Friends left the group chat the moment I asked everyone to chip in for a NewYears feast.
Maybe you should give them a call? James said, watching his wife rearrange the Christmas baubles for the third time. Weve been mates for years.
Whats the point? Emily snapped, slamming the giftbox lid. So I can hear again how selfish I am? Honestly, Im glad its over. Its about time we drew a line.
She hauled the box to the corner of the living room and stared out of the floortoceiling window. Snow swirled beyond the glass, blanketing the garden in a soft white quilt. The sight usually soothed her, but tonight her heart was heavy.
Remember last year when Rebecca and Tom were the first to leave? Emily wrapped her arms around herself. Oh, sorry, we have an early start tomorrow! And we were left cleaning until three in the morning.
James moved closer, his arms around her shoulders. And their kids turned the nursery walls into a rainbow with permanent markers.
What about Claire? Emily turned to him. Ill bring the salads! She hauled a couple of tins of Olivier from the shop, then vanished with half of my premade dishes. Can I have a taste?
Emilys eyes welled. She blinked, fighting tears, and opened the nowempty NewYear2025 chat.
The worst part is they didnt even ask why, she said. They just vanished, as if I wasnt worth a single word.
James took the phone, set it on the windowsill. At least we now know whos a true friend and who was just taking advantage of our hospitality.
She nodded, replaying every past holiday in her mind. She always strived for perfectiondays of cooking, decorating, planning gamesonly to get back comments like, Your place is always so lovely, and Lets have the next celebration at yours again.
Do you remember when Tom complained last year that we didnt heat the sauna? James chuckled. Whats a celebration without a sauna?
Emily forced a smile. He didnt even bring any firewood. Then he spent a week texting us about catching a cold at our house, as if it were our fault.
Outside, darkness fell and the snowstorm thickened, turning the garden into a winter wonderland. Emily switched on the twinkling fairy lights that draped the room, bathing everything in a warm glow.
You know, she said, turning to James, this is the first time in five years well ring in the NewYear just the two of us.
James pulled her close. And itll be the best oneno one to impress, just you and me.
Emily laughed. No kids with markers, she quipped.
No more one more round when everyones already exhausted, James added.
She slipped away to the kitchen. Speaking of food, what shall we make? Just for us?
What if we order sushi? James suggested. Ive always wanted to welcome the NewYear with something other than Olivier, maybe a bit of Philly roll.
Sushi on NewYears? Emily paused at the doorway, then brightened. Thats brilliantno hours in the kitchen.
She pulled out her phone, opened the delivery app. Look, they even have festive sets. And we can order champagne too.
Perfect, James peered over her shoulder. Shall we dress the tree?
Absolutely, Emily replied, smiling. This time well hang the ornaments however we like, not by anyones tradition.
They spent the evening stringing the tree to the rhythm of their favourite songs, without anyone dictating how bright the lights should be or which bauble was proper. It was just them, making the house feel like home.
In the week leading up to NewYears, Emilys phone buzzed with messages. Claire asked, Maybe well actually come over? Rebecca wrote, Did you get upset? and Tom, through his wife, said, We could chip in if you need us. She ignored them, busy with James compiling a film marathon list, picking board games, and planning a quiet holiday for two.
On 31December, as the clock struck eleven, they curled up on the sofa. Sushi plates lay on the coffee table, champagne flutes sparkled, and the TV played the classic Home Alone.
Emily, Ive never felt this calm on NewYears Eve, she whispered, her head on Jamess shoulder.
Me too, he said, kissing the top of her head. No rush, no obligationsjust us.
When the bells began to toll midnight, they didnt make a grand toast. They simply looked at each other, smiled, and clinked glasses. In that instant Emily realised that losing old friends wasnt a loss at all, but a gainfreedom to be herself, to live exactly as she wanted.
The phone, switched off earlier that day, sat untouched in the hallway. They stepped into the NewYear light as if shedding a heavy backpack of expectations.
Morning broke bright on 1January. Sunlight filtered through slightly drawn curtains, and for the first time in years Emily slept in, unbothered by earlymorning guests or noisy revelers.
Good morning, James announced at the bedroom door with a tray. Breakfast in bed.
Youre my hero, Emily laughed, taking the steaming cup of coffee. Its oddly peaceful, isnt it?
Exactly, James winked. No leftover wrappers, no empty bottles, no dishes piled up.
She sipped and reached for the phone, just to check. Six missed calls from Rebecca, four from Claire, and a personal message from Tom.
