Thats my lucky charm, Emily whispered softly. Ive never been without it. And the little girl in the photothats me, darling. Dont you recognise me?
Blimey, I cant believe it James murmured, staring at his wife in shock.
Before their wedding, Emily and James hadnt lived together. Emily had visited Jamess bachelor flat a few times, but whenever he suggested she move in, she always gently declined.
Lets wait a bit, she would answer. I dont want to upset Mum. You know shes a bit old-fashioned.
So James waited patiently
At last, soon after the wedding, his young wife moved into his flat.
Of course, she immediately set about making the place her own. She had to find space for all of her things as well, which took a good few days.
Emily was in a rush. Christmas was coming up, and she wanted their first holiday together in the flat to be perfect.
James, do you have a Christmas tree? she asked, just in caseshe didnt want them ending up with two by accident.
Hang on, Ill check on top of the wardrobe. Im sure Ive got one somewhere, but its been years since I used it.
James climbed up onto a chair. Emily would never have been able to reach up there.
As he pulled down the old Christmas tree, a photo album tumbled down to the floor with it.
Oh, how interesting! Lets have a look, Emily said, settling down on the floor with the album full of old photographs.
Those are my school photosblimey, Id completely forgotten about them, James said, sitting down beside her.
School photos? Brilliant! Maybe Ill spot someone I know, Emily grinned. Theyd attended the same school, though shed been there about seven years after him.
I doubt ithow would your mates end up in my photo album? You lot were only little back then.
Still, its fun. Same school after all
They started leafing through the album together. James explained the photos, told silly stories from his school days, and chatted about his old teachers.
Its been a decade, and yet it all feels like it was just yesterday, he marvelled.
Of course it does. Those were the carefree days, Emily replied.
Oy, look! Father Christmas! Emily cried in surprise, holding up a photo.
Oh, thats from Year 11. Miss Parker nagged me for weeks to dress up as Father Christmas for the school party.
And whos this? Emily pointed to a little girl beside Father Christmas, who was peering up at James with a curious look.
That? No idea. I remember after the party, when Id already changed, the Deputy Head popped in and asked if I could get the costume back on and listen to this little girlshe hadnt had a chance to say her poem or get her present.
And did you?
Well, of course! What else could I do? Poor thing looked so gutted. So I squeezed back into that itchy old suitand the fake beard.
Do you remember what you gave her as a present?
Not even slightly. I handed out so many that day, I couldnt tell you.
Wait, Emily stood up and fetched a soft, light-brown teddy bear that always sat on her desk near the computer. Doesnt this seem familiar?
James stared at her, clearly not following where she was heading.
Thats my lucky mascot, Emily said quietly. Hes been with me ever since. And that girl in the photothats me, love. Dont you see?
Incredible James whispered, staring at Emily in astonishment.
I was in Year 3, Emily started softly. Id been really ill right before Christmas. Didnt leave the house for weeks. So I missed all the preparations for the end-of-term party, just turned up for the Christmas do itself. Everyone else was having a blast, but I just felt left outsat alone on a chair and even had a bit of a cry.
Thats when the Deputy Head saw me. She came over, calmed me down, then whisked me off somewhere. She said, Wait here, something magical is about to happen.
Next thing I know, Father Christmas appears out of nowhere and asks me to recite a poem. So, through my tears, I managed it. He patted me on the head and told me everything would be alright, then gave me this very teddy.
He left just as suddenly as hed arrived.
So, James you were my very own Father Christmas. And neither of us had a clue, all these years.
They sat for ages after that, arms around each other, both trying to take in just how funny life can be sometimes
Give it a like and leave your thoughts in the comments!
