Kyle was exhausted and decided to rest under a sprawling oak tree by the roadside. He’d been walking from the city, and the journey wasn’t short—about five miles. Given that he wasn’t exactly the burliest or strongest bloke, the fatigue had really settled in.
«Just gotta get up this hill, and then I’ll see the village in the distance,» he thought. «Only a couple more miles to go. Weird, though—not a single car’s passed by heading that way. How does the bus even run out here?»
Kyle was twenty-eight, and seven of those years had been spent behind bars. Now he was finally back, returning to the only place that still felt like home. He’d had plenty of time to think inside, and resentment still lingered—he’d been locked up for something he didn’t do. His so-called mates in the city had set him up, spun lies, even threatened him if he didn’t take the fall. Stupid, really—he never should’ve hung around with that lot.
«Once I get to my sister’s, I can rest properly. Bet everyone’s changed after all this time. My niece, Emily—she must be all grown up now. How old was she back then? Fourteen, maybe?»
After a short breather, he trudged on. When he reached Anna’s house, he spotted a pretty girl in the yard and wondered if he’d got the wrong place. He pushed the gate open and called out, «Afternoon! Is Anna home?»
«Hello?» the girl replied, staring at him before her eyes widened. «Uncle Kyle?!»
«Bloody hell, Emily! Look at you,» he laughed, realising she hadn’t recognised him at first. «It’s me—your mum’s brother.»
«Oh my God! Mum’s inside—and Dad too!»
Just then, Daniel stepped out onto the porch, followed by Anna.
«Alright, Kyle?» Daniel clapped him on the back in a rough hug. «Back at last, then?»
«Hey, little brother,» Anna smiled, pulling him into an embrace. «Christ, you’re skin and bones! We’ll have to feed you up—prison grub clearly wasn’t doing you any favours.» Kyle just nodded, too tired to argue.
Their parents had died years ago in a fire, and Anna had raised him on her own. Eventually, she married Daniel, a local lad, and they’d stayed in the family home, though Daniel had since expanded it. Kyle had left for college in the city but never finished—thanks to his «mates.»
Anna had always believed in him, never thought he’d do something to land himself inside, but here they were.
«Come on, mate, get inside,» Daniel said, ushering him in. «I’m firing up the boiler—you need a proper wash after that trek. Walked all the way from town, did you? The bus only comes through twice a day.»
«Yeah, took my time. Knackered, but I’ll manage,» Kyle muttered, heading inside.
Anna was already bustling in the kitchen—her brother needed feeding. Later, after a hot shower, Kyle emerged looking brighter. That evening was full of chatter, and they agreed he’d stay with them—he had nowhere else to go.
A month passed. Kyle settled in, even put on a bit of weight thanks to Anna’s cooking—pies, roasts, the lot. He’d made a couple of trips back to the city but always returned after a day or two. He whistled as he worked around the yard, but Anna couldn’t shake the worry. What if he’d got mixed up with his old crowd again? She tried to reassure herself:
«Surely not. He’s done his time—he wouldn’t risk it.»
Emily was curious too. She and Kyle weeded the vegetable patch together, laughing, him telling stories, her giggling at every word.
«Kyle,» she suddenly asked, «did you meet someone in the city? A girl, I mean?»
«Nah. What made you think that? Just visiting an old mate’s parents. First time I went, they were at their holiday home—only caught them the second time.»
«Where’d you stay the first night, then?»
«At their neighbour’s.»
«Is she young? Lives alone?»
«Few years older than you,» he said, eyeing her carefully. «And married.»
«And her husband doesn’t mind you staying over?» she prodded.
«Why would he? I’m not snogging her, am I?»
Emily fell silent, yanking at weeds. No one knew she’d fancied her uncle from the moment he walked in. And no one ever would—she’d keep that locked away. She’d even stopped seeing her boyfriend, Jack, claiming she was too busy.
«Emily, why’ve you stopped going to the pub?» Anna pressed. «Did you and Jack have a row? There’s other lads, you know…»
«Not interested,» she’d mumbled.
August was scorching. One afternoon, Emily grabbed a towel, heading for the river.
«Going for a swim?» Kyle called. «Wait up—I’ll come.»
They strolled down together, chatting easily. She laughed, telling some silly story; he grinned. At the bank, Kyle flopped onto the grass.
«You go on. I’ll wait here.»
Emily shrugged off her robe. «Come on! Don’t just sit there—let’s go!»
She waded in while he stayed put. Watching her, he clenched his fists. If he didn’t get a grip now, he’d sprint over and kiss her—not some uncle’s peck, but properly. And that’d terrify her. So he held back.
«Just go. And I’m not your bloody uncle,» he snapped, voice sharper than he’d meant.
She froze. «What’s your problem?» Offended, she stormed into the water.
Stupid. She adored him, and he’d been harsh.
«Fine. If that’s how he wants it,» she fumed, dunking under.
She emerged later, towel-drying briskly, snatching up her robe without a glance. They walked home separately. Anna met her on the porch.
«Where’s Kyle?»
«Behind me,» Emily muttered, vanishing inside.
Kyle appeared moments later, gulping down water at the sink before wordlessly heading out back.
«What happened?» Anna followed. «You two have a row?»
He was quiet a long moment.
«Spit it out,» she pushed. «Emily’s stubborn, hates showing weakness—but what’s going on?»
«It happened, Anna. Exactly what I was afraid of.»
«Oh God.» She clapped a hand over her mouth, sinking onto the bench. «Kyle, how? She’s just a kid—she doesn’t understand—how could you?»
«Anna—what the hell? What d’you think I—» He stammered. «Christ, Anna, I’m in love with her. Properly. And I thought… maybe it’s time she knew.»
«No! Emily’s volatile—who knows how she’d react? After everything you’ve been through—»
«Anna, don’t be daft. I’m the same bloke—no tattoos, no swagger, didn’t even pick up prison slang. I hate that rubbish.»
«Alright, alright. I’ll talk to Daniel,» she promised.
A week passed—no conversation with Emily, no chat with Daniel. Emily pointedly ignored Kyle, and the silence stretched.
«Enough of this,» Kyle sighed finally. «I’ll apologise.» Spotting her in the yard, he called, «Emily—I’m sorry I was short with you. Don’t know what came over me.»
«I don’t want to talk to you,» she shot back, flouncing inside.
«Right. That’s that, then,» he thought. «Time to go.»
He left for the city without a word. Five days gone—Anna was beside herself. Emily moped, even cried in secret, cursing herself.
When he returned, Kyle asked quietly, «Did you tell her?»
«No. Couldn’t find the right moment.»
«Don’t bother. I’m heading north—got work there. Fresh start. I won’t be back.» He hugged her.
«Kyle, no! You’re my only brother—»
«I can’t see her, Anna. And if she marries someone else? I’d lose it. Leaving tomorrow. Just… need to talk to her first.» He sighed. «Don’t look so scared—I won’t say a word. I know I’m her uncle. I’m off to the timber yard—say goodbye to the lads.»
Anna sat alone, torn.
«If I don’t tell her, I lose him. But if I do… what if I lose her instead?»
The gate creaked—Emily wandered in.
«Was at Lucy’s. Why so glum?»
«Kyle’s leaving.»
«What? Where?» She bolted for the house.
«He’s not there—gone to