Well then, off you go! I never loved you anyway!” – Nikolai shouted after his young wife as she left the flat with their small child.

Get out of here, I never loved you! Peter shouted after his young wife, who was leaving the flat with their infant son.

You finally had the courage to admit it, the woman replied. I understood it all along; you could have kept quiet.

Mabel looked at the man slumped in the armchair, a halfempty bottle in his hand. In that instant she realised what the right thing to do was. Any lingering doubt vanished. She smiled at her little boy, turned confidently toward the front door, and walked out.

Mabel had no idea where those doors would lead her. Life after she walked away from Peter was far from blissful. She endured cramped rented rooms, a string of odd jobs, a baby in her arms and no help at all. Her mother was dead, shed only seen her father as a child and knew nothing of his whereabouts. She wasnt even interested in finding out.

She thought to herself:

If he wanted to see his daughter, hed make the effort; if he didnt, it meant he didnt care.

But the story isnt about Peter its about Mabel.

She had met Peter at a disco. He was handsome, welldressed, and peppered his conversation with compliments, albeit with a hint of arrogance. Mabel ignored that trait then, only to realise later how foolish she had been.

Peter grew up without a father, but he was surrounded by women his grandmother, mother and aunt all revolving around him. Childhood, youth and adulthood all centred on his needs, and he enjoyed it.

When he married Mabel and moved her into his flat, nothing really changed; everything still orbited him, and he basked in it.

Their marriage collapsed quickly because Mabel refused to become his perpetual nanny. They lived together a year before their son was born and two years after. Eventually she could no longer bear it, packed her things and left.

Twenty years have passed since that day. Their son James is now a grownup with a university degree. Peter never sought a relationship with his son and showed no interest in his fate, but Mabel never pressed the issue either she raised James on her own.

One chilly autumn morning, Mabel headed to work with a sour mood. Summer had slipped away, and the first snow fell, crunching under her boots. She walked slowly, no longer dashing from one job to the next; her life had finally settled into a rhythm.

James was studying and parttime working, while Mabel had risen to head of her department, earning a decent salary in pounds.

Emily, where are you off to in such a hurry? Mabel called out to a young colleague.

Oh, hello, MsHarris, the girl replied, wiping away tears and a faint bruise hidden beneath cheap concealer.

Emily, whats wrong again? Why do you stay with him? Mabel asked gently.

I dont know I cant keep pretending, the girl sobbed. Mabel saw herself in Emilys eyes; she had once been there.

Look over there, Mabel said, pointing to a bench dusted with fresh snow.

What? Emily asked, glancing around, momentarily forgetting her tears.

See those sparrows? Theyre huddled, cold, and the world isnt kind to them now. In a few months spring will return and theyll sing again, Mabel explained.

Exactly, Emily agreed. Your life will be the same. You must endure the hard times, but you cant just sit still. You need to summon the will to change, to find your strength.

Emily stared at Mabel, then confessed, Youre always so strong, polished and beautiful. I feel inadequate.

Youre beautiful and clever, too. You can start a new life, Emily. Just have the courage and dont fear it, Mabel encouraged.

They decided to finish the workday and discuss later how to improve Emilys situation.

That evening, Mabel invited Emily over after work, offering a homecooked strawberry cake and tea. Emily agreed, grateful for a quiet night away from her troubles.

The next morning Mabel helped Emily find a new flat and move in. Emilys life, like Mabels once had been, began to turn a corner.

Three months later, Emily asked Mabel to look after her daughter while she attended a court hearing about her divorce. The hearing granted her exhusband maintenance payments. Relief washed over her; the bleak years were finally ending.

On a Friday at the office, Emily stopped Mabel and said, Mabel, would you like to come over for tea on Saturday? Weve already put up the Christmas tree.

Of course, Ill be there, Mabel replied.

True to her word, Mabel visited Emily, buying a packet of biscuits and a chocolate bar for little Lucy. Lucy hugged Mabel, whispering, Thank you, Aunt Mabel, you saved me.

Mabel smiled. It wasnt I who saved you, Lucy. You chose to change, and the change came.

Mabel showed Emily a photo album, sharing memories of holidays with James, trips abroad, and the little joys that had once seemed out of reach. Lucy listened, eyes wide.

Did you ever remarry? Emily asked, a little embarrassed.

No, love. Men have never quite worked out for me. But Im sure youll find your true happiness, Mabel replied.

Emily thanked her, and they embraced.

Outside, a preNewYear blizzard began. Mabel walked past the glittering shop windows when a stranger called, Excuse me, maam!

She turned, seeing a middleaged man hurrying toward her.

What are you running from? he asked.

Im not sure, Mabel replied.

You dropped your gloves. I saw them when I left the shop, he said, handing them over.

Thank you, she said.

Im Edward, he introduced himself.

And Im Mabel, she answered with a smile.

Fancy a lift? The snows getting worse, Edward offered.

Ill manage, she said, but eventually accepted his ride.

As they drove, a thin, tall man stumbled across the road, clearly unsteady. He glanced at the headlights, his face briefly illuminated it was Peter, Mabels former husband. He turned and walked away without a word.

What are your New Year plans? Edward asked.

I havent decided, Mabel answered.

Then why not spend it together? Ill take you to a nice restaurant, promise youll have a good time, Edward suggested.

Mabel laughed. Why would I refuse? I deserve happiness.

And perhaps, just perhaps, the New Year would bring her a love she never expected, turning a chance encounter into something unforgettable.

Life, after all, teaches us that even the coldest winters give way to spring, and when we summon the courage to step forward, new beginnings appear where we least expect them.