Emily, whats up? Weve been friends for agesare we fighting over money?
Maybe we should still come? Weve pooled together and can chip in.
Emily, answer! Were waiting!
James snatched the phone. Remember our pact? No toxic drama in the NewYear.
Emily nodded, but a knot remained. Years of friendshipcould she truly walk away?
James leaned in, You know, Ive been thinking about last year when Tom started a renovation on his house.
Emily sighed. He talked about it all summer.
James continued, We offered to helpthree weekends I spent wiring his place because friends help friends.
Whats that about? Emily asked.
Its the point, James said. When we needed a fence built a month later, Tom was busy. Rebecca and her husband were busy. Claires family was busy. Yet when we finished the fence ourselves, they were the first to show up for the housewarmingonly to parade around the new fence.
Emily set her cup down. Exactly. They appear when all the work is done, just to use the results.
James sat beside her, arms around her. Its not friendship. Its a consumer relationship. Their irritation at us asking for a small contribution proves it.
A car rumbled up outside. Emily peeked through the window and saw Rebeccas sedan at the gate.
No, theyre serious? James muttered. Think theyll get in just because they show up?
The door rang repeatedly. Finally, the door opened to reveal Rebecca, her husband, and Claire, each bearing bags of food and gifts.
Happy NewYear! they chorused, forcing smiles.
Emily stared, steady. What do you want?
Claire responded, We always get together on NewYears. Tradition!
Emily felt a surge of anger. Tradition can change, especially when its built on one person doing everything while the rest just take.
Rebecca tried to push past. We brought food, even champagne. Just like you asked!
No, Emily shook her head. I didnt want this. I wanted you to understand that friendship isnt just taking, its also giving. It isnt a right to our hospitality.
Rebeccas husband snapped, Were friends!
Emilys bitter smile widened. Friends? Where were you when we needed help with the fence? When I was ill last winter and asked for medicine? When Jamess car broke down and we needed a hand?
A heavy silence settled. Guests glanced at each other, unsure.
Emily stood tall. Go home. I dont want to start the year with old grudges and pretence. If you ever learn that friendship means mutual support, call. Until then well keep our distance.
Claire began, Emily
No more, Emily cut her off, closing the door firmly.
The engine revved, tires crunched in the snow. Emilys eyes filled, then clearedshe felt oddly light.
James slipped behind her, hugging her tightly. Im proud of you. I know it wasnt easy.
Whats strange, Emily whispered, Im not sad. It feels like Ive finally dropped a weight Ive carried for years.
James nodded. All those years it wasnt friendship, it was a strange dependence. You feared losing them, so you let them use you.
Emily smiled. Now things will be different.
Exactly, James grinned. Lets have breakfast. We have a lot of plans for these holidays, remember?
After the NewYear celebrations, life returned to its rhythm. Emily deleted the old group chats, archived photos of past gatherings, and dove into work. She breathed easier, no longer worrying about who would drop by, what to cook, or how to entertain.
At the end of January I calculated how much we saved on the holidays, she told James over dinner, about £50,000 on food, drinks, and cleaning.
James laughed. And thats just moneythink of the time and energy we wasted.
Emily chewed on a piece of roast chicken. I finally signed up for a photography course. Ive always wanted to, but never had the time.
James replied, I finally finished the workshop in the garagetwo weeks and I built the shelf Ive been postponing all year.
A knock at the door announced their neighbour, Mrs. Whitaker, holding a fresh apple crumble.
Evening, neighbours! Thought Id bring over a treat, she smiled.
Wonderful, thank you! Emily welcomed her in. Come in for tea.
Over tea they discovered Mrs. Whitaker also loved photography and sometimes shot childrens parties for extra cash.
Fancy a photowalk together sometime? she suggested. There are some beautiful spots around the countryside, especially now with the snow.
Would love that, Emily said, genuinely excited.
James, thoughtful, added, Weve lived next to each other five years and never really talked. Always were too busy with guests and preparations.
Emily agreed. Shes actually interesting, and her crumble is amazing!
A week later the three of them set off on a winter photowalk, capturing frosty trees, icy ponds, and each others laughter. They returned chilled but thrilled, with a bundle of new images and plans for another outing.
In early February, Rebecca called. Emily hesitated before answering.
Hey, Emily its been a while. Ive been thinking about what you said on NewYears Eve, Rebecca began. You were right. We took your kindness for granted.
Emily listened.
Im sorry. Maybe we could start over? Rebecca asked.
