The Unexpected Help

Lee Kendrick 

“Yes, Yorkshire does look beautiful covered in snow, Marian, it's just a shame it is so cold; it hasn't been this cold since records began in England!”

“Jeffrey, how long do you think it will be until we get to your parents? It's just that Todd and Jenny are rubbing their hands so vigorously because they are so cold -even with their thick gloves on.

“Not long now, kids, maybe over an hour,” Jeffrey replied, glimpsing down at his watch, it was 12.30p.m. They had planned on arriving at Jeffrey's parents for their usual Christmas day get-together; driving in their blue Ford Cortina.

Moments later, Todd stared outside his window.

“Mum, it's started snowing again!” He shouted excitedly.

Just then, Jenny woke up from dozing, drifting off to sleep. She leaned forward, smiling as she peered outside the window. 

“Mum, do you think Nan will let us build a snowman in her garden? She asked.

“She might do dear.” Replied Marian. 

“How's your hands kids?” Asked Jeffrey.

“Very cold Dad!” both children said together.

“Take your gloves off and rub your hands together until they start to feel warm then put your gloves back on!” Instructed Marian. 

As Jeffrey continued driving, the snow-covered hills of the Yorkshire dales in the background were barely visible as the snowflakes grew larger. Seeing this Jeffrey put on his car's windscreen wipers as they struggled to push away snow settling on the windscreen. The daylight soon became dimmer as the time was now 2 o'clock. Jeffrey decided to switch on his headlights as it was getting increasingly difficult to see what with a blizzard now producing heavy snow. Then, as they turned a bend in the narrow road, Marian spotted a person waving his arms at them.

“Oh look, Jeffrey, that poor man must be freezing. I think he needs our help!” Shouted Marian.

Jeffrey pulled to the side of the road and rolled down his window.

“Hello there, would you like a lift?” 

“That would be much appreciated!” Said the man, pulling down his hood as he clambered in the front seat with his wellingtons. Marian got out to sit in the back with Todd and Jenny.

“Where are you headed too? My name is Jeffrey, this is my wife Marian, and that's Todd and Jenny!” 

“ How do! You can call me Michael.”

“ Sorry, where are you going?” Jeffrey enquired.

“Ah yes, well now where was I going? Now I remember, to the next village nearby here.

Just then Todd and Jenny looked at each other and giggled. 

“ Now children,  you know you shouldn't make fun of people! Said Marian, giving them a stern look.

“Oh, thank you kindly, Mam!” 

“How did you get here Michael?”Asked Jeffrey, pulling the seat belt over the stranger's head and fastening the belt.

“Now let me see, how did I get here?” He thought to himself. Ah, that's it. My car broke down about a mile from here, so I thought I better hitch a lift.”

Again Todd and Jenny giggled. 

“Stop it, you two,” said Marian, putting her finger in front of her mouth to shush them.

“That's  funny, I don't remember passing your car!” Said Jeffrey looking confused.

“Oh, ah, aye that's because I parked it behind some nearby trees, in case someone nicks it!” The stranger said nervously.

“I must be tired, I don't remember passing any trees.” Said Jeffrey. 

“Anyway l bet you were cold waiting outside In this freezing weather?” Jeffrey said as he pulled away.

“Aye, but I'm more used to it than most folk!”Michael said smiling. He then turned  around abruptly:

“You all better fasten your seat belts!” He shouted sternly, then turning  to Jeffrey:

“I'm afraid the weather is going to get a lot worse, Jeffrey; a very strong blizzard is about to hit us! Now we all better brace ourselves he shouted!” 

Just then, there was a sudden sound of a howling wind with a force so strong it shook the car violently, causing it to tip over on its side, spinning around and off the narrow road, ploughing into a ditch. 

“Are you all okay?” Asked Michael, checking everyone. 

“Yer, yes I, I think so, just a bit winded!” said Marian!” 

“Are you alright kids?” she asked, checking them over for injuries. 

“Yes Mum,” Todd and Jenny answered.

“What happened, Mum?”Todd asked 

“It was a strong wind that blew us over!” Michael explained. 

“Thank you for warning us Michael, but how did you know there was going to be a strong wind?”

“Just experience, I've had over many years, I guess.”He answered modestly.

“Right, let me get out first to see if it's safe!”Said Michael, volunteering. Make sure you are all buckled up again!” 

“But Michael, hadn't we better get out?”

Jeffrey shouted. 

“ Oh no, stay inside.

“Are you all buckled up? He asked. 

“Hang on tight, here we go!”

Suddenly, everyone felt a rocking motion and then the car was upright again and on the road.

“Now let me just check for any damage and that the èngine is okay,”  Michael said lifting the bonnet.

“Okay, Jeffrey, start the engine!” shouted Michael.

“It won't start!” Said Jeffrey, turning the ignition. 

“It will! Said Michael.

“Everyone, count to ten.” He asked.

As everyone reached ten, Jeffrey turned the ignition key, and the engine revved up.

“We should be alright now!” Michael said, sitting back down in the front passenger seat; Todd, Jenny, Marian and Jeffrey stared at him in awe, their jaws dropped in disbelief.

