Ive come to ask you to come back to me. Kate, my life hasnt been the same since you left. I cant make it work with anyone else. Its been over twenty years now, and not a single woman feels right for me. Lately, Ive found myself thinking about you over and over.
Kates head turned sharply as she heard the crunch of tyres on gravel outside the cottage window. Through the slats of the front gate, she saw the man step outOliver, always composed, still with his striking dark eyes, though now flecked with silver hair at his temples. He straightened his smart coat, the outline of a growing belly just visible beneath, and adjusted the expensive frames on his glasses before heading for the gate.
Oh, what does he want now? Kate muttered to herself. After all these years… Well, I hope Paul arrives soon. Please, God, dont let them bump into each other. She frowned, knowing that news traveled faster than the wind in a village like theirs. Well, whatever happens, happens, she decided, stepping quickly out of the house lest Oliver invite himself in.
He looked just as she remembered: not as young nowforty-ninebut still with that air of self-importance. He paused in the porch, surveying the little garden in a way that made Kate bristle.
Hello, Kate. Not expecting me, were you? Olivers voice was friendly, but his eyes searched hers.
She drew herself up, folding her arms. No, honestly, I wasnt. Everythings been decided for a long time, Oliver. Why have you come back after all these years?
He spread his arms helplessly. Because I want you to come back. Kate, since you walked out, my lifes never settled. I couldnt find another woman who meant anything to me. Its been more than two decades and still, I come up empty. The loneliness got to me. I found myself recalling you.
Kates reply was sharp, almost trembling. Oliver, I have a husbanda daughter. What makes you think you can just turn up here and act like nothings changed? Did you stop to consider what Paul would think about this? Ive been happy with him all these years. I dont want another life.
He pressed on, not hearing her. I came for you, he insisted. I know about your husband, your daughtershes at university, right? I always kept an eye on your world, though I never intrudeduntil now. I cant help myself, Kate. I want a fresh start for us. Im not the man I was back then. All that matters is youre with me. Why stay in this simple village house? You were like a queen once. Come with melets be together
He stopped mid-sentence as heavy footsteps sounded behind them. Kates gaze darted over Olivers shoulder, wide with anxiety.
Turning, Oliver saw a tall, broad-shouldered man stride into the gardenPaul, towering over him, surveying the scene with a farmers no-nonsense calm.
Kate, whats he doing here? Paul asked, curtly nodding towards Oliver.
Kates voice rose, brittle with distress. Oliver, please, just go. Theres nothing for you here. Ive told you, its over. She turned toward her husband. Paul, Ill explain everythingI didnt expect
Theres nothing to explain, Paul muttered, voice dull with pain. He ducked into the house and soon emerged, overnight bag in hand. He strode quickly from the gate, heading out of the villagetowards the main road a mile away.
Kate, panic rising, watched him go, tears welling in her eyes. Oliver stood frozen in the middle of the garden.
Why do you always have to ruin things? Kates voice cracked with emotion, glaring at him through tears. You show up and break everything apart. I havent loved you in years. Leave here, and dont come back.
I just wanted to make things right, Oliver pleaded, but she was already hurrying back inside, where she slammed the door. Moments later she burst out again, running after Paul, her sobs lost on the thick hedgerows as she dashed from the cottage.
Oliver sat in his car, watching as she sped by, her hair streaming in the wind. So this is how it ends, he murmured to himself, bitterness tightening his jaw. Why did I even hope?… All these years.
Kate was still the samespirited, graceful, her loveliness now matured by time. Oliver berated himself, realising too late that there was no better woman for him, not after the countless others hed known. He hadnt truly seen her worth when they were together, wanted for nothing but still made her feel small.
He remembered the first time he laid eyes on hera bright-eyed student bounding out of a lecture, laughing with friends. Her smile had caught him, back when he was still dashing, young, and flush with his fathers money. A city businessman, already successful, he swept her away to his grand country house, a gift from his father, who spared no expense for his only son.
Kate, back then, couldnt believe her luckthe daughter of a country butcher, suddenly the lady of a manor with a housekeeper and a gardener. But those golden days faded into loneliness; Oliver was away more and more, always distracted, coming home tipsy from his business affairs, uninterested in a family, always saying, We should live for ourselves a little longer. Children can wait.
She finished university but was kept on a tight leash, never allowed even to attend her graduation ball. The city glitz turned hollow, and when she finally stood up to him, their arguments grew fierce and bitter. After seven uneasy years, Kate gathered the courage to leave.
Oliver believed shed returnthat shed see sense and forgive him. He promised himself to do better, to start a family at last and be the husband she deserved. But she never came back.
Kate returned to her home village, divorced Oliver, and after making peace with Paulher childhood friend, the steady, gentle man shed always trustedshe married him. Their life together was humble but filled with laughter and care. Paul forgave her, seeing the foolishness of youth in her choices, and welcomed her back with an open heart.
They had a daughter, and their cottage was alive with warmth again.
So when Paul saw Oliver, the memory of old wounds flared. The sight of that sleek, expensive car outside his home, of Oliver in his tailored coat, stung more than words could say. Snatching up a bag, Paul left, determined to vanish for good, the pain too fresh to bear.
Out on the windswept road, Paul stuck out his arm, desperate for a lift. Cars whooshed past, drivers unfazed by a man with nowhere to go.
But soon, he heard footstepsthe shuffle of someone running, calling his name. Kate, breathless, tears on her cheeks, caught up with him, her voice breaking as she clung to his arm.
Paul, darling, where are you going? I dont want anybody but you. I dont love himyou know that. Please dont leave me, Paul. Please
Paul turned away, stubbornly flagging down passing cars. Kate finally dropped to the verge, sobbing as Paul stormed off. Just then, Oliver pulled up, got out, and offered her a hand.
You see? He left you, but I never would. Come with me. Youll never want for anything again, Kate, he said, desperate.
Go away, she hissed through her tears, wrenching herself upright. I dont ever want to see you again. Leave and never come back!
She walked back down the twisting lane, towards the village. Oliver slammed his car door, driving off in the same direction Paul had gone.
Paul noticed Olivers car as it sped past. He stopped, watching as Kates lone figure trudged along the grass verge.
Suddenly, she glanced back, and her face brightenedPaul was running toward her through the shimmer of dust and afternoon sunlight. She ran to meet him, arms flung wide. They collided in an embrace, holding on as if for dear life.
What a fool Ive been, Paul thought, nearly losing the woman I love all over again. Anger blinded me, but Kate was never at fault.
How would I live without my Paul, Kate thought through tears of joy, clutching him. Im happiest with him. I want nothing morejust Paul by my side, forever.
They stood in the country lane, arms twined around each other. Passing motorists slowed, some flashed their lights, a few even cheered. But Kate and Paul saw none of it.
How much time passed they would never know, until they heard a familiar voiceMrs Evans, their elderly neighbour, on her way to meet her granddaughter at the bus stop nearby.
Kate, Paul, what are you two doing, holding on like that? Both grinning and cryinghave you caught the bird of happiness, then? If you have, never let it go. Happiness only lands once.
We never will, Kate smiled through tears. Paul simply nodded, unable to speak.
Hand-in-hand, they walked together back to the villageacross the field, past the old hedgesforever together, come what may.
