invited him round for pie? She does excellent mushroom and sweet pies.
But what now? That ship had sailed. Nevertheless, the next day she decided to bake pies anyway. And then there was a gentle knock. She peered through the peephole, expecting Susan, but when she looked, she dashed about her flat, quickly tidied her hair, whipped off her old housecoat, squeezed into her knitted trouser suit, and sprayed on perfume shed nearly forgotten about. She flung open the door.
Anthony stood on the doorstep, flowers in hand.
“Erm… I just wanted to say sorry again for frightening you. Please accept these. Ill be off now,” he stammered.
“Dont be daft! Ive just baked some pies you must try them,” Margaret grinned.
“As I came up the stairs, I said to myself, That smells like a bakery! I thought it must be you. Someones lucky to have a wife like that!” Anthony replied dreamily.
“Im not married. Come in, please!” Margaret insisted.
Since then, theyve lived together. Hes her right-hand man in the garden now. Her children welcomed him, and even the grandchildren now call him ‘Granddad Tony’. He spoils them as if they were his own.
Hed lived alone long enough; now, hes melting into his new family. The once-strange Anthony has become her own.
Margarets friends are quite envious.
“Just think, finding a decent man at your age and in such an unusual way! He just turned up out of nowhere!” they exclaim.
Margaret agrees. But from then on, she always locks her door firmly!