“ But how the heck could you have moved the car like that, so easily?” Asked Jeffrey.

“It's all about manipulating energy!” Smiled the small-statured Michael, being at least in his 70s.

“Anyway, we don't want to stay here too long because the blizzard is getting worse,” he said as thick snowflakes the size of pennies showered down.

With that, Jeffrey pulled the car away; seconds later, he was unable to see through the windscreen because the snow was coming down thick. Turning on his wipers, they struggled to move from side to side to clear the windscreen.

As Jeffrey painfully, slowly drove through the snow blizzard both Todd and Jenny complained how cold their hands were. 

Marian took off Jenny's gloves and rubbed her hands, blowing on them to try to warm them up. Then she gave Todd the same treatment. 

“ Now, with your gloves on, keep clapping your hands to get them warmer!” Said Marian.

Even though it was only about 4 o’clock, it was already dark; Jeffrey turned on his headlights, hoping to see the road. The wind gradually grew stronger with a deafening howling sound, threatening again to tilt the car over as it started to shake.

“So, how long have you lived in Yorkshire, Michael?” Jeffrey asked 

After a long pause, Michael answered:

“ All my life; my last years I lived in the town of Topcliffe for Fifteen years.”

“Strange you say that as if you had died?” Said Jeffrey.

“Oh, oh aye, I just meant where I last lived!” Stuttered Michael. 

“What the! Where did he spring from?” Jeffrey screamed. Just then a lorry tried to overtake them, its lights blinding everyone for a moment.

“It's the blizzard-like us. The driver can't see where he is going, but he should've reduced his speed in this weather!” Michael said. 

“Jeffrey, we need to get to your parents quickly! Jenny and Todd are crying in pain because their hands are so cold!”Shouted Marian.

“Hold on kids, we will be there soon!” He said as he swerved to manoeuvre away from the lorry.

“Hang on, everyone, close your eyes and you, Jeffrey!” 

“But I'm driving!” 

“Please, just one second, have faith, Jeffrey!” 

“Here we go!” Shouted Michael.

Just as the lorry behind them was about to hit them, filling their car with its blinding headlights, everyone felt a strange, quiet sensation with no sound, and as if all was moving in slow motion.

“Alright, you can all open your eyes now!” Said Michael in a calm voice.

“Oh my god, where are we?” Exclaimed Jeffrey, why is it daylight?”

Marian and the kids were aghast, looking out the windows. 

“Look at that sign it says we're at Topcliffe!” Said Marian.  

There was no noise anymore, the blizzard was now gone, and there was no more darkness.

“Isn't it wonderful? You can now go to your parents just around the corner, Jeffrey?”

Everyone then got out of the car.

“ But, how can this be? My watch says 2 o'clock, what happened  to the time?”

 “This is where I must leave you now my car's just around the corner from here.” Said Michael shaking everyone's hands.

“But don't you want a nice, hot cup of tea and a rest before you set off? Asked Marian. You could see Jeffrey's parents”

“That's very kind of you, but I'm a bit tired after all that's happened, Marian. You all have a lovely Christmas and, Oh yes, say a Merry Christmas to Jane or Nan, I hope she is keeping well. 

“Okay, but how did you know Jeffrey's nan's name and that she'd be there?” Queried Marian, looking at Jeffrey Puzzled!

Suddenly another blizzard started. 

“Better go, I may see you all one day!”Michael waved, then turned his back, and walked away, gradually fading into a strange mist.

“Did you see what just happened? Asked Marian, turning to Jeffrey both stared at each other in disbelief. 

“Yes, he just vanished! " Said Jeffrey.

“Hi, Jeffrey and Marian”, Welcomed Jeffrey's Mother as she opened her street door to her cottage to let them and their kids in.

“Hey, Nan, we didn't think you were coming today!” said Todd.

“ That's a beautiful Christmas tree, Mum!” 

“Thank you, Jeffrey, I'm glad you like it.

“Kids, you better warm your hands up and have a nice hot tea.” 

“That's okay Dad after Michael shook Jenny and my hands they got very warm!”

Hello everyone, yes, it was touch and go with this migraine. Sorry, I alarmed everyone with my phone call last night, but I feel much better now. Anyway, Jeffrey, your Dad picked me up late this morning. 

“I thought I'd bring my photo album along to show everyone some photos.” Said Jeffrey's Nan. 

“Come sit down on the settee Jeffrey and Marian.”

“Who is this man Nan?” Asked Jeffrey, turning pale as he pointed out the black and white photo of the man to Marian. 

“Who is this Nan?” Jeffrey said excitedly.

By now Marian too had turned white.

“Oh, of course, you never saw your Grandad; you were only a baby when your grandad passed at 72 years old after a short illness in hospital. 

“And what was his name, Nan?” Queried Marian. 

“Michael dear, I loved him dearly!

“What we're the children saying about Michael shaking their hands Jeffrey?”

“ I will tell you after we've had our Christmas Dinner,  Nan– it's a long story!”

Ends