Oxana, Are You Busy? – A Festive New Year’s Eve Tale of Family, Holiday Hustle, a Mishap in the Snow, and an Unexpected Encounter with a Doctor That Changed Everything

Annie, are you busy? her mum calls, poking her head through the door to her daughters room.

Just a second, Mum. Ill send this email and Im with you, Annie replies, eyes still on her laptop.

Theres not enough mayonnaise for the salad, and I forgot to get dill. Do you mind popping to the shop before it shuts?

Of course.

Sorry, darling, I know youve already done your hair. My heads spinning with all this holiday fuss, her mother sighs.

All done, Annie says, closing her laptop and turning to her mum. What did you say?

She slips on her boots and coat, skipping the hat so as not to ruin her hairstyle. The local shops just across the road, so she wont get too cold anyway. Outside, a gentle frost lingers in the air, dusted with a fine snowstraight out of a Christmas card.

The shops nearly empty, just a handful of people grabbing forgotten bits in a last-minute panic. The only fresh dill left is bundled with droopy parsley and spring onions. Annie means to ring her mum and ask if that will do, but realises her phones back home. After pondering, she pops the limp greens in her basket along with a tub of mayonnaise, pays at the till, and steps out.

She doesnt make it far before a car rounds the corner, its headlights dazzling her. Annie stumbles sideways, her boot heel slipping on an uneven patch of icy pavement hidden beneath the snow. Her ankle twists, and she crashes down. Her shopping bag goes flying.

When she tries to stand, a sharp pain shoots through her ankle, bringing tears to her eyes. Theres no one about, no phone. What now? She doesnt hear the car door close quietly behind her.

Are you alright? A young man has hurried over and stands beside her. Can you stand? Let me help. He extends a hand.

I think Ive broken my anklethanks to you lot charging about in your cars, turning the roads into an ice rink! Annie snaps, ignoring his offer.

You shouldnt be tottering about in heels at night, should you? he shoots back.

Oh, sod off, Annie mutters, sniffling, wiping at her eyes.

Planning to sit out here till morning? Come on. Im not a murderer. Where do you live? he asks.

Over there, Annie gestures toward her block of flats.

The man vanishes briefly, then she hears his engine. The car reverses and pulls up beside her.

Ill lift you now. Avoid putting weight on that foot. Ready? One, two, three and before Annie can protest, he deftly lifts her and sets her upright, supporting her as she folds her sore leg behind her.

Alright? he asks, steadying her with one hand while opening the car door with the other. Hold on to me and get in.

My bag! Annie cries as she clambers awkwardly into the passenger seat.

He retrieves her bag and stashes it behind them.

At her block, he helps her out then sweeps her up in his arms, nudging the car door shut with his foot.

At the main door, he pauses. Do you have keys? Is anyone in?

My mum.

Alright, buzz her and ask her to open the door.

Theres no lift, so he carries Annie up to the third floor. She throws her arms round his neck, feeling how breathless he is lugging her up the dim stairwell. She notices the sweat trickling down his forehead under the meagre hallway lights. Serves you right for charging round in your car, she thinks, slightly vindictive.

Put me down, I can manage from here, Annie says at their front door.

He just pants, saying nothing. Suddenly, her mum opens the door, alarmed.

Annie? What on earth?

Without pause, the man strides in past her, carefully setting Annie onto the floor and taking a deep breath.

A chair, please, he asks the stunned woman, clinging to the coat-stand.

Mum fetches a kitchen chair and Annie sinks onto it, propping out her foot. The man kneels in front of her.

Whats going on? her mum demands.

He ignores her, gently steadying Annies leg as he quickly undoes her boot zip. Annie gasps.

What are you doing? That hurts!

You cant do that! Shes in pain! her mum cries, horror in her eyes as Annies ankle swells and purples, visible even through her tights.

Ill ring for an ambulance, her mum says.

Its only a sprain. Im a doctor. Please, could you fetch some ice? the man instructs briskly.

Her mum rushes out, returning with a frozen chicken in a plastic bag.

Put that on her ankle, he says, rising and heading for the front door.

Are you leaving? Annie asks, afraid.

Ill be right backmy cars got a bandage in it. Ill bring your bag too, he says, then disappears.

Did you leave your bag in his car? Annie, who was that? Mum asks, pressing the ice pack to Annies ankle as she flinches in pain.

