Once upon a December night, in hills far away from everything, a storm blows lightly across the streets of the small town of Everton. Snow covers the town in a blanket of white. While In the light of the lamp posts people can be seen rushing into their houses to escape the coming frost. But some, are not as lucky as others. For there are sometimes the few who have nowhere to go. Although, in the farthest corner of Everton, a small shop resides. One that is owned by a sweet old man who welcomes everyone into his humble abode as an act of kindness.
Raymond, Everton's very own residential watchmaker, just finished up an order for Mr. Peterson, the town mayer. At this point now, the man is gently rocking in his chair by the crackling fire along his wall. While running his callused hands over his long and wispy white beard, a smile overcame his face. His eyes crinkled from years of laughter as a soft chuckle came from his lips.
“What fun I had today. Just as every day should be.” He murmured.
Without realizing it, the man had lost track of the time. For Raymond was startled when the clock suddenly struck twelve. He got up from his chair to prepare for bed when suddenly a soft knocking could be heard from the door. After hurrying over Raymond opened the door to the sight of a young girl. The girl was covered from head to toe in snow and her long blond locks were messily arranged around her head.
“Come! Come in! You must be freezing!” Said Raymond as he hurriedly dragged the girl inside. “What on earth were you doing out in that storm?” He asked when he sat her down at the table.
Her expression first that of confusion, began to explain.”Well you see, my name is Lucy. I am a traveler without a home, who just happened to hit some bad luck when the storm hit. Also, this may be a bit bold of me but is there anyway that I could possibly wait out the storm here?” She asked quickly.
Raymond, who was now shaking his head with a light chuckle replied, “Yes, yes of course. Although, I will not let you continue your journey in your current state.” He said matter of factly. “I would be pleased if you spent the night here to be well rested. Then you can leave in the morning when you are ready.”
After thanking the man for his very generous offer Lucy realized that she had forgotten something. “If I may ask, what is your name?”
“Simply, Raymond will do. Raymond the watchmaker” He replied kindly.
After getting Lucy some warm blankets and moving her over to the the fireplace, Raymond began making them a midnight snack. Soon the sweet smell of peppermint and cinnamon came wafting out of the kitchen. Along with a small tray of cookies, Raymond carried out the hot coco and carefully passed one to Lucy. Who in turn gratefully accepted it.
After taking a sip of the coco Lucy exclaimed,”This is delicious! Thankyou!”
Smiling widely, Raymond replied,”Your very welcome. The pleasure is all mine.”
The two continued to joke and laugh up until the early hours of the morning. When they got up, Raymond served them both waffles with some sweet blueberries for breakfast. After their meal Lucy picked up her things and prepared to leave. She thanked Raymond for all that he had done and promised to come visit again in the future. But before she could walk away, Ramond gave her a gift. It was a small silver watch, with brass hands and numbers. Lucy turned it over to reveal an engraving on the back side. It read, ‘From a Dear Friend’. She thanked him for the gift end soon left on her merry way.
Lucy continued to travel all over the world. Although, unlike before, she now had a home in the small town of Everton with which she can come back to whenever she wanted. A constant reminder of that is a gift from a dear friend. Her favourite timepiece.
Everywhere she went she shared the tale of Raymond the watchmaker to anyone who would hear. The tale of a man whose hands are rough from use and eyes that crinkle from years of laughter. With a long and flowing white beard who smells faintly of cinnamon and pine. A man who is nothing but kind with his jolly old ways. The man whom she met, once upon a December night.
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