Olivia had spent the whole day preparing for New Years Evecleaning, cooking, setting the table. It was her very first New Years away from her parents, celebrating with the bloke she loved.
Shed been living with Tony for three months now, at his flat. He was a good fifteen years older, had an ex-wife, paid child support, and enjoyed a drink a bit too much But when youre in love, these little details seem oddly charming. Strangely enough, nobody could understand what it was Olivia saw in him: he was no ones idea of a heartthrobin fact, he could only be described as rather unattractive. His temperament was appalling, he was tight-fisted beyond belief, and always skint. If he did have any money, it was securely squirrelled away for his own use. And yet, Olivia fell head over heels for this peculiar specimen.
For those three months, Olivia earnestly hoped Tony would realise how good she wasso caring, so domesticand decide she was wife material. He had always said, Lets see how you handle things if we live together for a bit. Dont want another disaster like my ex. Exactly what sort of disaster his ex was remained a mysteryTony never gave a straight answer. So Olivia tried her very best: never scolded him for coming home tipsy, looked after the flat, cooked, cleaned, did the washing, bought the groceries with her own money (heaven forbid Tony think she was after his imaginary fortune). She even paid for all the food for the New Years dinner. For his present, shed splashed out and got him a new phone.
Whilst Olivia was busy prepping for the festivities, her marvellous Tony was also preparingby popping down the pub and getting nicely drunk with his mates. He rolled home in high spirits and announced, By the way, Ive invited a few friends around for New Years. Theyll be here soon. His friends, whom Olivia had never even met. She finished setting the table; it was just an hour till midnight. Her mood took a nosedive, but she bit her tongueshe was determined not to be like his dreadful ex.
Thirty minutes before New Year, the flat was invaded by a band of drunken strangers, men and women alike. Tonys face lit up; he plonked everyone at the table and the drinking resumed with gusto. Tony didnt even bother introducing Olivia, and she may as well have been invisible. They drank, they talked, they laughed at jokes she didnt get. When Olivia pointed out that it was almost midnight and suggested pouring everyone some fizz, they all looked at her as if shed wandered in off the street with her own bottle of pinot.
Whos that then? slurred one of the women.
Bedside neighbour, Tony chuckled, and the whole gang burst out laughing.
They wolfed down Olivias food while making her the butt of every joke. As Big Bens bongs rang in the New Year, they were still giggling about how Tony had bagged himself a free housekeeper. Rather sportingly, Tony joined in, happily feasting on the dinner Olivia had bought and cooked, treating her with all the tenderness of a doormat.
Olivia quietly slipped out, packed her things, and went back to her parents. Shed never had such a miserable New Years Eve in her life. Her mum gave her the classic, Didnt I warn you? while her dad sighed with relief. After a good long cry, Olivia finally lost those rose-tinted glasses.
A week later, once Tony had run out of cash, he came knocking at Olivias door as if nothing had happened.
So, whyd you leave then? Got your knickers in a twist? he asked, and seeing she wasnt rushing to forgive him, tried another tack: I mean really, its nice for youcosying up at your mum and dads while Ive got nothing but a starving mouse in the fridge! Youre starting to act just like my ex!
Olivia was so stunned by his cheek she couldnt even find the words. Shed playacted the moment of their showdown in her head a dozen times, but now she just stood there, silent. The only thing she could manage was a not-so-polite suggestion, followed by slamming the door in his face.
And so, after New Years, Olivias new life rather gloriously began.
