Maisy hadn’t wanted to come. Being back in this town always tended to evoke memories that were painful, reminding her of a time where she was only ever the happiest she’d been. She tried to avoid coming back as much as she could, however there were occasions where it was impossible to avoid.

It made her feel angry that she could no longer enjoy the picturesque town that she’d once loved more than anywhere else in the world. That the view from the cliff tops over the wide expanse of turquoise water made her skin prickle. With a heavy sigh, she turned her back on the view and headed back down the steep path.

Walking through the market square was no easier. The cobbled streets were abustle with activity; traders using the sunny weather to their advantage to gain from the visiting tourists, the smell of freshly-brewed coffee floating out of the open door of the cafe. She was surrounded by laughter and chatter and all she wanted to do was to disappear. It didn’t seem fair to her that these people were able to enjoy this beautiful place when all she felt was a heavy weight in her chest.

Each location, each tiny part of the town that she encountered, they all held memories that swept her away to a time where her only care in the world was when she’d be seeing him again. When the only thing she wanted to feel was his arms around her. Especially when she found herself back in the park.

Even now, almost ten years later, she’d be lying if she said that she didn’t want that.

Taking a seat on the bench, Maisy gazed around her. It hadn’t changed a bit here.

_________________

Eric had been desperate to bring his family back to the town that he grew up in. It had almost broken him when he was forced to move away at the age of only seventeen. His whole life had been here, and he wanted more than anything for that to be the case once again.

“Slow down, honey,” his wife chuckled, attempting to keep up with her husband whilst clutching the hand of their three-year-old daughter. “Some of us only have little legs.”

Eric laughed, but he couldn’t slow down. He could see the market square coming into view as he headed down the steep path and excitement bubbled inside of him. There was no other place on earth that could bring him the same feelings he was experiencing now.

“You’re gonna love it here, I know it,” he told his wife once she caught up with him.

He reached down to take his daughter’s other hand, his heart soaring as she grinned up at him.

The scent of coffee and the sounds of happy chatter invaded Eric’s senses when he arrived in the market square. He couldn’t keep the smile from his face as he was determined to show his family all of the things that hadn’t changed a bit since his childhood.

The last stop on their tour was the park. He’d saved this for the end, because he knew it would be the thing that finally convinced his wife that they had to live here. And he knew he was right when his daughter squealed in delight as she saw the grand fountain sitting in the middle.

Eric turned to face his wife, but a sight behind her caught his eye.

The sight of a lone woman sitting on a bench in the park shouldn’t have bothered him, but he felt like the wind had been knocked out of him.

When she lifted her head, Eric knew that there was no mistaking. Even after ten years, how could he ever forget those dark brown eyes?

“Honey, are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”