Harriet, dont get me wrongIm not a bum. Call me Michael Seymour. Ive turned up at my daughters place, and its a bit of a tangled tale
It was only a few hours left until the New Years Eve countdown. Everyone at the office had already gone home, but nobody was waiting for Ellie
She didnt want to have to go back to work on January2nd, so she decided to get everything done ahead of time. By the time she got home, there were a couple of salads, a bowl of fruit and some fizz waiting for her in the fridge, all premade. She had no one to dress up for, so she swapped her heels for a cosy pyjama.
It turned out she and Andrew had split up a few months ago, and the breakup had been so painful that Harriet wasnt in any hurry to start a new relationship. Being on her own now felt just fine.
Andrew kept calling, trying to win her back, but Harriet wasnt willing to start over. It wont work, were not a pair, its too complicated, she thought. She didnt even want to think about himwhy ruin the night with old memories?
Harriet stepped off the bus, just a few strides from her flat. By the entrance, on a bench, she spotted an elderly gentleman standing next to a tiny Christmas fir.
Probably on his way to visit someone, she mused.
She said hello, and he gave a nod without meeting her eyes. For a moment she thought she saw tears glint in his gazeor maybe it was just the lights reflectingbut she brushed it off and hurried inside.
It was getting chilly, and Harriet shivered as the evening deepened. After a hot shower, she slipped into her favourite fluffy pyjamas, poured herself a mug of coffee, and walked over to the window.
Strangely, the old man was still sitting on the bench outside.
Its been over an hour since I got home, and there are only two hours left until midnight. If hes here to visit, why is he out there? And whats that sparkle in his eyes? she wondered.
She set the table, switched on the fairy lights on her little tree, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the solitary gentleman. After half an hour she glanced out again; he was still there, unmoving.
Maybe hes not feeling well. He could be freezing, she thought, and threw on her coat.
She stepped outside, sat down beside him, and he turned his head away.
Excuse me, are you alright? I noticed youve been sitting out here alone for a while. Its cold. Can I help with anything? she asked.
The old man sighed. Nothing, love. Im fine, just gonna sit a bit longer and then head off.
Where to?
To the station. Ill go home after that.
Dont bother, dear. I dont want to see you shivering on a bench in the morning. Please, come inside, warm up a bit, then you can get where you need to go.
And
No buts! Come on!
Harriet knew that if her friend Sophie were there, shed make a drama out of it, but Sophie wasnt around, and Harriet couldnt just leave the man out in the cold.
He got up, took the little fir with him.
May I have it? he asked.
Sure, why not.
Inside, he placed the tree modestly in the hallway, stripped off his coat, and took a few careful stepshe was clearly feeling the chill.
He settled at the kitchen table, Harriet poured him a cup of tea, and he warmed his hands over the mug, taking a sip before looking up.
Harriet, please dont think Im a vagrant. My names Michael Seymour. Im here to see my daughter. Its a hard story to tell He paused, his voice trembling.
My wife and I split years ago. I was at fault, met another woman, fell headoverheels, didnt see a thing
At first I hid, then my new wife, Laura, found out about us, and things at home turned sour. One day I slammed the door and walked off to the woman I lovedmy daughters mother.
She was five then. I tried to help, but Laura was proud and refused any support, even neglecting child maintenance. She wanted to raise our daughter alone. I kept offering help through my parents, but she turned it down, using the girl against me.
One afternoon at the nursery I tried to give our daughter a toy, but she ran away, refusing to speak to me. She said I was nobody.
So I stepped back, stopped showing up. Maggie and I left town. I tried sending money for the child, but it kept bouncing back, so I stopped trying. Ten years later we returned, my parents had passed, and we moved into their flat. We sold it, bought a little cottage out in the countryside, near a village, and settled there. We never had any kids of our own.
Two years ago Maggie passed, and Ive been on my own since.
I dont know why I came todayto ask for forgiveness? I havent seen my daughter in years. She lives in the same flat we once did.
I bought a Christmas tree, came to see her, and she wouldnt let me in.
I understand now What was I hoping for? Im a stranger to her. I have a house, a decent pension in pounds, I could help her if she needed, shes the only family Ive got.
Everything might have been different if Laura let me be part of her life.
I walked away from her flat, didnt know where to go, ended up right here, sitting on that bench, feeling frozen. Maybe thats where Id have stayed forever
But fate had other plans. Maybe Im still needed here for something. Thank you, love, Im warmed up now. Ill wait for the bus and head home, I said.
The bus wont run until morning, and its half past twelve to New Years. Stay, Ill put a blanket on the sofa, and you can catch the first bus tomorrow, the old man replied.
I looked at Harriet.
Its awkward, love. Nowadays few would let a stranger stay over. Honestly, I dont want to be alone either. If youll have me, Ill stay until morning, he pleaded.
Deal.
In the morning Michael gathered his things.
Thanks, Harriet, for everything. Youre an angel, saved me from a foolish decisionI really meant to stay on that bench.
Come visit my place sometime! Its not farlots of room, a tiny apiary with five hives behind the house. Summer is gorgeous, the orchards full of apples and pears, and in winter you can cozy up by the river. Youre always welcome.
Will do, Michael! Ill definitely drop by.
Ill be heading out now, thanks again, he said.
Harriet watched the window until Michael vanished around the corner.
Thats how it goessometimes the people you think you know stay distant, and strangers turn into family.
Harriet lost her parents early, and after hearing the old mans sad tale, she promised shed visit him again.
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