—Miss, you dropped your phone! Wait!— the stranger called out, his voice cutting through the roar of the downpour.
Eleanor trudged along the empty streets of Manchester, barely noticing the icy rivulets streaming down her face, mingling with her tears. She turned, eyeing the man with weary indifference, her brow furrowing.
—Is this yours?— he asked, holding out a drenched smartphone with a cracked screen.
—Mine…— she murmured, her voice trembling from the cold and the ache in her ribs.
—What are you doing out alone in this storm? No umbrella, soaked to the bone! You’ll catch your death!— His voice carried genuine concern.
The man didn’t seem intrusive, and Eleanor, moved by some unspoken impulse, followed him under the awning of a nearby shop. They stepped into a small café on the corner to warm themselves with tea.
—I’m Arthur,— he introduced himself with a gentle smile. —And you?
—Eleanor…— she whispered, her eyes fixed on the floor.
—What brings you out in weather like this? Even stray dogs are taken in on nights like these.
—And I… I was thrown out like one,— the words escaped her before she could stop them, her voice cracking as fresh tears welled up.
Memories crashed over her like a tidal wave. Her chest constricted with the pain she’d fought so hard to suppress. Eleanor had never imagined her life, built with such effort, could collapse in an instant. She and Simon had weathered everything together—bought a cottage outside Manchester, opened a little tearoom, dreamed of children. She’d poured herself into work, climbed the ranks, forgotten herself. And today, Simon had raised his hand to her. She’d grabbed her coat and fled into the cold rain.
All she had was her passport, a bank card, and a phone that barely worked.
—Your phone’s ruined,— Arthur remarked, trying to shift the subject.
Eleanor realized then that she had nowhere to go. A city that wasn’t hers, no friends, no family. She was alone, adrift in emptiness. The tears came freely now, the first time in years she’d let herself weep.
—Crying over a phone? I can fix it,— he offered gently.
—Why do you care? We don’t even know each other!— she snapped, but there was more despair than anger in her voice.
—I’m not angry. Just… saw you, knew something was wrong. Wanted to help,— he replied calmly.
Eleanor drew a shaky breath, willing herself to steady, and found herself telling her story to this unexpected stranger.
—I came here twelve years ago from Leeds. My parents stayed behind, and we barely speak now. All these years, I lived for work. No friends—never had the time. Every minute went to projects, to the tearoom, to dreaming of a future. I thought it was the right way. And today… Simon came home furious. I asked him to supper, and he started shouting about how I’d forgotten his favourite ale. I hadn’t bought any—he drinks too much as it is. I stayed quiet to avoid a row, but he… he hit me. My ribs still ache. It hurts to breathe.
—I’ve seen this before,— Arthur said quietly. —My cousin lived with a man like that. I know how hard it is. Let me help.
—Why should you bother with my troubles?— Eleanor sighed. —It’s not the first time. I’ll stay with an acquaintance for a few days, then go back. He’ll call, apologise. Like always.
—But your phone’s broken,— he pointed out.
—Then I’ll go back and beg forgiveness myself,— she gave a bitter laugh. —What else can I do? There’s no other way.
—What if this is a sign?— he said suddenly. —A sign it’s time to change. To start anew.
Eleanor fell silent. The idea of a fresh start had crossed her mind before, but fear had always stopped her. Too much had been poured into these years, too much lost. But here, beneath the drumming rain, Arthur’s words sounded like salvation.
—Let me take you somewhere,— he offered. —It’s safe. You can stay as long as needed. I’ll fix your phone, bring it back. Then you can decide what comes next. Alright?
—Thank you…— she whispered, feeling the weight lift from her shoulders for the first time all evening.
She exhaled, as if shedding a burden she’d carried for years. For the first time in too long, someone else had taken her troubles upon themselves. She’d earned this respite—just a few days, after all those years of running.
