A New Year’s Eve Adventure

A NEW YEARS EVE INCIDENT

Emma had no desire to return home. On the thirty-first of December, her workday was short, and all her female colleagues had dashed offto their children, their husbands, and the ritual potato salad. Cheerful, beaming, slightly frantic, arms laden with tangerines and a bottle of sparkling winea present from Andrew Williams, their boss.

No one waited for Emma at home. There was no one for whom she might prepare potato salad. She glanced at the plastic bag overflowing with tangerines standing proud on her desk and sighed.

No, home held no appeal tonight. Emma buried herself in paperwork. Eventually, Andrew Williams strode in, flushed and out of breath, his woolly hat crooked, peacoat unbuttoneda sight, the only man in the office and their boss besides.

Oh, why are you still here alone? I forgot my wifes present, can you believe it? he blurted out and disappeared into his office.

Five minutes later, he returned.

So? Why are you still here? Why dont you go home?

Well, Id be by myself at home too, Mr Williams.

He stopped short at the door, then came over and sat down next to her. For a moment, he gazed at her with grave seriousness.

Now, Emma, thats enough of that. Its New Years Eve, for heavens sake. Why so glum? Its a holidayyou should be having fun! With that look, youll be alone for a long time yet. Women ought to smile more! Come on, chin up, he fussed, gathering up her papers from under her hands, tidying them into a neat pile. I gave everyone the afternoon off, and look at you, slaving away.

Dont worry, Mr Williams. Im just leaving. Go on home, dont worry about the officeIll lock up.

Are you sure? he asked suspiciously.

Of course!

Well, then, off I go. Happy New Year!

Emma sighed again. Trapping herself in the office was ridiculous. She really should go.

Maybe Ill order a pizza, she thought. I wonder if pizza places are still open?

No answer at the first number. She rang another. A lively girls voice told her, Sorry, were only delivering till six todaybut Happy New Year! Emma checked her watchsix-oh-five. She dialled another, deciding it would be the last. To her surprise, the call went through and her order was taken. She gathered her things, put on her coat, took the tangerines and bubbly, and stepped out of the office.

The outdoors took her breath awaythe winter air tingled against her face, snow crunched pleasantly underfoot. The street lamps shone their brightest, everywhere strings of colourful fairy lights blinked. People hurried home, bags and parcels in tow. The shops, still open, bustled with folks urgently hunting for last-minute gifts. Emma felt the infectious hum of the holiday, the city breathing anticipation.

What am I doing? she chided herself, then resolutely stepped through the doors of the supermarket, which yawned open before her.

Soon, she was unpacking her shopping in her own kitchen.

Lets hope the potatoes boil in time, she thought.

She switched on the television, hung a newly bought string of lights across her window, and plugged them in. A merry, blinking snake of colours twinkled along the frame. Emma did a silly, triumphant dance with hands raised, and set about preparing a New Years feast.

Why notfor myself!

While the potatoes cooled on the balcony for the salad, the table filled up: crusty bread with caviar and her favourite smoked salmon, slices of deli meats arranged prettily atop curly leaves of lettuce, a bowl of cheese cubes, a pineapple, and the mound of tangerines, Andrews gift.

A half-hour later, the salad was ready, and chicken drumsticks sizzled in the pan. Emma wheeled the coffee table to the sofa, covered it with her best lace cloth, and began setting out plates of food. A wine glass and a glass for juice, knife and fork laid just so. She stepped back, appraising her handiwork as if she were expecting guests.

At eleven-thirty, she fetched the sparkling wine, just as the entry buzzer rang out.

Did someone order pizza? came a cheerful male voice.

Heavens, I completely forgot!

Yes! Come on up, Emma said, pressing the button.

How much do I owe you? she asked the handsome young man with a square pizza box in his hands.

Nothing. Its on the housea gift.

He smiled, warm and genuine.

I cant. Youll get into trouble.

I wont, promise. Its just compensation for such a late delivery. Please, just take your pizza.

Emma realised she was still clutching the yet-to-be-opened bottle of bubbly.

Hold this for me, will you? she said, handing him the bottle as she took the pizza into the kitchen.

You dont look much like a courier, Emma remarked on her return.

Thats because Im not, he grinned. I own the pizzeria. Sent everyone else home earlyyou know, New Years and all. Theyve got families. Then I saw your order still waiting in the system. Figured Id bring it round myself. No ones waiting for meunlike your pizza. Though the roads were a nightmare.

Ten minutes to midnight! Emma exclaimed. Quick, open the bubbly! Well just catch the end of the year!

Gladly. Got glasses?

While Emma fetched them, a loud pop echoed from the lounge.

To the year gone by!

To the year gone by!

Their glasses clinked lightly and they downed the fizz in one.

Oh dear, what have we done?

Whats wrong? he asked, alarmed.

You drank sparkling wine but youre driving!

Ah, right, he said, grinning even wider.

How will you get home now?

Seems I wont.

And theres no hope for a taxi

Not a chance, he said happily.

In that case, take off your shoes and come in. Otherwise, well see in the New Year in the hallway!

Wow, its cosy in here.

Pour us another, the Queens message must be nearly over!

Happy New Year, er

Emma, she supplied.

Happy New Year, Emma! Im Oliver.

Happy New Year, Oliver! Try the saladI made it myself. Though Ive only got one set of cutlery. Ill fetch moreor just dig in from the bowl.

Emma found herself laughing easily.

She liked Oliver, liked how natural and simple it felt with him.

Mmm, better from the bowl. Got any brown bread, Emma? Im famished.

Just a momentof course I have!

When she returned, Oliver had a chicken drumstick in each hand.

Sorry, couldnt wait. Really delicious! Emma, you can cook!

Im so glad, Oliver. I thought it would all go to wasteyou see, I made too much for just one.

For one? Ill help you out!

Best get started!

Emma realised she was properly hungry now, too.

They ate salad straight from the bowl, washed it down with bubbly, watched the telly, and talked cheerfully about nothing and everything at once.

Looks like weve finished off the bubbly!

Ive got another bottle in the carIll go fetch it!

No wayIm coming with you!

The airs brilliant out here, Emma said, stretching out her arms.

They stood by Olivers car, fireworks lighting up the sky, punctuated by bursts of colour and echoes.

Tell you what, Emmamarry me! Not right now, mind. Give it a yearget to know me better.

Surely youre joking.

Dont count on it!

In that case, I promise Ill think it over.

So, shall we carry on celebrating?

Emma beamed, Oliver grabbed the wine from the back seat, and together, arm in arm, they headed back inside to see the rest of the night through.