This is my good luck charm, I murmured softly. I never let it out of my sight. And the little girl in the photoyes, darling, thats me. Dont you recognise me?
Thats incredible, whispered David, staring at me in such surprise.
Before we were married, David and I never actually lived together. I would visit his bachelor flat from time to time, but whenever hed ask if I wanted to move in, I always declined.
Lets just wait a bit, Id tell him. I dont want to upset Mum. You know what shes likeproper old-fashioned.
So David waited, patiently, as ever.
At last, after our wedding, I moved into his flat.
And, of course, I immediately set about putting everything in order. There were my own things to find a place for, too. The whole process took several days.
I was in a rush. New Year was approaching, and I wanted our first celebration together to be special.
David, do you have a Christmas tree by any chance? I asked, not wanting to risk us ending up with two.
Hang on, let me check on top of the wardrobe. I think theres something up there somewhere, though I cant remember the last time it saw daylight!
He climbed up on a chairtheres no way Id have reached it.
As he pulled down the tree, an old photo album tumbled down with it.
Oh! How interesting! Lets have a look, I said, sitting cross-legged on the floor as I opened the album filled with faded photographs.
School picturesId completely forgotten about these, David said, settling next to me.
School? Brilliant! Maybe Ill see someone I know? Id gone to the same school as David, though Id started about seven years after he did.
Unlikely. Why would your friends photos be in my album? You lot were still in pigtails.
Oh, just humour me. Same school, after all
We began flicking through, laughing at the hairstyles and terrible uniforms. David explained who was who, shared silly stories, and reminisced about his favourite teachers.
Its madten years have gone by, and yet I remember all of this as if it were yesterday, he said, shaking his head in wonder.
Of course you do. Its the most carefree time of your life, I replied.
Oh, look! Father Christmas! I exclaimed, picking up a picture in astonishment.
Ahyes. That was me in Sixth Form. Our teacher nagged me for weeks to play Father Christmas at the school party.
And this girl here? I pointed at a little girl standing beside Father Christmas, staring up at him with a rather forlorn look.
That? Ive no idea. I remember after the party, when I was already changing out of the robe, the Deputy Head came in and asked if Id put the costume back on and listen to this little girlshe hadnt had her turn.
She missed out on her poem and a present? And did you?
Yes, of course! What else could I do? Poor kidI felt sorry for her. So I put the suit and beard back on.
And do you recall what you gave her?
I havent a clueI was handing out so many presents that day, it was a blur.
Here, look, I said, and went to fetch my light brown, slightly threadbare teddy bear, the one Id always kept on my desk beside my laptop. Does this remind you of anything?
David just stared at me, confused.
Its my talisman, I said quietly. He never leaves my side. And the girl in the picturethats me, darling. Dont you see?
Amazing he breathed, still staring in wonder.
It was Year 3, I began, quietly. Just before Christmas, I fell ill and was stuck at home for over two weeks. I missed all the preparations, came in straight for the party. Everyone was cheery and dancing, but I just sat in a chair, feeling like I didnt belongactually, I cried.
The Deputy Head noticed me, came over and comforted me, then led me down a corridor. She stopped and said: Wait here. Something magical is about to happen. Then she went off. I stood in the empty corridor, waiting. Suddenly, Father Christmas appearedout of nowhere. He asked if Id recite a poem.
So I did, still sniffling. And after, he stroked my hair and told me everything would be all right, then handed me this very teddy. And then, just like that, he was gone.
So David, you were my Father Christmas. And we never even knew
For a long while, we sat beside each other in silence, arms intertwined, trying to take in just how wonderfully odd life can be sometimes.
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