Julia stepped off the coach, her arms loaded with heavy bags, making her way towards her childhood home. Im home! she called out as she opened the door. Julia, darling! her family rushed out to meet her, embracing her warmly. We just had a feeling youd be here tonight!
Later that evening, as everyone gathered around the large kitchen table, someone knocked at the door. Must be the neighbours, come to say hello, her mum shrugged, heading off to answer it. She returned, not alone, but with a couple of unexpected visitors. Julia looked up and couldnt believe her eyes.
Earlier that day, Julia had sat quietly on the coach, gazing out of the window as the countryside rolled by, her thoughts heavy with longing for home. On her lap rested a large tartan bag, the only luggage she brought, packed with essentials. But her grandmother had managed to fit a carrier of freshly baked sausage rolls on top, filling the coach with an irresistible aroma.
Unable to resist, Julia unzipped her bag and handed a couple of golden sausage rolls to the young man beside her, whod offered her the window seat without even being asked. Shed immediately felt a wave of gratitude and fondness towards him.
Would you like one? Julia offered.
Absolutely! he grinned, eyes bright with anticipation.
Im Julia, she introduced herself.
And Im Stephen. Off to university?
Yes. Theres nothing of the sort back home only courses for tractor drivers. And Id make a rubbish tractor driver, she laughed.
Im headed off to uni myself, Stephen admitted. Still, I love the village simple life suits me.
It was a four-hour journey to London. Enough time for the two to strike up a friendship, swapping phone numbers before heading off their separate ways in the city.
***
Busy weeks flew by, filled with entrance exams and paperwork. Julia and Stephen were both accepted into their chosen universities and felt on top of the world. The nerves and sleepless nights were behind themnow, all that lay ahead were hopes and grand plans for the future.
One evening, Stephen rang Julia, suggesting, How about we celebrate our big achievement at a nice café?
Julia was thrilled. For one, she genuinely liked Stephenhe was easygoing and felt like family, in a way. He was straightforward and decent, none of that pretentiousness shed seen in others.
They met up in the city centre at a café called The Hippopotamus. They sat by the window, watching riverboats glide along the Thames as tour guides shouted amusing facts through megaphones.
Ive always wondered, Julia said suddenly, why on earth is this place called The Hippopotamus?
Stephen laughed, replying, Probably because after eating all these treats you end up looking a bit hippo-ish yourself!
True enough! Julia giggled, demolishing her slice of cake.
Their rendezvous at The Hippopotamus soon became a tradition, a regular date spot where theyd say, See you at our usual place.
That evening, they shared their first kiss: gentle, yet filled with passion, a memory Julia knew shed cherish forever.
Time passed, and their relationship blossomed. Julia felt that, besides her parents, no one in the world understood her better than Stephen. But, of course, romantic love was altogether different.
One day, after their third year had begun, Stephen suggested, Julia, why dont you move in with me? And, come summertime, lets tie the knot.
Hold on, Stephen, is that your way of proposing?
Seems about right.
Well, by the book, I should asklike in that old film, remember? Arent you worried Ill be in your way all the time? Julia joked, laughing.
Be in my way as much as you want! Stephen laughed, spinning her around right there on the pavement.
Back at the flat she shared with two other girls, Julia danced through the door, beaming.
Youre glowing tonight! exclaimed her friend Vera. Whats happened?
Oh, girls! Julia twirled around. I might be moving in with Stephen soon!
Are we invited to the wedding then? grinned her other housemate, Marina.
Not yet! The wedding is for the summerright now, were just seeing how living together goes.
Julia settled down, pulling her legs up under her. Vera frowned, Julia, dont rush things! Theres ages till summer. Anything could change. Do you really want to move out now?
Dont worry, Vera! Julia laughed. Youre such a worrier. Everyone does this nowadays.
Well, not me! Vera huffed. I dont believe in living together before marriage. My mums a solicitorIve seen how these arrangements end.
Alright, Vera, dont be cross! I was only joking.
***
Julia brushed off Veras doubts, believing that lovereal love, like hers with Stephenwas rare, and that a marriage certificate couldnt change true feelings. But still, those little seeds of doubt had been planted.
Stephen, sensing her reluctance, stopped pushing for them to move in together.
One brisk December day, the three girls wandered through town, snow crunching beneath their boots. Festive lights made the streets glow, but the air was chilly, and everyone shivered.
Lets pop into The Hippopotamus, Julia suggested. Its mine and Stephens favourite spot.
They agreed, but as they approached the window, Marina stopped, suddenly sombre. Isnt that Stephen inside?
Julia looked and saw Stephen sat at their usual table. Opposite him was a young woman, maybe three years younger. They were talking, laughing warmly. Julias heart sank.
She turned away, silent.
I think Ill head back, she whispered.
Well come with you! shouted Vera and Marina in unison.
Back at the flat, her friends tried to reassure her. Its probably nothing, Julia! Dont jump to conclusions. Maybe shes just a friend. But Julia remembered the way Stephen had looked at that girl, and the fact they were sitting at their café, at their table.
Its like a betrayal, Julia thought.
She stopped answering Stephens calls, and asked her housemates to tell him she wasnt home if he came to see her.
One day, Stephen caught her outside the university, grabbed her hand, and asked, Julia, whats wrong? Are you seeing someone else?
Julia was stunned at his nerve and snapped, Youre asking me that? I see how you shift the blame! Let go, Im late for an exam.
She snatched her hand away and hurried inside, leaving a thoroughly confused Stephen behind.
***
After passing her exams early, Julia went home for Christmas, hoping her familys house would help her heal.
She felt better stepping off the coach at her villages stop, the frosty air pinching her cheeks, the snow sparkling beneath her boots. The trees and cottages shimmered like diamonds in the winter sunlight.
Smoke curled up from chimneys across the village. Julia smiled, grabbing her bag of gifts shed collected for her mum, dad, and granny. Entering the garden, she noticed the spruce tree shed grown up with had grown tallerand someone had decorated it like in the old days.
Happy Christmas! Julia cried as she walked into the house.
Julia, darling! her family hugged her. We knew you were coming!
The day was filled with joyful reunions. The only shame was how short the daylight was in winterby five, it was already dark.
No matter! That means we can turn the tree lights on, her father cheered.
That evening, as everyone sat around the big table, there was a knock at the door.
Her mum shrugged, It must be the neighbours, and went to answer. She returned, and behind her were Father Christmas and his young helper.
Stephen? Julia gasped, peering closer at Father Christmas and his assistantthe very same girl she had seen with him at the café. How did you find meand whats going on?
Stephen roared with laughter, the girl joining in.
Your friends told me where to find you, he explained. And let me introduce you: this is my little sister, Irene!
Sister? Julia repeated in disbelief.
Yes! Sister indeed! Irene smiled. Look closer, were quite alike.
Julia felt a weight lift from her chest. All that worryingI couldve just asked directly! she scolded herself.
Stephen went on, And now, in front of all your family and my representative here, Id like to askJulia, will you marry me? He produced a small box with a ring.
Of course! Id be delighted! Julia threw her arms around Stephenwell, Father Christmas for the evening. This is the best Christmas of my life!
There shall be plenty more best Christmases together, Stephen said. Next time, lets promiseno more secrets, we talk through everything!
Agreed! Julia whispered, her heart full.
