She glances fondly at her partner and reaches for his hand. Ben, who’s been quietly taking everything in, nods and wraps an arm around her in a quiet, steady embrace that speaks louder than words.
I can’t help but admire him, a grounded, reassuring presence in a family full of vibrant, magnetic personalities. The Elliotts have an undeniable charm, but subtlety isn’t exactly their strong suit.
“I don’t know how much Remi’s told you about Maude,” Emma continues, “but for someone neurodivergent like her, certain environments can be incredibly overwhelming, especially crowded ones. The Cornwall Fair is huge, with people everywhere, locals and tourists alike. Honestly, I was surprised she joined us this year. She only came because, well, apart from numbers, the one thing she truly adores is horses.”
She pauses for a moment, then lets out a soft sigh.
“She’s managed really well these past few days, but I know how much energy it takes for her to deal with that kind ofsensory overload. It completely wipes her out. Right now, the best thing for her is a bit of peace and quiet.”
Ben gives her a gentle squeeze, wrapping her in a reassuring hug.
“Of course, love. It makes perfect sense. If it’s alright with you, I’ll nip home, drop off our bags, and check everything’s in order. Then I’ll come back and cook you a proper shepherd’s pie, with chicken, potatoes, and peas. How does that sound?”
Emma lights up, kissing his cheek fondly.
“Oh, Ben, that sounds absolutely perfect. While you’re out, I’ll help the boys put together their picnic.”
She turns to us, practically glowing. “Then how about dinner together in the village tonight?”
“I’d love that, thank you, Emma,” I say at once, genuinely delighted.
“We should take Sebastian to the Logan Rock Inn,” Remi chimes in enthusiastically. “Get some crab, maybe a bit of fresh seafood. How does that sound, ba… Seb?”
This time, Emma and Ben don’t even try to hide their amusement. They burst into laughter, and I feel my cheeks go up in flames.
Remi wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder and pouting in that irresistibly bratty way of his.
“I don’t know what you’ve done to my son,” Emma says between giggles, “but he’s a changed man. Honestly!”
Then, with a teasing wink, she kisses Ben on the cheek as he grabs his things and heads for the door.
Once we’re alone, Emma disappears into the hallway cupboard and emerges with two wicker baskets we can strap to our bikes. Meanwhile, Remi and I move together through the kitchen, preparing lunch in a quiet, easy rhythm.
We slice up some crusty bread and stuff it with thick cuts of roast ham, lettuce, and mayo. Every now and then, we sneak insoft kisses, just brief touches of lips, half-holding our breath in case Emma walks in. Not that she’s under any illusions… she must have noticed I didn’t spend the night in the guest room, which is just next to hers.
She hasn’t said a word about it, though. And yet, I still don’t feel quite ready to be openly affectionate in front of others, not completely. Maybe it’s a lingering side effect of hiding my sexuality for so long. I didn’t realize, back then, how much it was wearing me down. But now I can see just how deeply it’s shaped the way I move through the world.
I’m starting to think the panic attacks I’ve been having aren’t just about my parents; they’re the fallout from years of carrying that weight. Always watching myself. Always bracing.
Remi, thank God, doesn’t carry that same burden. He’s held my hand, hugged me, kissed me, in front of his family, with no hesitation at all. If anything, he seemed proud.
And that quiet confidence of his? It’s been doing wonders for me. It makes me feel seen. Chosen. Loved. And for the first time in a long while, I’m proud of myself too, for standing up to my parents, for walking away, for choosing something better.
I haven’t called May yet. She's probably left a hundred voicemails, but I’m not going to let her ruin this little holiday. When we’re back in London, I’ll tell her she’s fired… assuming my parents haven’t already done it for me.
I’ll need a new manager, of course, and I’ll have to make a decision about staying in the UK long-term. But honestly? The idea doesn’t scare me anymore. Not now. Not when I have Remi and a group of friends who truly care. I don’t want to go back to the empty version of my life in Paris: all career, no joy.
The idea of a long-distance relationship doesn’t exactly thrill me. I’m sure Remi and Icouldmake it work, but why put ourselves through all that when I could just finish my degree here in London?
There’s no doubt in my heart about what I feel for him. None. I just don’t want to overwhelm him by unloading all my hopes and uncertainties. He’s already given me more than anyone ever has.
For now, the best thing I can do is treasure this time with him and his family. Whatever the future holds, we’ll face it together.
I’m pulled from my thoughts by the light tap of a finger against my temple.
“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours, hmm?” Remi murmurs.
Then he leans in and kisses me gently, threading his fingers through my hair. That’s all it takes, he grounds me instantly. No one else has ever had that effect on me.
