Sonia had never been one for hanging onto things she considered past mending. She had just carried two boxes of junk to the municipal tip when, carrying another, she passed the village cafe.
Having eyed it longingly, she doubled back, deciding to have a coffee and a pastry instead.
Inside, it was warm and redolent with the smell of fresh baking. As usual on a Saturday, it was heaving, so she was lucky to get a seat - and one for the box too. Sonia studied the topmost items - a painted Victorian box, missing a hinge, and a chipped amber vase, with silhouettes of trees encircled between layers of matte glass.
They were gifts from her best friend Betsy. The box was for her 21st birthday, when Sonia had been into vintage. She had received the vase following the breakdown of her marriage to Steven. He'd left while she was at work, taking several things for his new 'love nest', including her favourite vase. But Betsy and her husband Rob had arrived with wine, flowers and a new one...
'For all the lovely flowers you'll get in the future, including these!' Betsy had beamed.
Her friend had always been supportive, which is why Sonia couldn't understand why Betsy had made so much fuss over her recent anniversary party.
Esta historia es de la edición April 09, 2024 de Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 09, 2024 de Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest