Eleanor had spent the entire day chained to the hob. The doorbell rang. Tonys family had arrived, parked themselves around the table, and instantly, Aunt Doris piped up, Wheres the beef, then?
Theres a stuffed goose right there, Eleanor replied as charmingly as possible.
Aunt Doris ostentatiously pushed back her chair and stood. Unbelievable. I cant eat this. Come on, lets go home. Tony fell in line behind his aunt, muttering, Well, you really are something Live on your own if you cant cook!, and suddenly began bundling his things into a bag.
Hallo, Gail. Its me, Eleanor. What? E-lea-nor! This lines appalling. Why am I calling? Gail, Im not coming to yours this year. No, not for the holidays. Why? What for? Youll be there with Victor, your daughter, her husband, and the kids. And then theres mestuffed to the gills with salad, then paying double for a minicab? You know I cant sleep in someone elses house. So what will I do? Nothing, really. Ill have an early night.
This, shouted over static and a gale of crackle, was Eleanor ringing Gailher friend whod hosted her New Years (and all the other major melodramas) for the five years since Eleanors divorce.
What? You were going to call? Youre off, are you? Where? To Leeds, to Victors aunt. Well, happy travels and all that. Theres a problem? Whos coming? Sasha? Sorry, who now? A niece? Gailare you there? Im losing you Put someone up for a few days? Oh, you know I dont love strangers in my house. Fine, fine, Ill rescue you. Let her come. Oh, honestlythere goes the line Eleanor tapped her phone irritably.
She sat quietly, thinking that perhaps having a guest wouldnt be the worst thing. Might be nice, actually, not to be alone for the holiday. She roused herself. Best rustle up at least a decent salad; shed be content with a cheese toastie, but a guest deserved somewhat more. She set veg to boil, chopped herbs, and drifted back into memories.
When shed still been married to Tony, sitting quietly was not on the menu. By the thirtieth, his extended rural clan descended. From that point, the kitchen transformed into hells own cauldronsteam, grease, windows uselessly ajar. Cow heel stew, pies, fried everything. Eleanor was simply a plate taxi, dashing cold meats to the balcony, peeling veg for the vinaigrette, not even allowed near the ‘real’ cooking following her one and only attempt at an avocado salad.
Tastes like washing up liquid, Aunt Doris had declared, and the rest of the family nodded in sage agreement.
And theirs is meant to be edible? Eleanor had fumed afterward: everything swimming in mayo, dripping off the spoon. The men always straight to the table, sampling the homemade sloe gin. By midnight, half-past eleven was all they could muster.
On the second of January, theyd leave, having hoovered up all leftovers. The monumental chaos remained for Eleanor, whod spend a week scrubbing every surface, while Tony extended the festivities in his mums village. Hed return brooding, stubbly, and irritable, having had an earful about marrying a woman who, apparently, had trouble making proper English food. Arguments would erupt. Hed always bring up Verahis exinsisting Eleanor had lured him away. Shed absorb the criticism, thinking perhaps it was all true. How could she compete with generations of traditionmeat and suet, not her foreign salads.
Her only consolation was commiserating with childhood friend Gail. But Gail, ever pragmatic, eventually hatched a plan: forced Eleanor to ring round the clan, vowing shed cook everything herself for New Year, but only if they came earlier, to help. She and Gail spent the day preparing hearty, but lighter, English nibbles.
The relatives arrived, settled themselves, but
So wheres the beef? Aunt Doris sighed.
Stuffed goose, right there, Eleanor replied with false brightness.
And mash? Aunt Doris pressed.
Aunt Doris stood in high dudgeon: Youve rustled up silage. Thats what this is. Fred, get the car.
Coats, key slaps, and the door banged.
Well, you really Tony started, threateningly.
Wait, Im coming with you! He called after the departing relatives.
Dont forget your stuff, Eleanor called, tossing him a bag.
Live on your own, moaner. Ill managewill you? Tony stuffed his things in the bag and left.
When the saucepan started to boil over, Eleanor snapped back to reality, lifted the lid, anddoorbell.
Sasha, presumably, she thought, and opened the door.
