The friends quit the group chat the moment I asked everyone to pitch in for a NewYears dinner.
Do you think youll actually call them? Stephen asked, watching as his wife, Emily, moved the Christmas baubles from one box to another for the third time. Weve been mates for years
Whats the point? Emily snapped, slamming the lid shut. So I have to hear how stingy I am again? You know, Im actually glad it turned out like this. It was time to set the record straight.
She carried the box to the corner of the sittingroom and stopped by the floortoceiling window. Outside, the snow swirled, laying a thick white blanket over their garden. The view always soothed her, but tonight her heart felt heavy.
Remember how last year Charlotte and Tom were the first to leave? Emily wrapped her arms around herself. Sorry, weve got an early start tomorrow! And we stayed up cleaning till three in the morning.
Stephen came over and slipped his arm around her shoulders.
And their kids smeared the nursery walls with permanent markers.
What about Grace? Emily turned to him. Ill bring the salads! She hauled a couple of jars of readymade potato salad from the shop, but she also walked off with half of my premade stuff. Can I have a taste?
Emilys eyes welled. She blinked, trying to hold back tears, and opened the nowempty WhatsApp group NewYear2025.
The worst part is they didnt even ask why. They just vanished, as if I wasnt worth a single conversation.
Stephen took the phone from her and set it on the windowsill.
At least now we know who our true friends are and who only used our hospitality.
Emily nodded, recalling every holiday theyd ever hosted. She always aimed for perfectiondays of cooking, decorating, planning gamesonly to get back comments like, Your house looks lovely and Lets do the next one at yours again.
Do you remember when Tom complained last year that we hadnt heated the sauna? Stephen chuckled. Whats a party without a sauna?
Yes, and he didnt even bring any wood, Emily said, smiling despite herself. Then he spent a week texting us about catching a cold at our place, as if it were our fault.
Outside, darkness fell and the snowfall grew, turning the garden into a winter wonderland. Emily switched on the fairy lights draped around the room; a soft, cosy glow filled the space.
You know, she said, turning to Stephen, this is the first time in five years well be ringing in the NewYear just the two of us.
Stephen pulled her close.
And itll be the best one, because we wont have to prove anything to anyone. Just you and me.
No kids with markers, Emily laughed.
No one saying one more round when everyones already exhausted.
She stepped away and headed to the kitchen.
Speaking of food, what shall we make? Just for the two of us?
How about ordering sushi? Stephen suggested. Ive always wanted to start the year with sushi instead of a roast.
Sushi for NewYears? Thats brilliant! No hours spent in the kitchen.
Emily pulled out her phone, opened a delivery app, and scrolled. Look, they even have festive combo packs. And we can order a bottle of champagne.
Perfect, Stephen said, peeking over her shoulder. Shall we put up the tree?
Absolutely, Emily replied, smiling. This time well hang the ornaments however we like, not as tradition dictates.
They spent the evening decorating the tree to their favourite songs, without anyone mentioning how their mothers used to do it or how bright the lights should be. They simply did what made them happy.
A week before NewYears, Emilys phone buzzed repeatedly. Grace messaged, Maybe well still swing by? Charlotte asked, Are you mad at us? and Toms wife sent, Could we chip in a bit?
Emily ignored them. She and Stephen were busy drafting a film list for a marathon, picking board games, and planning a quiet holiday for just the two of them.
On the night of December31st, with the clock striking eleven, they curled up on the sofa. Sushi lay on the coffee table, champagne fizzed in flutes, and the classic film Home Alone played on the TV.
Emily, Ive never felt this calm on NewYears Eve, Stephen whispered, kissing her forehead. No fuss, no obligations. Just us.
When the clock struck midnight, they didnt make grand toasts. They simply looked at each other, smiled, and clinked glasses. In that instant Emily realised that losing old friends wasnt a loss at allit was gaining freedom to be herself.
The phone, switched off since the afternoon, lay forgotten by the hall. They stepped into the new year lighthearted, unburdened by anyones expectations.
Morning broke bright on January1st. Sunlight filtered through the halfdrawn curtains. For the first time in years Emily slept in without anyone thumping on the door at dawn or demanding more food.
Good morning, Stephen announced, appearing with a tray. Thought Id bring you breakfast in bed.
Youre my hero, Emily said, accepting a steaming mug of tea. Its oddly quiet, isnt it?
Exactly, Stephen winked. No leftover wrappers, no empty bottles, no dishes piled up.
Emily sipped her tea, reached for the phone, and saw a flood of missed messages: six from Charlotte, four from Grace, even a private note from Tom.
