Andrew, the boot! The boots popped openstop the car, stop! Alice shouted, panic in her voice even as she realised, with a sinking heart, that it was already too late. Their bags were tumbling out onto the motorway, scattering across the tarmac, almost certain to be missed by the cars behind.
All those gifts and speciality treats theyd scrimped and saved for over the last two monthsgone! The smoked salmon, the caviar, the expensive ham, all those lovely things they only ever bought for special occasions. The bags with the delicate foods and precious presents had been packed on top, just to keep them from getting squashed. Theyd brought so muchoff to spend the holidays at Andrews grans cottage in the countryside.
Traffic on the M1 was heavy, with everyone making a break for it out of the city. Cars hurtled along, bumper to bumper, but at a steady pace. Stopping straight away was impossiblewhat had fallen was, in all likelihood, gone for good.
The children, sat wide-eyed in the back seat, saw their mothers distress and started to cry. Alice mustered her composure to comfort them while Andrew managed to pull onto the shoulder safely. They all got out and walked back along the verge in hope, hearts flutteringperhaps, if luck was with them, the bags might have ended up in the grass at the roadside. But of course, there was nothing there. No point searching further, and more time wasted.
Dont beat yourself up about it, love, Andrew tried to reassure Alice as he saw her face fall. If its gone, its gone. Well buy something else, all right? Or do withoutits only stuff, after all. Come on, back in the car. The snows coming thick and fast, and its getting late. Lets get on; the roads wont be easy.
But the rest of the drive, Alice was silent. What was there to sayscold Andrew for the dodgy car boot? Their old cars lock had always been tricky, barely holding shut. She tried not to dwell on what had happened, but every few minutes a wave of frustration rose up again. All those things shed scrimped and saved for, now just lost. Wasnt this just her luckif its not one thing, its another! Of course, there were worse things in life, but it still stung. Then Alice remembered the present for Andrews grana soft, plush throw shed chosen with care. That had been in the boot as well, and the thought made her eyes sting with fresh tears.
It was well past midnight by the time they reached the little village. Theyd expected old Mary to be fast asleep by then, but instead the porch light shone cheerily, and Mary and her neighbour, Edith, burst out the door to greet them.
Youve made it! Thank the Lord! Gran Mary flung her arms around each of them in turn. Alice, Andrewthank heavens! We didnt know what to think. Wheres little Jack and Rosie? Good, theyre here, my darlingsbless us, all is well!
Its all fine, really, no need to worry yourselves so, Andrew said, pulling gran into a hug. Lets get insidethe snows blowing a gale, and youre out here in just a coat, youll catch your death! Why on earth were you so frantic?
Mary gave a dismissive wave. Dont laugh, but Edith and I have been saying prayers for you all evening. You may not believe me, but I do. I saw it as clearly as if I were awakea vision! After lunch, I must have dozed off, and I dreamt your car went careening off the roadstraight out of a nightmare. I woke sweating, nerves all a-jangle; the feeling wouldnt shift. Then Edith popped inher sons family had already arrived, and she asked, Where are yours? I explained my visionwell, as best I could.
Edith was worried tooshe said, Thats not a good sign, best pray for them. So we did, we spent the evening beseeching the good Lord to keep you safe, even St Nicholas too, just to get you here in one piece. Wed have done anything as an offering, so youd arrive safely. No idea what we did to earn it, but here you all aresafe and sound!
You were right to worry, Gran, Alice and Andrew conceded. And if someone else picks up our lost treats, let them have them. Perhaps they needed them more than we did.
New Years Eve was spent crowded around a heaving table full of country fare. Fresh, local potatoes, pickled tomatoes and cucumbers, and the main eventa roast goose with crackling skin and grans famous steak and kidney pie. Jack and Rosie kept sneaking warm pies from the Aga, bellies already full before the main meal. The children played on the hill with neighbours kids until their eyes drooped shut, but determined to stay awake for midnightthey wouldnt miss a glimpse of Father Christmas leaving presents under the tree!
Old Mary beamed, cuddling her great-grandchildren, her own and Ediths both. Could there be anything better? All togetherwhat more could she wish for?
A few miles away, in a God-forsaken village almost forgotten by the world, three elderly soulstwo sisters, Hope and Faith, and their neighbour, Johnsat huddled around a little table. Things werent easy; summer brought a few vegetables in the garden, but winter was freezing and terribly lonely for the elderly pair. But they endured. As long as they were together, they werent quite alone. John had brought in a small tree for Christmas, set with what little they could muster. Simple food, not much, but it kept them going. That afternoon, John had set off to the woods to gather kindling for the fire. As he bundled dry twigs on his little sledge, something caught his eye in the snowdrift by the roadside.
He trudged closer and tuggeda bag! Opening it, Johns eyes widened: smoked salmon, caviar, prime ham, and on the bottom, the softest, whitest throwwarm and fleecy as new snow. He looked aroundno one in sight. He hauled the bag home on his sledge, laid the throw out for Hope and Faith, and stoked the fire. The sisters brought out what food they had for the table.
I never thought Id taste such delicacies again in my life, Faith marvelled.
Nor Isuch a miracle, Hope agreed.
I reckon this was sent to us by a higher powerno doubt some little reward for a hard life. Maybe well last a bit longer now, see what comes next, enjoy a few more days, John said, nodding thoughtfully.
Theres no use mourning over lost things; perhaps what we lose is the price we pay for something far more precious. We might never know, but sometimes losing a little brings a greater blessing than we expect.
