From the top of the hill he could see the distant lights of
the Christmas tree in the village, shimmering and winking in the cold night air.
Wisps of mist stretched out tentative fingers and curled themselves like snakes
around the bracken and rocky outcrops. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked,
and the sound travelled like an echo from another time across the winter
landscape. It was five degrees below in the far-off city streets, yet the temperature
in his heart was even colder.
He became aware of an imperceptible change in his
surroundings before he heard the unmistakable sound of crunching footsteps in
the snow. The still atmosphere became charged as if someone had crackled
electricity through the void. Slowly the man turned to see the stranger walking
slowly toward him; battered hat pulled down low on his brow, scarf pulled up to
his eyes, shoulders hunched and great coat buttoned only once so the rest
trailed behind him like a wraith.
“That’s far enough” he said. The stranger stopped just feet
away, dipped his head slightly and demurred. “As you wish”, he growled “I only
desired to speak of the season and to wish you well”.
“You’ll wish me well only by keeping your distance” The
stranger, although little could be seen of him except the steely flint of his
eyes, looked momentarily angry but he composed himself in a moment and continued
his gaze at a point just below him on the snow-covered ground.
“You have it?” he said. The stranger again moved his head
just slightly. “I should hope so – nothing else would bring me out on such a
cold night as this.” He laughed softly but viciously, “You’ve a heart like
granite and blood like ice, your very bones are made of glacial iron and when
you walk abroad every night is as frozen and bitter as your very soul”
“If you have no kind words then I think it best we complete
our transaction and move on.” Said the stranger with no obvious reflection of these
latter harsh words, “Both of us have much mischief to create this night and time
is of the essence”
“Indeed” he held out his hand as the stranger reached deep
into the huge folds of his coat, pulling out a gold folder and passing it over.
He pulled the folder closer to his eyes and then adjusted
his stance, holding the item at arms length so the bright moon reflected on the
lettering. He thought for a moment and then nodded “You’ve done well, you may
go”
The stranger again nodded, glanced up for a brief second as
if to defend himself against the previous accusations but then seemed to think
better of it. “Aye, by your leave then” he turned and walked slowly back the
way he had come, pausing just as he was about to pass behind the large mound
that led to the path down. He didn’t turn, the words could have been meant for
another had there been anyone there, but the intention and recipient was clear,
“Oh yes – and Merry Christmas!”
He smiled in spite of
it all. Alone again on the hill, he turned once again toward the village
lights. Glancing down at the folder and marvelling at the words picked out in
the icy glow of a hard winter moon. Whispering he read “Billy Blagg’s Annual
Advent Calendar of Christmas Songs”
