“Anna, are you busy?” Mum asked, popping her head round my daughter’s bedroom door.
“Just a minute, Mum. I’ll send this email, then I’ll help,” Anna replied, her eyes glued to her laptop screen.
“I’ve run out of mayonnaise for the salad. Completely miscalculated. And I forgot the dill. Would you nip to the shop before it shuts?”
“Alright.”
“Sorry to trouble you, sweetheart. You’ve already done your hair. My head’s spinning with all this fuss,” Mum sighed.
“Done.” Anna snapped her laptop shut and turned to Mum. “What was that?”
She slipped into her boots and coat but left her hat behindthe hair was just done, after all. The little supermarket was just next door; she wouldnt get cold. It was crisp outside, a light dusting of snow fallinglike something from a Christmas card.
The shop was nearly empty. Just a few frantic souls grabbing things they’d forgotten. There was only a sad little bunch of wilted herbs leftparsley, dill, and spring onions bundled together. Anna meant to call Mum and ask if it would do, but shed left her mobile at home. After a moment, she grabbed the herb bundle, found the last packet of mayonnaise on the shelf, paid at the till, and stepped out into the frosty night.
Shed barely set off before a car whipped round the corner, headlights blinding her. She flinched sideways. Her boot heel skidded on the icy patch hidden under the snow. Her ankle twisted and she crashed hard onto the pavement, groceries flying.
She tried to stand. Pain shot through her ankle, hot and sharp, and her eyes filled with tears. The street was emptyand her phone was back at home. What on earth was she going to do? She hadnt heard the gentle thump of a car door closing behind her.
“Are you alright?” A young man appeared above her. “Can you stand? Let me give you a hand,” he offered her his arm.
“I think Ive broken my ankle, thanks to you lot. Roaring about in your flash cars, turning the whole street into an ice rink,” Anna snapped, ignoring him.
“Well, who wears heels on icy nights, anyway?”
“Just go away,” Anna muttered, tears prickling.
“You planning to stay here all night, then? Look, I’m not in the habit of leaving people on the pavement. Where do you live?”
She nodded toward the building next door.
Without another word, the man went back to his car. A moment later, the engine purred and he reversed right up to her.
“Let me help you up,” he said. “Try not to put any weight on your foot. On three, alright?” And before Anna could protest, he lifted her with surprising gentleness.
“Can you stand?” he asked, steadying her as he opened the car door for her. “Hold onto me, and climb in.”
“My bag!” Anna yelped, collapsing into the passenger seat.
He fetched it, tucked it on the back seat, and drove her home. Outside her block, he helped her out and promptly swept her up into his arms, kicking the car door shut behind him.
He paused at the main door. “Keys in the bag? Anyone in?”
“Mum.”
“Alright, buzz up and get her to open the door.”
There was no lift, so he carried Anna all the way up to the third floor. She clung on, acutely aware of his breathing growing heavier as they climbed. Under the flickering stairwell light, she noticed the sweat trickling down his temple. Serves him right, she thought sourly. Maybe it’ll teach him not to race cars near supermarkets.
“You can put me down now, I’ll take it from here,” Anna said, as they reached the flat.
He just grunted, still short of breath. The front door swung open and Mum stared at them, stunned.
“Anna? What on earth has happened?”
The man pushed past gently and set Anna down. He inhaled deeply.
“Could you fetch a chair?” he said to Mum, who shrank back behind the coat rack.
Mum reappeared a moment later with a chair from the kitchen. Anna gratefully collapsed onto it, raising her injured leg. The man knelt down, taking her foot in one hand.
“What’s happening?” Mum demanded.
He ignored her. Bracing Annas ankle with one hand, he undid her boot zip. Anna cried out.
“Careful! That hurt!”
“What are you doing? You’ll hurt her!” Mum echoed, shocked, watching Annas ankle swell and turn an alarming shade of purple through her tights.
“Ill call an ambulance,” Mum decided.
“Its a dislocation. Im a doctor. Bring some ice, quickly,” the man instructed.
Mum dashed to the kitchen, returning with a bag of frozen peas.
“Put it on her ankle.” He straightened up and headed for the door.
“Are you leaving?” Anna asked, unsure.
