Olivia had spent the entire day flitting about her flat, cleaning, cooking, and arranging a splendid spread for New Years Eve. For the first time, she wasnt ringing in the new year with her parents, but rather with the man she adored.
Shed moved in with Tony three months ago. He was a good fifteen years her senior, had once been married, dutifully paid child maintenance, and enjoyed a good drink sometimes a bit too much. But none of this mattered to Olivia. Love, as they say, is blind. Why she fell for Tony was a mystery to all he was decidedly no heartthrob (honestly, bordering on eyes only a mother could love), had a temperament even a saint would avoid, was so tight-fisted he squeaked when he walked, and perpetually penniless. And should he ever find a fiver, it unfailingly went towards himself and his pints. Still, Olivia was smitten with this marvel.
She held out hope that three months of displaying her domestic goddess credentials would convince Tony what a catch she was. He was always saying, Best live together a while. Got to suss out what sort of home-maker you are. Could be youre just like the ex. Just who his ex was remained shrouded in mystery, as Tony only spoke of her in cryptic mutters. So Olivia tried her best: never nagged when he returned tipsy, kept the flat spotless, did all the shopping (with her own money, lest Tony think she was after his non-existent fortune), and anticipating his approval had laid out an entire New Years feast at her own expense. She even splurged on a shiny new mobile for his gift.
While Olivia buzzed about preparing, Tony was busy in his own fashion knocking back drinks with his mates. He staggered in merrily and dropped the bombshell: Few friends coming round for New Years! His mates, not hers. Olivia had just about finished setting the table. There was an hour left until midnight, and her mood was shot but she bit her tongue. She was not going to be like his ex, oh no.
Half an hour to midnight, in trouped a boisterous bunch, already well lubricated by whatever theyd been drinking since lunch. Tony perked up instantly, plonked all his mates at the table, and the festivities began. Introductions, it seemed, were optional Tony didnt so much as mumble Olivias name, and everyone proceeded to treat her as part of the furniture. They laughed, talked amongst themselves, demolished the food shed made, and paid her not the tiniest sliver of attention.
Two minutes to midnight, Olivia piped up, Shall we pour the champagne? The looks she received from the crowd suggested shed just wandered in off the street.
And whos she, then? slurred a girl merrily.
Oh, just the bed neighbour, guffawed Tony, to approving roars from his gang.
They tucked into her food and made her the butt of every joke, chuckling about how Tony had found himself a bargain cook and cleaner. Tony didnt defend her in fact, he roared along with the others, stuffing his face with food shed bought and prepared.
Quietly, Olivia left the room, packed her things, and headed off to her parents house. Never had she seen in a New Year quite so disastrously. Her mum, with the clairvoyance of mothers everywhere, offered a sage, Told you so. Dad breathed an audible sigh of relief. Olivia, battering her pillow with tears, finally saw things as they were.
A week later, Tony now skint turned up unannounced, casual as a Monday morning.
Oi, whyd you bugger off? Got your knickers in a twist? Not getting Olivias warm embrace, he switched tactics. Nice, real nice you get a holiday at mum and dads, and Im left with a fridge even the mice wont touch! Youre acting just like my ex!
Olivia was so gobsmacked, she couldnt even speak. After all the mental rehearsals of what shed say when the moment came, she found herself just staring at him in mute disbelief. The only words she managed were a not-so-polite send-off as she slammed the door in his face.
And just like that, with the new year, Olivias own new chapter began.
