Years ago, I remember how Emma went round to her friend Charlottes flat to water the plants and feed her tortoise. Charlotte and her husband had gone away on holiday. Given a spare key, Emma let herself in, stepped into the hallwayand stopped in shock! Every light in the place was blazing, the Christmas tree twinkled with fairy lights, and the television boomed across the sitting room. Sounds drifted from the bathroom. Emma pushed open the bathroom door, gasped, and clapped her hands in astonishment.
That New Years, Emma stayed behind in lonely solitude. Well, not solitude by choicejust sadness.
Her best friend Charlotte had left for the Lake District with her husband five days before the festivities.
Charlotte had entrusted Emma, being the most reliable of her friends, to water her plants and feed the tortoise.
They lived in the same building, but at different entrances.
Emma gladly agreed. She had no inkling that fate had a strange twist in store.
A week before the New Year, her boyfriend, Philipwhom shed called Philwith whom she had lived nearly two years in supposed bliss, delivered unexpected news over dinner: hed fallen in love with another woman!
And this other woman was already four months pregnant. Of course, being the decent sort he claimed to be, he absolutely had to marry her.
That was insisted upon by the woman, her mother, and her grandmother. Phil put up no resistance.
What about me? Emma asked, dazed.
Phil finished his dinner with relish, dabbed his lips with a napkin and replied, You? Oh, dont take it to heart. Lets be honest, Emmanothings left of our love, only the husk. Happens all the time. You should be grateful, really, Im saving you from myself. Will you help me pack? No? Well, Ill manage.
He began to pack his things as if nothing were amiss
Emma cried for four days, not leaving her flat. Then another friend, Olivia, paid a visit, and in conversation, discovered Emma hadnt eaten a thing in those daysonly drank coffee.
Olivia, Emma, and Phil had planned to see in the New Year together, booking a restaurant months ahead. Now, Phil would bring along his new wife.
Emma could not bear the thought of spending the evening with her parents. Theyd pity her immediatelyand her mother had never liked Phil anyway
On the thirty-first of December, Emma, as she always had, waited for a miracle. Why? Habit, perhaps.
In truth, everyone knows miracles dont happen, but like children, every New Years Eve we make a wish and hope for magic.
Day slipped quietly into evening. Still nothing happened. Emma remembered she had never given Phil the present shed wrapped for hima thick, luxurious periwinkle-blue wool jumper.
She had bought it just before he left. Mind you, it had been expensive.
Emma unwrapped it, tried it onfar too large, the shoulders too broad.
Would probably have been too big for Phil, anyway, she thought, folding it back into its bag.
Fixing her makeup and promising herself no more tears, she finally left her flat.
Emma believed you should greet the New Year as youd like to spend it. Better to wander the city by night than sit sulking indoors.
Only an hour and a half to midnight. She hoped time would pass swiftly so she could return home without further fuss.
She felt desolate and alone. Outside, it rained in steady sheets.
Emma popped into the corner shop. Reaching into her pocket, she drew out the list Charlotte had given her before heading off.
Second on the list after watering the plants: feed the tortoise twice a week.
Emmas heart skipped. Oh dear! With everything, I completely forgot! Charlotte will be furious if anythings happened to the tortoise! Never mind New Years celebrations
She hurried directly to Charlottes place with the spare key.
Letting herself in, she stopped dead.
Every light was on, the Christmas tree flickered, the telly shouted from the lounge.
Strange noises echoed from the bathroom. Emma, now anxious, flung open the door and froze.
A stranger stood before the mirror, shaving and humming a long-forgotten tune.
Her first thought: a burglar. But why would he be shaving?
Who are you? she demanded sternly.
The man quickly rinsed his face, turned to her, and smiled warmly.
Don’t worry, and dont be alarmed. Im really quite harmless. Im Charlottes cousinJames. I work in another city, only came for a meeting. Meant to leave already, but plans changed. Thankfully I had a key. Charlotte and I spoke yesterday; she kindly said I could stay.
Emma, regaining her composure, blurted, Have you seen the tortoise?
Yes, even fed her, replied James, gesturing to the corner by the sofa. She wandered off that way.
He buttoned up his shirt.
And now, lets properly introduce ourselvesIm James.
Emma gave her name, shaking his hand.
Why not celebrate together? Its only ten minutes to midnight! he suggested cheerfully.
Taken aback, Emma dashed out and bounded down the stairs. James followed, calling after her, Wait! What have I done to frighten you?
Emma, without answering, ran home, snatched up the present, and rushed back to Charlottes flat.
She arrived just as the clock struck twelve, flinging open the door, which was still ajar.
James handed her a glass of sparkling wine, and she handed him the bag.
For youHappy New Year! said Emma.
James pulled out the periwinkle-blue wool jumper. He tried it onthe fit was perfect, even across the shoulders.
Ive had many a New Years surprise, but this tops the lot, said James, grinninghis first words of the new year.
Emma, meanwhile, mused, Two surprises: losing Phil and meeting Jamesbut she said nothing, only smiled.
The next New Years Eve, Emma, James, and their little daughter celebrated at their own homea memory now cherished by all their family.
