Loneliness
A lady in her thirties, Katie, stands at a street corner in London, watching a rider in a smart tweed jacket approach her. He tips his hat and says, Will you marry me? She shakes her head. Better to be single than to get a free ride for the rest of my life, she answers.
My dear, a man should never be alone, and a woman should always have a husband, her mother, Mary, chimes in from the kitchen, otherwise it feels wrong and nobody will ever look at you. Do you know what loneliness is?
Whats that? Katie asks, annoyed by her mothers endless nagging.
Loneliness is a cold, empty room, Mary laughs, wiping flour from her hands. Its like wanting to pour water for someone else but finding yourself thirsty. She points toward the window. Your children are out there, remember?
Where? Katie asks, halflaughing.
At the garden, dear, Mary sighs, turning away. Youve always been stubborn, but a lonely soul cant stay hidden forever. Lets get you a partner, shall we? A good man is out there, and the right one will appear quickly.
Katie has been single for ten years. Her late husband, Tom, a kindly farmer from Yorkshire, died a decade ago after a brief illness. When Katie learned of his passing, she threw herself into work, taking two jobs and caring for the farms old animals. Tom had tried to convince her that once is enough and that nothing strange ever happened without him, but Katie kept moving forward. The farm eventually closed.
After Toms death, her husbands brother, Ian, stepped in politely, leaving the farm to his former wife and two children. The kids grew up and scattered: the son stayed in Manchester working in IT, the daughter married and moved to France with her husband. Katie ends up living alone in a cramped twobed flat in central London.
Living alone doesnt bother her. She runs a small freelance graphic design business, earns a modest income in pounds, and enjoys her independence, often hosting her nieces children and Mary for tea. Though she isnt a genius, she always finds something to occupy her mind and never gets bored. She reads, swims, practices yoga, loves travelling, and occasionally helps out at a local community centre. She feels content.
One day, Mary, still insistent, says, Listen, Katie. A decent bloke, not a dreamer, about sixtyone years old, lives on a farm with a big house. He has cows, goats, pigs, and chickensno carrots, but plenty of healthy food: milk, eggs, meat. You could have a good life there, and the man is charming, educated, and reads a lot. Try it, love.
Katie smiles weakly and replies, Alright, Mary, Ill meet your farmer friendthe balding one you mentioned. She adds, I didnt promise anything.
They say business never changes, so Mary arranges a meeting between Katie and the farmers wife, who introduces herself as Susan. The farmer, Ian, appearstall, muscular, with neat hands, short hair, and a confident air. He speaks slowly, jokes, and his name is unmistakably English: Ian Carter.
At their second meeting, Katie feels drawn to Ian. She thinks perhaps a simple, steady soul could fill her emptiness. Ian, eager, says, Katie, I need a partner to help run the farm. The workers are good, but I need someone who can manage the cows, goats, and the daily chores. Youll milk the cows, tend the goats, collect eggs, and keep the house tidy. Ill handle the rest. If youre willing, we can make this work.
Katie returns home, thinking about the offer. She has a spare bedroom, a modest plot of land she rents out to a neighbour who grows vegetables, and a small cottage she bought eight years ago with a mortgage. She wonders why she should take on the farms endless chorescleaning pig pens, feeding goats, collecting eggswhen her own life is already full. She still needs to prepare dinner for Ian, shop for groceries, and keep the flat spotless. Her income from design is decent, enough to support a modest lifestyle, and she has a pension coming in.
She sees the practical side: the farm provides a sustainable living, fresh produce, and a chance to escape the loneliness that haunts her. Yet the thought of waking up at dawn to tend animals feels overwhelming.
That evening, Katie calls Mary. Mum, Im sorry, but Im turning down Ians proposal. I appreciate his offer, but Im not ready to give up my independence. Ill stay single for now, and Ill keep looking after my own life. Mary, surprised, sighs, Youll always have to manage your own water, Katie. Not everyone wants to share a drink, after all.
A few days later, Katie writes a short message to Ian, explaining she isnt interested. He replies politely, I understand, Katie. Good luck with your work and your flat.
She spends the next morning making tea, polishing the flats windows, and thinking about her son who lives in Manchester and her daughter who is in Paris. She remembers to buy a new handbag, a warm coat for the winter, and to call her friend Lena to set up a coffee catchup.
In the end, Katie decides that being a little selfish, looking after herself first, is the healthiest choice. She smiles, feeling a little less lonely, and continues her life in London, balancing work, friends, and the occasional visit to the countryside for a weekend escape.
