You’ll Find Love When the Time is Right—No Need to Rush, Everything Happens in Its Own Season Polly had an old, slightly quirky tradition. Every year, on the eve of New Year’s, she would visit a fortune teller. Living in London made finding a new mystic rather easy. The thing was, Polly felt lonely. No matter how hard she tried to meet a decent young man, it was always fruitless. Apparently, all the good guys had long been spoken for… “This year, you’ll meet your fate!” declared the dark-eyed fortune teller, gazing into her crystal ball. “But where? Where will I meet him?” Polly asked, impatiently. “I’ve been told the same thing every year. Time keeps passing, and I still haven’t found the one.” “I was recommended to you as the best fortune teller in the city. I demand you tell me the exact place! Otherwise, you’ll get some very negative reviews…” Polly threatened. The fortune teller rolled her eyes, realising she was dealing with someone high-strung, who wouldn’t give up easily. If she didn’t invent something quick, Polly would sit there till evening, holding up the line of hopefuls waiting for their turn. “On a train—you’ll meet him!” the mystic intoned, eyes closed. “I see him… tall, blonde, extremely handsome. Like a fairy-tale prince…” “Wow!” Polly exclaimed in delight. “Which train, and exactly when?” “Just before New Year’s!” the fortune teller grinned. “Head to King’s Cross. Your heart will guide you to the right ticket…” “Thank you!” beamed a newly hopeful Polly. Polly raced out of the flat, caught a black cab, and sped to the train station. Faced with the ticket window, her excitement shrank a bit as she stared at the departure board, totally unsure where to book her ticket… “Come on, love!” snapped the ticket clerk, breaking Polly’s trance. “Manchester… For the thirtieth of December. First-class compartment, please,” Polly mumbled. She could already picture herself in a cosy compartment, sipping tea, and suddenly—the door swings open and in walks her prince… Back home, Polly packed essentials for her trip, ignoring any concerns about what she’d actually do in Manchester on New Year’s Eve. She just desperately wanted the fortune teller’s prediction to come true. After all, feeling unwanted was hardest on the holidays. Everyone was bustling about with family, shopping for their festive tables and exchanging gifts—everyone except Polly… A few hours later, Polly was sitting in her compartment with a glass of tea—just as she’d imagined. Now all that was left was for the prince to walk in. “Good evening, dear!” greeted an elderly lady, wrestling a giant suitcase into the compartment. “Where’s the other seat?” “Here…” Polly replied, blinking in confusion and pointing to the opposite berth. “Not a mistake, is it? This is definitely your coach?” “No, sweetheart, I’m not mistaken,” smiled the old woman, plopping herself onto the free seat. “Excuse me, may I pass?” Polly muttered. She finally realised she’d made a huge mistake. “Let me out! I’ve changed my mind!” “Wait, let me just stow my bag,” said the elderly lady, more puzzled than offended. “Oh… The train’s moving,” Polly sighed. “Now what?” “Why do you suddenly want off, love? Forgotten something?” the woman asked. Polly ignored the question, turning to stare out the window. She knew this wasn’t the old woman’s fault—she herself had chased after this nonsense. Soon, Mrs. Evelyn rummaged in her bag for warm homemade pasties and began sharing with her companion. “Just been to visit my daughter,” Evelyn explained. “Now I’m off home—my son and his fiancée are coming for New Year’s. We’ll celebrate together.” “Lucky you… It looks like I’ll be ringing in the New Year at the station,” Polly remarked sadly. Word by word, Polly found herself sharing her whole story with the kindly woman. “Oh, you poor thing! Why waste time on those charlatans?” scolded Evelyn. “You’ll find your fate. No need to rush. Everything happens in its own time…” The next day, Polly disembarked in a city she’d never seen before. She helped Evelyn off the train, then stood, uncertain what to do next. “Thank you, Polly! Happy New Year to you!” Evelyn wished her. “And the same to you!” Polly replied, forcing a smile. Evelyn looked at her sadly. She understood that spending New Year’s Eve stuck at the station was hardly ideal. “Polly, come with me!” Evelyn suddenly offered. “We’ll decorate the tree, set out a festive spread…” “Oh, I couldn’t… it’s awkward,” Polly stammered. “Awkward is sitting in the station, isn’t it?” Evelyn smiled. “Come on. It’s settled!” Polly agreed. Evelyn was right—there was a blizzard raging and no point wandering around the station. “My Alexander and Lisa are already home,” Evelyn smiled. Alexander, her tall, fair-haired son, had seen his mother arrive through the window. He hurried to the lift to help with her heavy bag. “Hello, darling. I’m not alone; we have a guest! This is Polly, the daughter of my oldest friend,” Evelyn winked conspiratorially at Polly. “Brilliant!” said Alexander. “Come on in, Polly.” Polly blushed as she looked at the tall, handsome blonde—exactly the image she’d imagined on the train. Fate, it seemed, was having another laugh at her expense… “And where’s Lisa?” Evelyn asked. “Mum, Lisa’s gone. She won’t be back. Please, let’s not talk about it,” Alexander frowned. “Alright…” Evelyn said, bewildered. That evening, they sat around the table, bidding farewell to the old year. “Polly, are you staying long?” Alexander smiled, scooping salad onto her plate. “No, I’ll head back in the morning,” Polly said quietly, with some sadness. She really didn’t want to leave the warmth of this house so soon. It felt as though she’d known Evelyn and Alexander her whole life. “I don’t see why you need to rush off!” Evelyn protested. “Stay awhile, Polly.” “Actually, Polly, do stick around,” Alexander urged. “There’s a great ice rink—I can take you there tomorrow evening. Don’t hurry off.” “You’ve convinced me,” Polly smiled. “I’d love to stay.” The following New Year’s celebration was even better—with Evelyn, Alexander, Polly, and their little son, Archie… So, do you believe in New Year’s miracles?

