Oksana, Are You Busy? A Festive Night of Mishaps, Kindness, and New Beginnings on a Snowy New Year’s Eve in England

Emma, are you busy? Mum asked, popping her head round the door.

One minute, Mum. Let me just send this email, then Ill help, Emma replied, not taking her eyes from the screen.

Were out of mayonnaise for the salad. I miscalculated. And I forgot to buy dill. Could you nip to Tesco before it shuts?

Alright, sure.

Sorry to bother you. Youve just sorted your hair as well. My heads spinning with all this holiday fuss, Mum sighed.

Its fine. Emma shut her laptop and swivelled her chair to face her mother. What was that?

She slipped on her boots and a faux fur coat, but flatly refused a hat so as not to ruin her curls. The shop was only next door after allshed hardly freeze solid. Outside, the dew had iced over and a fine dusting of snow made everything feel as though Narnia had swung by for Boxing Day.

The shop was mostly empty, only the scatterbrained few darting about for last-minute essentials. As for dill, only a dejected herb bundle remained, wilted and looking sorry for itself next to some curly parsley and a solitary spring onion. Emma patted her pockets for her phoneleft at home, of course. She pondered, then shrugged and grabbed the motley greens, picked a tub of mayonnaise from the rapidly destocked shelf, paid by card, and stepped back out.

Shed barely managed five paces when a car whipped around the corner, headlights flaring right into her face. Emma startled sideways. The heel of her boot skidded on a sneaky bit of black ice masquerading as snow. Her ankle folded in and she promptly did a rather undignified spread-eagle onto the pavement. Her shopping bag spun off dramatically.

She tried to stand but her ankle lit up like bonfire night and tears sprang to her eyes. No one about, no phone. Oh, splendid. She hadnt even heard the soft click of a car door behind her.

Are you alright? Can you stand? Herelet me help, a young man said, offering a hand.

I think Ive broken my anklethanks to you lot tearing about in your silly cars, turning the pavement into a skating rink! Emma blurted, ignoring his outstretched hand.

Well, serves you right for tottering about in heels at this hour, he retorted.

Oh, bog off, Emma sniffed at him with as much dignity as she could muster.

So you plan to sit here till morning? Im not in the habit of leaving damsels in distress. Which buildings yours?

She gestured feebly towards her flat. The man disappeared for a moment and Emma heard the car engine purr into reverse, pulling up next to her.

Right, Im going to lift you now. Try not to stand on your bad foot. One, two, three and before Emma could register outrage, hed heaved her up and steadied her upright, leaving her to balance on her good leg.

Okay? he asked, opening the passenger door. Hold onto me and hop in.

My bag! she yelled as she plonked onto the seat.

He retrieved it, dropped it on the back seat, and drove her home.

At her building, he helped her out andignoring her feeble protestsswept her up bridal-style, nudged the car door shut with his foot, and carried her to the entrance.

Keys in the bag? Anyone in? he panted.

Mum, Emma managed, rummaging for the entry code.

With no lift, he was soon wrestling both Emma and gravity up three flights of dodgy Victorian stairs. Emma clung round his neck, noting how sweaty hed become (well, serves him right, she thought with satisfaction).

Put me down, I can manage the rest, Emma insisted at her own door.

He didnt answer, just huffed and puffed. Suddenly the door flew open and there was her mother, gaping.

Emma? What on earth?

He powered inside like a rugby player, carrying Emma as if she were a sack of spuds, and set her down with an exhausted exhale.

Get a chair, he puffed at her wide-eyed mother.

Mum fetched a dining chair, and Emma collapsed onto it, leg out, ankle throbbing. The man knelt in front of her.

Honestly, whats going on? Mum spluttered.

He ignored her. Holding Emmas ankle, he unzipped her boot with the speed of a magician. Emma squealed.

Ow! What do you think youre doing?

Shes in pain! Mum wailed, watching with horror as Emmas ankle swelled spectacularly.

Ill dial 999! Mum announced, grabbing her phone.

Its only a dislocation. Im a doctor. Quick, grab some ice! he ordered.

Mum, not one for arguing with doctors, reappeared from the kitchen cradling a frozen chicken.

Put it on her ankle, he directed, getting up and making for the door.

Are you leaving? Emma squeaked.

Im just going to grab a support bandage from my car. And your bag, he said, slipping out.

Have you left your bag with him? Who is that? Emma, what if he nicks your cards, or our keys? Should I ring the police? Mum whispered frantically, pressing the frozen bird to her daughters ankle.