“Ill get an elastic bandage from the car. And fetch your bag while Im at it,” he said, disappearing.
“You left your bag with him? Anna, who is this man?” Mum perched in front of her, holding the frozen peas over her ankle.
“He skidded round the corner in his car. I slipped, fell. He brought me home. Thats all I know.”
“Well, how do we know hes not a thief? Your cards, cash, keys are in there. Anna, should we phone the police before he runs off?” Mum whispered.
“Oh, Mum, if he wanted to rob me, he’d have left me lying in the street. Not carried me home.”
“But still”
At that moment, the intercom buzzed.
“Its him. Go let him in,” Anna said.
The man returned, eyeing Anna and Mum with a hint of amusement, and placed Anna’s bag on the side.
“Feel free to check if everythings there,” he said, shrugging off his coat and kneeling again.
“This is going to hurt, Im afraid. I need to put your ankle back in place. Hold onto the chair, it’ll help.”
He took Anna’s foot, braced it, and before she could protest, with a sharp move, popped the joint back. Anna nearly fainted with pain.
“It’ll ease now,” he murmured.
Mum burst from the kitchen, but froze at the sight of Anna sobbing.
“Nothings nothings burning, is it?” she stammered, but he cut her off.
“Its sorted. Itll ache for a few days. Dont walk on it much.” He gently set Anna’s foot down, stood, and pulled on his coat.
“Thank you. Im so sorry, I got the wrong end of the stick about you,” Mum said. “Would you stay? Its nearly midnight, you wont get home in time. Ive cooked enough for three.”
He hesitated, then smiled.
“Alright. If Im not in your way.”
“Not at all. And you can help open the champagne!” Mum said cheerily.
“Mum!” Anna shot her a look.
“What? Ill just get the roast out of the oven. Young man, would you mind taking Anna to sit down in the lounge?” Mum bustled off.
With his arm round her waist, Anna hopped on one leg to the sofa.
“Thank you,” she said, sitting down.
“No need to thank me. I am to blame”
“No, youre not. I panicked and slipped. Whats your name?”
“James. Shall we drop the ‘Mr’ and ‘Miss’ thing?”
“Alright then. Are you really a doctor?”
“Yesa surgeon. I only nipped to the shop for a few bits” he trailed off, sitting next to Anna.
“Your wife must worry about you, then.”
“She left me six months ago. Said she was fed up with me never being homealways called back to hospital, even on weekends and bank holidays. Took our daughter and went to her mothers.”
“I must look a fright,” Anna said, embarrassed.
“To be honest, you look lovely.”
So the three of us saw in the New Year together. They say the way you greet the year is how it’ll treat you.
After James left, Mum and I went to bed. I couldn’t sleep, kept recalling his arms around me, the feel of his hand at my waist. I relived the way he had carried me up the stairs and his gentle touch. How could I forget?
The next morning, I could bear weight on my footdespite the swelling and the tight bandage. Getting about was tough but possible.
I was delighted when James dropped by. He replaced the bandage and checked my ankle.
“All looks alright. Does it hurt to put weight on it yet?”
“Were on first-name basis now. Yes, it doesbut less than yesterday.”
“Tea?” Mum offered.
“Another time. Im on duty.”
“Will you come back?” I blurted.
He smiled in reply.
Two months later I moved in with him.
“Hes not even divorced. What will happen if his wife wants him back?” Mum worried as I packed.
“She wont. If she does, shell leave again. James told me she has someone else now.”
“I hope youre not rushing,” Mum fretted.
It turned out to be a happy year. I couldnt help feeling jealous whenever James went to see his daughter or had to meet his wife. She was beautifulId seen her picture.
Living together, I began to understand his ex. The hospital called James in at all hours, weekends, bank holidays. Young nurses in the wardsany woman would fall for him. But when he was home, I felt blissful.
A year passed. Despite everything, it was a happy year. The only shadow was that James was still married, and Mum kept urging me to talk to him, to clear the air. But I put it off.
On New Year’s Eve, I was busy in the kitchen. The flat sparkled, the Christmas tree twinkled in the lounge, and my new dress lay ready in the bedroom. I checked the roast and heard James’s mobile ringing. When I came in, he was by the window, phone pressed to his ear.
“Ill come round now,” he said, turning to me.
