A NEW BEGINNING

Finding the love of her life has changed the world for Ellen

- CHRISTINE SUTTON

THE early hours of New Year’s Day; a time for resolutions and promises to do better, for reflection and for new beginnings.

Lying in the darkened room, Ellen let her thoughts drift back over the last few hours. How easily she had fallen in love. Just one look at his face and she was lost.

Such a short time had passed since she and Michael had met in the chaotic activity leading up to midnight, yet it seemed they had always known one another, always been part of one another’s lives.

There was no beginning or end to their relationship, it was as if it had always been there, somewhere in the ether, just waiting to be.

“Michael,” she whispered, for the sheer pleasure of hearing his name on her lips.

Her gaze drifted past him to the window. Through the half-open blinds, she could see a pearl-white moon riding high in the sky, bathing the room in its milky glow.

The clock on the wall showed 4 am, that endless, lonely time when distanced lovers lie awake and wonder if the other does the same when troubled insomniacs toss and turn, counting the minutes and yearning for the first pale streaks of dawn.

Ellen didn’t yearn for dawn. Suffused with happiness, she lay on her side, content simply to watch him sleep.

She let her gaze rove over his features, drinking in every last line and curve. His long, dark lashes fluttered in some unknown dream and she moved closer to rest her hand on his.

“It’s all right, Michael,” she murmured. “Everything’s fine.”