— I can’t take it anymore! — exclaimed Emily, tossing her bag onto the sofa. — I need the seaside! Just lying in the sun all day like a seal, then dancing all night. Music, cocktails, and not a single thought about work!
Andrew chuckled. He was used to her dramatic outbursts. Emily was a handful—sharp-witted, sarcastic, sometimes prickly—but always genuine. She never pretended or put on airs, and that’s what made her so easy to be around. Most of all, with her, he never had to fake a thing.
They’d met a few months ago, and since then, Andrew felt like he could finally breathe. No awkward silences, no forced small talk—just comfort and the quiet certainty that she was someone he wanted beside him forever.
— Rough day at the office? — he asked, stepping closer.
— Utter nightmare! It’s always ‘Emily do this, Emily fix that’—as if I’m the only name they know. Today, I nearly told the boss where to shove it. If I hadn’t held back, I’d be jobless by now.
— Sounds like you really need a break, — Andrew grinned. — We could dash off somewhere, even if it’s not the seaside.
— Where? Best-case scenario, I get a single day off. What’s the point of a one-day holiday?
— How about the countryside? My nan’s place. The air there is so fresh, one walk and you’re sound asleep. And her pies—straight from the oven…
— The countryside? — Emily’s eyes widened. — Seriously? I’ve never even been.
— Never?
— Well, yeah. All my family’s city folk. I’ve never seen a cow outside a milk carton.
— Then you *have* to go! You’ve no idea how brilliant it is. The river, the wood stove, stars at night, bonfires…
— God, Andrew, I wish I had your enthusiasm. Honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready to charm any grandmas yet.
— Suit yourself. But my nan’s a gem. She’ll stuff you with pies, brew mint tea—you’ll adore her.
— Well, if pies are the dealbreaker… — Emily cracked a smile. — Fine. But on one condition: if I hate it, you owe me a whole new wardrobe. Because after your nan’s cooking, nothing I own will fit.
He laughed, and she still wasn’t sure whether to join in or start panicking.
The drive wasn’t smooth. The last stretch was a bumpy ride down a potholed lane. But Andrew stayed calm, while Emily peered nervously out the window, half-expecting ramshackle barns, manure piles, and geese ready to attack any stranger.
Instead, she found a proper village—neat, sprawling, with paved streets, a few shops, and not a cow in sight. Just barefoot kids, women with tidy hairdos, and blokes chatting by their gates.
Andrew’s nan greeted them like she’d waited her whole life for this. She hugged Emily like family, bustling about before settling them at a table groaning with food: roast beef, Yorkshire puddings, fresh bread, pies, and elderflower cordial.
Emily was stunned. Where was the stern, silent granny she’d feared? Where was the dreary village life she’d imagined?
Andrew beamed. He’d known it would be like this.
After lunch, he dragged her to the river—and it was magic. Crystal-clear water, kids splashing, blokes grilling sausages, women laying out picnic blankets. No shouting, no rushing. Just laughter, the breeze, and the smell of woodsmoke.
That night, Emily collapsed into bed and was out the second her head hit the pillow. Dawn woke her—sunlight streaming through Nan’s thin white curtains. She pulled on a jumper and stepped outside. Then froze.
The sky was peach-pink, the sun just cresting the hills. Cows lowed in the distance, birds sang, and the air smelled of dew and wild thyme. The whole earth breathed calm. Emily slipped off her slippers and stood barefoot in the damp grass. Silent. Her soul felt lighter.
— There you are, — Andrew’s voice came from behind her.
— I woke up… came outside. It’s so quiet here. So easy. I’ve never felt this at peace.
— Like it?
— Love it. Can we come back?
— ’Course. As often as you want.
Emily hugged him tight. Her chest ached with happiness. The seaside didn’t matter anymore. She’d found her peace here—where the air made her breathe differently. And she knew, without doubt, she’d return. Again and again.
