After a gruelling night shift, Emily was so tired she could hardly put one foot in front of the other. The bitter cold had given way to a thaw, but every day it snowed afresh. With each step, she kept slipping on the icy slush covering the pavements.
Emily hadnt had a single moment to rest that nightfirst a boy with appendicitis, then an elderly woman with a fractured hip. It almost seemed as though everyone had waited for nightfall to call for an ambulance and be taken to the hospital. Emily plodded along, dreaming of getting home and collapsing into bed. She watched her step so she wouldnt take a tumble and didnt notice at first when a figure stepped out from the shadow of a building, blocking her way. She stopped short and looked up.
A man of about forty stood before her, looking destitute, almost like a vagrant or a highwayman. His face was scraped, his clothes sodden and mismatched, like theyd been borrowed. Emily tried to step aside to get around him, no energy left to run.
Sorry, could you help me? the man suddenly asked.
Emily was a nurse; requests for help always caught her attention, no matter how exhausted she was. She stopped.
I The man clutched his head and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. I was thrown off a train. Thank heavens for all this snowI landed well, nothing broken, just a few bruises.
You ought to drink less, Emily retorted, making another attempt to get past him.
Wait! I wasnt drunk. Only drank tea. Someone must have spiked it. I fell asleep straightaway. They robbed me, even took my clothes. At least they didnt throw me out stark naked, and they dropped me not far from your station.
Lucky escape. You need to go to the police and get checked at hospital. Is your head hurting? Feel sick? You probably have a concussion, said Emily, trying once more to get round him, but he wouldnt budge.
Ive already been to the police. Next trains not for a few hours. Didnt feel like waiting at the station. They wont find the thieves. There was this older chap sharing my compartmentlooked like a professor, specs and a neat goatee. But at the station police said the beard and glasses were probably fake, and he had accomplices. So I was fortunate, really. Im soaked through and could do with a wash and some dry clothes. I promise Ill return what you lend me.
Well, youre a bold one. And what, you want me to give you the keys to the house and all my savings as well? Emily voiced her annoyance.
Just my luck, eh? Everyone recoils from mewhy wont anyone believe me? the man exclaimed, raising his eyes to the sky. The look of utter despair on his face made Emily feel a pang of sympathy. She eyed him shrewdly; his appearance was rough, but his manner of speaking was proper. Not like someone from the streets.
All right, come with me before you catch your death of cold. Ill find you something to wear, she relented.
Thank you. Youre very kind. Everyone else just ran away, didnt even listen. The man followed her.
She entered her small flat and slumped onto the pouffe in the hallwayher legs were weak with fatigue, her eyes heavy.
The bathrooms through there, Emily pointed with her head, Ill go find you something to change into. Whats your name?
James. He found the light switch and shut himself in the bathroom. Soon the sound of running water echoed out.
Emily sighed. The hope of rest would have to wait. Her brother had long since moved to London, but some of his old clothes were left. No harm done, she thought, gathering up a few things. She knocked gently when the water stopped and told James shed left the clothes on the hallway cabinet.
She ladled out some soup into a bowl and put it in the microwave. Sitting at the table, she frowned. If her mother came home now, it would all look terribly suspiciousEmily reheating food while a man fresh from the street had a shower in their bathroom! Please let Mum get held up at the shops or with a friend, she thought fervently.
But fate had other plans. The latch clicked in the front door.
Emily, is that you, love? called out her mum, and Emily peeked out from the kitchen.
Oh! I thought that was you in the bath. Whos using our shower then? Her mother squinted, eyeing her curiously.
Dont get worked up, Mum. This man got separated from his trainjust needs to freshen up, then hell be on his way, Emily explained as calmly as she could.
Youve laid out your brothers clothes for him? What happened? Mum pressed.
I just told youhe was robbed, thrown off the train, Emily repeated.
Heavens! And you brought him home? What if hes a thief or something worse? Honestly, Emily, you dont think! Maybe I should ring the police? her mother fretted.
