Author's Note: Previously published on LiveJournal on 26 March 2012 for 'the_empty_pale' series of challenges.

challenge 004: (unable to link to photographic prompt - two pigeons leaning against each other and nuzzling, outside on a window ledge) "I think it has something to do with tomorrow, that there is always one, and that everything can change when it comes."

* * *

Everyone expected that with the beginning of a new year something would change. That the diet you had spent the last twenty years of your life starting, failing and restarting would finally work this year. That your old, stale relationship would either be renewed or fall apart completely and you would meet someone new who might just turn out to be 'the one.' That your job would get better, you'd be paid more, finally achieve that promotion or if your business was failing or were currently unemployed something new would land in your lap and things would pick up.

Janice loved Mick, she really did, and they had a good thing going – most of the time. But every year it was the same, some business plan would fall apart or he'd lose a job and they'd have to scrimp and save as usual. Janice held down a small part-time job which she fitted in between the school runs in the morning and afternoon but it wasn't enough on its own to see them through the month. Mick showed his appreciation for Janice infrequently, but at least he bothered at all. Their relationship was comfortable, nothing spectacular, but it was safe.

Janice had gradually become dissatisfied with comfortable as her children had grown up and their family had changed. She no longer felt needed in the same way and whilst Mick's affections had not waned, it wasn't enough to sustain her. But she held on because there was always the thought that something would happen tomorrow that would change everything for the better. She kept putting off the words that she could never take back; that whilst she loved her husband, she was no longer in love with him and needed something more. The trouble with wanting more was the possibility that she wouldn't find it and that she would be left with even less than she had now. At least now she could see herself and Mick cuddled up on the sofa together, channel-hopping into their old age. If she took that one-way leap of faith, there was a possibility she would end up alone; riding up and down the streets of Benidorm on a motorised scooter just like her mother. So she stayed quiet and continued to hold out hope for the tomorrow that would change everything when it came.