“Got no man of your own, so you go after someone else’s? Some friend you are. Don’t you dare set foot in my house again,” spat Sophie angrily.
She didn’t want to step off the bus. Olivia lived in one of those new developments where public transport still didn’t reach. It was a long walk from the stop, especially in this weather. Might as well pop into the shop. They’d promised a new one would open nearby, but who knew when that would happen. Now she’d pay for yesterday’s laziness—her fridge was nearly empty.
The moment Olivia stepped off the bus, a gust of wind tore her hood back and whipped a strand of hair into her face, along with a handful of icy snowflakes. The wind seemed to blow from all directions at once, determined to blind her.
She yanked the hood lower, gripping it under her chin, hunched like an old woman. Just before the shop, she nearly broke into a run, desperate to escape the biting cold.
Finally, the door swung shut behind her, sealing her in the quiet hum of the supermarket. She pushed back her hood and shook out her tangled hair. Grabbing a basket, she wandered the aisles, picking only essentials—just enough to fit in one bag. The rest could wait till tomorrow. She still had to walk home, and one hand had to stay free to clutch her hood.
Up ahead, a young woman pushed a pram while her little boy, bundled like an astronaut, clung to the side. The woman balanced a basket in one hand, moving slowly. No way past. Olivia ducked down another aisle, grabbed a bottle of milk, and headed for the bread section.
There they were again. Olivia was about to turn away when a small plush toy tumbled from the pram. She scooped it up.
“Excuse me, you dropped this!” she called.
The woman turned.
“Here—” Olivia held it out, then froze. “Sophie?”
“Liv!” Sophie’s face lit up.
“I was just thinking, what kind of madwoman takes her kids out in this weather?” Olivia laughed.
“I live nearby. Ran out of milk and cereal. Thought I’d dash out quick, but little Emily threw a fit, and Jack couldn’t handle her. So here we all are.”
Olivia bit back the question about Sophie’s husband. Too nosy too soon. Probably still at work.
She glanced at the boy, who was eyeing the biscuit packets.
“My little helper,” Sophie said proudly.
“How old is he?”
“Six. Starting school next autumn.”
“Can we go home? I want to finish my cartoon,” Jack whined.
“Patience. We’re going,” Sophie said firmly, then sighed. “Sorry, Liv. I’m not my own boss these days. Give me your number—let’s catch up properly.”
Olivia fumbled for her phone.
“Call me anytime after ten—kids are usually asleep by then,” Sophie said, heading for the till.
“Wait—the toy!” Olivia called.
Sophie murmured to Jack, who scurried over, snatched the pink rabbit, and dashed back without a word.
“Say thank you!” Sophie scolded, shaking her head at Olivia before vanishing into the queue.
*I’d never have pictured Sophie with two kids*, Olivia thought, waiting her turn. *How does she manage? I wouldn’t brave a blizzard for groceries.*
*Which is why you’re alone*, her inner voice replied.
At home, Olivia fried eggs—too late for a proper meal. As the kettle boiled, she studied her new kitchen. She’d bought the flat six months ago, her pride and joy.
The living room was still bare—just a sofa, telly, and wardrobe—but the kitchen was fully kitted out. A woman’s kingdom. One day, she’d have a family too. Kids. A husband. She’d be just like Sophie. Olivia sighed.
The kettle screeched. After dinner, she stood at the window, watching car lights flicker like Christmas decorations. In neighbouring flats, families gathered around tables. Someone out there might be staring just like her, thinking the same lonely thoughts.
She remembered Sophie’s old vow: *”I’m not wasting my best years on ungrateful kids who’ll leave me alone in the end. Let others breed—I’ll live my life.”*
Olivia had argued then. Now? Sophie had two kids, and she was alone. Funny how life twisted.
The phone rang at half ten.
“Hope I’m not interrupting?” Olivia whispered.
“No, kids are down. So? How’s life?”
“Same. Single. Bought this place—finally out of that drafty old flat. No ghosts here.”
“Why single?” Sophie pressed.
They talked for hours, until a baby’s cry cut them off.
“Emily’s up. Talk soon,” Sophie said, and hung up.
Olivia pictured her friend in a cosy glow, soothing her child while her dependable husband watched telly. And for a moment, she envied her.
Then again… *Out in a blizzard with kids. Maybe that dependable husband isn’t so dependable.*
—
Two weeks later, Sophie invited Olivia to Jack’s birthday.
“Need help setting up?” Olivia offered.
“Got my husband and Jack. We’re fine,” Sophie said brightly.
Olivia arrived with a Lego set and sweets. Jack answered the door.
“Shouldn’t you ask who it is first?” she teased.
He ran off.
“Who’s there?” Sophie called.
“Me, Liv!”
The living room was quiet—just Jack glued to cartoons. Sophie sat at the kitchen table, eyes red. No cake. No guests.
“What happened? Where’s your husband?” Olivia asked.
“In Newcastle,” Sophie spat.
They argued. He came home drunk, snarling about her “easy” life. Sophie snapped. Now the birthday was ruined.
They salvaged it with cake and wine after the kids slept.
“I’m exhausted,” Sophie admitted. “Val thinks childcare’s a holiday. Like I’ve got nothing else in me.”
“And you wonder why I’m single,” Olivia joked.
“Don’t say that! Kids are everything,” Sophie insisted.
The door banged. Val—handsome, sheepish—peeked in. “Tea? Or something stronger?”
Sophie’s glare could’ve melted steel.
Later, Val “escorted” Olivia home. He whined about Sophie’s neglect, eyed Olivia hungrily. When he lunged, she screamed.
A neighbour yanked him off.
Next day, Sophie called: “Stay away from my husband. And my home.”
Months later, they bumped into each other.
“I know what Val’s like,” Sophie muttered. “But what can I do? Who’d want me with two kids?”
“Actually… I’m getting married. Coming?” Olivia said.
Sophie walked away.
At her doorstep, Olivia was met by the neighbour who’d saved her—now her fiancé.
“Took you long enough,” he smiled.
Funny, she thought. Without Val’s attack, she’d still be alone. People lived side by side for years, never knowing each other.
As for Sophie… Well. That was her choice. Maybe one day, she’d find her way too.
