**June 15th, 20XX**
I realised her happiness was boundless.
Margaret decided to spend the weekend visiting her ageing mother and sister in the village where she grew up. She lived in the city now, working as a cardiologist at the hospital, and rarely found time to return.
At forty-five, Margaret was a striking woman. She’d been married once, years ago, and had a daughter who’d since graduated, married a fellow student, and moved away. The marriage had lasted seven years before they amicably parted ways—too different, they’d agreed.
“Thank goodness for these three days off,” Margaret thought cheerfully. “I’ll stop by the supermarket, pick up a few things for Mum and Sarah.”
Margaret had been raised in the countryside but dreamed of becoming a doctor and leaving as soon as possible. Life in the village was dull, despite its optimistic name: *Joyful Green*. There was little joy left there now—jobs were scarce, the young had fled, and the place was dwindling.
Autumn and winter were particularly bleak. Only in spring, when fieldwork began, did life brighten. The lush green and sunshine made *Joyful Green* almost live up to its name.
It was mid-June now. Margaret gazed out the bus window at the rolling fields, heart light. She hadn’t seen her family in months.
“Mum hasn’t been well. Thank goodness Sarah lives with her—what a blessing. Otherwise, I’d have to make this three-hour trip more often,” she mused.
Her younger sister Sarah had never left. She’d married a local lad, Thomas, a practical man who’d repaired the old house, built an extension for his family, and even added a separate entrance so they wouldn’t disturb his mother-in-law. Sarah had twin boys who’d since left for college.
“Sarah always loved village life. Me? I couldn’t wait to escape,” she’d once confessed to her friend Victoria, who’d visited once and marvelled at the fresh air and scenery.
“You’re enchanted because it’s new to you,” Margaret had laughed. “Try living here through autumn rains or spring mud—see how much you’d adore it then.”
The journey passed quickly—she dozed off and woke just as they neared the village. The bus turned onto a bumpy dirt road, rattling along until it reached *Joyful Green*. Stepping off, Margaret smiled. “Nothing changes.”
The sun warmed her face; the air was sweet with birdsong. She headed home, spirits high.
“Hello, love,” came a creaky voice. Old Mrs. Cooper, her mother’s neighbour, stood before her. “Come to see your mum?”
“Yes, Mrs. Cooper. Missed her terribly.”
“She’s been asking after you. Off to the shop now—pension came in.”
“How’s your health?”
“Oh, as good as gets at my age,” the old woman chuckled before shuffling away.
Margaret pushed open the garden gate. The yard was empty. Inside, their cat, Whiskers, threaded between her legs, purring.
“Hello, my sweet,” she cooed, scratching his chin.
“Well, well, look who’s back!” Sarah appeared from the kitchen, grinning. “This one’s turned into a proper barrel—hardly fits in his bowl anymore!” They embraced. “Hungry? Mum’s in the garden, picking strawberries for you.”
“Of course I’ll eat. And outside—why waste this sunshine?”
Lunch was a spread of village news—some happy, some sad. Mostly, the elderly remained; familiar faces were fading fast.
“Where’s Thomas?”
“On a work rotation. Two weeks away, two at home. Good pay—see the car he bought us?” Sarah waved at a modest hatchback.
“You’ve a good man. I wasn’t so lucky.”
“You picked wrong. Should’ve married a local like me,” Sarah teased, their mother nodding agreement.
Later, the postwoman, Claire, arrived with a notice.
“Something for you, Sarah. Needs collecting at the post office.”
“Too busy—Margaret, fetch it for me?”
“Why not?” Margaret said. “I’ll take Sarah’s passport. Fancy a walk anyway.”
“Borrow my bike then—relive your youth!” Sarah laughed.
Margaret cycled through the village, wind in her hair. At the weathered post office, she was greeted by Tessa, an old classmate. They chatted, reminiscing, before Margaret left with the parcel.
On her way back, distracted by a flowerbed, she nearly collided with another cyclist.
“Sorry! Wasn’t looking.”
“No harm done,” the man smiled—tall, handsome, in a light T-shirt.
Margaret flushed. *What must he think of me—scatterbrained city girl?*
“You’re not from here,” he noted.
“Visiting family. You?”
“Here for my aunt. Anna Griggs—her son’s Danny.”
“Danny Griggs? We were in school together!”
“His cousin, Stephen. I’m a surgeon in the city. Fancy a detour by the river? Weather’s too fine to rush.”
“Margaret—Rita to friends.”
“Rita-Margaret, then. Lead on.”
They sat by the water, talking easily. Stephen, forty-nine, had divorced three years prior—his wife left him for a younger man, then returned, but he hadn’t taken her back.
“Leaving tomorrow?” he asked.
“Planning to.”
“Stay another day. I’ll drive us back.” He picked her a bouquet of wildflowers, honey-scented.
At dusk, Sarah gaped at the flowers. “Where’ve you been? Left your phone!”
“Out. These? A gift.”
“Oh-ho! Who’s the lucky man?”
“Stephen Griggs. Danny’s cousin.”
Sarah smirked. “Ah. *Him*. Good sort. Told you—find happiness here.”
Margaret laughed, light-headed.
They left together in Stephen’s car, laden with preserves and vegetables from the garden. Her family beamed—they’d never seen her so radiant. Stephen couldn’t stop looking at her.
They didn’t need time. They’d known in that village, *Joyful Green*, that they were two halves of one whole. Married now, they live joyfully.
**Lesson:** Sometimes happiness finds you where you least expect it. In a place you once fled, love might be waiting.
