By the Stroke of the Pike’s Magic…

By the pikes command

Gillian had been an avid angler ever since she was a girl, and even after she finally hung up her work boots and retired, she spent every spare minute on the river with a rod in hand. Her husband, Nicholas, was still on the job a beloved coach at the local junior sports club. Under his guidance the youngsters from the Newmarket Sports Academy had become a name recognised far beyond the county, bringing home medals and bragging rights. As proud as he was of his pupils, Nick longed to sit beside Gillian on the riverbank for hours, watching the water shimmer. Unfortunately, his schedule was as packed as a commuter train at rush hour: training, fixtures, travel. He could only steal a few weekends for a fishing trip, and Gillian never complained.

One Saturday, during the nations lockdown, the whole family decided to head out together. The kids were learning from home, so Nicholas gathered his fishing gear, loaded Gillian, his two small grandchildren Stanley and Eve (their older brother Sam had already finished college and was now a fireandrescue officer) into the car, and rolled away from the culdesac. Across the road, Kieran a boy the same age as the grandchildren watched the car pull out, eyes widening as he spotted the rods strapped to the roof. Theyre going fishing, he muttered, halfheartedly wishing he could join, halfheartedly resigned to stay home with his grandma.

Nicholas eased the car to a stop, cracked his window and called out, Hey Kieran, fancy a trip to the river with us?

Kieran sprang up, shouted back, Ill ask Gran! and darted into the house. A moment later, Violet, his grandmother, appeared in the doorway. Hed love to come are you sure you want him? she asked.

Were waiting for him, Nicholas replied.

Brilliant! the grandchildren cheered, stumbling into the back seat after pulling on scarves, hats and mittens.

The family drove to their favourite spot the stretch of the Thames where the Bakers always claimed the biggest pike roamed. Nicholas set up a small fire on the bank so the kids could warm their hands, while Gillian settled onto a folding stool with her rod. He kept a respectful distance, giving each of them space to try their luck. Today they were using live bait tiny minnows.

Gillian kept her eyes glued to the float, but she also scanned the youngsters to make sure they didnt get into mischief. Meanwhile, the kids were playing hideandseek and tag, their laughter echoing over the water. Suddenly Gillian felt the line tug, then dip sharply. She tried not to startle the fish, inching the line up steadily. In under half a minute a sleek pike shot out of the water, its silver body glinting as Gillians hand guided it straight into the bucket.

The first ones in, she said with a satisfied grin, promptly baiting another hook and casting again. The grandchildren, meanwhile, had fetched a football and were drawing makeshift goalposts in the sand, ready for a quick game.

The line went taut again. Gillians eyes twinkled as she felt the rush of the hunt. Another pike bigger, meatier struggled on the line. Tonights dinner will be proper patties, she joked.

When the kids sprinted back, three pikes were already splashing in the bucket.

Is that a pike? whispered Kieran.

Yes! The very same one that grants wishes. Its magical! Gillian replied, her humour as dry as the riverbed.

Really? Stanley and Eve shouted in unison. What should we wish for?

Let the bucket walk itself home, Violet said, chuckling as she fitted another minnow onto the hook.

No, thats boring! Stanley sighed dramatically.

Gillian flicked the line again. Then how about the princess falling in love with you? Just like in that old folk tale about the lazy fellow who got lucky. She winked.

Can I make a wish? Kieran asked shyly.

Go on, Gillian encouraged.

Kieran made a solemn face, cradled the struggling pike, whispered something into its gills and, before Gillian could turn around, the fish slipped back into the river.

She blinked, a little taken aback, but quickly reminded herself that fairytales do love a twist. Stanley and Eve, meanwhile, were already pinching the slippery pikes and pretending to talk to them.

Gillian threw her arms wide, laughing. Well then, by the pikes command, by my own wish, may all the fish youve asked for appear! She glanced at the nowquiet Kieran. And you, too!

Later, as they packed up, Nicholas walked over, saw the empty bucket and asked with a hint of pity, No bites?

Gillian waved her hands, philosophically. Just throw kindness into the water and see what comes back.

On the drive home the youngsters dozed, exhausted from the days excitement. Nicholas hoisted the sleepy Kieran onto his shoulders, handed him to Violet, and the grandchildren drooped in the back, eyes fluttering shut.

Grandpa, what wish did we make? they murmured.

Kieran, still halfasleep, mumbled, I asked for a granddad

Shhh, Violet warned, eyes widening. Dont say it out loud, or it wont happen.

That night, over a pot of hearty fish soup, the grandchildren finally drifted to sleep. Gillian kept replaying the days events in her head. How badly Kieran needs a proper male role model, she mused. Hes grown up without a dad, in a world that seems to have forgotten grandfathers.

Later, tucked into bed beside Nicholas, she whispered, Its a shame for Kieran. He doesnt have a phone, a computer just a granddad who could show him how to be a man.

