Helen had spent the whole day slaving away in the kitchen. A sharp ring from the doorbell cut through her tired thoughts. Alans family had arrived and immediately gathered around the dining table.
And wheres the roast beef? demanded Aunt Margaret.
There, a stuffed goose, just out of the oven, Helen answered with forced warmth.
Aunt Margaret, nose wrinkling theatrically, rose from her seat. Thats outrageous. How can anyone eat that? Come along, lets go home.
Alan stood as well, his eyes cold. Well, suit yourself. You can live alone if you cant even cook! Without another word, he began shoving his belongings into a duffel bag.
Helen listened to the door slam, his footsteps trailing off into the winter night. Alone, she sighed and reached for her phone.
Hi, Gail. Its me, Helen Yes, Helen, sorry the lines terrible. Why am I calling? Im not coming to yours this year. I know, I know, but youll be with Victor, and your daughter and her lot. And me? Ill have some salad and catch the worlds most expensive taxi home. You know I cant stand sleeping in someone elses house. She forced a laugh through static. For the past five years, since her divorce, New Years and other holidays had been spent at Gails, in a jumble of families and leftovers.
What? You were about to ring me too? Going away, are you? Off to Leeds, to Victors aunts place? Safe travels, darling! Whats the matterwhos coming? Sasha? Whos Sasha? Victors niece? Hello? Hello? The call cut off. Helen slammed the phone down, annoyance prickling her skin.
She sat in silence for a while. Perhaps it was for the best; at least she wouldnt be alone for the celebration. She rallied herselfat the very least she should toss together a proper salad. Normally, a few sandwiches would do her just fine. But this time, thered be a guest.
She put vegetables on to boil, set out some parsley, and grew pensive. When shed been married to Alan, New Years had never been this quiet. His whole country clan would descend by the thirtieth, flooding into the house. The kitchen turned into a warzonesteam fogging up the windows, smells clashing, pies and puddings and meat sizzling everywhere. No matter how fast she moved, she couldnt keep up with the endless parade of dishes. Even then, she wasn’t allowed to cook, not after shed once served an avocado salad.
Vile stuff, Aunt Margaret had speared with her tongue, and the whole family had nodded in righteous agreement.
At least our dishes werent all dripping with mayonnaise, Helen mourned to herself, as their greasy food was, glistening and heavy. The menfolk immediately took to sampling Alans home brew, barely making it to midnight before collapsing in a festive stupor.
Eventually, on the second of January, theyd bundle up and go, having eaten and drunk every last crumb. The mess was always left for Helen. Shed clean and scrub for an entire week, while Alan stormed off to the village to continue the holiday, returning stubbled and sour, full of family complaints about his city wife who couldnt cook real food. Every year it ended in harsh words, memories of his old flame Vera, whom Helen was still accused of stealing him from. She suffered the endless reproaches; after all, she hadnt mastered their fatty, lardy recipes.
Her only comfort was complaining to her childhood friend, Gaila lively soul who, weary of Helens moaning, had once hatched a plan. At New Years, Helen rang every family member, insisting she would cook the holiday meal herself. All were summoned to arrive early. With Gails help, she spent the day making hearty, yet lighter, nibbles. But when Alans family arrived:
And wheres the beef? Aunt Margaret moaned.
Theres a lovely stuffed goose, Helen stammered.
And no mash? Aunt Margaret persisted.
Disgust written all over her face, she declared, Youve made a feast fit for cattle. Fred, drive us home! Coats were snatched up, the door slammed, and in the chaos, Alan spat, Well, youve done it! and went pelting after his family.
Dont forget your bag! Helen called icily, handing it over.
Oh, I wont be the one left alone, he sneered, stuffing his things in and vanishing into the night.
When the pan started to bubble over in the kitchen, Helen snapped out of her daze. She lifted the lid and almost jumped at the ring at the doormust be Sasha. She opened the door, her nerves jangling.
