The Warm Breath of Autumn
The director summoned Evelyn to his office, and his sweet secretary, Alice, gave her a look as if to say, «Good luck with that.»
«Quick, go see the boss—he’s in a right state. What did you do?» Alice asked anxiously, though she and Evelyn got on well, despite the eight years between them.
«Nothing, I think,» Evelyn replied before heading in, bracing herself. *Another business trip, probably.*
Her role often required travel to the company’s branch in another city. She couldn’t think of anything she’d done to anger the boss, but perhaps a colleague had messed up.
«Good morning, Mr. Bennett,» she said as she entered.
«Mmm,» he muttered, barely looking up, then gestured to the chair across from him.
She sat stiffly while he flipped through a contract, occasionally grumbling, «Blimey, what a mess. Who wrote this rubbish?»
Evelyn waited. At last, he lifted his head.
«Right. You’re here. Good. Pack your bags—they’ve lost the plot down there. This contract’s a disaster.»
Mr. Bennett laid out the purpose of her trip and told her to leave the next day. He always relied on Evelyn, a top-notch specialist, confident she could sort out any mess. And she always did.
«Travel tomorrow. I’ll ring the branch manager in the evening so they’ll see you straight away. Taking your car?» She nodded. «Bring petrol receipts. We’ll cover it.»
At twenty-nine, Evelyn was unmarried and unburdened, enjoying the freedom of business trips. The pay was decent, and if she handled a particularly tricky job, Mr. Bennett threw in a bonus.
«Well? Did the boss tear into you?» Alice asked when she returned.
«No, it’s the branch team’s blunder. I’m off tomorrow to fix it.»
Mid-September brought crisp air and golden leaves swirling in the wind, some sticking to her car’s bonnet and windscreen. She set off at seven, expecting a five-hour drive if traffic held.
Inside the car, soft music played as she drove, unaware this trip would change her life. In that very branch office, she would meet the man of her dreams—Daniel.
Parking outside the building, she grabbed her briefcase and bag, heading for the entrance. Before she could touch the handle, the door swung open, nearly colliding with a man in a hurry. He clipped her shoulder despite her sidestep.
«Sorry,» he mumbled, then froze when their eyes met.
For a moment, they just stared. A spark passed between them.
«It’s fine,» she said, moving to enter, but he stopped her.
«Wait—I’m in a rush, but I’ll be back in an hour and a half. Could we talk? I really need to.»
«I’ve just arrived myself,» she said. «Alright. I’ll wait in the lobby when I’m done.»
He smiled—a smile so disarming she nearly melted.
Meeting the branch director, Mr. Thompson, pushed Daniel from her mind. The work was urgent, demanding all her focus. One day wasn’t enough; she’d need another.
When she finally descended to the lobby, he was waiting, eyes darting to the lift each time it opened. Spotting her, he hurried over—tall, handsome, dark-eyed.
«Finished early. You free now?»
«Yes. More to sort tomorrow.»
«Sorry—I’m Daniel. And you?»
«Evelyn,» she replied, unsure what came next.
«Fancy a café nearby? Staying at the company hotel?»
She nodded. «Always do. Convenient.»
At the café, they talked effortlessly, as if they’d known each other forever. Shared interests, pet hates, a love for books, the outdoors, camping under starry skies.
«Where do you live, Daniel?»
«Up in Yorkshire.»
«Far! Flew in?»
«Train. You?»
«Local enough. Five-hour drive.»
They lingered late, strolling through an autumnal park after the café, admiring century-old oaks and a vast lake, its surface still, dotted with fallen leaves.
No wind stirred the hanging clouds. Late September chill clung to the air.
«Evelyn, I half expect a mermaid—one that looks like you—to rise from that lake.»
«She already has,» she laughed, spreading her arms. They embraced tightly.
Their next meeting was in October—heated, passionate. They rented a flat, stealing days together over weekends.
«God, waking beside him… watching his profile, listening to his breath, making his coffee…» she thought. «I’m so happy it’s almost frightening.»
Back home, couriers delivered flowers to her office. Some colleagues envied; others sneered.
November brought another reunion.
«Darling, I’m so happy,» he murmured between kisses. «You’ll have to transfer to Yorkshire. Our branch there needs you.»
She agreed—she’d follow him anywhere.
Then, silence. No calls, no texts. His phone went dead. She had no address, only his city.
Colleagues noticed her gloom. One, Julia, sneered, «Maybe he’s done with you.»
The words terrified her—her deepest fear. Soon after, she realised she carried his child.
Pain, betrayal, anger—she felt it all. She drafted furious emails, then deleted them unsent.
«Lord, where is he? I don’t want flowers or words. Just him. Just to be near him.»
Months passed. Five months pregnant, she buried herself in work.
Then Mr. Bennett summoned her again. Back to that branch, the place she’d met Daniel.
She went, numb.
«Here again,» she thought, «alone.»
Her feet led her to the park, the lake, despite her scolding herself. *Why? It all reminds me of him.*
April’s chill lingered, trees still bare. She sat on their bench, watching the lake’s cold, unwelcoming surface. Rain drizzled. Shivering, she couldn’t tell if it was from cold or memory.
«Evelyn, love, waiting for your mermaid?»
His voice. Her legs turned to lead.
«Daniel—»
He rushed forward, lifting her up. «God, I’ve missed you.»
«What happened? Where were you? We’re waiting for you.» She gestured to her belly.
Stunned, joyous, he stared.
After returning in November, his taxi had crashed. A coma, then rehab. His phone was lost, her number gone. He’d emailed, but she’d deleted his address in anger.
Now, here he was—on business, planning to track her down.
«My love, I was terrified I’d lost you,» he whispered, kissing her.
She was soaring.
«Never leave me again,» he said.
«Never,» she agreed.
The cold spring air wrapped around them, but they didn’t feel it.