Sweetheart, dont think ill of me! shouted the old man, his voice trembling a little. Im not a tramp. Call me Michael Smythe. Ive come to see my daughter, though its a bit of a messy tale
It was only a few hours before midnight on New Years Eve. The office had long since emptied, but nobody was waiting for Evelyn. Determined not to have to go back to work on the first of January, she decided to finish everything in advance.
At home she would find a couple of salads, a bowl of fruit and a bottle of fizz waiting in the fridge, all prepared ahead of time. She didnt feel like dressing up for anyone; she just wanted to kick off her heels and slip into a cozy pyjama.
Evelyns breakup with Andrew had been so tough that she wasnt in any hurry to start a new romance. She was perfectly content being on her own. Andrew kept calling, trying to win her back, but Evelyn wasnt about to start from square one Were not a pair, its too complicated, she thought. She didnt even want to think about him; it was the past, and she wasnt about to spoil her celebrations.
She stepped off the minibus, only a few paces from her flat. By the buildings entrance, on a bench, she spotted an elderly gentleman beside a modest Christmas tree.
Probably heading to a neighbours for a visit, she guessed.
She gave a polite hello; the man merely nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. For a heartbeat it seemed a tear glistened in his eyes, or perhaps it was just the reflection of the streetlights, but Evelyn waved it off and hurried inside.
The evening grew chilly, and she shivered as she stepped into her flat. After a quick shower she slipped into her favourite fluffy nightgown, poured a mug of tea and drifted to the window.
Strangely, the old man was still sitting on that bench.
She thought, Its been over an hour since I got home, only two hours left till midnight. If hes here to visit someone, why is he out in the cold? And whats that sparkle in his eyes?
Evelyn set the table, switched on the fairylights on her own little fir, but her mind kept looping back to the lonely stranger.
Half an hour later she peeked out again; the man was still there, unmoving. Maybe hes not feeling well. Freezing could do that, she mused, threw on a coat and stepped outside.
She sat down beside him on the bench. He turned his head toward her, then looked away.
Excuse me, are you alright? I noticed youve been sitting out here alone for a while. Its freezing. Can I help you with anything?
The old fellow sighed.
Nothing, love! Im fine, just sitting a bit before I head off.
Where to?
To the station. Ill go home after that.
No, that wont do. I dont want to see you shivering on the bench tomorrow morning. Come inside, warm up a bit, then you can go wherever you need.
But
No buts! Come on!
Evelyn knew that if her friend Sophie were watching, shed raise an eyebrow and call her a meddler, but Sophie wasnt there, and Evelyn couldnt just leave the man out in the cold.
He stood up, took the little tree with him.
May I have it? he asked.
Please, take it.
Inside, he set the tree modestly in the hallway, shrugged off his coat and shuffled to the kitchen, each step a little laborious from the cold.
Evelyn poured tea, and he warmed his hands around the mug, taking a couple of slow sips before looking up.
Sweetheart, dont think ill of me! Im not a vagrant. Call me Michael Smythe. Im here to see my daughter. Its a tangled story
He went on, My wife and I split ages ago; I was at fault, met another woman, fell in love like a teenager, saw nothing else. At first I hid, then my new wife found out through our daughter Lucy, and the house turned into a battlefield. One day I slammed the door and went to the woman I loved.
The girl was five then.
At first I tried to help, but Louise my ex was proud and wouldnt take anything from me, not even child support. She wanted to raise Lucy on her own. I tried to send money through my parents, but she refused everything. She even turned Lucy against me.
One afternoon I went to the nursery, hoping to give Lucy a toy, but she ran off, wouldnt talk to me, and told me I was nobody.
So I stepped back, left the town with my new partner Martha. I tried sending money for Lucy, but it always came back. After ten years we returned, my parents were gone, we moved into their flat, later sold it and bought a little cottage in a village just outside the city. No kids worked out for us Two years ago Martha passed, leaving me alone.
Now Im here, not expecting forgiveness, just hoping to see my little girl. She lives in the same flat we once shared.
He explained how hed bought the tiny tree, come to Lucys door, and she wouldnt let him in. I get why, he said, Im a stranger to her now. I have a house, a decent pension, I could even help her, because shes the only blood I have left.
He sighed, Everything would be different if Louise had let me be part of Lucys life.
He left the flat, wandered aimlessly, ended up on this bench, frozen in place as if hed always belong there.
But fate had other plans. Thank you, dear, he said, Im warmed now. Ill catch the bus and go home.
The driver, a nightshifted chap, called out, Where are you off to at this hour? The bus wont run till morning, and its half past midnight. Stay a while, well put a spare blanket on the sofa and you can leave at first light.
Michael glanced at Evelyn.
Its a bit awkward, love. No one would normally let a stranger in like this. Honestly, I dont feel like being alone tonight. If youll have me, Ill stay until morning.
Deal.
In the morning Michael packed his bag.
Thank you, Evelyn, for everything. Youre an angel who stopped me from doing something foolish I really meant to stay on that bench.
And youre welcome to visit me any time. Its not far Ive got a small apiary, five hives behind the house, summers a dream. Martha loved gardening: apples, pears, the lot. In winter its cosy, the river runs nearby. Come over, youll love it.
Will do, Michael Smythe! Ill be there.
Excellent! Ill see you then, thanks again.
Evelyn watched the window until Michael disappeared around the corner.
Thats how it goes sometimes the people you think you know stay strangers, and strangers become family.
Having lost her parents early, Evelyn felt a tug after hearing the lonely old mans sad tale and promised herself shed visit him soon.
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