Twas the night before Christmas....
well,
not technically - but it was the 22nd of December, which is very close,
let's agree. The protagonist is a girl living on her own in a house.
She is going home the next day, taking the plane and as a treat to
herself, has booked a facial at a local beauty salon.
Lots is on her mind as she comes back but inevitably, something is missing from a bag: her house key.
Panic.
Of the four months living here, not once has she forgotten.
Bad timing.
She thinks, cries, calls her landlady, all without success.
She browses the shops, eats out but then, it gets dark.
She is scared she might not make it.
As a last resort, she knocks at her neighbours' door.
'Pray, she asks, sobbing, would you have a spare key?'
Very understanding yet afraid that no, they exhort her to go and ask the neighbours around the corner - 'they might.'
The
girl hopes and trots her way into her next neighbours' garden. Their
house is the one she had admired from afar. Fairytale-like by its
proportion and shape, that night, it is all highlighted by the glowing
decorations.
'Knock, knock, knock.'
An
elderly man answers. He listens to her plea and lets her in. Sitting on
a sofa, the girl meets his wife - a lovely and soft-spoken grey-haired
lady. They immediately make her feel welcomed and listened to.
Unfortunately, they do not possess the key but the man calls a friend
who might do. They care. They want to help. They remember another friend
who lives down the road who knew the landlady's girl well.
'Let's go and ask him'.
A flashlight paves the way and soon enough, the girl and elderly man stand in front of another door.
'Hello, would you not by chance be in possession of a spare key?'
The girl holds her breath.
'Well, as a matter of fact, yes!'
She wants to hug the neighbour and calls him her angel.
He therefore very awkwardly hands her the precious object.
No matter, she is over the moon and able to go home.
Small miracles happen everyday.
Three days before Christmas one did.
