The first day of winter started rather poorly. Tina had to work, but the weather was dreadful. Snow mixed with rain was falling, and the temperature had dropped to freezing—neither here nor there.
A light jacket wouldn’t do, so she had to bundle up in her winter coat and pull on her sturdy boots.
It was her first day back after a long break. Last summer, she’d been so happy with her boyfriend, Alex, that she’d foolishly quit her job on his advice. He’d surprised her with seaside holiday packages, but her manager wouldn’t approve the time off, so she handed in her resignation.
Back then, the sky had seemed full of diamonds. Tina had been certain that by the seaside, he’d propose. Why would she need a job then? Alex would take care of them both—her little wages wouldn’t matter.
She’d dreamed of a wedding, a baby, and a glamorous life in his beautiful home. Now, she cursed her impulsiveness.
No proposal came. He’d wined and dined her, given her unforgettable nights, and brought her home. He hadn’t left immediately—no, for almost six months, he strung her along, making her believe their relationship would go somewhere. Then, a week ago, Tina finally asked about his plans.
“Plans aren’t great, Tina,” he’d said. “I’m getting back with my ex-wife. My father and I share a business, but he’s taken ill. Said he’ll leave everything to my son, with my ex managing until he’s of age. But if I reconcile, it all goes to me and my boy instead. Harsh terms, I know. Sorry, love…”
Then came the usual drivel about love and regret. How powerless he was, how trapped.
Tina threw on the last gift he’d given her—a warm fur-lined coat—and said coldly, “Goodbye.”
She vanished from his life. She didn’t miss Alex—just the time she’d wasted.
After nursing her heartache, she begged her old boss to take her back. Sitting outside his office, she exchanged awkward pleasantries with former colleagues. Behind closed doors, his angry voice carried—someone was being reprimanded.
When the meeting ended, she stepped in meekly, offering a bright smile. She made her plea simply: “I need work. My personal life fell apart.”
The boss, who’d always fancied her but was happily married, gave her a pitying look. “Wouldn’t take anyone else back. But I’ll have you—not your old role, though. My secretary’s going on maternity leave. Discipline, though—no more vanishing!”
She agreed.
Now, her first day: pencil skirt, white blouse, subtle makeup, sleek hair. She’d packed her office shoes, rushing to the bus stop when a message came: “Come in early. Emergency briefing.”
She checked the time—nowhere near early enough. She’d need a cab. As she dialled, a boy on a skateboard—of all things, in this weather!—crashed into her.
They both tumbled. Her coat was filthy, her tights ruined, phone skittering across the pavement.
But the boy was hurt, clutching his leg. Bystanders helped him up, but he couldn’t walk. As an ambulance arrived, the medic asked, “Who’s coming with him?”
Suddenly, everyone found somewhere else to be.
She went.
Grabbing his skateboard and torn schoolbag, she climbed in. At the hospital, while he was examined, her phone buzzed—five missed calls from her boss. The workday had begun. She called back. No answer. Then a text: “Never mind. Changed my mind. Good luck job-hunting.”
Her career was over. Tears threatened, but she blinked them back. She’d find another secretarial job.
The boy emerged, limping. “Don’t fret, Mum. It’s not so bad. Letting a kid skate in this weather, though—reckless!”
“I’m not his mum,” Tina corrected, helping him sit. “We’re in a hurry. Thanks for your help.”
The boy—Greg—was about fourteen.
“Where do you live?” she asked.
He gave an address, and she ordered a cab. Meanwhile, he called someone: “Gran, don’t panic—just took a spill skating. Coming home now.”
Tin heard frantic scolding through the receiver.
She helped him into the cab. His father was away on business, he explained—he lived with his gran.
At the house, a flustered woman waited. Tina explained briefly and was promptly invited in for tea.
The flat was immaculate. As she warmed her hands around the cup, Greg’s gran scolded him for sneaking out with that “ridiculous skateboard.”
They exchanged numbers before Tina left. “Call if you need anything,” she said.
Nowhere to go now. No job, no future as the boss’s secretary.
“Probably for the best,” she thought, heading home.
A week of job-searching yielded nothing—too far, too low pay, extra courses required. Then Greg called: “Tina! Brilliant news—Dad’s back. Fancy coming to my birthday Saturday?”
Why not? She liked Greg—and his gran.
She bought him a smart new schoolbag and arrived at the address—a handsome new house with a gravel drive and garden. Greg’s gran welcomed her warmly.
Inside, a man stepped forward—Greg’s father, David.
Tina froze. He was strikingly handsome.
Over tea, David thanked her for helping Greg. “We’d have been lost without you.”
When she mentioned losing her job, he grew thoughtful.
A week later, he called with an offer: a good position at his firm.
By Christmas, they were together—laughing gran, happy Greg, and newly smitten Tina and David, building a life—a family, shared joys, and a clever, kind-eyed boy between them.
Sometimes, fate has its own timing.