Standing there was a man in his forties, smiling. Thatd be me. Alexander Jameson, Victors nephew. Popped in as a surprise, and wouldnt you know, theyve all cleared off to Leeds. You must be Eleanor?
She nodded automatically, blurting, But Gail mentioned a niece
He grinned. Perhaps theres been some crossed wires.
Eleanor recalled the shambolic phone call and nodded. Could be. Well, you might as well come in, since youre here.
Dont worry, I wont be a bother. My train backs not until the evening on the first. Earliest I could get. So, you wont be stuck with me for long.
Eleanor rescued the veg, leaving them to cool. Alexander, with the air of a mischievous cousin, quipped, Youre not seeing in the New Year with just one salad, surely?
Without meaning to, Eleanor snapped back, Would you prefer the full spread? Roast beef, a trifle, maybe a stockpot of Olivier salad?
He laughed, Oh, dont worry. I prefer fish, honestly.
Eleanor shrugged. No fish here, and Ive never been much good at cooking it, anyway.
No matter! Alexander said, grabbing his coat. Ill sort it. Back soon! And before Eleanor could argue, hed gone.
She couldnt help but chuckle at the farce of it all. Shed been expecting a staid spinster of a niece, and in walks a lively man.
Alexander was gone for a good hour and a half. Eleanor started to fret. Out-of-towner; what if hed got lost? At last, the buzzer went again. She hurried to open it.
Where have you been? I was getting worried, she beganthen fell silent as Alexander squeezed in, dragging a scruffy but cheery fir tree, plus several bulging shopping bags.
Why on earth? was all she managed.
He parked the tree by the wall and grinned. Well, whats New Year without a tree?
Eleanor breathed in the resinous scent and laughed. Just needs some satsumas to finish it off.
Alexander looked delighted. And fizz, of course! All sorted. But youll have to lend a hand. Grab those bags, chef.
What followed was gleefully ridiculous: stringing up fairy lights, prepping snacksEleanor, giggling, was soon shelling prawns and helping roast a carp under Alexanders expert guidance.
By midnight, their feast was ready; the prosecco uncorked, glasses fizzing. At the stroke of twelve, they clinked glasses, declaring, To New Yearnew happiness! and drank every last drop.
They talked, really talked.
You know, when I married Tony, he was different. Kinder, more human or maybe I was simply besotted. Love does cloud the judgment, doesnt it? she sighed. Then came the criticism: never good enough, never right But enough about me. What about you? Are you married?
Alexander shook his head. Not anymore. Predictable storylorries and late nights, she found someone steadier. When Im home, Ill file for divorce. But enough gloomlets raise a glass and reminisce about childhood mischief!
I once bet some boys I could climb the tallest tree in the parkcouldnt get down, sat there bawling till Uncle Ian from number seventeen rescued me. Spent the evening in the naughty corner after that, confessed Eleanor.
In school, I once glued the headmasters chair to the floor. Dad sorted me out with his belt afterwards! Alexander admitted, laughing.
They swapped stories, roaring with laughter until dawn. Eventually, Eleanor yawned.
Weve nattered enough. You should get some sleep, Alexander said.
Eleanor blinked sleepily. Cant sleep yet, have to tidy this lot up
Absolutely not, he insisted. Ill handle the kitchen!
Eleanor surrendered and shuffled to bed, asleep before her head hit the pillow.
Next morning, Alexander gently woke her. Eleanor, Ive got to go. Train to catch. Lock up behind me, wont you?
She jolted up. Is it really that late? Why didnt you wake me sooner?
He smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. You looked so peaceful. I didnt have the heart. But I must dash or Ill miss my train.
Eleanor walked him to the door. Well safe journey then. Thank youfor all of it, she said wistfully.
Alexander hesitated, then asked, resolutely, Could I maybe visit you sometime? When Im properly free?
Eleanors eyes lit up. Love to. Ill be
He kissed her, cutting her off, and whispered, Then, till next time!
Eleanor stood by the closed door for some time, fingers pressed to her lips, smiling in disbelief. Sometimes you can know someone your whole life and realise you never really did. Other times, you know someone a day and it feels like a lifetime. Miracles really do happen at New Yearwrong trains, crossed wires, and suddenly, the start of something new.