Mum, please. Hes already been to the police station. There are no trains running for a few hours. Hell be off as soon as hes washed up, Emily repeated, lowering her voice.
The water stopped, followed by the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing. Hes picked up the clothes, Emily guessed.
Her mother sat where she could watch the doorway, waiting. Soon James came into the kitchen, looking freshly scrubbed but slightly embarrassed. Emily realised he must have overheard their conversation.
Come here, lets have a look at you, said her mum, examining him with a suspicious eye. How did a big, strong lad like you get mugged in broad daylight?
Im sorry to intrude on your home. I was headed by train to my daughters wedding. Guess someone put something in my tea; I was out like a light. When I woke, I was missing everythingeven my clothes. They chucked me off not far from the station, dressed in rags. No mobile, no ID, no cash. He shrugged apologetically.
So howd you make it here, then? Were hardly round the corner from the station, Mum quizzed him further.
Oh, Mum! Let the poor chap eat, will you? Emily said, annoyed. Sit down, James, Ive warmed some soup for you.
When Emily was little, she used to rescue stray kittens and puppies from the street. Now its men thrown off trains! Her mother made a face but shifted over to leave a space.
Eat up, James. But be carefulif my mum decides she likes you, youll never escape with your life, Emily warned, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Thats because youre always working day and night looking after children and the elderly at the hospital, so youve no personal life. Youre nearly thirty, loveshould be thinking of settling down! How am I supposed to rest easily when you could end up a single mum like me?
Oh, Mum, stop it. James is going to think were matchmaking. Dont take her seriously, Emily reassured her guest.
Alright, alright, Mum huffed and disappeared into her room.
Your mums quite something, James commented, pushing his empty bowl away.
She raised my brother and me on her own. She worries Ill end up alone too, Emily replied.
So, youre a doctor?
Nurse, Emily corrected. Oh, but how are you going to get a train ticket without any ID or money? she fretted.
The police promised to help. May I borrow your phone, to call my daughterlet her know I wont make the wedding? And perhaps ring a friend?
Of course, Emily replied, fetching her mobile.
She found her mum sifting through a jewellery box, sifting out her gold ring and some costume pieces.
What are you doing? Emily asked.
Hush, you. What if he really is a crook? Im taking this over to Aunt Margarets, her mum muttered, scurrying away.
Emily didnt try to stop herthere was no point. Mum would do as she liked anyway.
Emily put her phone in front of James and stood by the window. James phoned his daughter; by the look on his face, she wasnt all that upset about his not coming after all. Then he called someone else and, after a pause, asked Emily for her address.
My mates driver will come soon. I shouldnt have tried to make the journey. My wife didnt want me causing a scene with her new husbandit was my daughter who insisted I come. So, really, all this risk was for nothing, James sighed.
And who are you, exactly, if a driver will fetch you? Emily asked, surprised.
Decked out in her brothers too-tight clothes, James began to seem rather decentalmost respectable.
My friend and I have a little company fixing up old electronics, that sort of thing. He talked me out of drivingsaid Id get lost and probably end up having a tipple or two at the wedding. Thought the train would be safer. Shouldve just flown, honestly. Dont worry, Ill be gone in a few hours, he said.
Emily looked at James and thought, Mum is right. Coming home to a husband and children would give life more meaning. Nearly thirty, still living with Mum, not much hope ahead. There had been Leon, whom shed loved and almost marrieduntil she caught him with her best friend. She lost both her fiancé and her closest companion that day.
Youre a kind soul. Things will work out for you, James said softly, interrupting her thoughts.
And what about you? Why are you on your own, with your own business and all?
He smiled wearily. Ah, went to the wedding alone, did I? Youre clever. I divorceda long story. Didnt find anyone as kind as you. People nowadays, women and men both, can be so calculating. Youre exhausted after work, and here I am taking up your time. Sorry for being such a bother.
They talked for a while. Night began to fall when her phone rang.
