SEABROOK; Harry Styles

3

THREE

Harry walked the quiet streets of Seabrook, the cool evening air brushing against his face. After the frustration of his car breaking down miles outside of town, he was grateful for the serenity the town offered. His plan had been simple: come here, get a break, find some quiet. And Seabrook, with its peaceful atmosphere, was delivering exactly that.

His first stop after leaving the cafe was to find a place to stay. He needed somewhere comfortable to rest for the night before dealing with the car the next day and so, after getting directions from the café's receptionist, Harry  made his way to the small B&B just down the street.

It was a small, unassuming building sandwiched between a bookstore and a quaint gift shop, its white-painted walls almost glowing in the late afternoon light. As Harry approached the door, he hesitated for a moment, then pushed it open, greeted by the gentle chime of a bell above him.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The light was soft, and the scent of freshly laundered linens lingered in the air. Behind the front desk stood a woman in her late fifties, with silver hair pulled into a neat bun and a kind smile that immediately made Harry feel at ease.

"Good evening. How can I help you?" she asked, her voice warm and welcoming.

"Hi, I'm looking for a room for the night. My car broke down outside of town, and I'm hoping to find somewhere to stay while it gets sorted."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," she said with a sympathetic frown. "But you're in luck. We've got a room available. Quiet night. Just sign in here." She handed him a clipboard with a registration form.

Harry filled it out, trying to keep his mind off the car and on something else for a change. As he returned the clipboard, the receptionist gave him a key.

"You're in Room 2. It's a cozy spot. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 9 AM, so feel free to join us."

"Thanks," Harry said, feeling grateful. He grabbed the key and made his way back outside.

Before he could head back to the B&B to settle in, he realized he needed to sort out the car. He'd been told to ask Karim, a local mechanic, for help. As he walked down the street, he saw a sign for Karim's Auto Repair just a block away. The garage was easy to spot, with cars parked outside, their hoods popped up in various states of disrepair.

As he approached, he saw a man with a grease-streaked shirt, crouched beside one of the cars. He didn't need to ask; it was clear that he was the mechanic.

"Excuse me," Harry said, walking up to him. "Are you Karim?"

The man looked up, his face lighting up with a welcoming smile. "That's me. You need help with something?"

"Yeah, my car broke down just outside of town. I was hoping you could take a look and get it back into town for me."

Karim gave a knowing smile. "No problem. Let me grab my tools. It's not far from here, right?"

"Not too far," Harry replied, relieved. "I'll follow you."

Karim nodded and grabbed his bag of tools, leading Harry down the street toward the car. As they walked, Harry couldn't help but appreciate the small-town ease of it all. Karim was friendly, unhurried, and calm. It was different from the hustle and bustle Harry was used to, and somehow, it felt like exactly what he needed. No rush. No pressure. Just help from a local who knew how to get things done.

"So, how long have you been in Seabrook?" Harry asked, breaking the silence.

"Born and raised," Karim replied, shrugging slightly. "My family's been here for years. It's a good place to settle down, especially if you like peace and quiet."

"I can see that," Harry said with a grin. "Definitely the quiet I've been looking for."

"Good place to clear your head, for sure. Not much to distract you here. You'll find it grows on you after a while."

Harry agreed, his mind wandering back to Mara for a moment. He couldn't help but think about how she stood out in a town where everyone else seemed so eager to connect. She wasn't like the others—at least not in the way he was used to. There was a calmness to her, a confidence that wasn't flashy, just... quiet.

As they reached Harry's car, Karim went straight to work. He crouched down to check the engine, his hands moving quickly and efficiently. Harry stood back, watching, feeling the weight of the day lift a little as he realized the situation wasn't as bad as he had feared.

"So, I take it you don't get too many visitors around here?" Harry asked, trying to make conversation.

Karim didn't look up, but he smiled as he worked. "Not a ton. A few passing through every so often, but not many stay for long. Seabrook's not a big tourist spot. But that's fine by me. Quiet's good. No need for the hustle."

"I'm with you on that," Harry said, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets as he waited. "I think I've had enough of the hustle for a while."

Karim finished his inspection and straightened up. "It's a quick fix," he said. "Fuel line issue. I'll get it patched up in no time. Don't worry about it."

Harry exhaled in relief. "Thanks, man. Really appreciate it."

"No problem," Karim said. "We look out for each other here. It's what makes Seabrook special."

Harry nodded, grateful for the peace Seabrook had offered him so far. He could see himself spending a few more days here. There was no rush, no obligations. Just the quiet of the town and the simple rhythm of the people living here.