He came round the corner fastI slipped and fell. He brought me home. Thats it.

Maybe hes a conman! He might be stealing your purse, bank card, keys! Annie, should we phone the police before he gets away? her mum whispers.

Oh, come on, Mum. If hed wanted to rob me, he wouldnt have carried me home.

I just dont know Mum frets.

Just then, the intercom buzzes.

Thats him. Mum, can you let him in? Annie pleads.

The man returns, hands Annie her bag, and neatly kneels on his coat. You can check everythings there, he says.

Sorry, but this will hurt. I have to set the bone. Hold on to the chair.

He handles her foot, gently bends it. Annie moans, biting her lip.

Somethings burning, he says suddenly to Annies mum, glancing up.

She darts to the kitchen.

In a second, searing pain shoots through Annies ankle, stealing the breath from her body and blotting her vision.

Nearly done. The worst is over, he says softly.

Mum scurries back, halting at the sight of Annies tears. The ovennothings ruined she begins, flustered, but he interrupts.

Its fixed. Youll be sore for a few daysdont put full weight on it. He gently lowers Annies foot, stands, and slips his coat on.

Thank you. Im sorry for thinking the worst, truly, Mum says, blurting, Would you like to stay for supper? The New Years almost here. You might not get home before midnight. Weve plenty.

He hesitates, then nods slightly.

If youre sure Im not imposing.

Not at all. You can even help open the champagne, Mum smiles.

Mum! Annie gives her a look.

Well, Ill sort the food and you, young man, help Annie to the lounge, Mum instructs.

Leaning on his arm, Annie limps to the sofa. She tests her footpainful but manageably so. Strangely, she finds comfort in his steadying arm.

Thank you, she murmurs, settling herself and extending her leg.

My fault youre hurt, he admits, sitting beside her.

Its not your faultI stumbled. Whats your name?

James. Are we on first names now?

Alright, James. Are you really a doctor?

Im a surgeon, he replies, easing into the sofa.

Youre married, I suppose? Your wife must be worried.

She left me six months agocouldnt take the long hours, on call even at weekends and over Christmas. Took our daughter and moved in with her mum.

I must look a mess, Annie says shyly.

You look lovely, he reassures her.

Thats how the three of them welcome in the New Year. Its said that how you see in the year is how youll spend it.

When James leaves, Annie and her mum get ready for bed. Annie lies awake, replaying every momenthis arms around her, the way hed carried her, his touch lingering long after. Some things you simply dont forget.

Next morning, Annie is able to hobble about, though her ankle is swollen and the bandage tight. Still, she can walk.

She cant hide her delight when James pops by againremoving the bandage to check her ankle, then re-wrapping it snugly.

Alls well. Does it hurt when you try to stand?

Were on you, remember? Annie grins. I can manage.

Tea? offers her mum.

Next time. Im due on shift, James says.

Will you be back? Annie blurts, hopeful.

He just smiles.

Two months later, Annie moves in with James.

Hes not even divorced. What if his wife comes back? Mum protests as Annie packs her suitcase.

She wont. He says shes seeing someone else.

I still think youre rushing things.

Its a happy yearthough whenever James visits his daughter, Annie cant help a twist of jealousy. Shes met the wifestriking, too. Annie gains a fresh understanding of her as James is often called away, even on holidays or at night. The nurses are young and pretty too; its impossible not to love him. But when hes home, Annie is incandescently happy.

A year passesdespite everything, Annie is content. The only cloud: James never finalises his divorce, and her mum frequently urges her to have the talk and get things settled. Annie hesitates.

On New Years Eve, Annie is busy in the kitchen. A twinkling Christmas tree dominates the living room, and a new dress is laid out on the bed. Shes just checking the roast when her phone rings. Entering the lounge, she sees James at the window, on the phone.

Alright, Ill be round soon, he says, turning to her.

Is it work again? Annies spirits drop.

Nomy ex rang. Our little ones upset and refusing to go to bed without me. Ill go over, tuck her in, and come straight back.

James, its less than three hours till midnight. Annies voice trembles.

Ill make it backI promise. Ill give her her present, read her a story. Quick as I can. James kisses her cheek and leaves.

Annie tries to dismiss the jealousy, keeping busy. She sets the table, changes into her dress, but as midnight draws near, James still hasnt returned. She dares not ring in case hes driving; she texts, but gets no reply.

