Hey love, listen up Ive got this little tale for you, just like Id tell it over a cuppa.
Milly, dont get the wrong idea about me, Im not some drifter. My names Michael Seymour. Im here visiting my daughter, and honestly, its a bit tough to explain
It was only a few hours before the clock struck midnight on New Years Eve. Everyone at the office had already bolted home, but nobody was waiting for Ivy.
She didnt want to face another shift on the first of January, so she decided to knock off early and get everything done ahead of time. By the time she got home, a couple of salads, some fruit and a bottle of sparkling wine were already waiting for her in the fridge, all premade. She wasnt even thinking about changing into anything fancy she just wanted to ditch her heels and slip into a soft pyjama.
You see, Ivy and Andrew had split up a few months back, and the breakup was such a gutwrencher that she wasnt rushing into any new relationships. Being on her own felt comfortable now. Andrew kept calling, trying to win her back, but she wasnt willing to start over it just felt too messy, and she didnt want to even think about him on her night off.
She stepped off the minibuss, only a few paces from her flat. By the entrance, on a little bench, she spotted an elderly gentleman with a tiny Christmas tree beside him.
Probably someones guest, she thought.
She said hello, and he gave a quiet nod, eyes still fixed ahead. For a split second she thought a tear glistened in his gaze, or maybe it was just the streetlights reflecting, but she didnt linger and hurried up the stairs.
It was getting frosty outside, and Ivy shivered as she slipped into the shower. After drying off, she pulled on her favourite fluffy nightgown, brewed a mug of coffee and padded over to the window.
Strangely, the old man was still sitting on that bench.
She thought, Its been over an hour now, Ive just got a couple of hours till midnight. If he came to visit, whys he still out there? Whats with that sparkle in his eyes?
She set the table, switched on the fairy lights on her own little tree, but her mind kept drifting back to the lonely gentleman.
Half an hour later she peeked out the window again he hadnt moved a muscle. Maybe hes not feeling well, getting cold out here, she murmured, throwing on her coat and stepping back out.
She walked over, sat down beside him, and he turned his head toward her.
Excuse me, are you alright? I noticed youve been sitting here alone for ages. Its cold out, can I help you with anything?
He sighed. Nothing, love. Im fine, just going to sit a bit longer and then head off.
Where to?
To the station. Ill be going home.
I dont think you should be out here this late. Lets get you inside, warm up a bit, and then you can go wherever you need, she said, gently.
He hesitated. But
No buts! Come on, lets go.
If Ivys best mate, Charlotte, had seen her now, shed probably roll her eyes and sigh, but Charlotte wasnt around, and Ivy just couldnt leave that old man out in the cold.
He got up, eyeing the little tree. Mind if I take it?
Go ahead, why not.
Inside Ivys flat, he carefully placed the tree in the hallway, stripped off his coat the cold had seeped into his bones and shuffled to the kitchen. Ivy poured him a cup of tea, and he warmed his hands around the mug, taking a few slow sips.
Then, looking up, he said, Milly, dont get the wrong idea about me, Im not homeless. My names Michael Seymour. I came to see my daughter. Its a long story
He went on to explain how he and his exwife Louise had split years ago, how hed fallen for another woman, how hed left his little girl, Emma, when she was five. Hed tried to help, but Louise was proud and wouldnt accept anything from him not even child support. Shed turned Emma against him, and one day after a heated argument, hed stormed out and never looked back.
Hed tried to send money through his parents, but it always bounced back, so he stopped. Ten years later he and his second wife, Maggie, returned to this town, only to lose Maggie two years ago, leaving him alone.
Now, with nothing much left but a modest pension and a cottage with a few beehives out in the country, hed bought a Christmas tree hoping to surprise Emma. But when he knocked on her door, she wouldnt even let him step inside the doorway.
So why am I here? What am I hoping for? he asked, voice wavering. Ive got a roof, a pension, and I could still be there for my daughter shes the only family I have.
Things mightve been different if Louise had let me be part of Emmas life, he sighed.
He left his daughters flat, wandered aimlessly, ended up on that bench, feeling like he might just freeze. But fate had other plans, and now he sat there, waiting for a bus that wouldnt come until morning, with half an hour left till the New Year.
Ivy, feeling a mix of pity and curiosity, offered, Stay the night, Ill put you on the couch. You can catch the bus in the morning.
Michael looked at her, a faint smile forming. Im really uncomfortable, milly. Not many would let a stranger in like this. Honestly, Im not keen on being alone tonight. If youll have me, Ill stay until morning.
Deal, she said.
Come sunrise, he gathered his things. Thank you, Ivy. Youre an angel, saved me from a foolish decision to stay out here forever.
He invited her to visit his place a short drive away, a cottage with a few beehives, an orchard of apples and pears, a lovely river nearby. Youll love it, he promised.
Ill definitely come, Ivy replied, waving as he disappeared around the corner.
Its funny how strangers sometimes turn out to be like family. Ivy, whod lost her parents early, listened to the old mans sad story and decided shed pay him a visit sometime.
So thats the little winter tale. Give it a like if you liked it, and let me know what you think!