A smiling man, perhaps forty, stood before her. Hello! Im Alex Myers, Victors nephewbit of a surprise visit, as theyve gone to Leeds. You must be Helen?
Dumbly, she nodded. But Gail said it was a nieceSasha
Alex grinned. Could be a mix-uplines are terrible, arent they?
She sighed. Well, youd better come in. Make yourself at home, since youve come this far.
Dont worry, Im off tomorrow eveningcaught the only train I could. I wont put you out for long.
Helen busied herself with the vegetables, draining and arranging them for the salad, while Alex inspected the kitchen.
Are we celebrating with just one salad? he teased.
Helen snapped, Did you expect a full Christmas banquet? Mountains of meat, a bucket of potato salad?
He laughed heartily. Not at all! Never cared for that. I much prefer fish.
She shrugged. No fish, Im afraidand Im not much good at it anyway.
Alex tossed his coat on and headed to the door. Dont worry, Ill sort it. Stay put! Before she could protest, hed vanished.
The absurdity of the moment made her laugh aloud. Shed been expecting an older woman, and instead had this energetic man on her doorstep.
Alex was gone for over an hour. Helen couldnt help fretting; what if hed gotten lost? When the bell finally rang again, she hurried to open the door.
Where on earth have you been? You had me worried sick Her words trailed off. A fragrant, bushy fir tree filled the doorway, behind which Alex stood, arms laden with bulging shopping bags.
Why? she managed.
Alex set down the tree and smiled. Whats New Years without a tree?
Helen inhaled the sweet pine scent and broke into a laugh. All we need now is some mandarin oranges.
He winked. Dont you fret. Ive bought mandarins and champagne. Righthelp me with these bags and lets get this show on the road!
Together, joking and laughing, they dressed the tree and prepared food. Under his gentle guidance, Helen found herself peeling prawns and cleaning fish, then watching in awe as Alex skillfully roasted a carp.
By midnight, everything was readythe champagne fizzed in their glasses as the chimes rang out.
To the New Year, and new happiness, Alex toasted.
They drank deep, and began to talk. She admitted, You know, when we married, he was so much kinder. Or maybe I was just blindlovers never see the flaws, do they? She gave a sad laugh. Afterwards, it was all nagging and shoutingnothing I did was ever right. But enough about me. What about you? Are you married?
He sighed. Not anymore. Cliché, reallyone long trip away, and she found someone else. Im filing for divorce as soon as Im back. This is all a bit too gloomy for New Years, though, isnt it? Lets swap childhood stories instead.
She smiled, warming at last. Once, I bet the boys I could climb the tallest tree on our street. Got stuck at the top and cried until Uncle Steve from number three rescued me. Spent the whole evening in the naughty corner after.
Alex laughed. At school, I glued the headmasters chair to the floor. My dad nearly tanned the hide off me!
So they reminisced into the early hours, trading stories and laughter. Finally, Helen yawned.
Youd best go to bed, Alex said gently. Ill sort out the dishes.
She argued, but he insisted. Yielding, she slipped off to her room and was asleep in moments.
Alex was the one to wake her come morning. Helen, I need to be off. Lock up after I leave.
She bolted upright. Is it evening already? Why didnt you wake me sooner?
He brushed a stray lock from her forehead. You looked so peaceful, I couldnt bear to wake you. But I need to catch the train.
She walked him to the door, lingering. Thank you, Alex. For everything. You made it a real holiday.
Alex hesitated, then with sudden resolve, asked, Can I come back? When Im free?
Helens heart leapt. Yes, Id love that
Before she could finish, he kissed her sweetly, whispering, Then its settled. Until next time.
Helen stood at the door for a long while, fingers tracing her lips, smiling with a quiet hope. Sometimes, she thought, you can know someone for years and never truly see who they are. And just once, with a stranger, you feel youve known them forever.
Against all odds, she could believe itmiracles do happen at New Years. A quirk of fate, and a new love, and with it, a new life.