Mum, if he wanted to mug me, he wouldnt have carried me up the stairs. Hed have left me there in the snow!

The entry buzzer sounded.

Its him. Mum, let him in, will you? said Emma, exasperated.

He returned, handed back her bag, shrugged off his coat and dropped to one knee like a particularly stressed-out knight.

Right, bit uncomfortable now, but I need to pop your ankle back in. Hold on to the seat, yeah?

He cupped her foot, bent it gently. Emma bit her lip, face screwed up.

Something smells like burning, he observed, nodding at Mum.

She bolted to the kitchen.

A quick, excruciating twist and Emma gasped. Her vision swam. He nodded, satisfied.

All done. Bit sore for a few days, dont bear weight. Rest up, he said, rising and pulling on his coat.

Thank you. Im so sorryI thought terrible things Mum stammered. Would you like to stay? Midnights almost here. Youll never make it home. Weve plenty of fooddo stay!

He paused. Alright, if Im not putting you out.

Of course not. You can open the bubbly for us!

Mum! Emma protested.

Oh hush, you help Emma to the sofa, Ill see to the roast, Mum sang, bustling off.

Balancing on his arm, Emma hopped to the sofa, sinking onto it gratefully.

Thank you, she said quietly.

Dont mention itmy fault youre hurt, anyway.

Not really. I panicked like a muppet. Whats your name?

Im Ben. Shall we use first names?

Sure. You really a doctor?

Surgeon. I only popped into the shop for bread Ben said, sitting beside her.

Your wifes probably waiting for you, isnt she?

She left ages ago. Fed up with me always being at work. Took our little girl, moved in with her mum.

I must look a right mess, Emma mumbled, embarrassed.

Absolutely not, Ben smiled.

So they saw in the New Year together, just the three of them. And we all know the old saying: New Years Eve sets the tone for the year ahead.

When Ben finally left, Emma lay in bed replaying every momenthow hed carried her, the warmth of his hands. Impossible to forget.

The next morning, despite a ballooning ankle, Emma could hobble about. The bandage was tight but bearable.

She couldnt hide her delight when Ben popped by again. He checked her ankle, re-wrapped it.

Alls well. Can you walk on it? he asked.

Were on first name terms, remember? Emma joked, standing with a wobble.

Tea? Mum offered.

Next time. Im due back at the hospital.

Youll come again? Emma asked quickly.

Ben smiled.

Two months later, Emma packed her things and moved in with Ben.

Hes not even divorced. What if his wife comes swanning back? Mum tutted as Emma zipped her suitcase.

She wont. Ben says shes got someone else, Emma replied.

I dont know, love. This feels awfully quick.

It was, against the odds, a happy year. Emma was wildly jealous whenever Ben went to visit his daughter. Shed even glimpsed a photo of Bens wifeundeniably stunning.

But Emma soon understood why shed left. Hospital called Ben away most weekends and holidays, plus endless night shiftswith all those pretty young nurses around Ben was impossible not to fall for. But when he was home, Emma glowed.

A year passed. Despite everything, it was a good year. Ben still wasnt divorced and that gnawed at Emma. Mum, as ever, chirped wheedling talk to him, sort it out! But Emma procrastinated.

By the following New Years Eve, Emma was buzzing around the kitchen. Fairy lights twinkled on the tree, a new dress waited on the bed. Checking the roast, she heard Ben on the phone.

Alright, Ill head over now, he said, turning.

Called back to hospital? Emma asked, heart sinking.

No, that was my wife. My little girls in floods, wont sleep without me. Ill be quickgive her her present, tuck her inback before midnight, promise.

Theres less than three hours to go, Ben! Emmas voice trembled.

Ill make it! Dont worry, he kissed her on the cheek and dashed out.

Emma tried not to spiral. She finished prepping, slipped into her dress. The hands of the clock crept toward midnightBen still missing. She didnt dare call in case he was driving. She texted; no reply.

Fed up with waiting and feeling thoroughly sorry for herself, Emma scanned the festive spread and blew out the candles. Now more than ever, she understood Bens wife. What if she came back? What would become of her? She loved Ben, after all.

Unable to take the quiet, Emma remembered Mrs Crawford from the ground floorancient, always alone. Ben said shed never married, had no kids. Emma felt just as alone that night. Spending New Years alone felt wrong.

She packed some salad and cake into little plastic tubs, and limped down to Mrs Crawfords door. The old lady was slow to answer, peering at Emma myopically.

