Gently Brushing Against Sleeves

A little flutter of sleeves

As New Years approached, Emily felt a bubbling excitement. This would be her fortythird New Year, and every year she waited for the sparkling holiday, scented with fresh oranges, like a child on the brink of a secret adventure.

Emily lived alone in a cosy flat in York. Her daughter, Lily, was six months old, the first child shed had after marrying and moving away from her family home. Emily and her husband had relocated to a seaside town on the Cornwall coast, where his parents ran a charming bedandbreakfast. The young couple had been given the same business to run. Emily was proud of Lily.

One New Year brings all the things that could never happen on any other day, she told her colleague and friend Claire over a cuppa.

Oh, Emily, such a romantic soul you are, Claire laughed. Youre not seventeen any more, yet you still float on clouds, hoping for something extraordinary.

Exactly, Claire. Who says romance is out of fashion? Emily replied.

Eleven years earlier, Emily had been left alone when her husband James died in a car crash. She raised Lily on her own, never dreaming of another love, convinced that she had already known happiness with James, whom she and he had loved fiercely.

Emily, you shouldnt stay single forever, Claire kept urging. Youre beautiful, kindheartedyou deserve someone to share your life with.

Emily shook her head. I compare every man to James. Im not sure anyone else could match him.

With just over two months left until New Years, Emilys world shifted when she met a tall, slim blond with striking blue eyes named Thomas. They brushed against each other at a small café during their lunch break, near the till. The contact sent a sudden, warm wave through Emilys body, and she felt her cheeks flush.

Thomas gave her a gentle glance that made her feel as if she were drowning in his eyes.

Lord, when was the last time something like this happened to me? she thought, then it vanished.

Emily sat with her tray at a nearby table and watched Thomas approach.

May I join you? he asked with a warm smile.

No, please sit, she replied, thinking how charming his smile was.

Thomas is my name. And yours?

Emily, she said, feeling her cheeks turn a deeper pink.

Both seemed nervous at first, but soon their tension melted. They chatted about everything, as if theyd known each other for a century, discovering a shared rhythm and countless common interests. For the next six weeks they ate lunch together, strolled after work, and grew inseparable.

Emily never saw herself as a beauty queen, yet she knew she possessed a certain sparkle, charm and a disarming smile. Her long, honeyblond hair fell just past her shoulderssomething she treasured and never wanted to cut short, believing that God had given her a gift she should wear proudly.

Her heart had not truly thumped since meeting Thomas. In her youth she had married James after college and taken a job as an accountant at a large manufacturing firm, where her parents had placed her. She and James were happyuntil that fateful day when the news of his death arrived.

Thomas often suggested walks, and Emily gladly accepted. She loved winter; even when snow drifted over the hedges and the frost made lingering outdoors uncomfortable, nothing could stop two people who had been waiting for that perfect moment.

Claire, Emily exclaimed one afternoon while they sipped coffee in the break room, I feel so happy. Thomas is exactly the man I dreamed of. It sometimes feels as if God has taken pity on me and given me another chance at joy.

See? I always hoped youd find happiness again, Claire replied, beaming. Im happy with my own husband, Sam, but I wanted you to bloom too. Youve become radiant.

Then, without warning, Thomas vanished. He didnt call, didnt explain. Emily was distraught, and Claire tried to soothe her.

Its okay, Emily. Sometimes things happen we cant understand, Claire said. Maybe something urgent came up.

Emily pleaded, Cant you call him? I cant imagine life without him. Ive waited so long for this, and now it feels like that song about a gentle brush of sleevesit happened between us and then disappeared. I thought I recognized him the moment we met.

Claire urged, You wont change anything with tears. Did you try calling him?

I have, hundreds of times, Emily sobbed. Hes always unavailable. Did he just abandon me?

Believe and be patient. Hell return, Claire encouraged. Its only been two days; today is the third.

Lord, its not even a week, yet Im already wrecked, Emily muttered. Focus on the partyorganise the New Years gathering as you always do. Thomas will turn up.

A week passed without any sign of Thomas. Emily tried to keep busy, shopping with Claire for quirky prizes for the offices New Years contest, but each night she wept into her pillow.

On New Years Eve the office was a whirl of champagne, music, and laughter. Tables overflowed with canapés, and everyone danced with hopeful hearts. Emily pretended to be merry, but she stared at her phone, waiting for a call that never came.

When the clock struck ten, she returned home, facing a long holiday break and an uncertain future. Lily called, inviting her over, but Emily felt no desire to travel.

Lily, come spend New Years with us, her mother had often said over the phone. Dont stay alone, or youll greet the year in solitude.

Okay, Mum, Ill be there, Lily promised.

Later, on the evening of December 31st, as Emily was about to head to her parents house, a soft knock sounded at the door.

She opened it to find a jolly figure in a red coatFather Christmas himselfholding a small crimson box.

Good evening, dear Emily, the man boomed warmly, stepping inside. Ive been asked to deliver a special New Years gift.

He produced a golden ring from the box and placed it on the counter.

Whats this? Who sent it? Emily asked, startled.

Will you, lovely lady, marry the lad Thomas? Father Christmas declared, and from the doorway emerged Thomas, smiling, a bouquet of roses in hand and the ring glinting.

Yes, yes! Emily laughed, tears of joy spilling over.

Then accept this ring on the eve of our engagement, on this very night, just before the New Year, and in my presence, Father Christmas announced, bowing gravely before disappearing through the door.

Thomas slipped the ring onto Emilys finger, handed her the roses, and kissed her deeply.

Congratulations, my dears, Father Christmas said, his voice echoing. My work here is done. Happy New Year!

Later, Thomas explained his sudden disappearance. He had been on a yearlong assignment at Emilys former plant and, just before his return, his sister and mother were involved in a tragic accident. His sister died, his mother was in intensive care, and he had missed his flight back. In the rush, he left his phone on the plane, and the next weeks were a blur of funerals and surgeries. He had intended to meet Emily for New Years, but without a way to contact her, he hoped a little magic would bring them together.

Emily embraced him, I thought youd left me.

My mother is now stable, and Ive come back for you, Thomas whispered. I couldnt miss the night I promised you.

Emily, still a little dazed, admitted, I was heading to my parents house; I hadnt even prepared anything.

Thomas replied, Ive got champagne, wine, oranges and sweets. Lets go together, and Ill ask your parents for your hand.

When they arrived, Lilys father opened the door.

Good evening, please come in, he said, shaking Thomass hand. Im Peter, Lilys dad.

Im Thomas, the gentleman introduced himself.

Inside, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree glimmered, and a table was set with glittering candles.

Mother, father, this is Thomas, my fiancé, Emily announced, showing the ring.

Her parents were stunned. What a surprise, her mother said, smiling. Welcome to the family, Thomas.

Just a New Years gift, Thomas chuckled, and everyone laughed.

Peter raised his glass. To our childrens happiness, and to new beginnings, he toasted, the clink of glasses ringing out.

Thus, amid the sparkle of the tree and the sound of laughter, they welcomed the New Year together. Emily learned that love can be lost and found, but patience, faith, and a little touch of wonder can turn even the coldest winter night into a warm promise of tomorrow. The true gift was not the ring, but the reminder that heartbeats, like New Years fireworks, may fade, but they always light up the sky again for those who wait.