“Wait a second,” he said. “I stepped off for a moment at your station, 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 and sort it out later?” asked Emily.
“You dont understandwhile I was looking for him, my train left without me”
Emily was exhausted on her way home from work. She ran a small flower shop in the heart of Manchester, and with Christmas just around the corner, the place had been packed all day.
The icy wind bit at her cheeks as snow crunched under her boots. Bundled in her thick winter coat, she trudged along the pavement, dreaming of nothing but collapsing into bed the moment she got home.
Lost in thought, she didnt notice the stranger approaching until he was right in front of her. Startled, Emily stopped and looked up.
A man in his forties stood there, dressed oddlyhis coat was too thin for the weather. She sidestepped to walk past him.
“Excuse me could you help me?” he suddenly asked.
Emily paused, surprised.
“I” He shook his head, closing his eyes briefly. “I was on my way to see my daughter in London. And then this happened”
He hesitated, his expression weary. Emily tried to step around him again.
“Wait,” he said. “I only got off for a second at your station. When I got back to my seat, my things were gone. Saw some bloke through the window walking off with my bag. I ran after him, but he disappeared”
“And you didnt think to just get back on the train first?” Emily asked.
“By the time I finished looking for him, the train had already left”
“You shouldve reported it straight away,” she replied, growing impatient.
“I did. They told me to wait. The next train isnt for hours. Didnt fancy sitting at the station. Everything was in that bagmy clothes, my wallet, my ID I just need a wash and somewhere warm. Ill pay you back,” he pleaded.
“Seriously? Should I hand over my house keys while Im at it?” Emily scoffed.
“See, everyones the same. No one trusts me. God, why wont anyone listen?” He lifted his face to the sky, his eyes so sad that Emilys irritation wavered.
She studied him carefully.
His clothes were shabby maybe he really had lost everything. But he spoke properly, didnt seem dangerous.
“Fine. Come with me before you freeze. Ill find you something to wear.”
“Thank you. Youre very kind. No one else would even hear me out.” He followed her inside.
Emily dropped onto the hallway stool, exhaustion weighing on her.
“Bathrooms down the hall,” she said, nodding toward the door. “Ill dig out some clothes for you. Whats your name, by the way?”
“Oliver,” he replied, flicking on the light before shutting the bathroom door behind him.
Soon, the sound of running water filled the flat.
Emily sighed. So much for rest.
Her brother had moved to Leeds years ago but had left some clothes behind.
“Wont hurt him,” she muttered, gathering a few items.
She knocked on the bathroom door and, when the water stopped, called out that shed left the clothes on the hallway table.
After heating up some soup in the microwave, she sat at the kitchen table, lost in thought. If her mum came home now, shed jump to all the wrong conclusions. What else would anyone thinkEmily warming up food while a strange man showered in her flat?
“Please let Mum be stuck at the shops or her friends,” she whispered to herself.
But luck wasnt on her side. The front door clicked open.
“Emily, love, you home?” her mum called. Then, peering down the hall, “Oh, thought that was you in the shower. Whos in there, then?” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Mum, dont shout. He missed his train, lost his things. Just letting him clean upthen hell be off,” Emily explained quickly.
“Thats your brothers clothes youve set out, isnt it? Whats really going on?”
“I told youhe got separated from his train. His bag was stolen.”
“Good Lord. And you brought him home? You dont even know him! Have you lost your mind? Glad I came back when I did. Should we call someone?”
“Mum, stop being dramatic. Hes been to the station, the lot. Just let him wash up and go.”
The bathroom door creaked open, then shut again.
“Hes got the clothes,” Emily guessed.
Her mum planted herself by the entrance, arms crossed, waiting.
Soon, Oliver stepped into the kitchen. He greeted them awkwardly, guilt written all over his face. Emily realised hed overheard.
“Right then, explain yourself. How does a grown man end up in this state?” her mum demanded, eyeing him sharply.
“Sorry for intruding. I was on my way to my daughters wedding in London. Now Ive no phone, no wallet, nothing.”
“Is that so? And howd you end up here? Were not exactly near the station.”
“Mum! Let the man eat first. Why the interrogation?” Emily snapped. “Sit down, Oliver. Ive warmed up some soup.”
“Honestly, Em, first it was stray cats, now its strange men off the street” But she shifted aside, making room at the table.
“Eat up, Oliver. But be warnedif my mum takes a liking to you, you might never leave,” Emily said dryly.
“Because youre always at that shop. No social life. Nearly thirty and still living with your mother. Can you blame me for worrying?”
“Mum, stop. Olivers going to think were trying to marry him off.”
“Dont worry,” Emily reassured him.
“Oh, for heavens sake.” Her mum threw up her hands and marched off.
“Your mothers something else,” Oliver said, pushing his bowl away.
“She raised my brother and me alone. Just panics Ill end up like hersingle with a kid.”
“Right. What do you do for work?”
“Flower shop. Ohhow will you get a ticket without ID? And no money?”
“They said theyd sort it. Could I borrow your phone? Need to let my daughter know I wont make the wedding. And my mate”
“One sec.” Emily headed to her room.
“Mum, what are you doing?” Her mum was emptying a jewellery boxgold rings and trinketsinto her handbag.
“Hush,” she hissed. “What if hes I dont know who? Taking these to Auntie Maggies.”
Emily didnt argue. Pointless.
She handed Oliver her phone, then stood by the window while he made his calls. From his expression, his daughter didnt seem too bothered hed miss the wedding.
Then he called someone else, asking Emily for her address.
“Right, my mates sending a car. Shouldnt have come at all. Ex-wife didnt want me near her new husband. Daughter insisted. Waste of time,” he muttered.
“Youve got a driver coming?” Emily blinked.
Oliver was growing on her. In her brothers clothes, he looked decentif a bit snug.
“Mate and I run a small electronics repair business. He said driving to London was daftdont know the roads, and wedding drinks dont mix. So I took the train. Shouldve flown. Wont be much longerfew hours, then Im out of your hair.”
Emily watched him, realising her mum had a point. Wouldnt it be nice to come home to someone? Kids? Nearly thirty and still at homeno prospects.
Thered been Liam once. Nearly married him. Then shed come home early to find him with her best friend. Lost both in one go.
“Youre kind. Thingsll work out for you,” Oliver said suddenly, cutting through her thoughts.
“And you? Why alone? Got your life together, even a business.”
“Ah. Worked out I was travelling alone, did you? Clever girl. Just never clicked with anyone. Divorced. Not many like you around. Modern womentoo shrewd. Men too, I suppose. Youre tired, and here I am, bothering you. Sorry.”
They talked for hours. Dusk had fallen when her phone rang.
“Thatll be my lift. Jacks here,” Oliver said, answering.
“Soon hell be gone, and itll be back to the same old routine,” Emily thought.
“Right. Cars outside. Thank youreally.” He set the phone down. “I left my number. Saved it as Oliver from the