Youll find your fate. No need to rush things. Everything in its own time.

Emily had a long-standing and rather peculiar tradition. Every year, just before New Years Eve, she would visit a fortune teller. Living in a busy English city made it easythere was never a shortage of new fortune tellers to seek out.

You see, Emily was lonely. No matter how much she tried to meet a decent young man, her efforts never got her anywhere. It seemed all the good ones had already been snatched up

This year youll meet your soulmate! proclaimed the fortune teller with striking dark eyes, gazing mysteriously into her glowing crystal ball.

But where? Where will I meet him? Emily asked impatiently. I get told the same thing every year. Time goes by and my destiny is nowhere to be found.

They said youre the strongest fortune teller in town. I demand you give me a specific location! Otherwise, Ill see to it that your reputation is ruined threatened Emily.

The fortune teller rolled her eyes, realising she was dealing with someone a bit touched by madness and who wouldnt leave her alone easily. She knew if she didnt conjure up something convincing, Emily would sit there all afternoon, holding up the queue of other believers eager to know their fortunes.

On a train! declared the fortune teller, closing her eyes for dramatic effect. I see him clearly tall, fair-haired, and very handsome. Like a prince from a fairy tale

Wow! Emily exclaimed, delighted. But which train? And when, exactly?

Before New Years Eve! the fortune teller replied with a flourish. Just head down to the station. Let your heart guide you as to where to buy your ticket

Thank you! Emily smiled blissfully.

Emily left the fortune tellers block of flats, hopped in a black cab, and sped off to Kings Cross station. Standing at the rail ticket window, her excitement wavered a little. Staring at the departures board, she hadnt the faintest idea where she was meant to go

Well? snapped the ticket seller, yanking Emilys attention back.

Manchester On the thirtieth of December. A compartment carriage, please, Emily stammered.

She imagined herself sitting in a cosy train compartment, sipping tea, and suddenlyhe walked in, her future fiancé

Once home, Emily rushed about packing her bag with all the essentials, as her train would depart late that evening.

