Rebeccas heart no longer aches or weeps.
After her husband Zach dies in a tragic accident, she leaves the town where every corner reminds her of him. She had lived there barely eight years before the accident snatches his life away. Rebecca believes she will never recover, stuck with her son Sam.
Girls, Ive decided to quit everything and move to the countryside, she tells the two friends who are visiting herEmily and Claire. My parents house is empty; they passed away early, too. I cant walk these streets or stay in this flat. Zach feels like hes still here; sometimes I think I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye, but when I look, theres nothing. What is that?
Emily doubts, Rebecca, Im not sure you can manage life in a village. You grew up there, but everything you know is here, set up for you.
Rebecca answers firmly, Theres a school in the village, and Ill teach.
Claire adds cheerfully, Then well come and visit you, and they all laugh.
For five years Rebecca and Sam live in a modest cottage on the edge of a small village in the Yorkshire Dales, right by the forest. She works at the local primary school, has settled in, and the villagers respect her because shes one of their own.
That winter is biting, and the second half of December brings heavy snow and a fierce gale. With only a week left until New Years, a latenight blizzard rattles the cottage while the fire crackles inside, keeping the room warm and cosy. Rebecca and Sam love evenings when the weather rages outside and they sit at the table sipping hot herbal tea.
Mom, I think someones knocking, Sam whispers.
Its just the wind, Rebecca replies, but she hears a faint knock and steps into the hallway. Whos there?
A weak, hoarse voice answers, Please, open the door.
She feels no fear but wonders who could be out in such weather, at the edge of the village, near the woods. Opening the door, she finds a man collapsed in the snow, halffallen onto the doorstep. She calls Sam over.
Maybe hes drunk, she thinks, but lets get him inside.
Together they drag him into the cottage, where he lies on the floor, groaning. Hes dressed in a hunters coat, but his rifle is missing. Rebecca, not a medic, knows an ambulance cant reach them in the storm. After a couple of minutes the man turns onto his back, eyes fluttering open. His right trouser leg is torn, and his leg bleeds heavily.
What happened to you? she asks quietly.
Sorry, please, he says. They strip off his outer coat; his pleading blue eyes make Rebecca uneasy about whether she can help.
She examines the legno fracture, just a deep wound spilling blood. She can dress it, and the relief eases her mind a little. Rebecca and Sam settle him by the fire, propping him against the wall. He looks at his own leg and, for a moment, manages a faint smile.
My name is Peter. Im sorry for barging in like this.
Rebecca, and this is my son Sam.
Peter insists, Im a doctor, so I know this isnt a lifethreatening injury, just a lot of blood loss.
Rebecca sighs with relief, grateful that a doctor can tend to himself. After cleaning and bandaging the wound, Peter sits at the table, sipping tea flavored with thyme and rosemary, topped with a spoonful of raspberry jam. Over tea they chat, and Peter opens up about his life.
Im fortythree. I spent years as a military medic, serving abroad. It was a restless joblong deployments, field conditionsso my wife left. She took our daughter to the city where her parents lived, remarried, and settled down. I dont blame her; not every woman can endure such a nomadic life.
Rebecca questions, But what about love, both in sorrow and joy?
Peter replies, Not everyone can bear that. When I married young I promised her things I couldnt deliver, so I understand.
They talk late into the night. Eventually Peter asks, Are you married?
No. My husband died tragically, and I left the city five years ago. I couldnt stay there. This is my family home; its where I was born, and my soul feels thawed here. I feared Sam wouldnt like village life, but hes adapted quickly, made friends, and feels at home.
Do you ever miss the city?
No, Ive grown to love the quiet, I teach English and literature, and Im content.
Do you work in a hospital? Peter asks.
No, Rebecca says.
Peter smiles, I left the army at forty, took early retirement to care for my ailing mother. I tried being a forester for a while, but she passed, so I moved back to the city and opened a pharmacy. Business is good; Im planning to open another branch. Lately, though, Ive been haunted by uneasy thoughtsmaybe its grief, maybe something else. My soul aches.
Rebecca nods, Loss leaves a mark on the heart.
Peter admits, Friends suggest I see a psychiatrist, but I laugh it off. Thats why I came out here, to hunt, to walk the woods. I got lost, my car vanished, I ran into a wild boar herd, one of them gored me, and thats how my leg got hurt. He points to the bandaged leg. I managed to fire my rifle, but Im not sure I hit anything. The herd ran off, and I stumbled to your cottage, leaving the gun by the doorway.
Rebecca offers, Its late; Ill put a bed by the fire for you. Good night.
The next morning Peter runs a fever; the leg wound isnt healing fully. He cant continue his journey. The storm has calmed, and Rebecca and Sam discover Peters car hidden in the woods, halfburied in snow not far from the house.
Ill have to treat myself, Peter says, I have a firstaid kit in the car; Ill fetch some good medicines.
Uncle Peter, well dig the car out, give you the keys and the kit, Sam replies, bringing the kit back safely.
Peter spends several days recovering, playing chess with Sam each evening. When he feels stronger, he plans to return to the cityonly three days left before New Years. Rebecca says nothing, understanding he needs to go. She hears him on the phone arranging his departure.
Before he leaves, she asks, Is your soul still hurting?
Peter packs his bag, looks Rebecca in the eyes, and says, Now its crying. He climbs into his fourwheeldrive and drives away.
After hes gone, the cottage feels quiet; Rebecca senses a missing piece. She doesnt cling to false hope, but she realises she liked Petera steady, comforting manbut she expects nothing more. The blizzard eases, the wind only gusts now, and occasional snow falls.
Everything will be for the best, she tells herself, Its good he stayed only a short while; otherwise Id have struggled to forget him.
Peter never calls, despite his promise, but she reasons, He has his own affairs in the city; this was just a little adventure for him.
On December 31st, Rebecca drives her old car into town, buys groceries and sweets for a weeks worth of New Years feasting. Though its just her and Sam, they always celebrate the holiday together; the tree is already decorated.
That evening another gust picks up, but shes glad she shopped before the storm. Sam helps set the table and flips the fairy lights on the tree.
Mom, is someone at the door? Sam asks.
Its just the wind, she replies, but she listens. A knock answers.
Standing on the threshold is a smiling Peter, arms full of shopping bags.
May I? he says, stepping straight into the hallway.
Sam bursts out, Yay! Uncle Peter! and runs to hug him.
Peter looks at Rebecca, gently says, Sam, wait, take the bags, then Ill give your mum a kiss. He leans toward a startled Rebecca, feeling her heart pound like a childs.
Sam, Rebecca, maybe Im rushing, but Ive realised I cant imagine a life without you, he declares, pulling a small box from his pocket. Rebecca, will you marry me?
You came all the way to the city for this? she asks, smiling as he nods.
Sam watches his mother with hope, and she meets his gaze, nodding.
Ill say yes, but I cant leave this place.
No need to, Peter laughs. Ill stay here too; I like it, and a foresters work would suit me. Ill still run my business in the city when needed. Rebecca, speechless, leans her head on his shoulder.
Time passes. Sam, now ten, goes to secondary school; Rebecca and Peter build a larger house in the village. Peters soul no longer aches or weeps; love and joy surround him.
