Listen, we’ve got guests coming over soon, and you’ll need to make yourself scarce.

It was one of those peculiar situationsguests were arriving soon, and they had to leave. “Listen, people are coming over, and youll need to go somewhere. You understand, dont you? Having you here would ruin the celebration.”

“But where will we go, son? We dont know anyone here,” Mum asked.

“Well, how should I know? The neighbour back in the village used to invite you, didnt she? Go there.”

Victor and Margaret already regretted a thousand times that theyd listened to their son and sold their house.

Life had been hard there, but it was theirs. They were the masters of their own home. And here?

They barely dared step out of their room, terrified of provoking their daughter-in-law, Catherine. Everything about them annoyed herthe shuffling of their slippers, the way they sipped tea, the way they ate.

The only person in the flat who cared for them was their grandson, Jamie.

A handsome young man, but he adored his grandparents to madness. If his mother raised her voice in his presence, hed snap back immediately.

Their son, Edwardwhether out of fear or indifferencenever stood up for them.

Jamie even had supper with them. But he was rarely home, busy with his apprenticeship, staying in a dorm near work. He only visited on weekends.

The elderly couple lived for his visits, each one a holiday. And now, New Years Eve was upon them. Jamie arrived early that morning just to wish them well.

He brought them giftsthick woollen socks and gloves. He knew they were always cold. Plain gloves for Granddad, embroidered ones for Granny.

Margaret pressed them to her face and wept.

“Granny, whats wrong? Dont you like them?”

“Oh, darling, theyre perfect. The most precious thing Ive ever had.”

She hugged him, and Jamie kissed her palms, just as hed done since childhood. Her hands always smelled of somethingbaked apples, dough, but most of all, warmth and love.

“Right, you two, hold on without me for three days. Im off with my mates, then Ill be back.”

“Go on, love,” Granny said. “Well manage.”

Jamie packed his bag, said his goodbyes, and left. The old couple retreated to their room.

An hour later, Catherines voice screeched through the walls. Guests were coming, and the old folk couldnt stay. Disgraceful, really. Where would they even put everyone?

Edward mumbled something about not knowing where to send them, but Catherine wouldnt hear it.

The old couple sat like mice, too afraid to even make tea. Victor pulled out a hidden pack of biscuits and shared them with Margaret.

They sat by the window, chewing in silence. A tear trembled in Margarets eye. How bitter it wasto live long enough to become unwanted.

Darkness fell outside. Edward came in.

“Listen, people are coming over, and youll need to go somewhere. You understand, dont you?”

“But where, son? We dont know anyone here,” Mum asked.

“How should I know? The neighbour back in the village used to invite you. Go there.”

“Where can we even go? The buses have stopped, and we dont even know where the station is. And who knows if shes still alive?”

“Dunno. Catherine says youve got an hour to pack.”

Edward left. Victor and Margaret looked at each other, swallowing back tears. They gathered their thingsJamies gifts would come in handy.

They dressed warmly and stepped outside. The streets were dark, strangers rushing past in the cold.

Margaret took Victors arm, and they wandered toward the park. On the way, they stopped at a café for tea and sandwichesthey hadnt eaten all day.

They lingered there, dreading the return to the cold. Snow fell, the frost tightening its grip. In the park, a small gazebo offered shelter. They huddled together inside.

Margaret studied her gloves. Victor watched her and said, “At least our grandson has a kind heart, unlike his parents.”

“Yes. We promised him wed manage, and here we are,” she whispered.

Time crawled. Snowflakes drifted. Lights flickered in distant windows. Thena dog appeared at their feet.

A spaniel, wagging its tail, paws on Margarets knees. She smiled and stroked its head.

“Hello there, little friend. Are you lost?”

A womans voice called from the darkness. “Lord! Where are you? Time to go home!”

The dog barked.

“Lord! Over here!”

A young woman approached. “Oh, youve found my dog! Whats happened?”

She looked at the old couple, realising theyd been there a while.

“Sorry, buthow long have you been sitting here?”

“A while, love. Your dogs lovely.”

“But why arent you going home? Its freezing, and New Years almost here.”

Silence.

“Oh. Youve nowhere to go, have you?”

They shook their heads.

Lord nuzzled Margarets hand, tail wagging.

“Right. Were continuing this conversation indoors. Im freezing, and so are you. Come with me.”

“But, dear, why trouble yourself?”

“No arguments. Its just me and Lord at homewed love the company. Come on, or well miss the countdown.”

They hesitated, then rose. Their feet were numb despite the socks.

They walked slowly, Lord darting around them. The womanEmilylearned their story along the way.

Margaret confessed, shamefaced. Emily was horrified.

Her own parents were goneshed give anything to have them back.

The flat was warm, smelling of baking. They drank tea first, thawing out, then set the table.

A Christmas tree glowed in the corner. Cosy. Like home.

Margaret helped Emily prepare supper. Victor played with Lord.

At midnight, they toasted. The old couple were gratefulEmily, too, glad not to be alone.

In the morning, she wouldnt let them leave. “Stay a week at least.”

Time would tell. It felt right, like family.

Jamie returned, went straight to his grandparents roomempty. The bed untouched.

“Mum. Where are they?”

“How should I know? They left.”

“When?”

“New Years Eve. We asked them to step outhaving old folk around is embarrassing.”

“*Youre* the embarrassment,” Jamie spat. “Not them.”

He stormed out, searching the streets, asking strangers. Despair gnawed at him.

Thena woman walking a dog. And on her handshis grandmothers gloves.

“Where did you get those?”

“Why?”

“I gave gloves just like those to my gran. Now she and Granddad are missing.”

“Youre Jamie?”

“Yes. How do you know me?”

“Im Emily. Come with me.”

She led him home, explaining everything on the way.

The door opened. The smell of pancakes filled the air.

“I love that smell,” Jamie said.

“Look who we found,” Emily called.

Jamie stepped inside. His grandmother rushed to him, weeping. His grandfather appeared. They sat together, eating, talking.

Jamie apologised for his parents.

They debated what to do. Emily insistedtheyd stay with her. Jamie brought their things. Soon, he was visiting constantly.

Once, the flat had been just Emily and Lord. Now, it was always fullwarm smells, laughter, Lord choosing whose bed to steal at night.

As for Emily and Jamiewell, thats another story.

Kindness is a powerful thing.

Sometimes, all it takes is a smile. A simple question.

A small act of goodness.

It always comes back.