Page 67 of Only ever you-Ana & Byron
A listening pause.
"Are you alright, Ana?"
She closed her eyes. "Not really. I need a break. I was wondering... could we meet somewhere? Not Dublin. Just... midway."
Her parents had made the decision to sell up and move to Dublin to be closer to her mom's sisters once she retired from the NHS.
There was a pause before he said, "Is it Byron?"
She let out a breath. "Kind of. But this is my fault."
Another pause. Then…
"Your mom's right here. We can meet you wherever you need."
She sent them the link.
"It's a place in Llanberis. Looks quiet and pretty. It has a lake view. I just... I need to think. And I want to see you."
Her Papa didn't hesitate.
"We'll take the ferry to Holyhead tomorrow morning. You settle in tonight. We'll meet you there."
She hung up, then moved like a ghost through her flat-shoving clothes into a holdall, tucking her extra glass case into the side pouch, grabbing her charger.
At the door, she hesitated, phone in hand.
She called him.
It rang before going to voicemail. It felt like a stay of execution.
The mechanical tone crackled in her ear. She exhaled shakily and spoke.
"Byron... I'm so sorry. Sorry for everything. I'll speak to you in a week. I just need to clear my head. You'll understand when I tell you everything. I know this is the coward's way out, but right now, it's the only way I know. I’m sorry I took so long."
A pause. Then softer, almost broken, "I love you."
She ended the call. Eyes burning.
Then she opened a message window and typed quickly to Cadi.
I’m fine. I'm safe. I promise I'll explain everything once I'm back. Just give me a week. Please.
She didn't wait for Cadi’s reply.
She didn't check if the message had been read.
She just locked the door behind her and walked into the cold with her coat unbuttoned and her bag slung over her shoulder.
At the station, she bought a tea and took the train west, past fading city lights, through wet countryside, until mountains began to rise like sleeping giants against the horizon.
When she stepped out onto the platform, the air smelled like moss and rain.
She didn't feel better.
She just felt... gone and lost.
***