Emily took a breath. Ive thought a lot too. I dont want to start over because starting over means falling back into the same expectations. Ive changed, and I like my new life.
Rebecca sighed. We were friends for years
Yes, we were. Im grateful for the good times, but sometimes relationships just run their course. Thats okay.
Later that month Mrs. Whitaker invited them to a small birthday gathering with her husband, daughter, soninlaw, and a few neighbours.
Can I bring my famous crumble? Emily offered.
Please do! Mrs. Whitaker replied. Ill teach you my secret apple version.
The party was warm and cosy. Children played board games, adults swapped recipes and talked about spring plantingMrs. Whitaker even offered gardening tips for tomatoes.
James whispered to Emily as they walked home, No one got drunk, no fights, no mountain of dishes.
Emily laughed, Thats what healthy relationships look likeno debts, no grudges, just comfort.
Back at home Emily opened the photo folder on her phone, stared at old pictures with Rebecca, Claire, Tom, and Rebeccas husband, then decisively hit delete.
James asked, Sure about that?
Absolutely, she replied. You cant build something new while clinging to the old. I finally feel genuinely happy.
James hugged her. Me too. Its like were finally living our own lives, not the ones others expected.
Outside, snow continued to fall, covering the world in a white blanket. Emily watched the flakes drift past the window, thinking how sometimes you have to lose the familiar to find whats real. And how brave it is to let go of those who hold you in the past, making room for those ready to walk forward with you.
Winter turned to spring, and December came again, cloaking the village in fresh snow. Emily arranged new framed photographsher own work from the photography courseon the livingroom wall: sunsets over the lake, misty forest dawns, early blossoms, autumn colours.
Its gorgeous! Mrs. Whitaker exclaimed, admiring the pictures. She and her husband had stopped by to help install a new chandeliersomething James had finally managed to replace.
Emily thanked them. If you hadnt invited me on that photowalk, I might never have taken this seriously.
Mrs. Whitaker winked, Now you even have studentssix of them, every weekend we head out for shoots.
James, wiping his hands on a towel, said, All set. Lets have a cuppa.
Over tea they talked about plans for the upcoming village NewYear celebration.
Well put a big tree in the square, brew mulled wine, everyone brings a dish, Mrs. Whitaker said. Kids can have snowball fights, adults a chat. Will you come?
Definitely, Emily replied. Ill set up a photo booth with fairy lightsmake it pretty.
Ill help with the tree, James added.
That evening Emily cleared out the attic, found a box labelled NewYear2024. Inside were old tinsel, handmade decorations from years past, a photo album of gatherings with Rebecca, Claire, and Toms families. She opened it, smiled at the memories, and closed it.
James sat beside her. Found anything interesting?
She lifted the album. Just thinking we made the right choice. Look at all the good thats happened since.
James embraced her. Youre a photographer now, I finally finished my workshop, we have real friends
Yes, Emily agreed. Remember the lake trip with Mrs. Whitaker? Just because we wanted, no reason.
The kids wanted a lesson on how to take a good picture, James chuckled.
They fell quiet, recalling the years events.
Emily turned to the window. Snowflakes twirled in the streetlights. You know what Ive learned? she said. Weve learned to value our time and space, to say no when something doesnt feel right, to choose who truly belongs in our lives.
James kissed her forehead. And weve learned to be happy just the two of us. Remember how we used to fear being alone on holidays, thinking we needed a big crowd, loud music, endless chatter?
Emily nodded. Now we know happiness is in the little thingsshared breakfasts, evening walks, comfortable silences together.
She moved to the window, watching the snowfall intensify. I think about trusting life. A year ago we were terrified of change, of losing old friends, of ending up alone. Instead we gained so much more than we lost.
James wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Now we have real friendspeople who dont expect us to pay, who dont get upset when we need a quiet night, who simply enjoy being together.
Emily smiled. I cant wait for this NewYear. A streetwide celebration, no obligations, just pure joy.
A message pinged in the neighbourhood group chat: Friends! Tomorrow at noon were decorating the street tree. Bring ornaments, lights, good cheer. After work, hot tea and pies at our place!
Emily showed James the notification. Thats the kind of community we wantedgenuine, no strings attached.
James agreed, Exactly, its by choice, not duty.
They stood by the window, watching the snow fall, each lost in thought. The old NewYear2024 box still sat on the shelf, its photographs a reminder that sometimes you must let go of the past to make space for the future. True friendship, they realised, isnt about debts or dutiesits about the sincere desire to be there for each other, sharing both joy and sorrow.
