Arthur, the boots popped open! The boots open, stop the car! Emily shouted, but she already understood that everything was lost. Their belongings were tumbling out onto the A1 as they drove, and cars behind them probably hadnt seen a thing.
All the gifts and treats theyd been deliberately putting aside for the last two months gone! The smoked salmon, the expensive ham, a jar of red currant jelly, all sorts of delicacies they only indulged in at Christmas. The bags full of gifts and goodies were carefully placed on top in the boot so nothing would get squashed. Theyd packed far too much, heading out to Arthurs nans cottage for the holidays.
The motorway was chock-a-block, the entire world apparently leaving London at once. Cars crawled nose-to-tail, too slowly to call it driving, and stopping suddenly was out of the question. Anything that fell out onto the road was as good as gone.
Their children sat in the back and grew pale, sensing their mums upset and starting to sniffle themselves. Emily tried to soothe them as Arthur steered the car onto the hard shoulder and brought them to a stop. They still clung to hopemaybe everything had rolled off to the verge. Walking along the verge, they searched, but of course it was useless. There was no point looking any further and wasting time.
Never mind, love. Whats gones gone, well buy more, alright? Or make do without, Arthur tried to lift Emilys spirits when he saw how upset she was. Its all just stuff. Come on, get in the car, look how its coming down, and its getting dark. The roads will be treacherous soon.
But Emily hardly said a word for the rest of the trip. She didnt see the use in blaming Arthur for a dodgy boot latchafter all, their car was an old Ford with a temperamental lock. She tried not to dwell on their loss, but her eyes stung, and she blinked back tears. It was gutting, shed saved and skimped to get those treats, how could she not mind? Why did luck always seem to pass her by? And the gift for Arthurs nana luxuriously soft fleecehad been in that boot as well. The thought stung afresh.
They rolled into the village well past midnight. They supposed Nan Mary must have gone to bed. But the porch lamp was burning brightly, and as soon as the car doors shut, out rushed Nan Mary and her neighbour Jean.
Youre here! Thank heavens! Nan enveloped everyone in a flurry of kisses. Emily, Arthur, thank the Lord youre safe! Wheres Jack and Daisy? Ah, my dears, praise be, everyones here and in one piece!
Nan, honestly, were fine! Why on earth have you got yourself in a twist? Arthur hugged Nan close, glancing at her thin coat. Come inside, love, theres a blizzard out here and youre barely dressed!
Nan Mary waved a hand. Oh, Jean and I spent the whole evening praying for you lotdont you laugh! Its true. I had a vision today, Arthur. As clear as daylight. I dozed off this afternoon and dreamt your car veered off the road into a ditchsomething dreadful happened. I woke in a right state, sweating and uneasy all evening. Then Jean popped round, asking if youd arrived yet; her sons familys been home for hours.
I was beside myself, I could hardly find the words to tell her my vision. Jean just said, Not good, and that we ought to prayjust in case. So we spent the evening asking the Lord to see you here safe, imploring St Nicholas for help. No idea what we offered or did to sway things, but here you are, my loves! All I care about is you got here safely.
Youre right, Nan, Emily and Arthur agreed, and if our gifts end up making someone else happy, then thats how its meant to be. Maybe someone needed them more.
They celebrated New Year with a houseful of family around a groaning table. There was home-grown roast potatoes, pickled onions and cucumbers, a smoked mackerel under a beetroot salad, and a glorious roast goose that tasted heavenly. And of course, Nans famous sausage rolls. Jack and Daisy spent half the night sneaking hot rolls out of the enormous pot by the range; nothing else held a candle for them. The kids spent the whole afternoon sledging with the neighbourhood gang, returning exhausted but refusing to sleep, waiting to see Father Christmas lay presents under the tree at midnight.
Nan Mary beamed, hugging her grandchildren and Jeans as well. This is happiness! she declared. To be all togetherthats the greatest gift.
Meanwhile, in an almost forgotten village three cottages across the field, two elderly sisters, Hope and Grace, and their neighbour, old George, sat around a simple table. Life had never been easythey survived on what little they could. In summer, they might manage a small veg patch; in winter it was bitter and lonely for the elderly, but at least they had each other. George dragged in a little fir tree, and though supper was humble it was food and warmth.
That morning, George had gone to the woods for firewood. He tied up a bundle of birch branches to his sledge, and noticed something poking out of the snowdrift. When he tugged it free, he found a bag. Inside were unimaginable treasures: smoked salmon, red currant jelly, ham. At the bottom, a thick fleecy white blanket, soft and warm. He looked aboutno one in sight. He loaded the bag onto the sledge and hauled it home. He spread the blanket out before Hope and Grace, kindled the fire, and they enjoyed a feast.
I never thought Id taste such delights again in this life, Grace marvelled.
Nor I, agreed Hope, her eyes shining.
I believe the Lord sent this to us, George declared. A reward, perhaps, for old age well spent. We might yet see more of His wonders and rejoice a while.
Its seldom worth mourning over whats lostit may be that fate, or some higher power, has turned your loss into someone elses joy, or delivered you safely from greater harm. Lets be glad for what we have, especially those irreplaceable things we still hold dear.
