Button? I called her Holly. She was darting around here all morning, poor thing. Clearly lost. Then she curled up at my feet, shivering. So I popped her into the car, didnt want her freezing, the man smiled kindly…
Emma, how can one person have such rotten luck? How many times have I told you, that Nick was never right for you! Emmas mother scolded.
Emma stood with her head bowed. Though shed only just turned thirty-seven, she felt no different than a schoolgirl coming home with a failing grade.
Worse still, she could hardly bear the bitter disappointmentfor herself, her collapsed marriage, and her small daughter. Now, with Christmas looming, they were left without a father figure in the house.
Im leaving you, Nick announced carelessly one evening, barely looking at Emma. She didnt immediately register what he meant.
Leaving? Where to? Emma asked mechanically, setting a steaming bowl of vegetable stew in front of him.
Oh honestly, Em, youve always had your head in the clouds. Dont you see how serious this is? I wonder how I lasted this long, Nick rolled his eyes dramatically.
Emma didnt get a chance to ask more before Nick launched into detail, I cant do this anymore! And that incessantly whining dog of yoursplus our daughters always ill. There’s no spark, Em. Look at yourself. What have you become? he ended with exasperation.
Emma glanced at the glass cupboard, searching for her scared reflection, but the tears streaming down made it hard to see. She just stood there, alone in the kitchen.
Nick always hated tears. He slipped one regretful glance at the stew, got up from the table, and went to pack his bags.
Their little dog, Button, sensing trouble, circled Emmas legs, whimpering, doing her best to comfort.
At least Ill get some bloody peace without the racket, Nick muttered, appearing in the doorway with his suitcase slung over his shoulder.
But Nick, what about Charlotte? Emma whispered, picturing their five-year-old in her room, fast asleep and blissfully unaware.
You’ll think of something. You are her mum, after all, Nick shrugged, pulling open the door as Button howled.
Emma sat in the kitchen all night, clutching Button, who licked her face with warm encouragement. Even the dog seemed to realise how dire things had got.
Emma put off telling her mother for several days. Whenever her mum rang to ask how things were, Emma would hurriedly say everything was fine and hang up.
And the job search? Anything? her mum inquired during a visit. Because should Nick-the-rascal actually leave you, youll be left with nothing.
At that, Emma broke down, spilling everythingno luck with jobs, Nick had left days ago.
Her mother gasped, not expecting this turn.
Well, I always knew his intentions were shifty. Five years together, a child, and he never once proposedyou should have seen the signs, she huffed.
Of course, she felt for her hapless daughter and granddaughter. What will you do now? she finally asked.
Ill think of something. Ill get work as a nursery assistant at Charlies pre-school, Emma replied, defeat heavy in her voice.
You wont last long on those wages and youve got the dog to feed as well, her mum concluded, not hiding her dislike for pets. Shed always been irked by Button, whom Emma had found as a stray.
She was about to add more, but stopped on seeing Emma fighting back tears.
Alright, dont cry. Ill help out. Ill even watch Charlotte when you need, she offered, a little awkwardly.
Another week passed.
Emma managed to secure the job. She and Charlotte now walked to the nursery together. Charlotte was delighted.
Mum, can Button come as our helper? Gran keeps grumbling about walking her. And Button could help you wash up, and guard us during nap time, Charlotte beamed.
Emma laughed and hugged her, but her eyes still filled with sadness when Charlotte inevitably asked, Mummy, will Daddy come home for Christmas?
Emma couldnt bring herself to tell Charlotte the truth. She spun a story about Daddy being away on urgent business. She rang Nick to ask if hed see Charlotte, but he made excuses.
Em, dont interfere with my new life. Tell Charlotte Ive gone on a top-secret mission. Not back for a long whilesomething like that, he said, then asked if shed found his tie at home.
Cant find it anywhere. I suppose Ill have to see in the New Year in something else, he grumbled before hanging up.
Emma sat for ages, not knowing how theyd face Christmas on their own. How could she explain to Charlotte?
Unexpectedly, it came to a head as Charlottes grandmother was taking her to the GP. Charlotte was recovering from a cold. They were chatting when suddenly, Nick appeared from nowhere.
Daddy! Youre back! Charlotte threw herself at him.
Nick froze, tried to smile, and quietly told his daughter, Its just how it is now, darlingMummy and I arent going to live together anymore. Then he hurried off.
Ill pop by if I can, he called as he left.
Charlotte stood, face like stone, and whispered, Please dont come round again.
That night, her fever spiked. Two days later, a doctor visited.
