The story so far: Danny is with Nulla and the new born baby. Andy is coming back and he’s threatened the baby. Danny has to protect both mother and baby until help arrives. For the complete parts 1 to 5 click here and follow the links back.
A Christmas Miracle
Nulla has heard the men too. She must know what’s going to happen because she’s half crawling, half stumbling towards the tunnel wall. She’s trying to get to the arch where Joe had crawled before. It’s under the old chimney and a little light seeps down. I guess it’s turned sunny outside or something. While Hound waits – he isn’t happy – I go to help her. It’s a struggle what with the baby and the cord and everything, but once she’s inside the alcove I pull off my coat and my hoodie and hand them to her.
I call Hound and in moments he is right there, by my leg. His eyesight is amazing. As I’m rubbing his head, he begins to growl. They’re getting close.
There’s no way I can fight these men. I can’t climb the chimney, if Joe couldn’t and I don’t see how I can sneak past them. I could go on, further into the tunnel but I think I’m more scared of that than the men. And that would leave Nulla and the child at their mercy. Where are Liam and Mr Sense and Beth and Mr Gold? Come on!
Hound barks. Just a short single bark.
‘Keep that dog away from me, you hear?’ It’s Andy, not sounding happy. ‘We need to get out. NOW!’
I can see their torch a they aproach. And as well as the urgency I can sense their fear of the dog.
I grab his collar and pull him over to where Nulla crouches. She immediately pulls away, covering the baby. ‘It’s ok,’ I say but I don’t think she understands. Holding the straining Hound I stand in front of mother and baby. Holding my breath. Hoping.
‘Get out of the way, boy. I… Ha. So she’s had the baby. One less problem then.’ Andy faces me with another man just behind. His torchlight is right in our faces so I can only see his outline. One of them steps forward; I’m not sure who. As he does so Hound rears up, barking fit to bust.
I want to pee so badly but manage to say, ‘I’ll let him go. He isn’t sacred of you.’
The men pause. I guess they each want the other to deal with Hound. One says, ‘You’d better get away. NOW!’
And at last there’s another voice. ‘Police.’ There are lots of voices and torches. Andy swings his torch round so I can see the two of them. His companion tries to turn and run but catches his foot and falls, crying out in pain. Andy hesitates, looks at me and Hound before he too starts to run, away from the cries and further up the tunnel.
***
Everything is mental for a while. I don’t realise how tired I am so when the police arrive moments later I’m slumped next to Nulla, with Hound still growling. They’re worried I’ve been attacked but I just want to curl up and, without my coat and hoodie, I’m now frozen. Naturally they take care of Nulla and baby first but I’m soon wrapped in a tin foil blanket and being checked by a doctor. An ambulance takes me home – even Hound is allowed to travel in it when I tell them what he did. As I’m carried out of the tunnel I see Mr Gold talking to some of the police. He smiles at me and comes over. ‘I’ll pop round later, Danny. I need to help this woman and her baby just now.’
I’m not sure what happens next. I’m at home with a lot of worried faces. Mum’s there but not dad. He’s still pretty ill and staying in hospital. It’s not long before I’m asleep. When I wake, Mr Gold has turned up.
They’ve found Joe and he too is in hospital with Nulla. He and the baby are fine and Mr Gold has organised a lawyer to help them. He says something about trafficking and honour and I drift off.
When I next come too my cousins are there. They see I’m awake and start giggling. That makes me cross. What’s happened is hardly amusing. ‘What’s so funny?’
Beth comes over and sits on the edge of my bed. ‘Hi, sleepyhead. Well everyone is ok. The bad men have all been caught and you’re dad will be home for Christmas. And that made us realise this whole thing is the new Christmas Miracle.’
‘But it’s not Christmas for a week?’
Liam joins in. ‘Yeah but don’t you see? New born baby born in a tunnel. That’s like a barn, isn’t it?’
‘I still don’t…’
‘And we’re all Shepherds right?’
‘Yes, but…’ And then I get it. I smile and point at the two of them. They nod. And we say together ‘Beth Liam!’
Liam says, ‘And there’s Mr Gold…’
And Beth adds, ‘And Frank Sense…’
I laugh, like it seems I’ve not done in weeks. ‘And Myrtle the cat!!’ Who, on cue jumps up and snuggles on my legs.
Hound looks on, rather forlorn. Beth sees where I’m looking and gives him a hug. ‘You’re the hero, Hound. When they write up this Christmas story, Hound will have to written in as the new lead.’
TanGental 
My sister’s fox terrier’s called Myrtle. Is that a coincidence? I don’t think so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no… Creepy….
LikeLike
Yappy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neat ending Geoff
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for staying with me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the story, Geoff. A satisfying ending after all that tension. Wonderful how all the character’s names were so symbolic of Christmas. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tess. I’m really pleased you enjoyed it. I loved writing it and am so pleased I re-found it. What would I do without memory sticks – better than the actual memory, sadly!
LikeLike
I didn’t pick up on any of that – not even Frank Sense gave me a clue! Such a great denouement after all the cliff-hanger chapter endings! Another wee miracle courtesy Le Pard imagination. Loved it 🙂
LikeLike
You are such a grand cheerleader. I am just very glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Absolutely spiffing. I didn’t pick up on the names either! Perhaps we were racing through, taken up by the tension.
Do you have any cricket tales hidden away?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should, shouldn’t I?
LikeLike
Absolutely loved the ending!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are far too nice to me! *swells a little in the chest*
LikeLiked by 1 person
But I mean it! I’m not one for false compliments, and I love your short stories! In fact my next kindle purchase is going to be your book!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooo, now you are being a real star! And truly madly deeply thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
😚
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great ending, and I loved what you did with the names too, very clever! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Sneaky me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope – didn’t see that coming!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woop, that’s what the author wants! Thanks so much Anabel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neat tidy up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mick
LikeLike
Very clever, Geoff. I love what you did with the names. I enjoyed the story very much. A nice happy ending. The only thing I would pick up on is that at the beginning fo the story you say “I’m Dan and I will be fourteen on Christmas day which is precisely one day and four minutes away” yet in this part of the story you say “But it’s not Christmas for a week?”. Was there some time travel involved or have I missed something during the time it’s taken me to read all six parts?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No well spotted. My non deliberate error! Everyone else either missed it or was too kind
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably too kind, Geoff. However, when I read the beginning of the first chapter I knew a lot of the rest of the story would be set on Christmas Eve. I also thought this because of the story’s title and rather did think the baby would be born on Christmas Night. But, as I read the chapters I did begin to wonder why their was no mention of it being Christmas Eve. There was one reference about the Aunt going out to get Fish & Chips for dinner and I thought, really? On Christmas Eve? Also, the kids did not seem to be that excited that it was Christmas Eve. However, you can easily put all of this right. I rather think it’s a smashing little story.
LikeLike