“Hospital again?” my voice wobbled.
“No. My wifes rung. Says our little girl wont sleep until I come. Shes crying for me. Ill pop round, tuck her in, give her her present, and be back.”
“James, its less than three hours to midnight,” my voice shook.
“Ill be quick, I promise. Back before you know it.” He kissed my cheek and left.
I tried not to be jealous or fretful, but it was hopeless. I finished the food, put on my dress, but as midnight neared, still no James. I didn’t ringhe might be driving. I messaged him, but got no reply.
Worn out with waiting, I stared at the fancy table before blowing out the candles. I suddenly understood his wife and her frustration. What if Mum was right and she did come back? But I loved James.
I couldnt bear the silent waiting. I remembered Mrs. Brooks, the old lady on the ground floor, who lived alone. James had said shed never married, no children. And here was I, alone now too. Nobody deserved to see in the New Year alone.
I popped into the kitchen, filled two containersone with salad, one with cakeand went downstairs.
It took a while before Mrs. Brooks answered. I explained awkwardly, then she unlocked the door, peering out.
“I brought you some salad and cake. I made them myself. I hope you dont mind,” I said.
“Come in,” Mrs. Brooks replied.
She was small, frail, shrunk in her armchair, but the flat was warm and tidy. There was no Christmas tree, no feast; just the gentle glow of the television.
“Thank you, dear. Sit down, Ill put the kettle on,” she said, shuffling off.
“Are you living with Dr. James?” she asked, as she poured the tea.
“Yes.”
She nodded, apparently pleased.
“His wifenever spoke to anyone, only cared about herself. Never worked a day, spent all her time preening. Youre not like that. Has he been called to hospital again?”
“Hes gone to see his daughter.”
She nodded, again.
“He’ll come back, dont worry. Hes a good man, that one.”
“Are you always alone?”
“All my life. I should’ve had a child, but well, its too late now. I was in love, once. But my best friend stole him.
“How?”
“After leaving school, I trained as a nurse in London. My Fred stayed in the village. One year, on New Years Eve, I finished my classes and went to visit him. The bus broke downa puncture. Night was falling. No mobile phones then. The driver left for help, and we were stranded. I was impatientyoung, and so in loveI thought if I walked, Id reach his house in time. A blizzard came up, but I pressed on. Thought the bus would catch me up soon. Saw in the New Year alone on the snowy road.
“When I reached Freds, I was frozen stiffface and fingers numb. Had to spend four days in bed. When I woke, my best friend told me Fred was hers nowclaimed she was expecting.
“Fred tried to explain, but I wouldnt listenwouldnt forgive him. I was angry, proud. Went back to London, never saw him again. Years later, I learned shed lied, and Fred started drinking, died alone, froze one winter. Such a good man” Mrs. Brooks dabbed tears from her eyes.
“So I never married. He was my one love. I should’ve forgiven him, I shouldve talked to him. My whole life would have been different.” She blinked away the last tear.
“I saw you from the window. James never looked as happy with her as he does with you. If you love him, forgive him, stop fretting. Or better yet, both of you should go somewhere new. Shell never let you both live in peace. Dont make my mistake. Listen to your heart.”
I went back upstairs, cleared the table, put away the food. James came back the following afternoon.
“Sorry. I dont know what happened. I think she spiked my tea. Only woke up an hour ago, with a blinding headache.”
“Why dont you divorce her? Do you still love her?”
“Of course not. Youd never ask if youd met her. I only love my daughter. I know you were waiting, thinking who knows what. Theres nothing going on. Do you believe me?”
I went over, hugged him, looking up into his eyes.
“Lets leave. Anywhere. There are hospitals everywhere. Youre a brilliant surgeon”
“I cant talk about it now. My heads pounding. Later, yes? I love you.”
He fell asleep, and I lay beside him, turning over Mrs. Brookss words.
“His daughters only little. Kids forget so fast. They havent lived together for months. Its his wife pulling the strings, hoping to drive me away. Well, she can keep dreaming. Im not backing down. When he wakes up, well talk”
I switched off the tree lights and snuggled up close to James.
“I love you. That doesnt even begin to say it, but I do.”
Annie Hall once said, “When you love someone, you can forgive anything except when they stop loving you.”