Emily, why? Weve been friends forever! Is it really about money?
Maybe well still come over? Weve all agreed to chip in.
Answer us! Were worried!
Stephen snatched the phone. Remember what we decided? No toxic chats this year.
Emily nodded, though anxiety lingered.
Stephen then said, Do you recall how last year Tom started a renovation at his house?
Of course, he talked about it all summer.
And how we offered to help, spending three weekends wiring his shed because friends should help each other?
Emily frowned. Whats that got to do with anything?
Its that when we needed help fixing our fence a month later, Tom was suddenly very busy. Same with Charlotte and Grace. But when we finished the fence ourselves, they were the first to show up for the housewarming, just to admire it.
Yes, they only appear when theres nothing for them to do.
Stephen sat down, hugging her. Thats not friendship, thats a consumer relationship. Their outrage over us asking for a small contribution proves it.
A car pulled up outside. Emily looked out and saw Charlottes vehicle.
Are they serious? Stephen asked, annoyed. Do we really let them in just because they show up?
The door rang repeatedly.
Emily, Stephen, were here! Lets talk! Charlottes voice was insistent.
Emily exchanged a glance with Stephen.
Should we let them in? At least hear them out?
Its your call, Stephen shrugged. But remember our promise to make this year different.
Emily took a deep breath, opened the door, and found Charlotte, her husband, and Grace, all carrying bags of food and presents.
Happy NewYear! they forced.
Emily, still standing, asked, Why are you here?
Why else? Grace replied, puzzled. Its always NewYears tradition for us to visit.
Tradition? Emily felt a wave of irritation. Cant you see that traditions can change? Especially ones that rely on one person doing everything while others just take?
Come on, Emily, were friends, Charlotte protested.
Friends? Emily said, bitterly. Where were you when we needed help with the fence? When I was ill last winter and needed medicine? When Stephens car broke down?
A heavy silence fell. The guests looked at each other, surprised by the directness.
You know what, Emily continued, standing tall. Go home. I dont want to start the new year with old grudges and pretence. If you ever understand that friendship means give as well as take, give me a call. Until then, well keep our distance.
Emily Grace began.
Goodbye, Emily said firmly, closing the door.
She stood in the hallway, hearing the car start and the snow crunch under tyres. Tears welled, but she felt a strange lightness.
Stephen came down, wrapped his arms around her, and whispered, Im proud of you. It must have been hard.
Whats odd is Im not sad at all, Emily said, turning to him. Its like Ive finally dropped a heavy backpack Ive been carrying for years.
Because all those years it wasnt friendship, it was a strange dependency. You feared losing them, so you let them use you.
Emily nodded. Things will be different now.
Exactly. Lets have breakfast.
After the holidays, life fell back into its own rhythm. Emily deleted the old group chats, archived photos of past gatherings, and dove into work. She felt freer, no longer constantly planning for guests or catering to expectations.
Imagine, she told Stephen over a midJanuary dinner, we saved almost fifty pounds on food and drinks this year.
And thats just the money, Stephen replied. Think of the time and energy we saved.
Emily smiled, taking a bite of roast chicken. Ive also signed up for a photography course. Ive wanted to do it for ages, but never had the time.
I finally finished the shed project in the garage, Stephen said proudly. Two weeks and its done.
A knock at the door revealed their neighbour, MrsParker, holding a fresh apple crumble.
Evening, neighbours! Thought Id bring over a slice, she said.
Thank you so much! Emily replied, inviting her in for tea.
They chatted and discovered MrsParker also loved photography and sometimes shot childrens parties.
Would you like to join a photo walk sometime? she asked. There are lovely winter scenes nearby.
Would love to! Emily responded.
Later, Stephen mused, Weve lived next to each other for five years and barely ever talked. All that time was spent on guests and preparations.
Exactly, Emily agreed. Shes a fascinating person, and the crumble is amazing.
A week later they went on a photo walk with MrsParker, capturing snowy woods and learning new techniques. They returned chilled but thrilled, with a bundle of beautiful pictures and plans for another outing.
In February, Charlotte called. Emily paused before answering.
Hi, Emily. Ive been thinking about what you said on NewYears. You were right. We treated your hospitality as a given.
Emily listened.
I wanted to apologise. Maybe we could start over?
Emily took a breath. Ive thought a lot too. I dont want to start over because starting over means the same old expectations. Ive changed, and I like my new life.
But we were friends for so long
Yes, we were. Im grateful for the good times, but sometimes relationships outgrow each other. Thats natural.
The call ended, and Emily felt a final release, as if the last thread tying her to the past had snapped.
