Thats my lucky charm, Emily said softly. I never go anywhere without it. And that little girl in the photothats me, darling. Dont you recognise me?
Youre kidding James murmured, staring at his wife in disbelief.
Before they tied the knot, Emily and James had never lived together. Emily had visited James bachelor flat in Manchester quite a few times, but when he suggested she move in, she politely declined, every single time.
Lets just wait, shed say. I dont want to upset Mum. You know what shes likeproperly old-fashioned.
And so James waited
Eventually, his freshly minted wife moved into his flat at last.
Naturally, she set about sorting things out straight away. There were her things to unpack, his things to rearrange, and the never-ending saga of jacketing up his questionable taste in furniture. It took a good few daysemphasis on good.
Emily hurried along, since New Years was approaching, and she wanted their first celebration together to run smoothly. The gold standard of Christmases, you might say.
James, do you have a Christmas tree? she asked, just in case, so as not to buy a second one like a right numpty.
Wait a sec, Ill check on top of the wardrobe. There should be something up there, he replied, waving vaguely. To be honest, I cant even remember the last time I put the thing up.
James clambered up onto a chair, while Emily watchedthere was no way shed be able to reach up there. He pulled down the tatty old tree, and suddenly, along with it, a photo album tumbled onto the floor.
Oooh, now that looks interesting! Lets have a peek, Emily said, plonking herself onto the carpet and flipping the album open to some well-worn pages.
Ah, my old school photos, James said, flopping down beside her. Completely forgot about these
School? Fabulous! Maybe Ill even spot someone I know. Emily had attended the same school as her husband, just about seven years behind.
Doubtful, James smirked. How would you lot have photos in my album? You lot were just nippers then.
Still, its fun. Same building, after all
And so they flicked through the photos together. James pointed out teachers, described ridiculous schoolyard antics, and reminisced about his eleven-plus glory days.
Blimey, ten years on and I still remember it all like it was yesterday, he marvelled.
Of course you do. Thats the most carefree time of your life, Emily replied with a smile.
Oh, look! Father Christmas! Emily cried, holding up a photo in delight.
Oh, that. Thats me, Year Eleven. Miss Parsons all but bribed me to be Santa for the school assembly.
And this girl here? Emily pointed at a young girl standing next to Santa, looking at him with a rather odd expression.
Oh, no idea. After the show, as I was changing out of the costume, Mrs Bloomfield the deputy head came in and begged me to get changed and see a little girl whod missed her turn to recite a poem and get her present.
And you did?
Well, obviously! What else could I do? Poor kid. So I had to drag on the beard and boots again.
Do you remember what you gave her?
Not a clue. I handed out dozens of presents without even thinking about it.
Look, Emily stood up and picked up a light brown, very threadbare teddy bearthe one that always sat by her laptop. Remind you of anything?
James stared, utterly perplexed, as if shed just recited Shakespeare backwards.
Thats my lucky bear, Emily said, quietly now. Ive never been apart from him. And that girl in the photothats me, darling. Dont you see?
Incredible James whispered, gazing at his wife with new wonder.
I was in year three at the time, Emily began, her tone drifting back through the years. Just before Christmas, I came down sickcouldnt leave the house for over a fortnight. Didnt have time to practice for the show. I just turned up for the tree, and everyone was dancing, mucking about. I felt terribly out of place, sat on a chair, managed to cry a bitclassic.
The deputy head spotted me, tried to cheer me up, then whisked me away somewhere. She told me to waitsaid something magical was about to happen.
She left me alone in the corridor, and suddenly, out of thin air, Father Christmas turned up. He asked me to recite a poem.
I sobbed my way through it. He patted my head, told me everything would be all right, and handed me this teddy bear.
And then he vanished as suddenly as hed appeared.
So you see, Jamesyoure my very own Father Christmas. And we never even knew
They sat together, wordless for a good while, cuddling on the floor, trying to make sense of how hilariously unpredictable life could be
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