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“Not uglier,” Jamie muttered under his breath. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been back to Hiraeth. Must be at least fifteen years. Has it changed at all?”

“Not really,” I said. “If anything, it’s quieter. A lot of the old businesses have closed down and no one is coming in to replace them. A couple of the shops are boarded up.”

“That’s sad, I always remembered it being nice.” Jamie looked out of the window as if hoping to catch a glimpse, but we were still at least five minutes out.

“It is still that,” I said. “I like it, at least. It’s where I grew up. I’ve stayed, even if others have moved on.”

We sat in silence for a while before I plucked up the courage to ask the question that had been eating way at me. “So, what brings you back after so long?”

“It’s…complicated.” I could feel him weighing up what to tell me, whether he could trust me — or whether I was worthy of the information.

When he spoke, he was quiet and slow in his wording.

“I needed to get out of London for my health. A doctor recommended I take a break, and I’m not exactly in a position to go abroad right now. ”

“Fair enough.” I could sense there were things he wasn’t telling me, but it wasn’t my business to pry. “We’re almost in view of the village now,” I said. “I’ll get you to Glynis in no time. She’s looking forward to seeing you.”

James craned his head as we came into view of the village.

Even under the winter clouds, it was a pretty little place.

The road we were on snaked from the top of the hill down toward Hiraeth.

All the main streets in Hiraeth ran parallel to the small river which ran through it.

High Street sat directly next to the river, and even from up above it was obvious it had seen better days.

There were still a few businesses trading though, and there were people criss-crossing the pedestrianised road to talk to each other, exchange gossip and wish each other well.

The river widened towards the end of the village which lay closest to the little cove.

The river itself ran directly onto the yellow sand.

A couple of old boats, mine among them, sat in the sand.

Lots weren’t being used so much any more and had been left to rust. The cove was enclosed by tall black cliffs, with several large caves jotted around the edges.

We’d all played there as kids, ignoring the DANGER and ROCKS FALLING signs.

It seemed James was having similar thoughts. “I always wanted to explore the caves when I was younger. I knew all the teenagers went there to smoke and I thought it was so cool. Mum wasn’t so keen though, so I never got to.”

“Never too late to go now,” I said. “Mum can’t stop you if she’s not here to tell you off.”

That got him to smile. “Think I’m a little bit old now, don’t you?”

“Not at all.” I focused on the road ahead, but he’d made me think about the last time I had wanted to explore those caves. I remembered then, trying not to make my blush too obvious in the confines of the van. I snuck a glance at James, but he was staring out at Hiraeth.

I took the sharp hair pin turns down towards Hiraeth more carefully than I usually would. The road snaked dramatically down the hillside and into the centre of the village.

“What’s that up there?” James pointed, and I followed where he was pointing to.

“That’s the old hotel. Run by my best friend.” The hotel, a big white manor house perched at the edge of the cliffs, had definitely seen better days. When those days were was a mystery though as it had been old and a bit run down when I was little.

“I forgot how…rustic this place was. How quaint,” James said.

“I think you mean rotting,” I replied. It wasn’t like me to disparage Hiraeth. It was my home and I loved it, but seeing James in it felt weird — like my rickety old van and the fading shop fronts just weren’t good enough now someone more refined had come along.

“No,” he said. “I think a couple of days here will do me some good.”

“A couple of days? You’re not staying long?” I tried to hide my disappointment.

“Nah. Work won’t allow me much time off, it’s all pretty hectic. I just need a little break.”

Silence fell for a second. I didn’t know why exactly I was disappointed he wasn’t staying longer.

I wasn’t a talker, or confident enough to ask him out — and I definitely wasn’t attractive enough for a man like that, who probably spent his life in London with millionaires and businessmen.

But it was a nice thought that had been dashed.

“We’re here,” I said as I pulled up to Glynis’ bungalow. It was set a few streets back from the High Street and due to its elevation I could just about see the beach and the sea from my van.

“Well, thanks.” James smiled as he got out of the van. “I owe you one.”

“Anytime.” I smiled. “Oh, wait.” I grabbed a little card from my pocket. “I’m not always about but the local taxi driver is lovely. Here’s his number if you need it.”

I watched him walk up the garden path and to the little bungalow. Once Glynis had opened the door to him and given me a little wave I drove off.

I turned the heating down a little bit. I felt like I needed a cool down.