It’s missing love and laughter and purpose.
It’s the most stunning cage a bird could be homed in, but the beauty doesn’t take away the desire to fly free.
I am that bird.
Archie pours us both a whiskey from the crystal decanter. We have nothing else to do. Given we left without a single item of clothing, there’s nothing to unpack.
‘Can I say something crazy?’ We both say, simultaneously.
Archie’s bright blue eyes lock with mine, swirling with compassion and a depth I could drown in. I’m still scratching the surface with this amazingly layered man, and I can’t wait to get all the way to the bottom and back again.
He pulls my hips to settle against his as he rests on the kitchen counter. ‘You first.’
‘It’s going to sound really far out there, but I’ve had this mad idea that’s been plaguing me the entire way home.’
‘Go on.’ Earnest pupils gaze into mine.
‘I think we should consider moving to the countryside.’ I swallow the feeling of silliness rising inside. ‘Specifically, the Cotswolds countryside.’
Archie’s head tilts to the side as if he’s deliberately putting his ear lower to my lips to check he heard me right. ‘It’s like you plucked the words straight from my mind.’
Swirling his whiskey around the crystal tumbler, he stares at me thoughtfully. ‘Why though? How could you think it’s the right thing for you? You have your career to consider. You’re so young. It’s so quiet there. What could the countryside offer you? I’m not trying to dissuade you. The opposite, in fact, but I want to understand why.’
Taking a sip of whiskey, I search for the right words. ‘It might be quiet, but I’ve never had as much freedom. Never felt less pressure to conform to what I’m “supposed to be.” The youngest “Sexton Sister”, following in the footsteps of my two super-successful, high-profile sisters.
‘I didn’t realise it before, but I prefer the quiet life. The lack of pressure. I love the busy ward and the pressure in the hospital, but that’s where it stops. I don’t want that pace in my personal life. I want to build a home that feels like a home. One that I can truly unplug in.’ My hand sweeps around the kitchen to reinforce my point. ‘A sanctuary that actually is a sanctuary and not just fashionably designed to look like one.’
‘Really?’ Archie’s pupils search mine, brimming with hope and possibility.
‘Yes. I want to settle somewhere outside of the limelight. Somewhere we can raise a family without being hounded by the paparazzi. Somewhere we’re not looking over our shoulders. I’ve always craved a normal life. During these past couple of weeks, it’s the first time I’ve felt anything close to normal in years.’
Archie exhales slowly, drawing me closer into his chest. He’s my home. His chest. His arms. Enveloped by his love.
‘Baby, I want that too. All of it and more. I’m tired of looking for reasons to worry, instead of reasons to live.’
‘Exactly.’ We are on the same page. ‘I can apply to do my postgraduate placement in a hospital in Oxford or Gloucester. I don’t need to be in a city to do the work I love.’
‘And I can help Andie and Roger look after Dad and run the farm. It’s a lot of work for them. We can build a house nearby, but not too close.’ His hand roams to my ass and squeezes. ‘I want to be able to ravage you in the meadows anytime I feel like it.’
My hips buck against his at the suggestion. ‘Oh my God, it sounds like absolute heaven.’
‘What aboutyourfamily?’ His voice drops.
‘I love them so much, but being apart from them has allowed me to find myself. I don’t need to be babysat anymore.’
‘Don’t I know it.’ His pelvis nudges deeper against mine.
‘Also, I know this sounds even crazier, but do you think they’d consider us as foster parents for Lily-May? I can’t get her out of my head, Archie.’
His teeth catch his lower lip. ‘I’ve been waiting for you to say that. When you asked me to look into her background, I knew this day would come. Is it crazy? Absolutely. Am I up for the challenge? Also, absolutely.’
The squeal that erupts from my throat is one of excitement, hope, and wonder. ‘Are we really doing this?’
‘Fuck it, why not? If we don’t try, we’ll never know.’ Archie raises his glass in a toast.
‘Everyone’s going to think we’re utterly bananas.’
‘Everyonedoesn’t matter.’ Warm lips seek mine, cementing our newfound plans.
