After a long night shift, Emily felt so exhausted her legs barely obeyed her. The freezing cold had given way to a damp thaw, and it snowed every day. Emily kept slipping on patches of ice hidden under wet, slushy snow as she trudged through the city.
She hadnt had a chance to rest during her shift. First, a boy arrived with appendicitis, then an elderly woman with a broken hip. As if on purpose, everyone waited until the middle of the night to call an ambulance and head to the hospital. All Emily could think about was going home and sinking into bed. Watching her footing to avoid falling, she didnt even notice a figure separating from the shadow of a building, stepping right into her path.
Emily stopped and looked up. In front of her stood a man in his early forties, with the appearance of a vagabond or a highway robber. His face was covered in cuts, his clothes were soaked and disheveled, like they didnt belong to him. Emily moved to the side, hoping to skirt past him she didnt have the energy to run.
“Excuse me, can you help me?” the man suddenly asked.
Emily, a nurse, was forever conditioned to respond to requests for help. She paused.
I, the man pressed his hands to his head and closed his eyes for a moment. I was thrown off a train. Luckily, there was enough snow. I landed well and only got away with a few bruises.
You should drink less, Emily said, attempting to step around him.
Wait, Im not drunk! Only had tea. Someone put something in my drink. I fell asleep immediately. They robbed me and even took my clothes. Lucky I wasnt tossed out naked, and not far from your station.
Lucky indeed. You need the police, and a hospital. Headache? Feeling sick? Sounds like concussion, Emily told him, once again moving to bypass him.
Ive already been to the police. Next trains not due for a few hours, and I didnt want to wait at the station. They said theyd hardly find the thieves. I shared my compartment with an old man, looked like a professor round glasses, pointed beard. Police said the glasses and beard were probably fake. He probably had accomplices. Guess I was lucky in a way. I just need somewhere to wash up and change, Im soaked. Ill return the clothes.
Youre persistent. What next, want the keys to my flat where I keep my cash? Emilys patience was wearing thin.
There it is. Everyone keeps their guard up with me. Honestly, why does no one believe me? The man looked up at the sky with despair so genuine that Emily felt a pang of pity. She studied him carefully. He was wearing odds and ends, but spoke properly not how youd expect from a tramp.
All right. Come on to mine before you catch your death. Ill find something for you to change into.
Thank you. Youre awfully kind. Most people wont even give me the time of day. He followed her.
Inside, Emily collapsed onto a pouffe in the hall. Her legs were screaming with fatigue and her eyes wanted to close.
Bathrooms down there, Emily nodded towards the narrow hallway, Ill look for some clothes. Whats your name?
Michael. He found the light and shut the door. Soon the sound of running water came from inside.
Emily sighed. There went her plans for a nice rest. Her brother had long moved to London, but had left some of his things behind. He wont miss any of these, she thought as she rummaged through his old clothes and knocked on the bathroom door. With the water now off, she told Michael shed left a change of clothes on the hall cupboard.
She filled a bowl of soup and set it in the microwave. Sitting down at the kitchen table, Emily worried what her mother might think if she came home now. What else could someone assume, with Emily reheating dinner and a strange man showering in the bathroom? Dear God, let her be delayed at the shops or her friends, she thought. But, of course, God must’ve been busy because at that moment, the front door clicked open.
Em, you home? her mother called, and Emily poked her head out of the kitchen. Oh! Thought it was you in the bathroom. Whos in there then? Her mum squinted at her suspiciously.
Mum, keep your voice down. Fella from the train, got mugged. Hes just freshening up and will be off soon. Emily tried to sound calm.
Oh, so thats why youve got Alecs old things out? What happened to him?
Told you, robbed on the train.
Heavens. And you brought him home? He could be a thief, or worse! Maybe call the police? Her mum was fraught.
Mum, seriously. Hes already been to the police. Therere no trains until later due to rail works. Hes going as soon as hes dry, Emily said quietly.
Soon water noise stopped, and the bathroom door opened and shut Must be collecting the clothes, Emily guessed.
Her mother sat facing the door, keeping vigil. Michael soon entered the kitchen, greeting them apologetically. Emily figured he had overheard their conversation.
So, youre telling me someone managed to rob a strong bloke like you in broad daylight? mum asked suspiciously.
Sorry for intruding. I was headed to my daughters wedding overnight. Someone mustve slipped something in my tea woke up to find myself thrown off the train near your station, with barely a rag to my name. No phone, no wallet, nothing. He shrugged.
What on earth brought you here, though? Were not exactly next to Kings Cross, Mum probed.
“Mum! Let him eat, will you?” Emily snapped. “Sit down, Michael, I’ve got some soup warming for you.”
Emily always used to bring home stray kittens and puppies, and now blokes tossed from trains. Mum scooted to make space at the table.
Eat up, Michael. But beware if my mum takes a liking to you, you may never escape, Emily warned with dry sarcasm.
That’s because you never stop working its only pensioners and children in your wards. No personal life at all. Youll be thirty soon, time you settled down. Who will look after me if you dont? Mum huffed.
Mum, really, stop it. Michael, dont worry. Shes joking, Emily assured him.
Ah, do as you will, her mum sighed and retreated to the living room.
You have a formidable mum, Michael remarked, pushing his empty bowl away.
She raised me and my brother alone. She just doesnt want me ending up alone as well.
I see. Are you a doctor?
Nurse. Oh! How will you buy a train ticket with no passport and no money? Emily fretted.
Police said theyd help. Could I borrow your phone to call my daughter and let her know Im not making the wedding? And maybe my mate.
