Julia stepped off the bus, hefting her bulging shopping bags, and set off towards her family home. Im home! she called as she flung open the front door. Julia, darling! Everyone rushed to greet her. We just knew youd be coming today! That evening, as the family gathered around the enormous dining table, there was a knock at the door. Probably the neighbours, come to say hello, shrugged Mum and went off to answer. She didnt come back alonethere were guests in tow. Julia looked at the people coming into the room and could scarcely believe her eyes.
Julia had stared silently, more than a little wistful, out of the window of the bus as it hurtled her far from her beloved village. On her lap sat a massive tartan holdall, which she gripped as if it were her last chance at happiness. Shed packed only essentials, but English essentials are notoriously bulky, and besides, her gran had tucked a bag of warm sausage rolls right on top, flooding the bus with the irresistible scent of freshly baked pastry.
Julia couldnt resistthe zip buzzed open, and out came two golden sausage rolls.
Want one? she asked a lad whod hopped on at one of the previous stops. Hed already granted her the prized window seat without even being asked, sparking a wave of goodwill.
Go on, then! he grinned, practically drooling.
Im Julia! she introduced, browning slightly as she did.
Im Stephen! Off to uni?
Thats right. The village offers nothing but tractor lessons, and Im hardly the next Jeremy Clarkson.
Im applying too, sighed Stephen. Still, I do like life in the village.
It was a four-hour ride to the cityplenty of time for the two to swap life stories and become fast friends. By the time they parted ways, theyd exchanged phone numbers and marched off to their respective destinies.
***
The next few weeks zipped by with entrance exams and application jitters. Julia and Stephen both won spots at the universities of their choice and could not have been more elated. The endless nerves and frantic studying were behind them; ahead lay blue-sky plans and bright futures.
Julia, hello! bleeped Stephen one day on the phone. How about we celebrate our triumph at a café?
Julia was thrilled. She genuinely liked Stephenhe was funny and easygoing, and there was something comfortingly familiar about him. No airs and gracesnone of that look at me business.
They met at a café in the city centre with the rather bonkers name The Hippopotamus. From their table by the window, they watched riverboats carving the water while tour guides shrieked into megaphones.
So whys it called The Hippopotamus? Julia wondered aloud.
Stephen laughed. I reckon its because everyone who comes ends up looking a bit like one after all the cakes and pastries!
Julia giggled and wolfed down another eclair. Their trips to The Hippopotamus became a regular thingthey began saying, Lets meet at our usual spot, and everyone knew which café they meant.
That night, they kissed for the first time. Julia remembered it forevergentle, fiery, and somehow epic.
As time passed, their relationship blossomed. To Julia, it felt as if Stephen was the most important soul in her lifeapart from her parents, obviously, but that was a different league.
Listen, Julia, why dont you move in with me? Stephen suggested, now they were in their third year at uni. And in summer, lets get married!
So this is your proposal, is it? Julia smirked.
Suppose it is!
Well, then I have to asklike in that film, remember? Arent you worried youll never get away from me always prancing around?
Prance all you like, Julia! he laughed, spinning her around on the pavement.
Julia returned to the rented flat she shared with two other girls, brimming with good cheer.
Youre glowing tonight, whats happened? asked her flatmate, Vera.
Oh, ladies! Julia twirled around the living room, singing. Looks like Ill be off to live with Stephen soon! she trilled.
Are we invited to the wedding? squealed Marina, the other flatmate.
No, the weddings for summer! For now, were just testing out domestic bliss!
Julia, dont rush! December to summer is ages. Anything can happen, warned Vera. Are you sure?
Julia just laughed. Vera, you sound like a granny! Everyone lives like this these days.
I am not a granny! I just dont believe in these trial runs. My mums a solicitor; I know how it usually ends Vera sulked.
All right, dont get cross! I was joking, Julia apologised.
***
Julia thought all this talk about civil partnerships was nonsense, that a ring wasnt the point, that romance with Stephen was one-in-a-million. But the seeds of doubt had been well and truly sown by her mates, and she kept putting off the big move.
Stephen eventually stopped bringing it up.
Then, around mid-December, the girls were out on the town. The snow was dazzling white, making the festive city lights seem twice as sparkly. They were in high spirits but half frozen by the time they spotted their old favourite, The Hippopotamus.
Lets nip in! suggested Julia. Stephen and I love it here!
Hang on, isnt that him? murmured Marina, pointing to the window with a distinctly bleak expression.
Julia staredthere, at their usual table, sat Stephen. Opposite him was a younger girl, probably three years below them. The pair laughed, Stephen seemed to be cracking jokes, and the girl responded with genuine delight.
Julia turned away, stone-faced.
I think Ill go home, she told her friends quietly.
Were coming with you! Vera and Marina chorused.
Back at the flat, her friends insisted there was nothing in it, that she shouldnt leap to jealousy, that it was probably just a misunderstanding But Julia couldnt forget how tenderly Stephen gazed at the girl, or that they were sitting at their café, at their table.
Its downright betrayal! Julia thought.
She stopped answering Stephens calls, and if he popped round, her friends would say she was out.
Stephen finally intercepted Julia at the university and took her hand. Julia, whats going onhave you met someone else?
The nerve! Julias eyes flashed. Oh, youre brilliant! Turning it round on me! Excuse me, Im late for an exam.
She whipped her hand away and stormed through the doors. Stephen, baffled, trudged home.
***
Julia, having finished her coursework early, headed back to her parents for Christmas and New Year. She was sure shed recover much better from heartbreak in the warm embrace of home.
And she was right; her mood lifted as soon as she leapt off the bus at her village stop.
The winter air nipped her cheeks, the snow squeaked underfoot, and the frosted homes and trees glittered in the sunlightunusually bright for the time of year.
Wood smoke spiralled from chimneys all across the village.
Julia smiled, picked up her bag of gifts for Mum, Dad, and Gran, and strolled towards the house. She noticed the family Christmas treeplanted the year she was bornlooked taller and fuller than ever, festooned with baubles the way it was when Julia was small.
Happy New Year! she called, letting herself inside.
Julia, sweetheart! Everyone rushed to hug her. We just knew youd turn up!
It was a joyful day of reunions. Pity winter afternoons are so shortby five it was pitch dark.
But we can put the Christmas lights on the tree! Dad declared, rallying everyone.
That evening, as the whole tribe gathered for dinner, there was a knock on the door.
Mum shrugged, Probably the neighbours popping round with some festive spirit, and toddled off to answer.
She returned not just with the neighbour but with Father Christmas and his helper.
Stephen? Julia gawked at St Nick and his assistantthe very same girl shed seen opposite Stephen in the café. How did you find me? Whats this all about?
Stephen boomed his usual cheerful laugh. The girl did too.
Your friends told me where to look. Andintroductions! Meet my younger sister, Iris!
Sister? Julia blinked.
Yes, sister! Iris confirmed. We do look alike if you squint.
Julia felt her shoulders drop and her heart lighten. Of courseweeks of brooding, and not one straightforward question. She mentally scolded herself.
Stephen grinned: And now, in front of my future in-laws and my chief witness, Julia, will you marry me? He pulled out a tiny ring box and held it out.
Of course! Of course I will! Julia whooped, flinging herself at Stephen in his Santa suit. This is the best New Year ever!
Therell be all sorts of best New Years for us, Juliaproviding we talk about things, not just bottle them up! Stephen smiled.
I agree! Julia beamed.
