A Christmas Miracle
– William, how on earth could you forget? I reminded you countless times this morning, and I even texted you! Emily gave me that look, the one that told me she was both disappointed and frustrated.
There I was, lingering in the kitchen doorway with a sheepish expression, simply shrugging my shoulders.
– Honestly, Emily, I have no idea how it slipped my mind It just did, – I mumbled, trying my best to explain.
– What about your phone?
I didnt get it out of my pocket, thats all. I never saw your message
Emily was starting to fume.
So you remembered to buy a new battery for your car, but forgot that our daughter needed her present under the tree?
– It honestly slipped my mind The garage closed at eight, I was in a rush and everything else just faded out. Sorry, Em.
– Sometimes I think that rusty old banger of yours is more important than Lucy, – Emily sank onto a kitchen stool, glancing in exasperation at the clock.
It was five to eleven. It was late, the night sky outside inky and still, and wed run out of time to make things right. Knowing there was nothing to do only made it feel worse.
– Emily, come on, dont say things like that. You know I love Lucy to bits. It was just a slip Happens to everyone.
– Not to me, William! Emilys whisper was sharp, careful not to let our daughter overhear.
I wanted to reach out and hug her, reassure her before an argument erupted, but she pulled away, turned her back, and
started piling spoonfuls of potato salad into a bowl.
I spent half the day making this so William would be happy and he goes and forgets our daughters Christmas present!
– I shouldve just done it myself, – Emily grumbled under her breath. – But no, I counted on you, William. I thought I could rely on you.
– I know Im at fault, Emily, but really, its not the end of the world no present under the tree is hardly a disaster. We can just tell Lucy that
– Tell her what, darling? That her dads mind is going already, at thirty-five? Or that buying a battery is more important?
– Well say Father Christmas was a bit too busy this year, so her gifts slightly delayed. Tomorrow morning Ill get something and give it to her, make a big deal of it from Father Christmas.
– And where exactly will you find it? Most places will be closed, except maybe the Tesco. Oh, William
Anyone would sympathise with Emily. When Lucy was born, we started our Christmas tradition: after the midnight chimes, wed all gather at the tree and there were the presents.
Lucy adored this tradition. She was still at the age where she believed in Father Christmas and holiday magic, cherishing whatever she found under the tree. The joy in her eyes as she opened a box tied with a ribbon was reason enough to try and get it all right.
Tonight, Lucy had peeked under the tree several times already, hoping her present might appear before midnight. Shed told Emily all about what she wished for.
– I wonder what Father Christmas will bring this year? Lucy mused. Id love a bike like Charlies from next door. But roller skates would be great too.
Emily smiled, knowing shed asked me to get the roller skates. Usually, she did all the present shopping, but work had called me in unexpectedly. Shed thought itd be easier if I picked up the skates on my way home.
Id made it back after eight in the evening, and when Emily, quietly conspiratorial as she set the table, asked me about the present well, thats when I remembered Id completely forgotten.
– Emily, lets not spoil the holiday spirit today, – I pleaded, trying again to give her a hug. It really was an honest mistake. If you want, Ill tell Lucy myself, shell understand.
Emily ignored me, tears rolling down her cheeks as she laid out the cutlery. How could I forget my own daughters Christmas present?
Shed even held on to hope until the last moment that I was hiding the present away somewhere, waiting for the perfect time. Now, the shops were closed there was nothing left to do.
– Need any help? I asked, hovering by the table.
– No, youve done more than enough already, – she said curtly.
Just then, Lucy dashed into the kitchen, brimming with excitement, having worked her way through every Christmas cartoon on telly.
– Mum, Dad! Less than two hours to go! Father Christmas is on his way!
Emily glared at me, but quickly turned back so as not to cast a shadow over Lucys cheerfulness.
And she already had a plan to fix things: shed simply place an envelope with some cash under the tree, For Lucy for roller skates. Not quite the same as the real thing, but better than nothing.
When the clock struck eleven, the three of us finally sat down to our Christmas Eve dinner, but then there was a knock at the door.
– William, did you invite anyone? Emily asked in surprise. I certainly didnt.
– No, not me either. Maybe its the neighbours? Ill go see. You pour the juice, Ill be back, – I said, rising to answer it.
Opening the door, I was met by a bearded, disheveled man in a battered red coat. He looked nothing like Father Christmas more like someone down on his luck. The scent alone told the story.
– What do you want? Did you get the wrong flat or are you after money? Im saying now, Im not giving a penny youll only spend it down the pub.
– No, no, Im not asking for money, I promise, – said the stranger, sounding oddly cheerful.
Not asking for money? Seriously? I resisted the urge to laugh, not wanting to seem unkind.
– So, whats this about then? I stepped out onto the landing, closing the door so the not-so-festive smell wouldnt follow me inside.
– Well, I just found a kitten in the hallway. Look, isnt he a handsome little thing? he pulled out a white ball of fluff from under his coat. Thought Id see if hes yours. Maybe hes lost?
I almost chuckled. Surely this man was just trying to offload a stray kitten, perhaps hoping Id give him something for it.
– Sorry, thats not my kitten. Weve never had a pet.
– Dont fancy taking him in? If youve a little girl, I bet shed love him.
Here it comes, I thought, shaking my head. Trying to make me take the kitten.
– No, thank you.
– Fair enough, – he said, disappointed. Best chuck him out by the bins then.
