Julia Steps Off the Bus With Heavy Bags and Heads Home – “I’m Back!” She Calls Out as Her Family Rushes to Greet Her Saying They Felt She Was Coming. That Night, While They Sit Around the Big Family Table, a Knock at the Door Brings Unexpected Guests. Julia Looks at the Visitors and Can’t Believe Her Eyes Julia Sat Silently and a Bit Sad, Gazing Out the Window as the Bus Carried Her Away from Her Beloved Village. On Her Lap Was a Large Checkered Bag Packed with Essentials—Plus a Bundle of Warm Pasties from Grandma, Filling the Bus with the Tempting Aroma of Fresh Baking. Unable to Resist, Julia Unzipped Her Bag, Pulled Out Two Golden, Crispy Pasties, and Offered One to a Young Man Nearby Who Had Kindly Given Up His Window Seat for Her. “Want one?” she asked. “Yes, please!” he replied eagerly, swallowing hard. “I’m Julia,” she introduced herself. “And I’m Stephen! Heading off to uni?” he asked. “Yep! There’s no college or uni close to home—only tractor school, and I’m definitely not a tractor driver!” “I’m off to uni too,” sighed Stephen. “But I like the countryside.” It was a four-hour journey to the city. By the time they arrived, the two had chatted and become friends, exchanging numbers before heading their separate ways. *** The hustle of entrance exams passed swiftly—both Julia and Stephen were accepted at their chosen universities and over the moon. Worries and exam nerves were behind them; the future was full of big plans and hope. One day Stephen called Julia: “Julia, fancy celebrating our exams at a café?” Julia was delighted, not least because she liked Stephen—he was easygoing, genuine, and comfortingly familiar, so different from the city types. They met in the city centre at a quirky café called “Hippo.” They watched sightseeing boats cut across the river as tour guides bellowed into megaphones. “I wonder why this café is called Hippo?” Julia mused. Stephen laughed. “Probably because if you keep eating the cakes here, you’ll turn into one!” “Sounds about right!” Julia snorted, munching her cake. Soon “Hippo” became their regular spot, and setting up dates was: “Let’s meet at our table.” That evening, they shared their first, unforgettable kiss—tender and passionate. Time passed; Julia grew closer to Stephen than anyone else, except her parents. One day Stephen suggested, “Julia, move in with me! Let’s marry in summer.” “Is this your proposal?” Julia teased. “Sort of!” “Then I’m supposed to ask, like in that old film, remember? ‘Aren’t you worried I’ll always be in your sight?’” “Flutter around as much as you like!” Stephen grinned, twirling Julia round in the street. Julia returned to the flat she shared with friends glowing with happiness. “You’re radiating joy! Spill!” Vera, her flatmate, asked. “Oh girls, I might move in with Stephen soon!” Julia sang. “Are we invited to the wedding?” Marina cheered. “The wedding’s for summer! We’ll just live together for now.” “Don’t rush it, Julia—lots can happen before summer!” Vera warned. Julia laughed it off. “Vera, you’re such an old soul! Everyone does this now.” “I’m not old—I just don’t trust these informal arrangements. My mum’s a solicitor—I know how they end…” Vera grumped. “Alright, Vera, don’t be mad—I was kidding,” Julia soothed. *** Julia brushed off Vera’s worries as nonsense—who needs a stamp in a passport when love is so rare and true? Yet, the conversation nagged at her, making her hesitate about moving in with Stephen. Eventually, he stopped asking. One December day, Julia and her friends wandered the festive city, shivering in the sparkling snow. Spotting “Hippo,” Julia chirped, “Let’s warm up inside—Stephen and I love it here!” “Look—Stephen’s already there!” Marina remarked glumly, nodding at the window. Julia saw Stephen laughing with a younger girl across “their” table… She turned away, quietly: “I think I’ll head home.” “We’re coming too!” Vera and Marina chorused. Back at the flat, her friends tried to reassure Julia, but the way Stephen looked at the girl stuck in her mind. Their table, their café—it felt like a betrayal. Julia stopped answering Stephen’s calls and asked her friends to turn him away at home. When he finally caught her at uni he asked, “Julia, what’s wrong? Are you seeing someone else?” Julia shot him a furious look. “You’re asking? Nice job flipping it! Let go, I’m late for my exam.” And with that, she slipped into the institute, leaving Stephen baffled. *** Julia finished her exams early and went home for Christmas, sure her family’s cosy house would help her get over the hurt and betrayal. And indeed, her spirits lifted stepping off the village bus, surrounded by diamond-sparkling snow and old trees twinkling in the winter sun. Her arms full of gifts for her family, she smiled at the familiar scene—the old Christmas tree outside was even decorated, just like when she was little. “Happy Christmas!” she called, stepping inside. “Julia, darling!” her family cried, rushing to hug her. “We knew you were coming!” It was a joyful day—though winter nights arrived early, Dad cheered, “Let’s light up the tree!” That evening, as they sat at their big family table, someone knocked at the door. “Probably neighbours dropping in,” Mum shrugged, heading to answer it. But she returned not alone—she was with Father Christmas and his helper. “Stephen?” Julia gasped, peering at Father Christmas and the helper—the same young woman she’d seen at the café. “How did you find me? What is all this?” Stephen burst out laughing, the girl too. “Your friends told me where to find you. Also, let me introduce you—this is my younger sister, Irene!” “My sister?” said Stephen. “Yes, sister!” Irene confirmed. “We do look alike, if you check!” Julia felt relief flood her—she scolded herself for assuming the worst instead of simply asking. Stephen then knelt. “Since your whole family’s here, with my own kin as witness, Julia, will you marry me?” He offered her a little box with a ring. “Yes—yes, of course!” Julia cried, hugging him. “This is the best Christmas ever!” “And there’ll be lots more wonderful Christmases together—just promise we’ll talk through misunderstandings from now on!” Stephen said. “I promise!” Julia beamed.