Frustrated, Annie surveys the festive table before blowing out the candles. Never has she felt closer to understanding his wife. What if her mum is right? What if the wife comes back after all? Annie loves James.

Unable to bear the silence, Annie thinks of Mrs. Fletcher downstairsa widow, entirely alone. James once told her the old lady never married or had children. Annie decides: nobody should spend New Years alone.

She takes two containers from the kitchen, packing up some salad and a slice of cake, then heads down.

Mrs. Fletchers slow to answer, but finally the lock clicks and she peers out bleary-eyed.

Ive brought some salad and cake. Baked it myself. If you dont mind my joining you, Annie says, nerves jangling.

Come in, dear, Mrs. Fletcher waves her in.

Tiny and frail, the old lady keeps a tidy, cosy home. Theres no tree and no feastjust a little telly quietly flickering.

Thank you, love, she says, accepting the food. Sit down, Ill pop the kettle on.

Youre Jamess Annie, arent you? she asks over tea.

Yes, Annie nods.

Mrs. Fletcher looks satisfied. His wife never acknowledged anyone. Youre not like her. Is he on call again?

Hes gone to see his daughter.

She nods again. Hell be back. Hes a sensible man.

Have you always lived alone? Annie asks gently.

All my life. Shouldve had a child, but it never happened. There was love, once. But my best friend took him from me.

Annie simply listens.

My Fred stayed in our village after school. I did nursing training in the city. That first Christmas after my course, I went home to spend New Years with him. Our coach broke down in the snow. It got darker and colder, no mobiles in those daysdriver walked off to get help, we sat shivering. Didnt want to wait, so I walked. Thought itd be quicker. Snow worsened, the wind picked up, I slogged on, young and in love. Thought fate would speed me along.

I saw in the New Year trudging along that country lane, face numb, hands frozen. Was days sick in bed after, feverish. By the time I came round, my friend said Fred was now with hershe was pregnant by him. He tried to explain, but I was proud, angry. I left for the city, never saw him again. Years later, I found out she lied about the baby. Fred took to drink and died cold and alone. He was a good man. Mrs. Fletcher wipes away tears.

I never married. I only ever loved him. Shouldve forgiven, shouldve listened. My whole life might have been different. Dont repeat my mistake, love. If you care for James, dont let jealousy get in the way. Forgive him. Go somewhere new togethershell never leave you both in peace if you stay. Do as your heart tells you.

Annie returns to her flat, putting away the untasted food. James doesnt return till the next day.

Im sorry, Annie. I dont know what happened. She mustve drugged my teaI only just woke up with the worst headache ever.

Why wont you divorce her? Do you still love her?

God, no. If you knew her, you wouldnt ask. I love my daughter, thats all. Annie, I know you waited up, probably imagined all sorts. Nothing happened, I swear. Do you believe me?

Annie leans into him, searching his eyes.

Lets moveanywhere. There are hospitals everywhere, and youre a brilliant surgeon

I cant talk now, lovemy heads splitting. Later, I promise. I do love you.

He falls asleep, while Annie remembers Mrs. Fletchers words.

Her daughters so young, shell soon forget. Theyve not lived together for six monthshis wifes orchestrated this. She wants me out of the picture, but I wont give up. Well talk when he wakes. Well find a way.

Annie turns off the fairy lights, snuggles up to James.

Love. That word isnt enough. I love you. I love you. You can say it a thousand ways, but its true.

Annie Hall

When you love someone, you can forgive everythingexcept when they stop loving you.She kisses Jamess brow, letting her hand rest on his chest. The familiar rhythm of his heart calms her nerves. Tomorrow, theyll talk, and she knows what shell say: Lets build something new. Lets choose each other, again and again, even on the worst days.

As the sky shifts from midnight to soft blue, Annie feels something inside her settle. Love isnt neat; it isnt always fair. Sometimes its about understanding the cost, and paying it anyway, because in the sum of two imperfect hearts, something perfect can still be made.

In the hush before morning, with James asleep beside her, Annie finally allows hope to edge out the old fears. Shell call her mum, shell say yes to change, shell forgiveherself, James, even his wifefor all their flaws and failings.

Because love, like the gentle thaw after deep frost, returns in its own time. When James stirs and mumbles her name, she smilesuntil the day she cant, she will keep on loving him, bravely, with all she has.

The new year dawns quietly, and Annieheart full, ankle healedknows she is right where shes meant to be.