Thatll be my lift. Alex has arrived, probably. James excused himself, taking her phone.
Soon hell be gone, and the dull routine will begin all over again, Emily thought.
Thank you for everything, James said, standing up and handing back her phone. I put my number inunder James from the Train. Dont suppose youll call, but should you ever need help, just ring me. Ill bring your brothers clothes back, dont worry. Please give my apologies to your mumshe no doubt thinks Im a thief. He looked at her, sad-eyed, and Emily nearly wept.
Such a chance encounter with a stranger, and yet she found herself wishing he would stay. But who was she, and who was he? Emily smiled. Try and stay out of trouble from now on.
No more trains for me. Car or plane only, promise, James smiled back.
She watched as, in the growing dusk, he left the building, paused at the car outside, found her window and waved goodbye.
Thats that. Tomorrow hell have forgotten all about me, she thought.
Let him go? Mum asked when she returned.
You scolded me for bringing him in, and now you ask why I let him go? Emily tried not to let her disappointment show.
Hes a good man. Anyone could see it, her mum said softly.
So why hide the jewellery?
Oh, just being silly, I suppose, her mother sighed.
Three weeks slid by. New Years Eve was just a day away. It now seemed to Emily that James had been a dream. All of it felt oddly unreal with the passing of time. Her shift for New Years night appeared set to be quiet. The tiny Christmas tree in the staff room twinkled gently. The hospital was nearly empty. People rarely came in on the night itself; if anything happened, they usually waited until the holiday was over. Perhaps shed finally get to catch up on sleep.
Back on duty together, are we, Emily? called Dr Harris, the surgeon, giving her a knowing look.
She realised it was no coincidencehe liked being scheduled to do night shifts with her. Dr Harris was known for his wandering eye; he never missed an opportunity with the younger nurses. Emily always pretended she didnt know of his intentions.
Did you hear? Somethings going on! Nurse Linda from reception burst in.
Is someone being brought in? Dr Harris put on his mask and stuffed gloves in his pocket.
Father Christmas is here, the real deal! With presents! Wants to come into the ward to cheer up the patients. Shall I let him in? Linda chattered excitedly.
Father Christmas, eh? Well, why not. Lets go and see who this jolly fellow is, Dr Harris said, taking Emily by the arm.
Even down the corridor, they could hear a booming masculine voice. There in a red, elaborately decorated coat, hat, and great white beard, with a bulging sack on his back, Father Christmas was making his case loudly to enter the ward.
Ive come all the way from Lapland and you wont let me in to bring some holiday cheer? he boomed. Emily thought his voice sounded familiar.
I thought the old chap lived in the North Pole, Dr Harris grinned. Alright, just dont be too rowdywe do have ill people here, after all.
Father Christmas visited room after room, dishing out clementines and chocolates from his sack, much to the delight of the elderly patients. The old dears were beaming. Nurse Alice from the geriatric unit popped her head in, asking for a visit too. Father Christmas looked flustered and turned to Emily.
Sorry, Father Christmas, said Dr Harris, you cant take our Emilyshes our own little helper. Bring your own next time! He led Emily away.
Fifteen minutes later, Father Christmas returned, coat unbuttoned, beard and hat in hand, sack limp on his shoulder. Emily burst out laughing at the sight.
I knew you were on dutyI wanted to surprise you, cheer you up. Did it work? James asked hopefully.
It did. The old ladies will be up all night talking about it! she laughed again.
Well, looks like Ill be spending the rest of the night working on my own, Dr Harris announced in mock exasperation. Go on, Emily, celebrate with Father Christmas. Dont mind me.
Emily didnt need any more persuasion. A month later, she handed in her notice and moved in with James. Her mother was overjoyed. Got my daughter sorted at lastnow I can finally rest. What am I saying? Therell be grandchildren, so Id better stick around a bit!
Somehow, the bad things in life are always called fate, while the good things are put down to luck. But rarely does one come along without the other.
