River of Life After working until retirement, Arina immediately quit her job—she might have continued, but her mother was gravely ill and couldn’t be left alone. So Arina moved to a small town to care for her, while her son Igor and his family lived in her city apartment. As a child, Arina befriended Yulia, a girl her age who spent summers at her grandmother’s house across the street. Yulia lived in Moscow and dreamed that Arina would join her there after school, but those dreams remained just dreams. Yulia’s grandmother died when both girls were in tenth grade, and with no other relatives in town, the friends parted ways. Arina told her parents she wanted to study in Moscow, but her father insisted it was too expensive and urged her to attend the local university. Arina studied foreign languages, secretly hoping to become a translator and move to Moscow to reunite with Yulia. But her plans changed when she fell deeply in love with her classmate Boris. She announced her intention to marry Boris to her parents, who insisted on meeting him first. Boris won over even her strict father, and they married before graduation. After the wedding, everyday life began to erode their happiness. Boris wasn’t suited for family life and was often unfaithful. Arina, now a mother to seven-month-old Stepan, received no help from her husband but managed to complete her degree with her baby in tow. She divorced Boris immediately after graduation, feeling no regret. Her parents offered to help raise Stepan while Arina settled into her new life as an English teacher in the city. She planned to bring her son to live with her, but met Vadim, a senior official, at an education meeting. Vadim, ten years her senior and married, confessed his feelings and invited her out. He promised to leave his wife, but Arina doubted him. They traveled together, but never spoke of his wife—a taboo for both. Years passed, and Vadim never divorced. Eventually, his wife discovered the affair and threatened a scandal, forcing Vadim to end the relationship. Arina reflected on how quickly those happy years had passed. Stepan grew up, finished university, married, and moved his wife into Arina’s apartment. Arina liked Masha, her new daughter-in-law. At forty, Arina faced her first tragedy: her father fell seriously ill and died within six months. Two years later, her mother became gravely ill, prompting Arina to move back to the town to care for her. Despite fearing her mother’s death, she survived for four years, both women struggling without hope. Stepan bought Arina a computer and set up the internet, giving her new friends to chat with online. One dark, windy autumn night, Arina received a message from a stranger—her childhood friend Yulia. They reconnected, and Arina was shocked by Yulia’s transformation into a glamorous, successful woman. But Yulia’s life was marked by tragedy: her brother died in a conflict zone, her sister and father passed away, and her mother suffered a long illness. Five years ago, Yulia was widowed, and now only her son’s family lived in St. Petersburg. Yulia found solace in her beauty salon and hairdressing school, sharing videos of her work with Arina. They longed to meet, but Arina couldn’t leave her ailing mother. After her mother’s death, Arina considered moving to Moscow to be with Yulia, who lived alone and often invited her. One day, Yulia disappeared from the internet, later explaining she’d been hospitalized. Arina sensed something was wrong. Spring arrived, and as Arina tidied her home, Yulia messaged her with devastating news: she’d been diagnosed with a serious illness. Soon, Yulia stopped responding altogether. When Arina finally called, a man answered—Yulia’s son—informing her that Yulia had passed away. Arina grieved deeply, knowing she’d lost her friend forever. She often remembered Yulia’s words: “Now I simply live, savoring every day, every minute. However many are left?”

After working right up to retirement, Alice quit her job straight away. She might have kept going, but her mum was seriously ill and couldnt be left alone. So Alice moved to a village to care for her, while her son, Edward, and his family settled into her flat in the city.

When Alice was a child, she met Julia, a girl her own age who spent summers at her grandmothers house just across the road. Julia lived with her parents in London and always dreamed that Alice would join her there after school, and theyd be best mates in the big city. But, you know how it goesthose dreams stayed just that, dreams.

Julias gran passed away when they were both in their final year at school, and with no other family in the village, the girls drifted apart. Alice would tell her parents, I want to go to university in London after school. Her dad would sigh, Love, thats a pricey business. Why not study here in the county? So Alice did just that, coming home for holidays and sometimes weekends, spending three hours on the coach each way. She threw herself into learning languages, secretly hoping to become a translator and maybe, just maybe, move to London to see Julia.

But life had other plans. At uni, Alice fell head over heels for a fellow student, Ben. One weekend, she announced to her parents, Mum, Dad, Im getting married. They were anxious, wanting to meet Ben first. Bring him round next weekend, they said. Is your dad strict? Ben asked. Dad, yes. Mum, not so much, Alice replied.

Ben charmed even her stern father, and they got the go-ahead to marry before finishing their studies. After the wedding, they rented a flat, but everyday life started to wear them down. Ben wasnt cut out for family life and was always distracted by other women. Ben, youre hopeless, Alice would snap when he stayed out all night. Why should I wait for you? Dont wait, go out yourself, hed retort.

Alice could have, but shed just had their son, Stephen, who was seven months old. Ben was no help at all. Still, Alice didnt drop outshe finished her degree with Stephen in tow. The early marriage didnt bring happiness, and after her final exams, she divorced Ben. No regrets, she told her parents, arriving home with Stephen. He wasnt who he seemed. Her dad agreed, He fooled me too. What will you do now, love? Leave Stephen with us, her mum said gently. Well help while you get sorted.

