Donny, dont think ill of me! I heard the old man say, his voice trembling. Im not a tramp. My names Michael Seymour. Ive come to see my daughter. Its a hard thing to explain.
It was just a few hours before midnight on New Years Eve. The office staff had all gone home long ago, yet no one was waiting for Heather.
She didnt want to have to go back to work on the first of January, so she decided to finish everything early. By the time she got home, a couple of salads, some fruit and a bottle of sparkling water were waiting in the fridge, all prepared in advance. She had no one to dress for, and all she wanted was to slip off her heels and pull on a cosy nightdress.
She and Andrew had split up a few months earlier, and the breakup had been so painful that Heather wasnt in any hurry to start a new relationship. She felt comfortable being on her own.
Andrew had tried to win her back, phoned several times, but Heather wouldnt give it another go. Were not a match, she told herself. It would only bring more trouble. She didnt even want to think about him; it was the past, and she didnt want to ruin her evening.
Heather stepped off the minibus and was only a few steps from her flat. By the entrance, on a small bench, she spotted an elderly gentleman standing beside a tiny Christmas tree. He must be visiting someone, she thought.
She greeted him, and he gave a small nod, his eyes never leaving the ground. For a moment she thought she saw a glimmer of tears in his eyes, or perhaps it was just the reflection of streetlights, but she brushed it aside and hurried inside.
The night was chilly, and a shiver ran through her. After a quick shower, she slipped into her favourite plush pyjamas, poured herself a mug of tea and walked over to the window.
Strangely enough, the old man was still sitting on the bench, unmoving. More than an hour had passed since shed arrived home, and there were only two hours left until the new year began. If hed come to visit, why was he out there in the cold? And that shine in his eyes she kept thinking about it.
She set the table, switched on the fairy lights on her own little tree, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the solitary old man. Half an hour later she peeked out the window; he was still there, as still as a statue.
Maybe hes not feeling well, she wondered, he could catch a cold out here.
She threw on a coat and stepped outside. Sitting down beside him, she tried to start a conversation.
Excuse me, are you alright? she asked. I noticed youve been sitting here a long time. Its freezing out. Can I help with anything?
The old man let out a sigh. Nothing, dear. Im fine. Ill sit a bit longer and then Ill be on my way.
Where to?
To the train station. Ill head home.
Honestly, thats no good, Heather said. I dont want to see you sitting out here tomorrow morning. Please, get up. Come in, warm yourself, and then you can go wherever you need.
But
No buts! Come on!
Heather knew that if her friend Susan were here, shed roll her eyes and say something snide, but Susan wasnt, and Heather simply couldnt leave the man out there.
The old man rose, took the little tree, and asked, May I take it?
By all means, Heather replied.
Inside her flat, he set the tree in the hallway, stripped off his damp coat and shivered with each step. He settled at the kitchen table, and Heather poured him a cup of tea. He held the mug with both hands, took a few sips, then looked up.
Donny, dont think ill of me, he began again. Im not a tramp. Im Michael Seymour. Ive come to see my daughter. Its a hard thing to say. He went on to explain that hed split from his wife Laura many years ago, met another woman, fell in love like a reckless youth, and that his life had spiralled into arguments and doors slamming. Hed left his daughter, Emily, when she was only five.
At first he tried to help, but Laurahis former wifewas proud and refused any support, even declining child maintenance. She wanted to raise Emily alone. He kept trying, through his parents and through money, but she turned everything down. She even turned Emily against him.
Once, when he went to the nursery to give Emily a toy, she ran away, refusing to speak to him and saying he was nobody to her. He decided to step back, stopped showing up, and left town with his second wife Martha. He tried sending money for Emily, but it was always returned, so he stopped. Ten years later he and Martha returned, settled in his parents old flat, later sold it and bought a small cottage on the outskirts of town. He and Martha never had children together, and two years ago Martha passed away, leaving him alone.
Today, Ive come to see my daughter, he said, not hoping for forgiveness, but hoping to be near her. I bought a tree and came here, but she wouldnt let me in.
He sighed. I have a house, a decent pension. I could support her, shes my only kin. If Laura had let me be part of Emilys life, things might have been different.
He left her flat and wandered aimlessly, eventually ending up on the bench, frozen in thought. Perhaps Im still needed somewhere, he murmured. Thank you, dear, Im warmed now. Ill wait for the bus and go home.
A passerby called out, Where are you heading at this hour? The bus wont run till morning, and its half past twelve to New Years. Stay, Ill put a spare blanket on the sofa, and you can catch the bus at sunrise.
Michael looked at Heather. I feel uneasy, dear. Nowadays hardly anyone would let a stranger stay over. Honestly, Id rather not be alone tonight. If youll have me, Ill stay until morning and then leave.
Deal, she said.
At dawn Michael packed his bag. Thank you, Heather. Youve saved me from a foolish decision I was about to spend the night on that bench.
He added, Youre welcome to visit my place. Its not far I have a small apiary with five hives behind the house, lovely in summer. We have apples, pears, everything you could want, and a river nearby for a winter walk. Youd love it.
Thanks, Michael Seymour! Ill definitely come, Heather replied.
She watched the window until his figure disappeared around the corner. Thats how it goes sometimes strangers become family.
Heather had lost her parents early, and after listening to the old mans sad tale, she promised herself shed visit him soon.
She smiled, thinking of the new friendships that can sprout in the coldest of nights.
