So, imagine thisAnne Wilkinsons telling everyone about it now, but she certainly wasnt laughing at the time. She was at home one afternoon, flipping pancakes in her kitchen, when suddenly a complete stranger wandered right in! I mean, honestlypicture it. You live on your own, no one else is meant to be in the house, not a soul. Then, out of nowhere, this bloke appears, heading straight through your kitchen like he owns the place!
Her husband, Peter, theyd split up five years ago, and Annes just about to turn sixty. She hadnt even considered looking for someone new, and her children had moved clear across the country. Shed settled into her own company and got on well with the neighbours. Because of that, shed got into this old habitsometimes forgetting to lock the front door. You never know, her neighbour Sarah might pop round for a cuppa. Only, Sarah wasnt coming over that day. Anne had just nipped out to put the bins out, then came back in, washed her hands, fed Sooty the catand completely forgot about the door. Not that she was bothered anyway, it was the middle of the afternoon in a busy neighbourhood. Its hardly like walking alone through a dark forest or anything!
She decided to do a batch of pancakes. And as she was just about to flip another one onto her favourite plate, she turned and saw this complete stranger in her own kitchen. It was as if hed just materialised out of thin air!
I swear, my whole life flashed before my eyesfrom nursery school all the way up! Thats what she tells me now. I thought, thats it, perfect. Not that I have much worth swiping, but I did just get that fancy new telly, my computer, and Id only just been to the bank. My purse was sitting right there in the hallway! I was convinced hed pinched it already and was just looking for more. So I whispered, Take anything you want, please, just dont hurt me. Ive got grandkids, I’d love to see them again. I wont breathe a word to anyone, I promise!
To her surprise, the man started apologising! He tried to explain himself but Anne was in such a flap that she barely heard him. He pointed to the stove and suggested she should turn it off, which she did on autopilot. She sat herself down and so did he. He started telling her how hed just been walking down her street, not bothering anyone, when suddenly a rowdy gang started pestering him for money. Not wanting any trouble, he bolted and managed to dash into her building just as someone was heading out. The group followed him in, and there wasnt time to call for help. Hed banged on a few doors but no one answeredthen tried the handles, and hers was unlocked. He asked if shed have a look out the window, and when she did, there really was a dodgy crowd loitering outside. They eventually wandered off. Anne was so frazzled, but she listened.
The man introduced himself as David Andrews. Once Anne had calmed down a bit, she took a closer look at him: a big, slightly clumsy chap with the gentlest eyes. Put a red coat on him, she’d have mistaken him for Father Christmas!
Sorry, but would you mind if I had one of those pancakes? Havent had homemade since my wife passed… he asked, looking a bit sheepish.
Hed already kicked off his shoes and was sitting there in his coat. Then later, Sarah pops over and says, Hang on, you actually gave him pancakes? Youre braver than I am, Anne! Id have had him out by the collar! But Anne, for some reason, decided to go with itshe only asked him to wash his hands first, not that he hesitated. They had endless tea and he shared a bit about his life. He was a widower, never had children, living alone these days.
When it came time to leave, he apologised again and headed off.
Anne felt like shed stepped straight out of an episode of EastEnders or something. She was buzzing with excitement, told everyone under the sun, and after all the calls, she suddenly realisedshe felt a bit empty. Maybe, just maybe, she should have kept in touch, invited him back for some pie? Her apple pies and mushroom tarts are something else.
But you know what they saythe moment passes. Next day, though, she decided to bake some pies anyway. And then, theres a timid knock on the door. Anne thought it was Sarah, but when she peeped through the spyhole, panic took over. She straightened her hair, swapped her old cardigan for her decent knitwear, spritzed on some perfume she hadnt worn in ages, and flung the door open.
There was David, holding a bunch of daffodils.
I just wanted to say sorry again for scaring you. These are for you. Ill be off now
What do you mean, off? Ive baked enough pies for an armycome in and have some! Anne beamed.
He hesitated, sniffed the air and laughed. “I knew it! Smelled like a bakery all the way up the stairssomeones a lucky husband, I thought!”
Well, theres no husband here. Come on in! Anne replied.
And you know what? Theyve lived together ever since. Davids now her right hand in the garden. Her children love him, the grandkids even call him Grandad Dave. He fusses over them like theyre his own.
After all those lonely years, it was as if he warmed up in a brand new family. Funny how a stranger can turn into family overnight.
Annes friends tease her, Honestly, at our age, you bag yourself a proper gentthe man walked right in, you lucky thing! Anne cant help but agree. But ever since? Shes never forgotten to lock the front door!
