James, the boot! The boot’s popped openstop the car!I shouted, but I already knew it was hopeless. Our things were tumbling out onto the motorway, and the cars behind us likely had no idea.
All the treats and gifts wed been saving up for the past two months! The smoked salmon, the posh ham, the jars of delicious jam, all the bits and bobs we could only ever afford for big occasions. The bags with presents and food were on top, so they wouldnt get squashed. Wed packed a mountain of things to take with us to Hertfordshire, to spend the holidays with Jamess nan.
The traffic was awful; it seemed everyone had decided to leave London at once. Vehicles crawling, bumper to bumper, just creeping along. Stopping outright was nearly impossible, so everything that fell out was, most likely, lost for good.
The kids, Anna and Elsie, were sitting in the back and burst into tears when they saw my face. I managed to calm them while James edged the car over and finally stopped at the side. I held onto a tiny bit of hopebut as we walked along the hard shoulder, it became clear: it was pointless. All the Christmas goodies were gone and there was no use looking furtherwed only waste more time.
Dont fret, love, lets not make a fuss. Whats gone is gone. Well buy something else, or get by without, James said, seeing how upset I was. Its just stuff. Come on, lets get in the carits snowing hard and the motorways not getting any safer.
I barely spoke the rest of the journey. No point snapping at James about the dodgy bootthe cars old, and you cant trust the lock anymore. I tried not to think about it, but the tears came on their own. Id been so careful with the budget, adding a treat here and there bit by bit. Always seems to be one thing after another. I know it could be worse, but it still stings. I remembered that brilliant, fluffy, cream throw we got for Nan, and my heart sank further.
We didnt arrive until after midnight. Id worried wed be too late, convinced Nan would have long since gone to bed. But the porch light was blazing, and Nan was waiting with her friend Betty.
Oh, thank heavens! Youre here at last! Nan ran out, kissing us all in turn, even the little ones. Marina, James, oh Im so pleased to see youwhere are Anna and Elsie? Ah, there you are, darlings!
Were fine, honestly, Nan, James hugged her tightly. Come inside, its freezing and youre just in your coat. Whats got you so worked up?
Nan just waved a hand dismissively. Betty and me spent the whole evening praying for you lot, honestly! Dont startcall me daft, but I had a proper premonition this afternoon, clear as anything. I dozed off after tea and saw your car veer off the road. Woke up with a fright, heart pounding. Betty came in, tooher lots already here. I could hardly get my words out, telling her about my dream.
Oh, dearie me, Betty had said, Thats bad. We should pray for themtheres still time! So we prayed for you, asked Saint Nicholas to keep you safe. Lord knows what we promised in return, but youre here, and thats all that matters.
Youre right, Nan, we agreed, And maybe someone else can enjoy those lost treats. Perhaps they needed them more than we did.
We saw in the New Year togetherthe house full, the table groaning under the weight of roast potatoes, pickled onions, the best roast goose. And of course, Nans legendary mince pies. Anna and Elsie spent the whole evening raiding the tray next to the Aga; honestly, they didnt need much else. In the afternoon, they went sledging with the other local children, already drooping from tiredness but desperate to see Father Christmas leave presents under the tree at midnight.
Nan giggled, hugging her grandchildren and Bettys as well. This was what mattered: everyone together, safe and warm.
Down the lane, in the smallest cottage you ever saw, sat two elderly sisters, Hope and Faith, and their neighbour, old Bill. They made do as best they could, helping each other through the winter. No family nearbyjust the three of them. In summer, theyd manage a vegetable patch, but winter was hard. Still, companionship made it bearable.
That day, Bill went out to the woods to gather kindling for the fire. He bundled up twigs onto his old sledgethen spotted something poking out of the snow near the road.
It was a bag, and insidegoodness! Smoked salmon, a joint of ham, jam, and, at the very bottom, a soft, white throw, thick and warm. He looked around; nobody in sight. Bill heaved the bag onto his sledge and made his way home, where he spread the throw out in front of the fire. Hope and Faith set the table.
I never thought Id taste food like this again, marvelled Faith.
Nor did I ever dream such a miracle might come our way, replied Hope.
I reckon it was the Lords doing, Bill said, looking around the toasty kitchen. A little reward, perhaps, for sticking together. Maybe, given a bit more time, well see a few more blessings yet.
Looking back, I realise its pointless grieving for what was lost. Perhaps that was fateor a way to buy us safe passage from something worse that could have happened. Sometimes its better simply to be grateful for what remains, and for those who are still with us.
