Just before New Years Eve, Michaels wife dropped a bombshell on himone that left him shattered. After two decades together, what he thought was a blissful marriage and a beautiful grown-up daughter whod already made them grandparents, he felt the foundations of his life collapse beneath his feet. What more could a man want? He ought to be content.
But not all was as it seemed. Michael had worked hard for his family, spending years on the road as a lorry driver, gone for months at a time just so theyd never lack for anything.
Unbeknownst to him, his beloved wife had been having an affair for ages behind his back, spinning him stories on the phone: I miss you, Im waiting, my pillow is soaked with tears It all unravelled just like some cruel joke: the husband comes back from a job early, and catches it all.
He didnt shout, didnt raise hell. Quietly, Michael packed a bag, gathered his papers, got in his rusted Ford, and drove off. Out past the city lights he pulled overhis hands shaking, mind numb. How could this have happened?
Everything for the home, everything for them. Hed sent his wife and daughter on holidays, bought them a new car, completely redone the kitchen in their London flat. When it came time to marry off his daughter, he threw a splendid wedding. With each trip, he brought back souvenirs, called home three times a dayhe missed them so much. Meanwhile, she was running around behind his back. So much for trusting women.
He knew men could slip as well. Many of his mates had dalliances on the road. But Michael kept himself at arms length, stayed faithful, protected his marriage as best he could. And for what?
He started his car again, but couldnt decide where to go. His head spun, anger and dismay drowning out every thought. Finally, he pointed the car towards Norfolk, where hed grown upa good three hours drive, but what did it matter? Anything to get far from what used to be his home.
His phone buzzed endlesslytwenty missed calls. His wife, his daughter phoning again and again. Michael shut it off. He had no desire to hear any of it. The betrayal stung like a dousing of ice water.
His life flashed before himleaving the registry office on their wedding day, collecting his daughter from hospital, taking her to her first day of school, coming home with a bunch of flowers. All those bright, happy memories. How had he missed it all falling apart? How had he not seen shed stopped loving him?
His mother-in-law, God rest her soul, had warned: Its not all about the money. Youll lose your husband. Its wrong for him to be away for months. Families fall apart like that. How right shed been.
The old ladies in the market had dropped hints before, but Michael never believed them. Not once had he noticed anything and now he was driving into the night, aimless.
Who knew if the house back home was still standing? He hadnt seen it in a decade; it might all be gone now, the whole village decayed. Still, he drove, snow thickening as New Years crept closer. What a gift his wife had given him.
He stopped at a late-night shop by the road, buying tins of beans, bread, whatever he could reach, half as if he were headed somewhere civilisation had forgotten. As it turned out, he was right.
He turned off onto country lanesfields instead of traffic. Once, there had been villages lined up here; now, just the odd distant light. The wind howled, snow driving against the windscreen, but Michael remembered these roads. Hed loved his childhood village.
His mother had never moved to the city to live with him, preferring the old cottage. He was her only son, a late child she doted on, and he always understoodhard to uproot yourself after a lifetime somewhere. But hed wanted better for her. She wouldnt have it: Heres my home, I know every inch. In your cities, Id wither away. Dont make me leave. Shed died there in the end. Hed boarded up the windows, locked the door, and never returned.
The blizzard built. Ten miles to go. The village loomed at a turn, the houses with blank, broken windows, only a few lights glimmering. He pulled slowly onto the snow-covered road.
His familys old house sat at the village edge. The gate hung askew, boards still over the windows where hed nailed them years ago. Michael waded through drifts to the porch, found the rusty old key behind a loose brick, and opened up. The massive iron padlock clanked. Inside, he shone his torcheverything exactly as it had been the day he left; only a cold, damp emptiness echoed in the absence of his mother.
First things firstfetch wood. Always the son raised to be useful, Michael brought in logs, soon setting the old brick hearth ablaze. The fire crackled to life; the cottage filled with warmth. He drew water from the old pump out front, still working after all these years. Soon, the kettle sang and he scrubbed the dust away, set out cheese, bread, eggs, and sausages on the tablecomfort and order in the flicker of lamplight. The carriage clock rang eleven.
Well, there we are, he muttered. Soon a new year. A new life, perhaps. Dont know how, but as my mother always said: sleep on itmorning gives better counsel. Tomorrow Ill think. Tonight, lets see the old year out.
Michael poured a glass of whisky, but before he could sip, a sharp knock rattled the window. He startedsomeone was there.
So, someone else is here after all, he whispered, and went to the door.
A woman entered, breathless and dusted in snow. Her eyes were wide and red from crying. I dont know your name; Ive been here only three months. My sons illno nurse in the village, barely a dozen houses left. But I think its appendicitissame pain I once had. When I saw your light, I ran straight over. Hes getting worse.