Charlotte spoke to nobody, and seemed in no rush to get better.
Might just be the stress, the doctor shrugged, hearing the story.
Emma blamed herself. I shouldve explained sooner. Shes smart. She wouldve understood, she confessed to her mum, who only shook her head.
Then calamity struck again. Grandma took Button out for a walk. In a hurry, she went without a lead. The little dog chose that moment to show her spirit.
When grandma shouted at her, Button turned and dashed into the opposite direction.
So thats how its going to be! Right, freeze out there, maybe youll come back quick enough, she exclaimed, marching back home for Charlottes medicine.
But learning that Button was gone, Charlotte stopped eating and drinking altogether, unmoved by Emmas promises to find the little dog.
Ill eat when Buttons home, Charlotte said, rolling over to the wall.
This is all your fault, Emmaspoiling her like this! You never listened when I warned you her mother began.
You mightve watched Button yourself, mum, rather than give lectures! Emma snapped, surprising even herself.
Well, Ive done my best! her mum huffed, walking out in indignation.
Once again, Emma was left alone. That evening, she wandered anxiously around their estate.
Charlotte finally fell asleep, but Emma clung to hope that Button would wander home. She returned, frozen and exhausted, and slept uneasily.
Charlotte woke very early.
Mum! I dreamt we decorated a huge Christmas tree, and Button came home! she said, wide-eyed.
Emma managed a weak smile. A small artificial tree stood on the tableit was all they could manage for Christmas, given how tight money was.
But Charlotte was upset, insisting they needed a real, tall tree. Then Button will come back. Just like in the dream! she cried.
Emma sighed. Buying a real Christmas tree wasnt an option financially. She rang her mum for help, but received only an injured response.
You care more for some dog than your own mother! Think about that, her mum sniffed, refusing to visit.
With Christmas drawing near and Charlotte poorly in bed, all was gloomy. That evening, Charlotte burst into tears, No Christmas tree, mum and Button and Daddy are never coming home
Emma stroked her daughters hair, struggling to keep her own tears at bay. She left Charlotte in the neighbours kind care and dashed outside.
The icy air whipped her face; snowflakes swirled about like tiny acrobats. The whole world seemed busy preparing for the holiday, none of it touching Emma.
Where did you run off to, little one? she whispered, pacing the familiar streets, searching.
Then she stumbled upon a tiny Christmas tree stall. A rugged-looking man in a parka hopped from foot to foot, only a few scraggly firs left.
Fancy a tree, love? Barely any left. Could knock a bit off for you, he said, clearly eager to head home.
Emmas mind wanderedno doubt his family was waiting, dinner on the table, children at the window
A young couple hurried up and bought one tree, leaving the very last.
So, what do you think? Ill give you a hand getting it home, the man suggested.
Emma looked at him desperately. She had no cash with herand even her savings at home wouldnt cover such a tree.
Embarrassed, she noticed stray branches in the back of his van.
Could I have a few branches, if theyre just for throwing away? she asked, nervously.
For a moment, the man looked between the dejected woman and the tree clippings. Course, love. Let me get them for you, he replied, hauling armfuls out for her.
Emma thanked him, apologising unbidden. Its just, my daughters poorlydreaming of a Christmas tree, and our little dogs gone missing. Feels nothing like Christmas this year
He listened, for some reason, attentively. His own wife had recently left, and Christmas felt unbearably lonely. He knew too well the sting of being on the outside, looking in.
Just then, another man approached, asking about the last tree. Sold, sorrytry next door, the seller nodded him away.
Emma watched in amazement. Come on, Ill help you get the tree home, he said suddenly, a gentle smile softening his face.
But I told youI havent any money, Emma whispered.
I remember, he replied quietly.
Then, something magical happenedsomething only possible when Christmas is around the corner.
He opened the van to fetch the tree, and there, curled asleep on the front seat, was Button. She was wrapped in a thick woollen jumper, blinking in confusion as she awoke.
How did youwhere did you find Button? Emma gasped, holding back joyful tears.
Button? I called her Holly. Shes been darting around all morningclearly lost. Then she snuggled up by my feet. Popped her in the van to keep warm, poor mite, the man explained with a warm grin.
His name was Paul. He was fond of animals, and easily got along with children.
Soon enough, Emmas home was once again full of warmth and laughter. Perhaps it was just the kindness of the season; perhaps it was fate decided long ago.
Whatever the reason, a new family grew from that Christmas eve. And Buttonwell, every now and then, theyd still call her Holly.
One thing was certain: even when all seems lost, kindness and hope can weave new beginningsespecially at Christmastime.
