The Fateful Ski Trail
The wheels of the commuter train clattered merrily along the rails. Towering pines lined the tracks like a wall, their branches filtering the low winter sun. A boisterous group of medical students chatted loudly inside the carriage, their skis stacked by the door.
The ringleader of the trip was Jake Harrington—a handsome lad with an athlete’s build, the pride of the university, and a champion skier. Every winter, he competed for his uni and never placed below second. His father held a high-ranking position in city government. In short, he was a local celebrity.
Just before New Year’s, Jake suggested they all head to a tucked-away ski lodge deep in the countryside. Hardly anyone knew about the place—perfect for a proper winter getaway. Most of the group agreed, though none of them were skiers. But who would say no to a weekend in the fresh air?
Lucy had only ever skied during secondary school P.E. lessons. Still, when Jake invited her, how could she refuse? She’d have agreed to anything just to be near him.
On the train, she leaned against his shoulder, blissfully oblivious to the jealous glances Alex Turner kept throwing her way. And it wasn’t just him. Angela, too, watched Jake and Lucy with narrowed eyes. *What does he even see in her?* her expression screamed.
Lucy often wondered the same. Plenty of gorgeous girls fawned over Jake, yet he’d chosen her—quiet, bookish Lucy. He’d even mentioned marriage after graduation. His high-flying father had made Jake promise not to wed before getting his degree, or he’d lose his chance at a prestigious hospital placement.
Graduation was still eighteen months away. A lot could change. But Lucy wasn’t thinking that far ahead. Nestled against Jake on the train, she felt happy and loved.
They stepped onto the platform and froze at the sight of the snow-blanketed woods surrounding the lodge. The crisp air energised them as they hoisted their skis and marched toward the cabins, giddy with youth and the promise of a perfect New Year.
After settling in, Jake rallied everyone for a quick warm-up ski.
*”We’ll start with the short loop—five kilometres. Bring your phones, but honestly, it’s safe here. No wild animals, the trail’s well-groomed. Just keep up. I’ll lead, Alex takes the rear.”* Jake clipped into his skis, poised at the trailhead.
Lucy hung back. She knew she’d slow everyone down. Taking the last spot, she fumbled with her poles as Alex fell in behind her. Jake noticed but said nothing.
The faster group, led by Jake, soon vanished into the trees. Lucy lagged behind, her muscles protesting, her fingers stiffening in the cold. She gasped for breath, the icy air burning her throat. Behind her, Alex’s skis whispered over the snow.
*”Go ahead!”* she called over her shoulder.
But he dawdled stubbornly in her wake. Lucy cursed herself for joining. She should’ve stayed in the warm cabin with tea, waiting for the others. Suddenly—a loud *crack* from the undergrowth. Startled, she lost her balance and fell. A sharp pain shot through her leg. She screamed.
*”What happened?”* Alex knelt beside her.
*”My leg…”* Lucy whimpered through clenched teeth.
Alex carefully examined her shin. She flinched, crying out.
*”Yep. Broken.”* He pulled out his phone. No signal. *”Blast.”*
*”Don’t cry, Luce. Jake’s fast. If he does a second loop, he’ll be back soon.”*
*”He said we were only doing one…”* she sobbed.
*”We’re halfway. We’ll have to wait. Can you hold on?”*
Shivering, Lucy nodded.
*”I’ll check a bit further for signal. Won’t go far.”*
A few minutes later—*”Got it!”* He called for help, then hurried back. *”Jake’s coming. Hang in there.”*
He draped his coat over her. Time crawled. Eventually, Jake appeared, towing a plastic sled.
*”We’ll get you on this,”* he said, briskly untangling Lucy’s skis.
Transferring her was agony. Jake snapped when she whimpered. *”Stop acting daft and help us, or you’ll freeze!”*
Alex stayed quiet, trusting Jake’s experience. Once settled, Lucy was dragged along like cargo, Alex trudging behind.
Back at the lodge, someone rubbed Alex’s frostbitten face with a woolly sock while Lucy lay doped up on the sofa. Two hours later, an ambulance arrived.
Lucy expected Jake to come. Instead, he said, *”Can’t leave the others. I’ll call you.”*
She cried the whole ride home. The fracture was simple, no surgery needed. Alex visited daily, bringing oranges and books while she wallowed.
*”Ruined my whole New Year,”* she moaned.
*”We’ll mope together,”* Alex joked weakly.
Jake rang just once. By Tuesday, his five-minute visit felt like charity. Lucy defended him—*”He had to stay with the group!”*—until her mate Claire spilled the truth: Jake had hooked up with Angela at the lodge.
Devastated, Lucy buried her face in a pillow.
Alex took her home by taxi, arranged extensions for her exams, and stayed by her side like a loyal knight.
New Year’s Eve was grim. At midnight, Lucy wished for *”the man I love to stay with me.”*
The universe, as ever, had other ideas.
Her leg healed. Jake ignored her. Alex didn’t. That summer, they married. Alex knew she didn’t love him—yet. But hope, as it does, lingered.
Five years later, visiting her parents, they ran into Jake at the uni. He pretended not to know them. Locals whispered—*Daddy’s still pulling strings. Married, but still a flirt.*
Lucy noticed Alex’s tension.
*”Not jealous, are you?”* she teased.
*”A bit. I remember how you pined for him.”*
*”Silly. I don’t want anyone but you. And… well, our son’s getting a sister soon.”*
So there it was. We fall for the glamorous ones. But as the song goes—*nothing but heartache from that love.* Lucy’s New Year’s wish had come true. The right man *had* stayed. She just hadn’t seen it at first.
Moral? Make wishes. At New Year’s, at Christmas, every day. Life answers in its own way.