Julia steps off the bus, struggling with heavy shopping bags as she makes her way to her familys house. Im home! she calls out, pushing the door open. Julia, love! her family rushes over, hugging her tight. We had a feeling youd turn up today!

That evening, as everyone gathers around the large oak dining table, theres a knock on the door. Its probably the neighbours come to say hello, her mum shrugs, heading to answer it. When she returns, she isnt alone shes brought guests. Julia looks up and, seeing whos come in, can hardly believe her eyes.

Earlier that month, Julia stared out of her coach window, quiet and a little wistful as the countryside slipped past, carrying her far from her familiar little village near Oxford. On her lap sat a large tartan bag, packed with essentials though the bag felt enormous after her grandmother had placed a whole carrier full of warm sausage rolls on top, their delicious aroma soon filling the coach.

Unable to resist, Julia zipped open the bag and pulled out two golden, flaky sausage rolls.

Fancy one? she offered the young man sitting beside her, whod let her have the window seat when hed boarded at a small town earlier on. His gesture had instantly won her admiration.

Go on then! he said eagerly, trying not to drool.

Im Julia, she introduced herself.

Im Stephen! Off to uni?

Yeah! Theres no college or uni near our place just tractor courses, and Im no tractor driver, Julia grinned.

Im heading to uni too, Stephen sighed. But I do like living in the village.

It was a four-hour trip to London. In that time, the pair chatted and hit it off. Before parting ways at the coach station, they swapped numbers and headed to their respective digs.

***

Busy days passed quickly as Julia and Stephen prepared for their entrance exams, both successfully securing places at their chosen universities. The anxiety and nerves faded into the past, replaced by big dreams and hopes for the future.

One afternoon, Stephen called Julia: Hello, Julia! How about we celebrate shall we go out somewhere? Maybe a café?

Julia was delighted. Not only did she enjoy Stephens company, but his easy-going manner felt so familiar and warm. He was simple, genuine, and none of that arrogant show-off business like some others.

They met up in one of the cafes in central London, a quirky little place called The Hippo. Sitting by the window, they watched pleasure boats glide down the Thames, guides shouting stories to their passengers through small megaphones.

Why do you think this place is called The Hippo? Julia suddenly wondered aloud.

Stephen laughed. Probably because if you come here too much and scoff all the cakes, youll start looking like one!

Sounds about right! Julia chuckled, taking another bite of her Victoria sponge.

Soon, The Hippo became their special meeting place, somewhere they arranged every date Ill see you at our spot.

That evening, their first kiss happened gentle and passionate, and Julia knew shed remember it for the rest of her life.

Time went on; they grew close, and Julia felt that no one in the world could ever be nearer or dearer to her than Stephen apart from her parents, of course! Thats different!

One day, as they walked along the Embankment, Stephen said, Julia, how about moving in with me? They were in their third year now. And well get married in the summer!

Oh, Stephen, is that your way of proposing?

