**Diary Entry August 12th**
*”You only ever think about yourself. Emily has never even seen the proper sea in her life!”* Kate spat out bitterly, her voice trembling as she triedyet againto make her husband understand before she left.
*”Im going to Mums cottage tomorrow. For a week, maybe longer. And wholl wash and iron your shirts? Not my problem.”*
*”What do you mean, youre going? I thought youd be here. Finally get the place properly cleaned.”*
*”No, Ive decided Id rather relax at Mums.”*
James sat at the kitchen table, coffee in hand, pretending to scroll through his phone. In truth, he was watching every movement of his wife, tension radiating from her like a storm.
Kate had been silent for three days nowworse than any row. It had started with yet another “discussion” about their holiday. Or rather, Jamess refusal to go to the seaside.
This year, for the first time in ages, theyd had both time and savings. Kate had dreamed of a proper seaside holiday for years. The last time theyd gonejust the two of themhad been to Brighton a decade ago. Since then, theyd had Emily, their daughter, whod never once seen the crashing waves or felt the sea foam on her toes.
Kate wanted the sun, the warm sandeven the sticky sunscreen and the chatter of crowds didnt faze her.
But James dug his heels in.
*”Ive told you, I cant stand that sort of holiday! The crowds, the heat, sand in my shoes Id rather stay in the countryside. Peaceful, cool, no fuss.”*
*”You only think about yourself. Emilys never even seen the sea!”* Kate said, hopingjust onceit might stir something in him.
*”Whats she need the sea for? We got her that lovely paddling pool last summer!”* he dismissed, still glued to his phone.
Kate adjusted Emilys jumper, zipped up her backpack, and nudged aside the bag of toys. On the table lay a list: swimsuit, sandals, sunhat, storybook, ball Everything was in orderexcept the sinking feeling in her chest.
James hadnt moved. Half an hour, and he hadnt once asked if she needed helpnot with the bags, not with the journey, not even about Emily. It made her want to scream and cry at the same time.
*”Mum, did we pack my goggles?”* Emily tugged at her sleeve.
*”Yes, love. Theyre in your bag.”* Kate forced a smile, though her heart was heavy.
*”Listen, maybe I should drive you?”* James muttered, still not looking up.
Kate stared at himexhausted, angry, a little hurt.
*”Dont bother. Well manage.”*
With that, she grabbed the car keys, and they stepped out.
Margaret was waiting by the gate in her floral apron, a sprig of rosemary in hand. She spotted the car and hurried over.
*”My girls are here!”* she beamed, helping unload the shopping.
Emily dashed inside, knowing Grandma had her favourite scones ready. Kate carried the bags in, then sank onto the garden bench.
Margaret set a plate of scones and strawberry jam in front of Emily before joining her daughter outside.
*”Something wrong?”* she asked gently.
Kate hesitated, tucked her hair behind her ear, and let it all outJamess refusal, his indifference, that damned paddling pool he thought could replace everything. How she kept stepping back to keep up the illusion of a happy family.
Margaret listened, squeezing her hand.
*”Love, you deserve happinessrest, support. Stay the weekend. You and Emily.”*
*”I didnt even pack anything.”*
*”No matter. Well find something. You havent changed a bit in ten years.”*
And so they stayed. Kate lost herself in the gardenwatering the plants, tending to her mums flowers, eating raspberries straight from the bush. That evening, she and Emily splashed in the paddling pool, sipped homemade lemonade, and listened to the crickets.
James only remembered his wife was meant to return when he needed the carand the keys werent there.
*”When are you coming home?”* His voice was sharp over the phone.
*”Not tonight. Tomorrow.”*
*”What do you mean, tomorrow? I need the car. I was going to see Dave.”*
*”Call a taxi. Figure it out. Its too late now.”* Kate hung up before the shouting began.
She silenced her phone and placed it facedown. Shed ruined enough of today already. Right now, James was fuming in their flat, surrounded by dirty mugs and his own self-importance.
When Emily, worn out from playing, finally fell asleep, Kate and Margaret settled on the porch. The air was warm, scented with flowers and cut grass. Quiet, save for the crickets.
*”Mum,”* Kate said, cradling a mug of warm milk, *”I dont expect much from James. Just basic care. Youre tiredlet me help. You want the sea? Then well go.”*
*”James was never one for grand gestures,”* Margaret murmured.
*”I dont even want flowers. Just to be seen. To matter. Were not strangers.”*
*”No. But when someones always there, they become part of the furniture. You have to remind him youre alive.”*
Kate smiled bitterly. Thats exactly how she feltlike staff. Cooking, cleaning, childcare, all taken for granted.
Margaret didnt judge, didnt take sides. She just listened.
*”Youve no idea how much that means,”* Kate said suddenly. *”You never say, What did you expect? All men are like that, or Just put up with it. You just listen. Thats everything.”*
*”Because youre my girl,”* Margaret said softly. *”Your lifes yours to livemistakes and all.”*
Kate exhaled. For the first time in years, she felt lighter.
*”Mum,”* she said after a pause, *”maybe I should take Emily to the seaside. Just us. Weve got the savings.”*
Margaret smiled. *”Good. Ill help with the ticketsa gift from Grandma.”*
—
Kate returned home the next afternoon. James was sprawled on the sofa, an empty pizza box beside him.
*”About time!”* he grumbled, not getting up. *”Took the car for a full day, left me stranded. I was supposed to go fishing with Dave!”*
Kate set her bag down and filled the kettle.
*”Why not call a taxi?”*
*”Why should I? Weve got a car!”*
*”So its fine for me to drag bags and a child on the bus, but not you?”*
He opened his mouthbut Kate was already gone, shutting the bathroom door behind her.
For a week, she didnt mention the trip. But the idea wouldnt leave her. Should she go alone with Emily? Tell James? Or just book it and leave?
She printed out holiday deals but hesitated. In her head, she argued with Jamespleaded, snapped, slammed imaginary doors.
Then something shifted.
At work, her colleague Sarah returned from holidaytan, glowing, laughing about teaching her son to swim, the seagull that stole their chips, how well shed slept by the sea.
Kates stomach twisted with envy. That afternoon, over a vending-machine coffee, she decided. Shed go.
Two weeks later, they landed in Cornwall. The sea was warm, the sky endless. Emily shrieked with joy as waves lapped at her feet.
For ten days, they lived in sunlight.
When they returned, sun-kissed and bright-eyed, Emily burst through the door. *”Dad! We saw the sea! We found shells!”*
James froze.
*”What the hell have you done?”* he hissed. *”How dare you go behind my back?”*
Kate cut him off. *”I knew youd say no. That trip wasnt just a holidayit showed me Im done living like this. Take the car, your things, and go. Today.”*
Silence. Emily clung to Kates side. James gaped.
*”Youre serious?”*
*”Deadly. Youve had years to care. Pack now, or leave empty-handed.”*
He left that night. The divorce was swift. Kate bought a second-hand car, and she and Emily began exploringnot just the coast, but further.
Two years later, she met Daniel.
And for the first time, she understood what it meant to be loved without conditions.
**Lesson learned:** Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is choose yourself. Even if it