MidFebruary, MrsParker invited them to her birthday. A small, cosy gathering with her husband, daughter, grandson, and a few neighbours.
Can I bring my famous crumble? Emily asked.
Please do! MrsParker beamed. Ill teach you my secret applecinnamon mix.
The party was warm, children played board games, adults swapped recipes, and no one argued over who owed what.
Stephen whispered as they walked home, No one got drunk, no one stayed up till dawn.
Emily laughed, Thats what healthy relationships look likeno debts, no grudges, just comfort.
Back at home, Emily opened the photo folder on her laptop, glanced at old snapshots with Charlotte, Grace, and Tom, then decisively hit delete.
Are you sure? Stephen asked.
Absolutely, she replied. You cant build something new while clinging to the old.
Stephen hugged her. Me too. It feels like we finally started living our own lives, not the ones others expected.
Outside, snow fell, covering the garden in a pristine white blanket. Emily watched the flakes drift past the streetlamp, thinking how sometimes you must lose the familiar to discover whats truly yours.
December came again, the village dusted in snow, the air buzzing with anticipation. Emily arranged new prints in sleek framessunsets over the lake, misty forest mornings, early spring blossoms, autumn woodlands.
Stunning! MrsParker exclaimed, admiring the photographs. They were helping her hang a new chandelier in the hallwaysomething Stephen had wanted to replace for ages.
If it werent for that photo walk, I might never have taken photography seriously, Emily said.
Now you even have students, MrsParker teased.
Indeed, three months earlier Emily had begun a beginners photography class. Six eager learners met every weekend, venturing out for shoots, learning about light, composition, and editing.
Later, Stephen lowered the new chandelier, wiped his hands, and said, All set. Lets have a cup of tea.
Over tea they discussed plans for the upcoming NewYears celebrations.
Were thinking of a streetwide gathering, MrsParker said. A tree in the square, mulled wine, everyone brings something. Kids can have snowball fights, adults can chat. Will you join?
Wed love to! I can set up a photo booth with fairy lights, Emily replied.
And Ill help with the tree, Stephen added.
That evening, Emily cleared out the attic, intent on a preNewYears tidyup. In a dusty corner she found a box labelled NewYear2024. Inside lay old tinsel, handmade ornaments from past parties with Charlottes and Graces children, and a photo album of previous celebrations.
She opened the album, smiled at the memories, and closed it.
What did you find? Stephen asked, sitting beside her.
Just a reminder of how far weve come, Emily said. Look at all the good thats entered our lives this year.
Stephen wrapped an arm around her. Exactly. Youve become a photographer, I finally finished the shed and started taking commissions. We have genuine friends now.
Yes, Emily agreed. Remember that lake outing with MrsParker? Just for fun, no agenda. It was brilliant!
And the kids asking you to teach them how to use a camera, Stephen added.
They fell silent, reminiscing about the years events.
Know what matters most? Emily asked suddenly. Weve learned to value our time and space, to say no when we dont want to do something, and to choose who really matters.
And to be happy together, Stephen said. We used to fear being alone at holidays, thinking we needed a big crowd, loud music, endless chatter.
Now we see happiness in the little thingsquiet breakfasts, evening walks, comfortable silences shared.
Emily walked to the window. Snowflakes drifted slowly in the glow of the street lamps.
Sometimes you just have to trust life, she said. A year ago we were terrified of change, of losing old friends, of being alone. Now we have so much more than we ever lost.
Stephen embraced her, And we have real friendspeople who dont count how many plates weve cleared, who dont get upset if we need a night to ourselves.
Emily smiled, I cant wait for this NewYear. A whole street gathering, no obligations, just genuine joy.
She showed Stephen a message from the neighbourhood WhatsApp: Friends! Tomorrow at noon well be decorating the village tree. Bring ornaments, good cheer, and a kettle of tea for the afterwork gathering!
Now thats community, Emily said. No strings attached, just people enjoying each others company.
Stephen added, And its all by choice, not duty.
They stood by the window, watching the snow fall, each reflecting on their own thoughts. The old NewYear2024 box still lay in the attic, a reminder that sometimes you must let go of the past to make room for the future. True friendship, they realized, isnt about debts or obligationsits about sincere willingness to be together, sharing joy and sorrow alike.
As another winter approached, they knew that happiness was simply being themselves, surrounded by those who accepted them wholly, and living a life that felt truly theirs. The lesson:And so, with open hearts and empty plates, they welcomed each new dawn, knowing that the truest celebrations are those shared with honest friends and the quiet joy of simply being.
