Towards the end of his workday, Daniel’s phone rang with the familiar tune Lacey had set as her caller ID. He answered, hearing her voice on the other end.
“Dan, I’m at the salon. Come pick me up—you know the one.”
“Got it,” he replied before hanging up.
Daniel knew Lacey spent at least two hours at the salon, so he took his time after work, driving leisurely. After waiting a bit, he decided to pop into the café next door.
“She’ll call when she’s done,” he thought, settling at a table. A waiter approached immediately, and Daniel placed a small order.
He finished his food, scrolled through the news on his phone, watched a few videos—still no sign of Lacey.
“I wonder how much she’s dropping at the salon today,” he mused, though she paid for her beauty treatments herself—or rather, her father did. He was a wealthy businessman, after all.
They’d been dating for seven months, sometimes staying at his modest two-bedroom flat. But when the cramped space bored her, she retreated to her parents’ sprawling three-storey mansion in the countryside. An only child, Lacey wanted for nothing.
She’d introduced Daniel to her parents. Her mother, in particular, hadn’t been impressed—just some twenty-seven-year-old IT bloke, what could he possibly offer? But Lacey must’ve had a word, because there were no outright jabs at him. Still, he felt out of place.
Daniel had started seeing the truth: Lacey wasn’t wife material, at least not the kind he’d dreamed of. Yet he hadn’t called it off. And then her powerful father had dropped a hint:
“Whoever makes my daughter happy, I’ll make happy too. But if she’s unhappy—God forbid—well…” The message was clear.
Lacey was spoiled, but stunning. Daniel never understood why she spent so much time at the salon when she was already gorgeous. She was witty, sharp, but flighty and arrogant—probably from growing up with endless wealth. Just yesterday, she’d announced:
“Right, Dan, we’re off to the Maldives in ten days. Dad’s covering it. I need a break.”
He’d frowned. “I’ve got work, Lace.”
“Dad’ll sort it.”
The whole thing left him conflicted. After her father’s little chat, marrying her felt less like a choice and more like an obligation. Lacey was starting to grate on him. Every conversation circled back to her dad’s money. Their relationship was getting tangled, and Daniel knew they were from different worlds—but he was still ready to go through with it.
Lost in thought over his coffee, a voice snapped him back.
“Daniel? Blimey, is that you?” A bloke grinned at him like an old mate. “It’s me—Tom!”
It clicked. “Tom! My old mate!” He jumped up, clapping him on the back. “Twelve years, at least! What are you doing here?”
“You’ve filled out, mate. Proper grown man now,” Tom chuckled.
“Same to you. How’d you end up here?”
“Meeting my little sis, Emily. She’s at the Royal Academy—final year. Got a concert tonight. Not my thing, classical music, so I ducked in here.”
“Emily—how is she?”
“Brilliant! Don’t know where she gets it. Proper country girl, but she got in on pure talent—no fancy connections.”
“I’d love to see her,” Daniel said eagerly.
“No bother. She’ll ring in forty. The Academy’s just round the corner—we can swing by if you’re not tied up. You alone?”
“Waiting for my fiancée, Lacey. She’s at the salon. Should be done soon.”
“Perfect. Emily and I’ll join you.” After catching up briefly, Tom left to fetch his sister.
Memories flooded Daniel. Summers at his gran’s, next door to Tom and Emily’s family. Their place had a big yard, a main house, and a couple of holiday cottages. The area was idyllic—woods, lakes, a river.
He and Tom had been inseparable, and Emily—skinny, dark-haired, and shy—had tagged along. For ten summers, they’d fished, sung by the campfire, dreamed. Then uni came, and visits stopped. His gran passed, the house sold.
“Those were the days,” Daniel murmured, smiling to himself. “Emily… my first crush. Wonder how she turned out?”
“Smirking at nothing—bit daft, isn’t it?” Lacey’s voice snapped him back.
“Finally. Just good news making me smile,” he said, eyeing her. What had two hours at the salon even changed?
“Well? How do I look?” she preened.
“Same as always.”
“Same?” She scoffed. “This ‘same’ cost a fortune. Manicure, facial—flawless. Admit it, I’m stunning.”
“Always are,” he said dutifully. She was, objectively.
“Right, we’re off to mine. Dinner party tonight—you’re expected.”
“Can’t. Meeting my old mates—they’ll be here any minute.”
She pouted, ready to argue, but then Tom walked in with a striking young woman. Emily.
“Daniel!” She flung her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. “Look at you—proper man now!”
He was floored. She was radiant, soft—he didn’t want to let go. Then Lacey’s voice cut in.
“Hello. And you are?”
“Lacey, my fiancée,” Daniel said quickly.
“Pleasure,” Tom said warmly.
The three fell into easy chatter. Lacey sat in pointed silence, her disdain obvious.
“Nothing beats lazing under an apple tree or swimming in the lake,” Daniel said wistfully.
“Ugh, I’d rather be under a parasol in the Maldives. Dad’s pool’s probably bigger than your muddy pond,” Lacey sneered.
“Any fish in the Maldives?” Tom teased.
“Plenty—on restaurant plates, where civilised people eat them,” she shot back.
She stewed while they reminisced. As they parted, Emily asked, “Coming to visit, Daniel?”
“Definitely. Weekend after next.”
Lacey scowled. “Fine. I’ll come too—see this backwater of yours.”
Daniel’s heart sank. “You’ll hate it. Mosquitoes, no Wi-Fi, just nature.”
“Better bring mineral water. Doubt they’ve got anything drinkable,” she muttered.
“Pack a portaloo and a microwave while you’re at it,” he snapped.
They went. Tom’s parents welcomed them warmly, setting a table under an apple tree. Daniel felt pure joy—until Lacey started.
“Dan, the grass is itchy. Dan, the meat smells weird. Dan, a mosquito bit me. Ugh, sun’s in my eyes.”
Tom and Emily ignored her.
“Give it a rest, Lace,” Daniel finally said. “Go nap in the cottage.”
“Too stuffy,” she grumbled—but no mosquitoes, so she went.
“Fishing, Em?” Daniel asked later, peeking in.
“Hard pass. I’ll sleep.”
By the lake, rod in hand, Daniel asked, “Got a boyfriend, Em?”
“Not lately. Why?”
“You’re gorgeous. And talented,” he said. Tom grinned. “She knits, sews, makes a mean pie.”
“Bet Lacey doesn’t,” Daniel blurted. “But she’s great at spinning yarns.”
Tom laughed. “You’ll learn to bake. Won’t starve.”
Daniel grimaced. Marrying Lacey meant a lifetime of takeaway.
The trip ended warmly, numbers exchanged. On the drive back, Lacey huffed.
“Never dragging me there again. Maldives next week. Can’t wait.”
“Actually, I’m not going.”
“You’ll lose me if you don’t.”
“Still not going.”
Silence. Daniel’s mind was made up.
An apple tree, a lake, real laughter—that’s what he wanted. Not a gilded cage. He dropped Lacey home.
“Last chance. Coming?”
“No. We’re not headed the same way.”
“Fine. Rot in your village.” She flounced off.
Relief washed over him. He dialled Emily.
“Be there in two days. We’ll figure it out.”
“Alone?” Her voice was soft, hopeful.
“Yeah. Just me.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting.”
As he drove off, humming, his phone rang. Lacey’s dad. He ignored it. No need to ruin the mood.