Alice grabbed the offer. I wanted to settle here in the village, but I love city life and already have a job lined up. If youre happy to watch Stephen, Im grateful. Ill get sorted and bring him home soon. In the end, her parents raised Stephen. Alice lived in the county town, teaching English, and had her own flat. She thought about bringing Stephen to live with her, but then she met David at an education meeting.

Miss Alice, David said, catching her eye, could you stay after the meeting? Ive got a few work questions. Alright, she replied, a bit puzzled. When everyone left, David smiled, Alice, Ill be honestI like you. Would you join me for dinner? I know a cosy spot. Alice was caught off guard but agreed.

David was ten years older, held a good position, but was married. He didnt hide it, saying, Dont worry, Alice. Ill leave my wife eventually. Were only together for our daughter. But Alice doubted hed ever leave. Still, she enjoyed his company. They travelled together to Cornwall and Liverpool, but never spoke of his wifeit was off-limits. Alone, Alice wondered how David managed to keep their relationship secret.

Years passed, and David never divorced. Eventually, Alices peaceful life was shattered when Davids wife found out. She was furious, threatening to confront Alice and cause trouble at work. David panicked and ended things. Well, you pay for everything in the end, Alice thought, remembering how quickly those happy years had flown by.

Stephen grew up, finished university, got married, and brought his new wife, Emily, to live with them. It was strange for Alice, but she liked Emily and they got on well.

Alice was forty when disaster struckher dad fell seriously ill. By the time she got home, he was bedridden, with her mum caring for him. Within six months, he was gone, not quite reaching seventy-five. The loss hit Alice hard, but trouble rarely comes alone. Two years later, her mum became very ill, suffering terrible headaches. Seeing her mum in pain, Alice moved back to the village to look after her.

Alice was terrified her mum would die, but against all odds, she lived for four more years. Both struggled, with no light at the end of the tunnel. Stephen bought his mum a computer and set up the internet so shed have something to do. She made friends on Facebook and kept in touch online.

One dark, windy autumn night, with only her mums groans breaking the silence, Alice was browsing online and got a message from a stranger. Hi Alice, I recognised you straight away, the woman wrote. Looking closer at the photo, Alice realised it was her childhood friend Julia. Overjoyed, she called Julia, who answered warmly.

It took Alice a moment to recognise the elegant woman with sleek dark hair as her old friend. She was stunned and couldnt sleep that night, thinking how different Julia was nowso polished, as if life had given her everything. But on the phone, Julia shared her own heartbreak: her brother died in a conflict zone, her sister passed away from illness, then her father died of a broken heart, and her mother suffered a long, painful illness. Five years ago, Julia was widowed, and now only her son and his family live in Liverpool, but they dont see each other often.

The only thing that keeps me going, Julia said, is my beauty salon and hairdressing school. Ill send you a video so you can see what I do. Julia, Im so sorry, but Im glad we found each other. I wish we could meet, but my mums very ill. Its a shame, Alice. I wish youd move to London. Remember our old dreams?

After Alices mum passed away, she wondered if she should move in with Julia, who lived alone in a big flat and kept inviting her. Then Julia disappeared from the internet for a while, only to return and say shed been in hospital. Reading her message, Alice couldnt help but cry, feeling something was wrong.

Winter passed. Alice and Julia kept in touch, and Alice was nearly ready to move when Julia vanished again. Spring was warm, and Alice was busy tidying up after winter. Then Julia messagedshed been diagnosed with a serious illness.

Alice cried for her friend, and soon Julia stopped replying altogether. One day, Alice rang Julias phone and a man answered: Mums gone. We buried her yesterday. It was Julias son.

Alice wept for ages, knowing shed lost her friend forever. Shed never hear Julias voice again. Julias words often echoed in her mind: Now I just live, enjoying every day, every minute. Who knows how many are left?Sometimes, when the house was quiet and the evening stretched on, Alice would sit by the window, listening to the wind and thinking about all those yearshow quickly theyd slipped by, how much had changed. Shed scroll through old messages, reread Julias words, and feel both grateful and heartbroken for the friendship that had survived so much, even if only in memories and calls.

Stephen and Emily would pop round on weekends, bringing laughter and the smell of fresh bread from the bakery. Alice found comfort in their company, and in the small routines of village lifetea with neighbours, tending the garden, chatting with friends online. Yet, every so often, shed catch herself glancing at her phone, half-hoping for a message from Julia, knowing it would never come.

Life carried on, as it does. Alice poured herself into her teaching, took up painting, and joined a local book club. She made new friends, but none quite like Julia. On quiet nights, shed remember their childhood summers, the wild plans theyd made, and the way Julias laughter used to fill a room. And though the ache of loss lingered, Alice tried to do just what Julia had saidlive fully, savour each day, and treasure the moments she had left.