Nicholas, thoughtful, replied, I suppose Im not his real grandfather, but I can be what he needs.

A month later, Christmas lights were strung across the town, snow blanketing rooftops and park benches. The local schools were staging their winter productions. Kieran seemed a little glum, until his grandma Violet came in searching for a thermometer hers had busted and announced that Kieran was ill with a nasty cough.

Nicholas caught the drift instantly: A boy needs a grandfather. Where do we find one? An idea sparked, and a smile crept across his face. He dialed his old university mate, Barry, a fellow PE teacher who lived about a hundred miles away in a neighbouring county.

Barry, listen weve got a lad with no granddad. Hes literally asked for one, Nicholas explained.

What do you mean asked for one? Barry asked, confused.

Its literal, Nicholas said. Hes a kid whos grown up without a dad or granddad. His grandmother raised him alone. Hes never known a male figure. I thought maybe you could dress up as Santa and spend a day with him? Just one day a year to stop the loneliness.

Barry, who had no grandchildren of his own, felt a tug at his heart. I could do that. I usually dress up for school fêtes anyway. I could be his Granddad for the Day and maybe swing by with a present.

Brilliant! Bring some of your famous mince pies, and well have a proper celebration, Nicholas replied, already picturing the scene.

Barry told his wife, Vera, who laughed, We havent visited the Bakers in ages. Ill be the SnowGirl, if you like.

Just before New Years Eve, their son Michael, a professional bobsleigh athlete fresh from a competition, drove his sleek black Lexus into the countryside, picking up his parents and the whole, increasingly chaotic, plan. They arrived at the Bakers cottage just as dusk fell, the address already entered into their GPS.

Violet opened the front door, eyes widening at the unexpected party. Wheres my grandson Kieran? Barry boomed in a deep, jolly voice. Beside him, Vera, dressed in a sparkling frock, smiled like a snowqueen, a sack of presents slung over her shoulder. A tall, handsome young man followed, carrying a box of brandnew ice skates.

Did we mix up the address? Violet stammered.

Not at all, Barry replied.

Inside, Barry, now in a fullbodied Santa coat, shuffled around in his slippers, scanning the room for the missing child. Kieran, hidden behind a decorated Christmas tree, peeked out with wide eyes.

You ordered a granddad for the pike? Barry asked, halfserious.

Yes! Kieran whispered, stepping forward, his voice trembling with excitement. Ive been waiting forever.

Will you stay with us even a little while? Kieran asked, almost in tears.

Of course, Barry said, exchanging a glance with Vera, who nodded, her cheeks flushed with the cold and joy.

At that moment, a young woman in a white hat and dark coat a perfect SnowGirl entered the living room. Michael rushed to her, shouting, Mum! Santas here! By the pikes command, by my wish!

Katherine, their mother, stared bewildered at the sudden troupe of strangers, her face paling as tears welled. Vera, playing the SnowGirl, caught her own eye in the mirror and whispered, Its all happening, isnt it?

Barry, feeling the absurdity of the scene, tried to keep his composure. The grandchildren, now sitting at the table with plates of fish pies and freshly baked scones, giggled and whispered, We wished for a granddad, and we got one!

Later, as the guests sipped tea and ate the warm pies, Katherine and Michael slipped out onto the porch, where the snow fell in soft, fluffy flakes.

Why didnt you tell me earlier? Michael asked, frustration clear in his voice.

Katherine sighed. I was called away for a competition. Training, travel, finals I barely had time to answer my phone. I didnt want to ruin the holiday for you.

Its fine, Michael replied, his tone softening. I just wish Id known about our son sooner.

Katherine looked at him, tears shining. I love him, Michael. Ive never regretted it.

I wish Id been there for him, Michael admitted, wiping his cheeks.

They stood there, the cold air making their breath visible, each feeling the weight of missed moments.

Back inside, Barry, still in his Santa suit, tried to hide his own surprise at being part of such a strange, heartwarming drama. Vera, now wearing a bright red scarf, laughed, We havent visited the Bakers in ages. Perfect excuse!

The night wore on. The grandchildren gathered around, eyes wide with awe. Did the pike really grant our wishes? they asked.

Kieran, still clutching his new granddad, beamed. It did! And now we have a real one!

The adults exchanged amused glances, the SnowGirl dusting the mantle, the Santa polishing his faux beard.

A year later, on New Years Eve, a familiar Jeep pulled up at Violets gate. Michael stepped out, carefully helping Katherine out with a wrapped parcel. Kieran proudly carried a stroller bag, his sister, now called Gilly after the original angler, perched on his shoulder. The little girl was named after the woman whod caught three magical pike that fateful day, and she squealed with delight.

And so, in a little English village where pike swam in the Thames, a granddad appeared by chance, a snowqueen smiled, and wishes however absurd found a way to drift downstream and land, just as the river does, right where they belong.