“Wait,” he said. “I stepped off at your station for just a moment, and when I got back to the carriage, my things were gone. I looked out the window and saw some bloke walking off with my bag. I chased after him, but he vanished”
“And you couldnt just get back on the train first, then sort it out?” asked Emily.
“You see, while I was looking for him, my train left without me”
Emily was exhausted after work. She ran a small florist in the heart of London, and customers were always pouring inespecially before Christmas.
The air was biting, snow falling every day. Emily trudged along the pavement, bundled in her thick coat.
She hadnt sat down all day. All she wanted was to get home and collapse into bed.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the stranger approaching until he was right in front of her. She stopped and looked at him.
He was a man in his forties, dressed oddly. Emily sidestepped to walk past.
“Excuse me, could you help me?” the stranger suddenly asked.
She paused, startled.
“I” He shook his head and shut his eyes briefly. “I was on my way to my daughters wedding in Manchester. And this happened”
He hesitated, giving Emily a sad look. She tried to move past him again.
“Wait,” he said. “I stepped off at your station for just a moment, and when I got back to the carriage, my things were gone. I looked out the window and saw some bloke walking off with my bag. I chased after him, but he vanished”
“And you couldnt just get back on the train first, then sort it out?” Emily repeated, growing impatient.
“By the time I finished searching, the train had already left”
“Then you shouldve gone to the station staff,” Emily said, her nerves fraying.
“I did! They told me to wait. The next train isnt for hours. I couldnt just sit at the station. My bag had everythingclothes, documents, money I just need to wash up and warm up. Ill pay you back,” he pleaded.
“Oh, brilliant. Shall I hand over my house keys while Im at it?” Emily scoffed.
“And there you go. Everyone treats me like Im mad. God, why wont anyone believe me?” He lifted his head, staring skyward with such despair that Emilys irritation softened.
She studied him. His clothes were rumpled maybe he really had lost everything. But he spoke well, seemed decent.
“Fine. Come with me before you catch your death. Ill find you something to wear.”
“Thank you. Youre very kind. Others wouldnt even listen,” he said, following her.
Inside, Emily slumped onto the hallway stool. All she wanted was sleep.
“Bathrooms there,” she nodded down the narrow corridor. “Ill dig out some clothes for you. Whats your name, by the way?”
“William,” he said, flicking the light on and shutting the bathroom door.
Soon, the sound of running water filled the flat.
Emily sighed. So much for resting.
Her brother lived in Manchester now, but some of his old clothes were still here.
“He wont miss them.”
She gathered what hed need and knocked on the bathroom door. When the water stopped, she called out that shed left the clothes on the hallway table.
She ladled soup into a bowl and microwaved it, sitting at the kitchen table, lost in thought. If her mum came home now, shed get the wrong idea. What would anyone thinkEmily heating up food while a strange man showered in her flat?
“Lord, let Mum be held up at the shops or with her friend,” she muttered.
But the Lord was busy with weightier matters. The front door clicked open.
“Emily, youre home?” her mum called. “Oh, I thought that was you in the bathroom. Whos in there, then?” She squinted at her daughter.
“Mum, dont shout. He missed his train, lost his things. Hes just cleaning up, then hell go,” Emily said carefully.
“And youve given him your brothers clothes? What happened?”
“I told youhe missed his train. His things were stolen.”
“Good heavens. And you brought him home? You dont even know him! Have you lost your mind? Thank God I came back when I did. Should we call someone?”
“Mum, dont be daft. Hes already been to the station. The next trains ages away. Hell wash up and leave,” Emily said quietly.
The bathroom went silent. The door opened and shut.
“Hes taken the clothes,” Emily guessed.
Her mum sat facing the hall, waiting.
Soon, William appeared in the kitchen. He greeted them awkwardly, guilt written all over his face. Emily realised hed overheard.
“Right, then. Explain how a strapping bloke like you ends up like this?” her mum demanded, eyeing him sharply.
“Sorry for intruding. I was heading to my daughters wedding in Manchester. No phone, no ID, no money,” he spread his hands helplessly.
“And howd you end up here? Were nowhere near the station,” her mum pressed.
“Mum! Let the man eat. Why the interrogation?” Emily snapped. “Sit down, William. Ive heated soup for you.”
“When you were little, youd bring home stray cats and dogs. Now its men,” her mum grumbled, but she moved aside, making space at the table.
“Eat, William. But be careful. If Mum takes a liking to you, you might never leave,” Emily said dryly.
“Because youre always at work. No personal life. Youre nearly thirtytime to settle down. How can I not worry?”
“Mum, stop. William will think were marrying him off,” Emily joked.
“Dont worry,” she reassured William.
“Oh, for heavens sake,” her mum huffed, waving a hand and retreating to her room.
“Your mums quite the character,” William said, pushing his empty bowl away.
“She raised me and my brother alone. Shes just scared Ill end up like herstruggling with a child.”
“I see. Where do you work?”
“At the florists. Waithow will you get a ticket without ID or money?” Emily frowned.
“They said theyd help. Could I borrow your phone? I need to call my daughter, tell her I wont make the wedding. And a friend”
“Hold on,” Emily went to her room.
“Mum, what are you doing?” Her mum was emptying a jewellery boxgold rings, trinkets.
“Hush,” her mum hissed. “What if hes I dont know who? Ill take these to Aunt Margarets.” She hurried out.
Emily didnt stop her. No point.
She placed the phone in front of William and stood by the window.
He called his daughter. From his expression, Emily guessed she wasnt too upset hed miss the wedding.
Next, he called someone else, asking Emily for her address.
“Right, a drivers coming for me soon. Shouldnt have gone at all. My ex didnt want me meeting her new husband. My daughter insisted. Wasted trip,” William said gloomily.
“Who are you, if youve got a driver coming?” Emily raised an eyebrow.
She was starting to like him. In her brothers clothes, he looked quite presentable, even if they were a bit snug.
“My mate and I run a small electronics repair business. A little side venture. He told me not to drivesaid I didnt know Manchester, and a weddings no place to show up drunk.”
“So I took the train. Shouldve flown. Dont worry, just a few more hours, and Ill be out of your hair.” He sounded like he was convincing himself as much as her.
Emily watched him, thinking her mum might be right. Coming home to a man, maybe kids one day
She was almost thirty, still living with her mum. No prospects.
Thered been David. Shed been in love, nearly married. Then she came home early once and found him with her best friend. Lost both in one go.
“Youre kind. Things will work out for you,” William said suddenly, cutting through her thoughts.
“And you? Why alone? Youve got your life togethereven a business.”
“Ah. Noticed I was travelling solo. Clever, too.” He smiled weakly. “Just never worked out. Divorced. Never met someone as good as you. Modern women are too cautious. Men too, I suppose. Youre tired after work, and here I am, bothering you. Sorry for being a nuisance.”
They talked for hours. Dusk had settled when her phone rang.
“Thatll be me. My mate Marks here,” William apologised, taking the phone.
“Hell
