The husband sent his wife to the countryside to lose weight because hed lost interest, leaving him free to indulge with his secretary.
*”Steven, I dont understand what you want,”* said Emily.
*”Nothing complicated,”* replied Steven. *”I just need some time alone to rest. Go to the countryside, relax, shed a few pounds. Youve let yourself go a bit.”*
He cast a disdainful glance at her figure. Emily knew shed gained weight after her treatment but said nothing.
*”Where is this countryside place?”* she asked.
*”Somewhere very picturesque,”* Steven smiled. *”Youll like it.”*
Emily decided not to argue. She needed a break too. *”Maybe were just tired of each other,”* she thought. *”Let him have his space. And I wont come back until he asks.”*
She began packing her things.
*”Youre not upset with me, are you?”* Steven pressed. *”Its just for a little while, for you to rest.”*
*”No, its fine,”* Emily replied with a smile.
*”Then Ill be off,”* said Steven, kissing her cheek before leaving.
Emily sighed deeply. Their kisses had long lost their warmth.
The journey took far longer than expected. Emily missed the turn twiceher satnav acted up, and there was no signal. Finally, a village sign appeared. The place was remote, the cottages neatly kept with charming wooden carvings.
*”No modern comforts here,”* Emily thought.
She wasnt wrong. The house looked rundown. Without a car or phone, she might as well have stepped into the past. She pulled out her mobile. *”Ill call him now,”* she told herself, but still, no signal.
The sun set, and exhaustion weighed on her. If she didnt find the house, shed spend the night in the car.
She had no desire to return to London, nor did she want to give Steven the satisfaction of saying she couldnt manage.
She stepped out. Her red coat clashed comically with the village scenery. She chuckled.
*”Right then, Emily, no getting lost,”* she muttered aloud.
The next morning, a roosters shrill cry woke her as she slept in the car.
*”Whats all this racket?”* she grumbled, rolling down the window.
The rooster fixed her with one beady eye before crowing again.
*”Why are you shouting?”* Emily snapped, but a broom swished past the window, silencing the bird.
An old man appeared by the roadside.
*”Morning!”* he greeted.
Emily blinked in surprise. The villagers seemed plucked from a fairy tale.
*”Dont mind our rooster,”* the old man said. *”Hes harmless, just noisy as a fire alarm.”*
Emily burst out laughing, her drowsiness vanishing. The old man smiled too.
*”Staying long, or just passing through?”*
*”For a rest, however long it takes,”* Emily replied.
*”Come inside, love. Have breakfast. Youll meet the wifeshe bakes cakes, and theres never enough mouths to eat them. The grandkids visit once a year, the children barely at all…”*
Emily didnt hesitate. She wanted to know the locals.
Peters wife was every bit the storybook grandmotherapron-clad, scarf-wrapped, toothless, and kind-faced. The cottage was cosy and spotless.
*”Its lovely here!”* Emily exclaimed. *”Why dont your family visit more?”*
Martha shrugged. *”We tell them not to. The roads are dreadful. After rain, it takes a week to get out. There used to be a bridge, but it collapsed fifteen years back. Were cut off. Steven goes to the shop once a week. The old boat cant take much.”*
*”These cakes are heavenly!”* Emily said. *”Surely someone should look after you?”*
*”Whats the point? Only fifty of us left. Once it was a thousand. Now everyones gone.”*
Emily thought for a moment.
*”Thats odd. Wheres the council?”*
*”Other side of the river. Detours sixty miles. Think we havent begged for help? Same answer every timeno funds.”*
Emily realised shed found her holiday project.
*”Tell me, wheres the council office? Or will you take me? Doesnt look like rain.”*
The elderly couple exchanged glances.
*”You serious? You came to rest.”*
*”I am. Rest comes in many forms. And if it rains? Ive got to think of myself too.”*
They smiled warmly.
At the council, they told her:
*”How long will you pester us? You make us out as villains. Look at the state of our town roads! Wholl fund a bridge for fifty people? Find a sponsor. Someone like Harrison. Know the name?”*
Emily nodded. Of course she didHarrison owned the company Steven worked for. Hed grown up here before moving to the city as a boy.
After a sleepless night, Emily made her decision. She had Harrisons numberSteven had called him from her phone before. Shed approach him as a stranger, not mentioning Steven.
The first call failed. On the second, Harrison listened, paused, then laughed.
*”You know, Id nearly forgotten I was born there. Hows the place?”*
Emily brightened.
*”Peaceful, lovely people. Ill send photos and videos. Mr. Harrison, Ive tried everythingno one will help the elderly. Youre the only one who could.”*
*”Ill think on it. Send the photosId like to remember.”*
For two days, Emily filmed and photographed for Harrison. Her messages were read, but no reply came. Just as she gave up, he called.
*”Emily, could you come to my office on High Street tomorrow at three? Bring a rough plan for the work.”*
*”Of course, thank you!”*
*”Funny how life moves. Never time to stop and dream.”*
*”I understand. But you should visit. Ill be there.”*
Hanging up, she realisedit was the same office where Steven worked. She smirked, anticipating the shock ahead.
She arrived early, an hour to spare. After parking, she headed to Stevens office. His secretary was absent. Hearing voices from the break room, she approachedand found Steven with his secretary.
At the sight of Emily, they froze. She stood rooted in the doorway while Steven scrambled to adjust his trousers.
*”Emily, what are you doing here?”*
She fled, colliding with Harrison in the corridor. Thrusting documents at him, she dashed out, tears spilling. She barely remembered the drive back to the village. Once there, she collapsed onto the bed and sobbed.
The next morning, a knock stirred her. Harrison stood at the door with a group.
*”Good morning, Emily. You werent up for talking yesterday, so I came myself. Fancy some tea?”*
*”Yes, come in.”*
Not a word about the previous evening. Over tea, the villagers gathered outside. Harrison looked out the window.
*”Quite the turnout! Emily, is that old Peter?”*
She smiled. *”It is.”*
*”Thirty years ago, he was already a grandfather, and his wife fed us her cakes.”*
Peter eyed Emily nervously. She reassured him: *”Marthas in fine health, still baking her famous cakes.”*
The day buzzed with activityHarrisons team measured, noted, and calculated.
*”Emily, may I ask?”* Harrison said. *”About your husband do you forgive him?”*
She thought, then smiled. *”No. And Im grateful it happened this way. So?”*
Harrison fell silent. Emily rose, gazing around.
*”If the bridge is rebuilt, this place could be special! Restore the cottages, create retreats. The natures untouched. But no ones doing it. And if I didnt go back…”*
Harrison watched, impressed. She was sharp, determined. Hed never noticed before, but now he saw her differently.
*”Emily, may I visit again?”*
She met his gaze. *”Come whenever. Id like that.”*
The bridge construction surged ahead. The villagers thanked Emily; young families returned. Harrison became a frequent guest.
Steven called repeatedly, but Emily ignored him, eventually blocking his number.
At dawn, a knock came. Still drowsy, she opened itexpecting bad newsbut found Steven.
*”Hi, Emily. Ive come to take you home. Enough sulking. Sorry.”*
She laughed. *”‘Sorry’? Thats it?”*
*”Fine. Get ready, were leaving. You cant kick me outit
