Julia Lay Sobbing on the Sofa After Her Husband Confessed Another Woman Was Pregnant—Heartbroken, Sh…

Julia was sprawled across the sofa, tears streaming down her face. Just a couple of months ago, her husband had confessed that he was seeing another woman. And to make it even worseshe was pregnant.

Jules, Im so sorry, but, you know, weve been together two years and still no children, Peter stammered, Honestly, I started doubting myself. And then, well shes expecting now

My lover, Julia whispered.

Call it whatever you want. Shes due in a couple of months. Im sorry.

Julia didnt bother to ask why Peter had waited so long, or why hed decided to leave just two months before his childs birth, and right before New Years. Now, broken and exhausted, she hadnt even bothered changing clothes from the night before and just lay on the sofa, completely spent.

For some reason, her thoughts drifted to a long-ago New Years from her childhood.

Back then, Julia was in Year 5. After school one day, she and her friends Hazel and Claire popped into the second-hand shopa regular treat for them. The shop, with its jumble of wonders, always felt magical. The clothes and shoes never sparked much interest, but trinkets, toys, and little bits of jewellery absolutely did.

That day, Julias eyes landed immediately on a gorgeous jewellery boxa sky-blue marvel with gold inlay. She stood there, transfixed. When the shopkeeper lifted the lid, music began to play and, emerging from the deep blue velvet, a tiny ballerina in a white tutu started to spin. Julia stopped breathing for a moment.

The shopkeeper also showed them a hidden drawer, perfect for keeping treasures safe.

Hazel and Claire immediately gathered round, ooh-ing and aah-ing.

Wow! Its so pretty! Hazel blurted. How much?

With a gentle smile, the shopkeeper announced a price that might as well have been a kings ransom for schoolgirls: five pounds.

Ill never be able to save up that much, Julia thought glumly.

And it was true. In those days, Mum only handed out thirty pence for a proper school lunch. If you fibbed about heading to the cinema, you might squeak out an extra fifty pence from her. But five whole pounds? Impossible.

Dad was away on business and wouldnt be back for another week. He would have bought it, if he could. Mum was out of the question. Julia could practically hear her sharp voice, What nonsense! A ballerina box for five pounds? I could get a couple of chickens or a joint of beef and feed you scavengers for a week.

No, best to keep quiet and wait for Dad to come home.

So, every day, Julia would wander back to gaze longingly at that box. The kindly shopkeeper, seeing her at the door, would immediately wind it up so the ballerina could dance. Over six days, Julia learned every imperfection by heart: the slightly scuffed corner, the chipped edge, a missing ballet shoe, and the tiniest speck on the dress. She saw everything, she loved everything about it.

When Dad finally returned, Julia dragged him to the shop right away.

Sorry, love, the shopkeeper said kindly, Just sold it a few hours ago. You just missed it.

The tears came thick and fast, and Julia wept openly.

There, there, Jules! Dont cry, said Dad, Come on, lets get you a cake? Your favouritetruffle cake, right?

She nodded. She did love those little chocolate mushrooms on top. But it didnt stop her cryingthe box was gone.

Then, the very next day, Claire came to school, proudly carrying the precious box. Julias heart cracked with jealousy and sorrow all over again.

Claire wound it up, and the magical tune played, and the delicate dancer twirled. The whole class was mesmerised. With a grin, Claire announced, My gran bought it yesterday. Shes in town for New Years and I begged her for it all week.

And I did too! Hazel chimed in, a bit hurt.

Julia couldnt take it; the tears overflowed again.

Ben Rivers spoke up, Jules, why are you crying?

Its nothing! Julia snapped and fled the classroom, nearly knocking Ben over.

Everyone knew Ben fancied Julia. The girls were envious, but shed always brushed him off.

Julia stood, forehead pressed against the icy window.

Ben sidled up. Dont cry, Jules. Ill find you another just like it, promise.

Where are you going to find something like that? Julia scoffed, You twit. And off she ran, crying even harder.

Outside, she stood shivering in the biting cold for so long that, of course, she fell ill.

Ben came to her house the day she didnt show at school. Jules, I havent found a ballerina box yetbut I will. I promise.

Idiot, Ben, how could you? Its foreign. It even says Made in Germany underneath, she grumbled.

Germany? Right then, Ill just have to go there, Ben said, suddenly resolute.

After that, they slowly became real friends. At first, it was innocent enough. But by Year 8, Ben plucked up the courage to kiss her. She didnt pull away. From then on, they were together, holding hands after school, sharing secret kisses.

Once their GCSEs were up, Ben was drafted into the army. And, funnily enough, posted to Germany.

He wrote to Julia and sometimes, as a joke, reminded her that he still hadnt found a ballerina box.

But before Bens service was up, Julia met Peter. He swept her off her feet the very first nightserenading her with a song he wrote on his guitar. Julia melted, and two months later, they got married.

When Ben returned, only to find Julia wed, he signed up for a Norwegian shipping job. He was hardly ever back in town after that. They never saw each other again.

Julia forced herself up from the sofa and sipped a mug of coffee. She found herself thinking of Ben more often these days, realising her tears werent really for her lost husbandbut for what shed lost with Ben Rivers. Where was he now? Married? Happy?

It was December 31st. Shed need to mark the New Year somehow. All her friends would be with their families and it felt awkward just turning up on her own.

Instead, Julia went to the market and supermarket, picking up whatever she needed to make herself a small festive meal.

As she was heading into her block of flats, bags in hand, the lift doors openedand out stepped Father Christmas himself.

At the sight of him, Julias eyes filled with tears.

Whats wrong, my girl? the man rumbled in his best jolly-old-grandad voice, Its Christmas! None of that. And he pulled a rather hefty box from his sack, handed it to her, and vanished down the corridor and into the darkness.

Julia barely managed Thank you, before he disappeared. The box was heavy in her arms.

In her kitchen, she carefully peeled back the wrapping.

Inside was a brand new, sky-blue jewellery box with gold inlay. Julia lifted the lid, wound the music, and theregliding out of the velvetwas a ballerina in perfect form, both ballet shoes on, dress spotless.

She opened the secret drawer. Nestled inside was a wedding ring.

Julia dashed to the window. Down in the car park, Father Christmas was just visible. In slippers, she darted outside, hesitating for a moment by the entrance, but just then Father Christmas turnedand they both ran toward each other.

Wrapping her arms around the warm red coat, Julia whispered,

You silly sod! You really did it.

Ben smiled, I told you I would. I found it in Germany just for youlike I promised.This time, Julia didnt let go.

Snowflakes drifted around them, catching in her hair, and the distant sound of fireworks from the town square cracked the quiet night. She clutched the box and Bens gloved hand at the same time, laughing through her tears.

You came all the way back for me? she whispered.

He nodded, shy, almost the same bashful boy from all those years ago. Couldnt let another New Years go by with unfinished promises.

She pressed against him, the familiar heartbeat steady beneath the silly suit. Suddenly, she realized she had never felt so at home, not even in her own flat. Not with Peter, not with anyone but Ben.

Well, she said, brushing a snowflake from his beard, You might have missed your chance at Year 5, Ben Rivers. But I never stopped wishing for you to show up anyway.

He grinned, removing the Santa hat, his eyes shining in the streetlights. And I never stopped looking for you, Julesnot really.

The clock struck midnight. All around, fireworks burst; the whole city lit up, the old year burning away and something bright, something brave beginning. The music box played on, the ballerina twirling insidethe little lost wish, finally home.

Arm in arm, Julia and Ben crossed the snow-dusted car park, laughter echoing behind them, stepping into the warmth of a new year, together.