Olga Spent All Day Preparing for Her First New Year’s Eve Away from Her Parents, Dreaming of Her Bel…

31st December

I spent most of today getting ready for New Years Evetidying up the flat, doing a big shop, cooking, and laying out all the food and drink. It was going to be my very first New Years Eve away from my parents, and the first one Id spend with the man I love.

Ive been living with George for three months now, in his place. Hes fifteen years older than me, divorced, paying child support, and wellhe has a proper fondness for the pub, if you catch my drift. But when youre in love, you dont let those things bother you. Everyone always wondered what I saw in himhes certainly not what youd call handsome, far from it. He can be downright miserable, is tight with money to an almost heroic degree, and is usually skint anyway. And if he has a bit of cash, its only ever spent on himself. Still, despite all that, Id fallen hook, line, and sinker for George.

All these months I was hoping George would notice how easy-going and capable I amsurely, hed realise he wanted me for his wife. He often said, Its best to see what youre like to live witha man needs to be sure youre no different from my ex. I never did find out much about this ex of hishe was vague at best. So I tried my hardest to show him my best side: I didnt have a go when he rolled in after a night at the pub, I looked after the place, cooked, did the laundry, paid for most things myself (didnt want George thinking I was after his money). Even this New Years spreadI bought it all, and even got him a brand new mobile as a present.

While I was busy with preparations, my dear George was alsohow shall I put itpreparing in his own style. Meaning he was out drinking with his mates. He eventually arrived back, rosy-cheeked, and announced that wed have guests for New Years after allhis mates and their partners, none of whom Id ever even met. Id just finished laying out the food, one hour til midnight, when my spirits absolutely sank. But I kept it togetherI wasnt about to give him an earful like that ex of his, whoever she was.

Thirty minutes to midnight, and a rowdy bunch of half-cut men and shrieking women piled through the door. George was suddenly in high spirits, sat everyone down, and the drinking kicked off again. He didnt even bother to introduce me. I might as well have been a bit of worn carpet for all the notice they took. They had their banter, their in-jokes, and simply ate what Id made while ignoring me.

As I pointed out that there were two minutes to go til midnight, and perhaps we should pour the fizz, one of the girls shot me a look like Id wandered into their house by accident and slurred, Whos she, then?
George laughed, Bedside neighbour, and the rest of them collapsed with laughter behind him.

I watched them stuff themselves with my food and mock me for my naivety, congratulating George for bagging himself a free cook and cleaner. He joined right in with their jokes, not lifting a finger to defend me.

At that moment, as the clock was about to strike midnight, I didnt say a word. I quietly slipped out, packed my things, and went back home to my mum and dad. That was honestly the most miserable New Years Eve Ive ever had. Mum just gave me her old, I told you so, while Dad looked relieved. I sobbed my heart out until I finally realised George was never going to change, and Id been seeing things through rose-tinted specs.

A week later, after George had run out of money, he turned up at my door like nothing had happened. So whyd you leave then? In a strop, were you? When I barely even looked at him, he tried to lay the blame, Right, so you clamp yourself at your folks house, but my fridge has nothing but a dead mouse hanging from it! Youre just like the ex, always sulking!

Honestly, his cheek left me speechless. Id pictured what Id say to him, how Id let all my anger out, but the only thing I managed was to tell him exactly where to go and slam the door in his face.

And soon New YearI started a new life. My lesson? Never lose yourself just to please someone else, especially someone who doesnt care in the slightest.