Of course, Emily said, heading to her room.
Her mother was at that moment emptying her jewellery box, gathering gold rings and cheap trinkets in a handkerchief.
Mum, what are you doing? Emily asked.
Shush, her mum whispered. What if hes a thief? Ill leave these at Jeans. Off she went to the hallway. Emily didnt bother to stop her no point.
She gave Michael her phone and stood by the window. She could tell from his expression that his daughter didn’t sound too upset that he wasnt coming to the wedding. He made another call and wrote down the address.
My mates sending a driver for me. Honestly, should never have come. My wife didnt want me running into her new husband. My daughter invited me. I risked life and limb for nothing, Michael looked downcast.
What do you do, if your mates sending a driver? Emily asked, curious.
Michael was starting to appeal to her. In her brothers clothes, even if a little tight, he looked quite respectable.
Weve got a small company repair work, nothing grand. Mate insisted I take the train, said Id get lost by car, and at weddings you always have a few. Trains, he said, were easier. Should’ve just flown. Dont worry, only a couple of hours and Ill be out of your hair, he said, convincing either himself or Emily.
Emily thought about what her mother had said. Wouldnt it be lovely to have someone to greet her from work, and children to wait for her? She was almost thirty and still living with her mum, future looking bleak. There was Leon once; she had loved him, planned a life, but came home early to find him in bed with her friend lost both fiancé and best friend that day.
Youre kind. I know things will turn out well for you, Michael said, breaking her reverie.
And you? Why are you alone? Seems youve got everything going for you.
Hm? Was going to the wedding on my own, yes. Clever too, I see. Didnt work out for me, divorced my wife, never met someone as kind as you. Modern relationships are all about calculation. Both sides. But now Im keeping you from your well-earned rest. Sorry for dropping in like this.
They kept talking long into the evening. It was getting dark outside when the phone rang.
Thatll be for me. Alex, my driver, must be here, said Michael, taking the phone.
Hell leave now, and Ill probably never see him again, Emily thought. Tomorrow, he wont even remember me.
Well. The cars outside. Thank you so much. Michael put the phone down and stood. Ive saved my number on your phone Michael Train. I doubt youll ring, but if you ever need help, dont hesitate. Ill return the clothes, of course. Say sorry to your mum for me pretty sure she thinks Im a thief. Michael gave her a look so mournful that Emily almost cried.
A stranger and yet she hated to see him go. But who was she, and who was he? Emily smiled. Dont end up in such bad situations again.
No. From now on, car or plane only. No more trains, Michael grinned.
Emily watched as, in the thickening afternoon dusk, Michael exited the building, paused by the car, found her window and waved.
Well, thats that. Tomorrow Ill be forgotten.
Sent him off? Mum asked, poking her head in.
You were so worried I let him in, now youre upset I let him leave, Emily tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice.
Hes a decent man. You can tell.
Then why the rush to hide your jewellery?
Because Im an old fool, mum sighed.
Three weeks passed. It was almost New Years Eve. Emily had almost convinced herself shed dreamed Michael up in the light of day, the story seemed so unlikely. Her upcoming holiday night shift looked peaceful few patients left in, little chance of emergencies, and a small Christmas tree stood in the staff room. Usually, if anything happened at this time of year, it was after the celebrations when the party ended.
So, Emily, were together on overnight shift again, are we? Mr. Harris, the surgeon, flashed her a wry grin and shot her a meaningful look.
She was sure hed arranged the rota on purpose. Mr. Harris had a reputation for chasing after the new nurses, and so Emily pretended not to realise he fancied her.
Are you in here? Oh, you won’t believe it! burst in Linda from A&E.
Already got a new patient? Harris tugged his mask from his pocket.
Father Christmas is here! With presents! Hes insisting on being let onto the ward to cheer up the patients. Shall I let him in? Linda babbled.
Father Christmas, eh? Well, why not, let’s meet this jolly fellow. Come on, Emily, Harris took her by the elbow.
Before they even got to reception, they could hear a booming voice inside. There stood Father Christmas, red embroidered robe, hat, white beard, and a huge sack slung over one shoulder, persuading the nurse to let him in.
Ive come all the way from Lapland to see you, and you wont let me in! boomed his familiar voice.
I thought he lived in the North Pole, Harris smirked. All right, just keep the noise down, our patients need their rest.
Father Christmas bustled through the wards, pulling tangerines and chocolates from his sack and handing them out generously. The elderly beamed with delight. Even nurses from other wards came to invite Father Christmas to their stations. But he frowned at Emily.
No, you cant have Emily, Father Christmas. Next year bring your own helper, Harris laughed, pulling Emily away.
A quarter of an hour later, Santa returned, robe unbuttoned, beard, and hat in his hands, sack slung limply over his shoulder. Emily burst out laughing.
I knew you had the night shift and wanted to bring you a bit of cheer. Did it work? Michael looked at her hopefully.
It did. The old folks will be talking about it for ages, she giggled.
Looks like its a solo night shift for me, Harris ostentatiously sighed. Go on with Father Christmas, Emily. Linda will help me if needed. Enjoy yourself.
Emily didnt need telling twice. A month later, she handed in her notice and moved in with Michael. Her mum was overjoyed. Ive settled my daughter, now I can die happy. Oh, what am I saying therell be grandchildren, of course! And who helps with them if not grandma? She decided she would live a little longer after all.
For some reason, people call the bad things in life fate, and the good ones just a stroke of luck. But, in truth, you rarely get one without the other.