Michael grabbed his coat and hat on the run. What are we waiting for? Lets go. Better grab the shovelthe roads are thick with snow. I only just made it through.
The wind relented. Michael swept her feverish, delirious son into his arms and they braved the storm, lucky to reach the main road. Inching along, shovelling drifts, they finally reached the local hospitalin the nick of time. The clock struck two in the morning.
Theres the new year for you Michael sighed.
Im sorry to have ruined it for you.
Nonsense. As long as your boys all right, thats what matters.
They sat in silent vigil, her tears falling as she watched the theatre doors, time crawling in agonising suspense. At last, the doctor appeared. You were lucky. Any later, and it could have been much worse. Hell be moved to a ward soonyou can see him then. Happy New Year.
The motherher name was Alicestayed by her sons side. Michael returned to the cottage, stoked the fire, ate a simple meal, and slept until afternoon. Later he returned to check on them. The boy, Robbie, was cheered, though sulky not to have caught Father Christmas and missed his usual New Years treat.
He comes every year, leaves a present under the tree. But I guess this time he couldnt make it. Im not a babyI know he uses the door, not the chimney. Didnt see his footprints in the snow either. Bet he couldnt get in.
Michael grinned. You shouldnt worry. When I passed your place last night I saw big tracks in the snow. There was fresh snowfall, so those werent oursmaybe he dropped your present somewhere outside. Father Christmas in our family always used to leave surprises outsidenever wanted to be caught.
Maybe The boy looked hopeful. I did try to be good all year. Right, Mum?
Alice nodded, stroking his hair.
Doctor says I cant stay with you, darlingI have to go home. Will you be all right?
Im not scared. Im big now. You can gofind my present before it snows again.
Alice and Michael left the hospital.
Thank you for making up that story. I didnt manage a present this time. Moneys tight. We packed up and left the city with nothing, really. My husbandwell, partnerdrank, grew violent, even hit Robbie. So we ranmy aunt left us her cottage here; he doesnt even know about it, or hed have sold it for drink. Now, we start life over.
Michael pulled into a shop. We cant have the boy losing faith in Father Christmas. He bought a toy fire engine and a bag of sweets.
Alice protested. We cant accepttheyre too costly. You shouldnt spend so much on someone elses child.
But perhaps, Michael replied, I could do with being kind to someone this year. Its New Years, after all.
He stayed in the village the whole week. There was always workshovelling snow, lighting fires, helping Alice. And, of course, checking in on Robbie, whod never been alone in hospital before. The boy recovered quickly and was soon sent home. He was desperate to find his present, but the snow had already covered any tracks.
But Michael had hidden the toy in the shed. Robbie soon discovered it, yelling with delight.
I knew it! He didnt forget me! He really does exist! Even though Mum didnt have the money for thisI know how expensive it is.
Michael smiled; there are few joys like giving a child a gift.
Alice invited Michael to supper in thanks. Thank you, Michael. I needed someone to share the warmth of home with after everything.
Wheres your family? she asked quietly.
Gone, Im afraid, he replied. Lets leave that for another night.
They talked into the evening, until Robbie fell asleep with new hope lighting his face.
Michael stood, regretful. I should go. I leave tomorrow, back on the road. Butwell, tell Robbie I said goodbye. And perhapsIll see you again.
Youll be missed, Alice said, eyes shining. Good night.
Michael drove on, his mind not free of Alice and her son. Though the road took him away for another three weeks, he often found his thoughts returning to the small village.
When his trip ended, Michael visited his daughter in Birmingham, bringing gifts for his grandson. He didnt see his wifejust let her know hed filed for divorce.
With his week off, he didnt know where to go. One night with his daughter was all he could bear, before the pull of the old village proved too strong. He returned.
Robbie was waiting outside, grinning. Youve been gone ages. Mums missed youa lot.
She told you that?
Didnt have to. I know. She peers out the window every time a car goes by. Youd better go inshes cooking. You two need to talk. Ill leave you to it.
Inside, Alice greeted Michael, turning away to cover her nerves. Didnt think youd come back to this godforsaken place.
You shouldnt say that. I needed time to think. Twenty years with someoneits no small thing. But youve been in my thoughts, Alice. Would you have me?
She looked up, met his gaze, and pressed close to his shouldera new beginning in that embrace.
They began to build a life together. In the summer, Michael repaired his mothers house, laid in water, did up the garden, even fixed the old shed. They bought chickens, a goat, started a vegetable patch. Alice moved out of her cottage, letting it to city holidaymakers. The placethose wild Norfolk fieldsattracted those hungry for country peace. The threads of life wove themselves anew. Robbie clung to Michael, soon calling him Dad.
Life, Michael learned, is a complicated affair. You never know how itll twist or what surprises it might spring. As the old country folk used to say: living life is never as easy as walking across an open field.
