**Diary Entry 2nd January**
*”Cheer up, mate! At least you had a cracking New Years Eve!”*
Back in my hometown now. I stepped off the platform at the station, crossed the square, and headed for the bus stop. I hadnt told Emma I was coming back today.
My mood wasnt greatI was dreading the row with her. Shed probably accuse me of being selfish, uncaring, like always.
Uncaring? Thats rich. I tried calling to wish her a Happy New Year, but shed switched her phone off. Sulking, as usual. Spent three days trying to reach her, but nothing. So I gave up.
And lets not forgetshe couldnt even be bothered to wish my parents or sister a happy Christmas, let alone me. Id make sure she heard about that the second I walked in.
Shes got no room to talk, anyway. Best defence is a good offence, right?
I marched into the building, fists clenched, ready for battle.
The flat was silent.
*”Oi! Anyone home? Emma, Im back!”* No answer.
Checked the kitchenempty. Bedroomsame. But something was off. The wallpaper had changed. The cot was gone. The dresser with the changing mat, the pram Mum and Dad had bought for usvanished.
I yanked open the wardrobe. Her side was bare.
*”Has she lost the plot? Left me?”*
Rang her mumno reply. Tried Katie, her best matesilence. Finally got hold of Mike, Katies husband.
*”Mate, put Katie on. Cant get hold of her.”*
*”Shes at her parents in the villagespotty signal out there. I came back early for work. Theyre all still celebrating. Why dyou need her?”*
*”Thought she might know where Emmas got to. I just got homeshes not here. None of the baby stuffs here either.”*
Mike sighed. *”Waitshe was due any day, wasnt she? You seriously left her alone over Christmas?”*
*”She didnt want to come! The due date wasnt till the 10thplenty of time!”*
*”Christ, youre a right muppet,”* Mike chuckled.
*”Why?”*
*”Because youre probably single now, you daft sod. Ring the hospitalbet shes there.”*
—
**Ten days earlier**
*”I dont get it, Darren,”* Mum said over the phone. *”Why sit at home over Christmas? If Emma wont come, you come alone. The babys not due for two weeksyoull be back in time.”*
*”The whole familys gatheringAunt Vera and Uncle Steve, Natalie and Vic, even Liz and Paul. And us, of course. Weve booked rooms at a countryside hotelforest views. Banquet on New Years Eve, live music. Ive paid your shareyoull owe me. Stay till Boxing Day, then head back. Youll make it before the due date.”*
Emma refused. *”Darren, I could go into labour any day. Imagineeveryones celebrating, and suddenly Im in contractions. That hotels miles from the hospital. No, Im not going.”*
*”Mums right,”* Darren grumbled later. *”Women these days treat pregnancy like an illness, childbirth like a bloody medal. She had three of us and barely took maternity leave.”*
Deep down, he knew Emma had a point. But the thought of a quiet New Years, just the two of them, no proper spreadshed said she wasnt cooking anything specialmade him miserable.
Meanwhile, the family would be dancing, laughing, singing. So he went alone.
The hotel was brilliant. Just before midnight, he slipped out to call Emma. No answer.
*”Fine, sulk away. Your lossyou couldve been here having a laugh.”*
Next morning, Mum had a go at him. *”Emma couldnt even ring to wish us a Happy New Year. Youve really let her walk all over you, son.”*
*”She doesnt get family. So now shes aloneserves her right.”*
But Emma wasnt thinking about them that night. If anyone crossed her mind, it was Darrencertainly not his parents.
Her folks, hearing shed be alone, invited her over. No big feastjust them. Her brother worked shifts in London, so itd just be the three of them.
At 9 p.m. on New Years Eve, as she helped her mum set the table, the contractions hit.
Ambulance called. Mum went with her, Dad followed in the car.
Emma welcomed the New Year in a hospital bed. Her parents waited in the lobby. By half past midnight, she was a mum.
—
Back home, Darren took Mikes advice and rang the hospital.
*”Emma Carter? Discharged yesterday.”*
*”What? Already? The baby?”*
*”Born 1st January, 12:30 a.m.”*
*”Who picked her up?”*
*”We dont log that, sir.”*
Only her parents couldve collected her. He bought roses and went straight there.
Knocked. The door opened. Her dad.
*”Can I help you?”*
*”Im here for Emma.”*
*”Why?”*
*”Im her husband.”*
*”Emma!”* her dad called. *”Some bloke here says hes your husband. Want a word?”*
*”No. Tell him to leave.”*
Her dad shrugged. *”You heard her. Cheers, mate.”* Door shut.
Darren stood there, then knocked again.
This time, her mum answeredtall, loud, terrifying.
*”Did you not hear us?”*
*”Let me in. Ive got a right”*
She snatched the roses and whacked him across the face.
*”Your rights? Your solicitor will explain those. Now sod offmy grandsons sleeping.”* She tossed the roses at his feet and slammed the door.
He walked home, rubbing his face. Roses have thorns.
Rang Mum. *”They wouldnt even let me see the baby.”*
*”Dont fret, love. Shell come crawling back. Wheres she gonna go? Dont call, dont send money. Let her parents foot the bill. A week or two, shell be back. Get some sleepwork tomorrow.”*
So he did. Ate frozen lasagne, went to bed.
Slept soundlynot knowing itd be his last night in that flat.
Next evening, he found his belongings in boxes on the landing.
Her mum answered the door. *”Remember your student digs, dear? Collect your junk. Cleaners tossing the rest tomorrow.”*
He moved back into halls.
Divorce papers came quick. Rent was impossible after child support came out.
*”Tighten your belt,”* Mike said. *”Gotta save for your own place now. Cheer upleast you had a banging New Year!”*
Emma stayed with her parents for three years. They helped with little Jack. When she went back to work, they moved into the flatfreshly redecorated. No trace of me left.
**Lesson learned:** Some choices cost more than a night of fun.