She hadnt given any thought to the consequences of her trip, or what shed do for New Years in a city where she knew no one. Emily cared about only one thing: she wanted the fortune tellers prediction to come true as quickly as possible.

It was an awful feeling, believing no one needed her. Especially on special occasions like holidays. People dashed around with their families, gathering treats for the festive table, buying gifts for each other. Everyone except her

A few hours later, Emily found herself in a compartment with a cup of tea, just as shed imagined. All she had to do now was wait for her prince to enter through the half-open compartment door.

Good health to you! greeted an elderly lady as she hauled a massive suitcase into the compartment. Which is the second seat?

Here Emily blinked, flustered, and pointed to the opposite bunk. Are you certain youve got the right carriage?

Of course, love, Im sure, smiled the lady, dropping herself on the free seat.

Excuse me, could I get past? Emily mumbled, finally realising shed made a massive mistake. Let me out! Ive changed my mind!

Hang on, let me put my bag away, replied the old lady, not quite grasping what was happening.

Well were moving now, Emily sighed. What am I supposed to do?

Whats brought that on, wanting to leap off so suddenly? Forgotten something? asked the woman.

Emily ignored the question and shifted to gaze out the window. She knew this old woman was not to blameshed brought this mess upon herself.

The lady, Anne Harriet, soon produced warm homemade pasties from her bag to share with Emily.

Been visiting my daughter, she explained to Emily. On my way home now, my son and his fiancée are coming to visit. Well ring in the New Year together.

Lucky you Ill probably welcome the New Year at the station, Emily remarked somberly.

Word after word, Emily worked up the courage and told Anne Harriet the truth of her ridiculous adventure.

You silly girl! Why go running to these charlatans? scolded the old lady. Youll find your fate. No need to rush. Everything in its proper time

The following day, Emily stepped onto the platform of Manchestera city shed never visited before. Graciously, she helped Anne Harriet out of the train and paused, at a loss for what to do next.

Thank you, Emily! Happy New Year to you! Anne Harriet smiled.

And to you! Emily attempted a smile.

The woman looked at Emily, uncertain how to lift her spirits. She realised it wasn’t the greatest way to begin the yearspending New Year’s Eve at a train station.

Emily, why dont you come with me? Anne Harriet offered suddenly. Well decorate the Christmas tree and set up a lovely festive table

Oh no, I couldnt possibly stammered Emily.

Is it more comfortable sitting at a station? Anne Harriet grinned. Come on. No arguments!

Emily finally accepted the invitation. Anne Harriet was right. A blizzard was raging outside and there was no sense wandering around the station.

Jack and Beth are already home, smiled Anne Harriet.

Jack saw from the window as his mother arrived in a taxi. He was already near the lift, rushing to take her heavy bag from her.

Hello, Mum. Oh, youre not alone! We have a guest. This is Emily, the daughter of my mothers old friend, Anne Harriet winked at Emily.

Excellent! Jack smiled. Come in, Emily.

Emily looked up at the tall, good-looking, blonde-haired Jack and felt herself blush. He was just who shed imagined on the train. It seemed fate had played another cruel trick

And wheres Beth? asked his mother.

Mum, Beths gone, and she wont be coming back. Please, Id rather not talk about it, Jack muttered.

Alright, said his mother, looking a bit lost.

That evening, they all sat together around the dinner table, bidding farewell to the old year.

Emily, are you staying with us for long? Jack smiled, loading salad onto Emilys plate.

No. Ill leave in the morning, she replied, sadly for reasons she could not explain.

She didnt want to leave this warm home so soon. Emily felt as if shed known Anne Harriet and Jack her whole life.

I dont see why youre in such a hurry, Anne Harriet protested. Emily, do stay on a bit.

Yes, Emily, stay. Weve a wonderful ice rink, and tomorrow evening we could go. Dont rush off, Jack urged.

Youve convinced me, Emily smiled. Ill happily stay.

The next New Years Eve, they celebrated togetherAnne Harriet, Jack, Emily, and little Oliver

Do you believe in New Year miracles?