NEW YEARS EVE INCIDENT
Honestly, the last place I wanted to be was home. The workday on New Years Eve was short, and all the other women in the office scampered off to their children, husbands, and their mountains of mince pies. Everyone left in a flutterfaces aglow, arms full of satsumas and a bottle of bubbly eacha gift from our Mr. Nicholas Harper.
No one was waiting for me. And there was no reason to whip up a potato salad for just myself. I looked down at the mound of clementines peeking through the clear carrier bag on my desk and sighed.
No, I definitely didnt want to go home yet. I busied myself with reports. After a while, Mr. Harper himself rushed in, breathless, scarf flying behind him and coat wide openthe only man in our team, and our boss to boot.
Oh, what are you still doing here, Emily? he blurted, pausing with a half-forgotten present clutched in his hand. Completely left my wifes gift, you know! Off he dashed into his office.
A few minutes later, he was back. Really, why are you still here? Why havent you gone home yet?
Because Ill just be on my own anyway, Mr. Harper.
He’d been halfway out the door, but hearing my answer, he stopped short, then silently walked over and sat by me. He looked at me very seriously for a few seconds.
Now, Emily, none of that. Its New Years, after all! Dont give me that face. Smile! New Years is for celebrating, not moping. Carry on like this and youll be alone much longerwomen ought to smile, you know! Come on, lets tidy up. He started stacking my papers before I could react. Honestly, I sent everyone home except you, and heres what youre up to.
Please, Mr. Harper, dont worry about me. Ill head home soon and close up. You really should goyour wifes probably waiting.
You sure youll be all right? he asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
Absolutely! I insisted.
He finally relented. Well then. Happy New Year, Emily!
I sighed again. Silly to be stuck in the office, really. Time to leave.
Should I order pizza? I wondered. Are any places even open tonight?
First place didnt even answer. The next pick, I got a cheery girls voice: Im sorry, were just closingonly until six today. Happy New Year! I checked my watch: six-oh-five. Tried one morelast chanceand to my surprise, they took my order.
I collected my things, wrapped up warm, grabbed the clementines and champagne, and walked out of the building.
Stepping outside, I felt breathlessthe air was magical. That perfect, crisp winter chill nipped my cheeks, and the snow squeaked nicely beneath my boots. Streetlights shone bright, fairy lights blinked all along the lanes. Folks rushed home, balancing overflowing bags and Christmas crackers. Shops were still open, for those who always leave gifts to the last minute, and the festive busyness started to seep into me.
What am I like! I chastised myself. Resolutely, I strode into the welcoming doors of the supermarket.
Soon enough, I was back in my small kitchen unpacking supplies.
Hope the potatoes cook in time, I muttered.
I switched on the telly, hung up a string of just-bought coloured fairy lights in the window, and plugged them in. Smiling, I waved my arms about in a quick dance before starting on the feast.
Well, why not? For me!
While the potatoes for the salad cooled on my balcony, I set out crackers topped with smoked salmon and caviar, arranged deli meats on a platter of curly lettuce, laid out pineapple, a little bowl of cheese cubes, and the bright clementines from Mr. Harper.
By half past seven, everything was ready: potatoes mixed into the salad, chicken legs sizzling on the hob, the festive table set with care, as if I were expecting friends instead of eating alone. I placed knife and fork by the plate, poured a glass of juice, and looked over it all with a criticaland proudeye.
At eleven thirty, as I popped open the champagne, the buzzer sounded.
Did someone order a pizza? came an energetic male voice through the intercom.
Oh blimey! Id forgotten.
Yes, please, come up!
How much do I owe you? I asked, opening the door to a friendly young man holding a steaming flat box.
Nothing! Its on the house, as a gift, he grinned.
I cantsurely youll get docked for that.
No chance. Honestly. Call it compensation for such a late delivery. Go on, take your pizza.
I realised I still clung to the unopened champagne bottle. Hold this a moment? I handed it to him as I accepted the pizza. Just let me pop this in the kitchen.
You dont look much like a courier, I commented, coming back.
Thats because Im not. Im Danielown the pizza place. Let my staff head home early. Its New Years Eve, after all. Then I checked the system and saw your order hadnt gone out. Figured Id do it myself. Not like anyones waiting for me tonightunlike your pizza. Took me a bit longer than planned, mind.
Ten minutes till midnight! I cried, Quick, open that champagne! Got to toast the old year out!
Gladly. Got glasses?
I was off fetching flutes when he popped the cork with a happy bang.
To the old year!
To the old year!
We raised our glasses and knocked back the bubbly.
Oh, what have we done? I exclaimed.
What?! Daniel looked worried.
Youve had champagneand you drove here!
He grinned even wider. Ah Oh well. Guess Im not driving anywhere now.
Taxis hopeless to find Anywaytake your shoes off and come in! Otherwise, well see in the New Year stood in the hallway!
Goodness, its cosy in here.
Pour fasttelevisions about to show the countdown!
Happy New Year, um
Emily.
Happy New Year, Emily. Im Daniel.
Happy New Year, Daniel! Try the salad, I made it myself. Only one set of cutlery, though Oh, just eat straight from the bowl, doesnt matter!
Oddly, it was all so fun. Daniel made everything feel easy.
Mmm, tastes even better straight from the bowl. Emily, do you have any brown bread? I havent eaten in ages.
Of course!
When I came back, Daniel clutched a chicken leg in each hand, apologetic, his mouth full. Sorry, couldnt help myselfits delicious. Proper cook, you are!
I beamed, relief washing over me. Glad you like it. I thought it would all go to wasteso much food for just one.
One? Im here to help.
Get stuck in then!
My own hunger kicked in at last.
We dug in, scooping salad, nibbling on everything, sipping fizz from our glasses, laughing at the TVs silly sketches, swapping stories about nothing and everything.
Seems weve finished all the champagne, I noticed at some point.
Theres a bottle in my car, Ill get it!
Oh no, Im coming along!
The air is gorgeous, I breathed, arms open wide.
Fireworks flared everywhere, cracking the midnight dark.
Tell you what, Emily, Daniel said, suddenly serious, marry me! Not now, but next year. Time to get to know me first.
Youre joking.
Not a bit.
Well, I promise to think about it.
But until thenshall we go back inside and celebrate some more?
I nodded, he grabbed the bag from his car, and together, we slipped back indoors. After all, we had the whole night ahead.