I brought some salad and cake, homemade. If you dont mind a guest?

Come on in, dear, said Mrs Crawford.

Tiny and stooped, her flat was, nevertheless, neat as a pin. No Christmas tree, no feastjust the quiet hum of her old telly.

Sit yourself down. Ill put the kettle on, Mrs Crawford said.

Do you live with Dr Ben? she asked while pouring tea.

Yes, I do.

She nodded, as if Emma had passed a test.

His wife never said hello to anyone, always kept to herself. Didnt work, either. But youdifferent. Has he been called into hospital again?

No, hes gone to his daughter.

Ah. Another nod.

Hell come back, dearie. Bens no fool, a good man. And you? You on your own?

All alone, Emma nodded, surprised by how lonely it sounded.

Never married myself. Once had my eye on someone, but a friend ran off with him. After school, I went to nursing college. My chap, George, stayed in our village. I set off to spend New Years with him, but the bus broke downpuncture. Dark, snow falling. No mobiles then. Driver disappeared to find help, and I just set out walking, stubborn idiot. Stuck in a blizzard, spent New Years Eve alone on a country road. Frostbit my nose and hands!

When I finally got to George, she told me she was pregnant. Lied though, as it turned outyears later, I discovered it was all bluff. By then, hed gone to the bottle, drank himself to death. Lovely bloke, too. Never married after that. If Id only forgiven him, my whole life would be different. She wiped her eyes.

I saw you through the window. I never once saw Ben so happy with her as he is with you. If you love him, forgive him. Dont let jealousy eat you up. Frankly, you ought to get out of hereshell make your life hell otherwise. Dont repeat my mistakes. Follow your heart.

Emma slipped back to her flat, put the leftovers in the fridge. Ben finally slunk in the next morning.

Im so sorry. I have no clue what happened. I think she spiked my tea. Woke up with the worst headache ever, only just now come round.

Why havent you divorced her, Ben? Do you still love her?

Of course not. If you met her, you wouldnt ask. Its my daughterI cant just cut her off. I know you were probably up all night worrying. Nothings going on, if you trust me.

Emma moved close, searching his eyes. Lets leave. Anywhere. Hospitals are everywhere, Ben, and youre a brilliant surgeon

Cant, not right now. Head is still throbbing. Later, please? I do love you, Emma.

He drifted off to sleep, and Emma lay beside him, thinking of Mrs Crawfords words.

His daughters still just a child. Kids forget. Theyve not lived together for six months. His wifes behind all of this. Maybe she wants to make me give up. But Im not backing down. Well talk about this when he wakes

She switched off the Christmas lights, curled herself tight next to Ben.

Love. Such a silly, little word, really. But I doI love him. I love you.

Annie Hall

When you love someone, you can forgive almost anything except, perhaps, when they stop loving you.Emma woke before Ben did, lying perfectly still so as not to disturb him. Winter sunlight cut in thinly around the curtainsa new year already begun. She listened to his gentle breathing, the rise and fall of his chest, and felt a pang: love, but edged with something harder, a keen ache that swept back the doubts.

When he finally stirred, bleary and blinking, he caught her watching him and offered a sheepish half-smile.

Morning, you, he whispered.

She smiled back, then blurted, Promise me this is going to get easier, Ben. That youll make the call, file those papers, tell her were together. I cant do another year halfway.

He hesitated, eyes shining with sleep and something elserelief, maybe, or fear? But then he nodded and pulled her close. This year, I promise.

So it began. There were calls and letters, headaches and heartaches, Ben getting home late, Emma waiting at the window. But each night, he returned to hersometimes defeated, sometimes quiet, but always returned.

Spring unfurled in pale blossoms. Mrs Crawford, newly emboldened by Emmas company, came up more often for tea. Emma mended, started a new job, laughed again. Bens divorce papers lurched through the system, slow as honey, but Emma stopped checking the calendar.

That next New Years Eve, snow sifted quietly down. Ben slung an arm around Emmas shoulder as they stood outside, watching the world wrapped in white. We made it. Still together, he murmured, pressing his lips to her hair.

This time she didnt feel as if she were waiting for anything. No more halfway hearts, or borrowed time. Shed chosen her mess, andmiraculouslyit chose her back.

They laughed as fireworks cracked overhead, two imperfect people clinging together in the chill, the world once again holding its breath for a brand new year.

This time, Emma didnt flinch from hope. She leaned into it, and let him hold her close.