“Wait,” he said. “I stepped off for just a moment at your station, and when I got back to the carriage, my things were gone. I looked out the window and saw a man walking away 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 Evelyn.
“You see, while I was searching for him, my train left without me”
Evelyn was exhausted on her way home from work. She managed a small florists shop in the heart of London. Customers always crowded the place, especially before Christmas.
The air was frosty, and snow fell daily. Evelyn trudged along the pavement, bundled tightly in her thick coat.
She hadnt sat down all day. Now, all she dreamed of was reaching home and collapsing into bed.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the stranger approaching until he stood right before her. Evelyn stopped and studied hima man of about forty, oddly dressed. She sidestepped to pass him.
“Excuse me, could you help me?” he suddenly spoke.
Startled, she paused.
“I” The man shook his head, briefly closing his eyes. “I was on my way to see my daughter, by train. And then this happened”
He hesitated, casting a sorrowful glance at Evelyn. She made to move past him again.
“Wait,” he insisted. “I only stepped out for a moment at your station. When I returned to my carriage, my belongings were gone. I saw a man through the window carrying my bag. I chased him, but he disappeared”
“Why didnt you just board the train first and deal with it later?” Evelyn asked impatiently.
“By the time I finished searching, the train had already left”
“You should have gone to the authorities,” Evelyn said, growing uneasy.
“I did. They told me to wait. The next train isnt for hours. I couldnt stand the station. Everything was in that bagmy clothes, my papers, my money I just need to wash up and warm myself. Ill repay you,” he pleaded.
“You must be joking. Shall I hand over my house keys too?” Evelyn scoffed.
“Everyone treats me the same. Why wont anyone believe me?” He lifted his face to the sky, his eyes so mournful that Evelyns irritation softened.
She studied himhis shabby clothes, his weary posture. Perhaps he was telling the truth.
“Fine. Come with me before you catch your death. Ill find you something to wear.”
“Thank you. Youre very kind. No one else would even listen.”
Inside her flat, Evelyn sank onto the hallway stool, longing for sleep.
“Go and clean up,” she said, nodding toward the bathroom. “Ill find you some clothes. Whats your name?”
“William,” he replied before shutting himself inside.
Soon, the sound of running water filled the flat.
Evelyn sighed. Her hopes of rest were dashed.
Her brother had moved to Manchester, but some of his old clothes remained.
“He wont miss them.”
She gathered what she could and knocked on the bathroom door. When the water stopped, she placed the clothes on the hallway table.
She ladled soup into a bowl and microwaved it, sitting heavily at the kitchen table. If her mother came home now, shed jump to conclusions. Who wouldnt, finding a strange man washing up while supper was heating?
“Please let her be delayed at the shops or visiting a friend,” Evelyn muttered.
But the heavens were occupied elsewhere. The front door clicked open.
“Evelyn, are you home?” her mother called. Then, spotting her in the kitchen: “Oh, I thought you were in the bath. Whos in there, then?” She squinted suspiciously.
“Mum, dont shout. He missed his train. Hell be gone soon.”
“Is that Alberts clothes youve laid out? What happened?”
“I told youhe was left behind. His things were stolen.”
“Good Lord! And you brought him here? You dont even know him! Have you lost your mind? Thank goodness I came home in time. Should we call someone?”
“Mum, dont be ridiculous. Hes already been to the authorities. He just needs to clean up and leave.”
The bathroom door creaked open and shut.
“Hes taken the clothes,” Evelyn guessed.
Her mother sat facing the hallway, arms crossed.
Moments later, William entered the kitchen, greeting them awkwardly. Evelyn realized hed overheard.
“Well then,” her mother demanded, “how does a strong man like you end up in such a state?”
“Im sorry for intruding. I was going to my daughters wedding in Manchester. Now Ive no phone, no papers, no money.”
“And how did you wind up here? Were nowhere near the station.”
“Mum! Let the man eat. Must you interrogate him? Sit down, William.”
“When you were little, you brought home stray cats. Now its men!” But she moved aside.
“Eat up, William. Though bewareif my mother takes a liking to you, youll never leave.”
“Because youre always at work. No personal life. Nearly thirty and still living with your mother. How can I not worry?”
“Mum, stop. Hell think were matchmaking.”
William pushed his bowl away. “Your mothers quite formidable.”
“She raised my brother and me alone. She fears Ill end up like her.”
“I see. Where do you work?”
“The florists. But how will you get a ticket without ID or money?”
“They said theyd help. May I use your phone? I should tell my daughter I wont make the wedding. And my friend”
Evelyn fetched it.
“Mum, what are you doing?” Her mother was emptying a jewellery boxa gold ring, some trinkets.
“Hush! What if hes I dont know who! Ill take these to Aunt Margaret.”
Evelyn let her go. Arguing was futile.
She handed William the phone. He called his daughter; his face fell as they spoke. Then he phoned someone else, asking Evelyn for her address.
“My drivers coming. I never should have gone. My ex-wife didnt want me meeting her new husband. My daughter insisted. A wasted trip.”
“You have a driver?”
William was growing on her. In her brothers clothes, he looked rather presentable.
“My friend and I run a small electronics repair business. He warned me not to drivesaid Id get lost in Manchester, and a wedding was no place to celebrate alone. So I took the train. Shouldve flown. Dont worry, Ill be gone soon.”
Evelyn studied him, thinking her mother was right. How lovely it would be to come home to a husband, children.
Nearly thirty, still with her mother. No prospects.
Thered been Leonard. They were nearly engaged. Then shed come home early and found him with her best friend.
“Youre kind. Things will turn out for you,” William said abruptly.
“And you? Why alone? You seem to have everything.”
“Ah. You noticed I was travelling solo. Clever. It just never worked out. My wife left me. Never met anyone as good as you. Modern womentoo shrewd. Men too, I suppose. Youre tired, and here I am, keeping you from rest. Forgive me.”
They talked until twilight. Then the phone rang.
“Thatll be my ride.” William stood. “Ive left my numbersaved as William from the train. I doubt youll call. But if you ever need help, Im in your debt. And Ill return the clothes.”
He looked so sad Evelyn nearly wept. A stranger, yet she didnt want him to leave. But who was she to him?
“Dont get stranded again.”
“No more trains. Only cars or planes now.”
She watched from the window as William emerged into the snowy dusk, paused by a car, and waved.
“Gone. By tomorrow, hell have forgotten me.”
“Let him go, did you?” Her mother reappeared.
“First you scold me for bringing him here, now you ask why I let him leave?”
“He was a good man. I could tell.”
“Then why hide the jewellery?”
“Oh, Im a foolish old woman”
Three weeks passed. By New Years Eve, Evelyn wondered if shed dreamed William.
She worked the shop on December 31st. The owner apologised but said hed helpcustomers would swarm.
Peering out the window, Evelyn gasped. There, outside the shop, stood Father Christmas.
He called to passersby, handed out sweets, then strode inside.
In his red embroidered coat, white beard, and sack, he spoke to the ownerhis voice achingly familiar.
Finally, he approached her.
“I knew youd be working. Thought Id surprise you. Did I?” William asked hopefully.