Um, sort of!

In that case, Julia laughed, quoting a line from a British film, Arent you worried Ill be around so much youll get sick of me?

Julia, be around as much as you like! Stephen grinned, spinning her in the middle of the pavement.

Back in the flat she shared with two other girls, Julia was radiant.

Theres something about you tonight! Whats happened? asked Vera, one of her flatmates.

Oh, girls! Julia twirled around the room. I think Ill be moving in with Stephen soon! she chirped happily.

Do we get invites to the wedding? cheered Marina, her other friend.

Not yet! Weddings next summer. For now, were just going to live together.

Julia, dont do it! Vera protested. Its ages until summer. Anything could happen! Is it so bad living here?

Julia just laughed. Vera, dont be such an old soul! Everyone does it now!

Im not old! My mums a solicitor, you know. She says these civil partnerships always end in tears Vera huffed, offended.

All right, sorry, Vera! Only joking! Julia apologised.

***

Julia thought all the fuss about living together before marriage was nonsense a ring isnt everything, after all, and she believed the love she shared with Stephen was one in a million. Still, doubt gnawed at her after that chat with her mates; she kept putting off moving in.

Eventually, Stephen stopped mentioning it altogether.

One frosty December day, Julia and her friends wandered through the city, past glittering Christmas decorations and bright lights. The snow crunched beneath their boots; despite the chill, their mood was festive. They found themselves near The Hippo.

Lets go in! Stephen and I love coming here, Julia suggested.

Oh look, there he is, Marina said, her voice oddly flat, gesturing towards a table by the window.

Julia turned and saw Stephen sitting at their usual spot, smiling at a very young woman, maybe a few years younger than Julia herself. Stephen was joking, and the girl was laughing brightly.

Julia silently turned away.

I think Ill head home, she whispered.

Wait! Were coming too! Vera and Marina said together.

Back at the flat, her friends tried to comfort her. That meeting doesnt mean anything. Dont be so jealous! Maybe its all a misunderstanding But Julia couldnt shake the way Stephen had looked at the girl so gentle, so affectionate. And it was in their café, at their spot.

Its like hes betrayed me, Julia thought.

She stopped answering Stephens calls, refused to see him at home, and got her friends to say she was out if he came by.

One day at uni, Stephen caught up with Julia, took her hand and asked, Julia, whats going on? Have you met someone else?

Julia, shocked at his cheek, snapped, Youre asking me? Youre the one whos moved on! Let go Im late for my exam!

She pulled away and rushed into the building, leaving Stephen bewildered.

***

Having finished her term early, Julia went home to Oxfordshire for the New Year. She felt safer and calmer under her parents roof as she tried to get over the pain and betrayal.

Her spirits brightened slightly when she climbed off the coach in her snowy village, the sunlight sparkling over the white fields and frosted rooftops.

Chimneys puffed gentle columns of smoke into the crisp air.

Julia smiled, hoisting her bag of presents for Mum, Dad and Gran, and walked to her familys house. Passing through the gate, she noticed the pine tree by the fence the one planted the year she was born had grown taller and bushier, all decked out in shimmering baubles, just like when she was little.

Happy New Year! she called, stepping inside.

Julia, darling! everyone rushed over, hugging her. We just knew youd turn up!

The day was full of the laughter of reunion and was only a shame that the winter days were so short, dark by five oclock.

Never mind! Well light the tree, her dad cheered, plugging in the fairy lights.

That night, as they sat together around the table, someone knocked on the door.

Just the neighbours popping in, I expect, her mum shrugged, heading to answer.

When she returned, she wasnt alone; shed brought in Father Christmas and his helper.

Stephen? Julia exclaimed, looking at Father Christmas and his companion the same girl shed seen with him in the café. How did you find me? Whats all this?

Stephen laughed, the familiar sound echoing through the room.

Your friends told me where youd be. And I want you to meet someone this is my little sister, Isabel!

Sister? Julia asked, wide-eyed.

Of course, my sister! Isabel nodded. Look closely and youll see the resemblance.

Relief flooded through Julia. All that time worrying why didnt I just ask? she scolded herself.

Stephen grinned. And now, in front of everyone, I have something to ask He pulled a small ring box from his pocket and handed it over. Julia, will you marry me?

Yes, yes, I will! Julia threw her arms around him. This is the best New Year of my life!

Therell be plenty more best New Years so long as we promise always to talk things out, Stephen smiled.

I promise! Julia beamed.