There was a matter to attend tosoon, guests would arrive, and the elderly couple needed to leave.
“Heres the thingwere expecting visitors, and youll have to go somewhere. You understand, dont you? Having you here would ruin the celebration.”
“Son, where can we go?” Margaret asked, her voice trembling. “Weve no one left in this city.”
“Well, how should I know? Mrs. Wilkins from the village used to invite yougo there.”
Victor and Margaret had long regretted listening to their son and selling their cottage.
Life there had been hard, but it was theirs. They were masters of their own home. Here? They hardly dared step out of their room, terrified of upsetting their daughter-in-law, Catherine. Everything about them irritated herhow they shuffled in slippers, how they sipped tea, even the way they ate.
The only person in the flat who truly cared for them was their grandson, Thomasa handsome young man who adored his grandparents beyond reason. If his mother raised her voice in his presence, he would snap back at once. But their son, Edward? Whether he feared his wife or simply didnt care, he never stood up for them.
Thomas often dined with them, though he was rarely homehe was completing his apprenticeship and stayed in lodgings near his work, returning only on weekends.
For the elderly couple, his visits were like holidays. Now, with the New Year approaching, Thomas arrived early to wish them well. He brought them giftsthick woolen socks and gloves, knowing they were always cold. Plain gloves for his grandfather, embroidered ones for his grandmother.
Margaret pressed them to her face and wept.
“Gran, dont you like them?”
“Oh, my dear, theyre perfect. The most precious things Ive ever owned.”
She embraced him, and he kissed her hands, as he had since childhood. They always smelled of something warmbaking, apples, love.
“Now, hold on here without me for three days,” Thomas said. “Im off with my mates, but Ill be back.”
“Go on, love,” Margaret whispered. “Well wait.”
He left, and the couple retreated to their room. An hour later, they heard Catherine shrieking at Edwardguests were coming, and the old folks had to go. Where? She didnt care.
Victor dug out hidden biscuits, and they ate silently by the window, too afraid to speak. A tear trembled in Margarets eye. How bitter it was to live long enough to become unwanted.
At dusk, Edward entered.
“Right, guests are coming. Youll have to leave.”
“Son, where can we go? The buses have stopped, and we dont even know where the station is.”
“Not my problem. Catherine says youve an hour to pack.”
They dressed in Thomass gifts and stepped into the cold. People hurried past, oblivious. They stopped at a café for tea and sandwichestheir first meal all day.
An hour later, they braved the snow, finding shelter in a park gazebo. The wind howled.
“At least our grandson has a kind heart,” Victor murmured.
Margaret examined her gloves. “We promised to wait for him.”
Christmas lights twinkled in distant windows. Thena small spaniel nosed its way to them, whining. Margaret stroked him.
“Lost, are you?”
A voice called through the snow. “Lord! Where are you? Time to go home!”
A young woman appeared. “Ohthere you are! Whos this?”
She saw the couplefrostbitten, silent.
“Youve been here long?”
“A while,” Margaret said.
“Why not go home? Its freezingand nearly midnight!”
No answer.
“Youve nowhere to go?”
They shook their heads.
Lord refused to leave Margarets side.
“Right. Were not staying here. Come with me.”
The girlEmilylived alone with her dog. Her flat was warm, smelling of supper. They drank tea, then set the table. The tree glowed.
At midnight, they toasted. In the morning, Emily refused to let them leave. “Stay the week.”
When Thomas returned, finding his grandparents gone, he raged at his parents. “You should be ashamed!”
He searched the streets in despair. Then he spotted Emilyand his grandmothers gloves on her hands.
“Where did you get those?”
She smiled. “You must be Thomas.”
She led him home. The flat smelled of pancakes. Margaret wept as she embraced him.
“Stay with us,” Emily said.
And so they did. The once-empty flat filled with life. Lord, the dog, ruled the household, choosing whose bed to share each night.
As for Thomas and Emilywell, thats another tale.
Kindness, after all, is its own reward. Sometimes, all it takes is a smile. A question. A small act of good.
It always comes back.