He was already turning away, kitten tucked under his coat, when something stopped me. I grabbed his shoulder.
– Hang on a second Why on earth would you throw a tiny kitten by the bins? Leave it in the building at least.
– Theyll just boot him out anyway, and at least by the bins theres cardboard boxes for shelter and scraps to eat.
Id never been too bothered by animals, but the thought of that little thing huddled by the bins on Christmas Eve made me hesitate.
Ordinarily, I would have needed a moment to consider, but there was no time the family was waiting at the table, and the stranger was heading off
– Give him to me, then! I said, taking the kitten from him. Dont throw him out.
– As you wish, – the man smiled kindly, and sauntered off down the stairs.
Back inside, Emily and Lucy poked their heads round from the kitchen.
– What took you so long? Is everything alright?
– All fine, – I replied, hiding the kitten behind my back and praying he wouldnt meow.
If Emily found out what Id just brought home, she might throw us both out into the cold. Granted, shed find out eventually, but I needed a moment to work out how to break it to her.
– Who was it? she eyed me suspiciously. Has he concocted something? she was probably thinking.
– Just our neighbour, Tom you know, from upstairs. Needed a quick word about car batteries.
– Oh, of course Youre our resident car expert. Alright then, William, wash your hands and get to the table. Christmas is almost here.
– Five minutes, I promise.
When Emily and Lucy returned to the kitchen, I darted about the house, searching for a good spot. Not the balcony it was freezing; not the loo someone could walk in; not Lucys room or our own. The lounge cupboard would have to do.
– William! Are you coming or not? Emily called, frustration in her voice.
– Coming, love!
I gently set the kitten on the bottom shelf, leaving the door ajar for air, and rushed into the kitchen.
*****
People were already shouting Merry Christmas! out in the street. I wished Emily and Lucy the happiest of Christmases, wishing them health and joy.
While I spoke, Lucy dashed out to the lounge. Emily quickly realised shed forgotten to sneak the envelope of money under the tree, shooting daggers at me. You deal with this! her look said.
But Lucy wasnt disappointed; in fact, a cry of joy erupted a moment later, loud enough to drown out even the merriment outside.
– Mum! Dad! Come quickly! Look what Father Christmas left under the tree!
Emily and I dashed in and stopped dead. Lucy was kneeling by the tree, holding a little white kitten.
– Ive wanted a kitten for ages, and Father Christmas brought me one! She was close to tears of happiness. Im going to name him Snowy!
She pressed the bundle of fluff to her chest. Emily pulled me aside.
– Whats this, William? Where did he come from? This is your doing, isnt it?
– Please, dont be cross. Ill explain everything, I whispered.
– Cross? Look how happy Lucy is. But you couldve told me you were planning a surprise! I gave you such a dressing-down for nothing, – she hugged me and kissed my cheek.
I could hardly believe my luck. They always say, Christmas is a time for miracles and here it was: Lucy was radiant, and peace restored with Emily. All thanks to a scruffy little white kitten and
I remembered the man Id met on the doorstep.
– Emily, listen Theres something else
I whispered in her ear. She looked at me in surprise and nodded.
*****
– So, George, – the bearded man clapped his friend on the back. Thats all the kittens homed tonight, thank God. Might as well get back to the shelter before they lock up for the night.
– Well done, Mike. That idea about the bins really worked, – George grinned.
– Do you think so? I kept expecting someone to throw me out for even mentioning it.
There was a risk, true. But only someone who truly couldnt stand to see a kitten dumped like rubbish would take it in.
– Thats just it
– The little ones are safe now. You did a brilliant job.
They sat together on a bench not far from the building where theyd found homes for four kittens unearthed that afternoon from the basement.
Many people were out and about, but no one chased them off tonight. A few even wished them a Merry Christmas, and the men replied in kind, wishing them well.
Suddenly, the building door flew open and I hurried over, pausing as I spotted the men on the bench.
– Whats this about? Has he changed his mind about the kitten? wondered Mike.
– Thats him, isnt it? George replied, surprised.
– Merry Christmas, gentlemen! I called, approaching with a large carrier bag. My wife and I wanted you to have this, as a little thank you a homemade Christmas meal.
– Thank you. Honestly, we werent expecting that, – Mike and George replied, smiling.
– And this is from me, – I offered Mike a bottle of champagne. So you dont have to toast dry, as they say.
– Well, Mike, looks like well have a proper Christmas celebration after all. Miracles really do happen, – George said, beaming.
I started to head back, then paused.
– Where will you celebrate, if you dont mind me asking?
– Oh, nearby in the basement. Its warm, dry, and weve got cardboard for beds.
– Ive got a better idea. Come with me.
Within minutes, we arrived at my garage. I opened the doors.
– Make yourselves at home. Theres a fold-out sofa, a heater, table and crockery. Ill move the car outside for now. Youll be far comfier here than in the basement.
– Well manage as we are, – they tried to protest.
– Nonsense. The car will be fine outside. Just promise me you wont go overboard, alright?
– Of course not, just a sip to mark the occasion, – Mike assured me.
– Good. I believe you. Ill come by tomorrow, and perhaps we can chat about your situation I might be able to help you find a better place too.
– Thats unexpected, – George stammered.
– You can say that again… – agreed Mike.
So, this was my Christmas Eve truly magical and full of surprises. My takeaway? Sometimes, all it takes to brighten a dark night is a bit of kindness and being willing to let in the unexpected is the greatest miracle of all.
