Letting in Light ✔️ [Completed] [Book two]

Chapter 59

The city landscape transforms into rolling countryside the further we travel from London. I feel like a weight is being physically lifted from my shoulders the greater the distance becomes. The window is all the way down so I can feel the breeze. The wind blows my wavy bob around my face, but I don't attempt to correct it. Instead, I just sit back and enjoy the feeling of being free.

Our fingers remain intertwined as we sit in silence. Glancing over towards Daniel, he looks the most relaxed I've seen him in months. The bright sunshine caresses his chiselled features while he watches the fields roll by. The scenery is one of early summer. The fields we pass are bursting full of colour as the trees appear to dance in the gentle breeze.

We turn off the main road and travel through a sleepy village. I notice a pub, a bakery, a tea shop, a post office and a small convenience store surrounded by a village green. As we continue to travel there are young boys playing cricket all dressed in their cricket whites. A cheer erupts while their parents applaud from the clubhouse. I feel the smile spread across my cheeks just watching them.

Lawrence then enters a country lane which is barely wide enough for his car. Nervously I hope no one is driving the other way. Thankfully, we soon pull into the driveway of the cottage that I have been dreaming about for weeks.

We both sit forward as the cottage comes into view. It is even more beautiful than I expected it to be from the photographs online. The brown thatched roof covers the entire cottage like a warm blanket. The walls are painted white with climbing plants trailing upwards towards the clear sky. The flowers blooming from the walls are a mixture of vibrant reds, blues, and pinks making the cottage seem like a delicate oil painting.

Once the car has stopped we rush out into the driveway. Daniel holds out his hand, and I immediately take it. I excitedly lead him up the cobbled path with delicate pink flowers bordering the walkway. My lemon summer dress floats weightlessly around my knees.

Daniel opens the front door and stands back to allow me to step into the cottage first. I grin as I look round into the reception area which has a black slate tiled floor and whitewashed, uneven walls. Paintings of the cottage adorn the walls. Daniel reaches up to touch the low ceiling. "This is beautiful," he says happily.

"I thought I heard something," Rhys greets us by stepping into the small room. "Happy anniversary."

"Thanks." We both say in unison as Rhys steps forward to kiss my cheek, and then shakes Daniel's hand.

"Shall I give you the guided tour?" He asks. "You've really picked a gem, Lizzie."

"Yes please!" I practically scream at him with anticipation.

From the reception room, Rhys leads us into the kitchen and dining area. Although the design has been kept traditional, this part of the cottage feels much more modern with slightly higher ceilings and a spacious feel. The kitchen is cream with an oak wooden worktop. There is an island in the middle of the area with a sink and a huge knife block. Behind the island there is a seating area with a large sofa, and then a dining table is positioned by the large bay window.

There is a door to the right that leads through to a small living room with a TV and a corner sofa. I step forward to look at the view from this room out onto a large, perfectly landscaped garden. I notice an orchard at the end of the garden that leads up towards a hill. Daniel stands behind me and wraps his arms around me as we both watch with delight as a black horse trots carelessly up and over the hill.

"Can we stay here forever?" Daniel whispers into my ear from behind. I simply nod in response as the horse disappears out of sight.

Rhys then leads us back through the cottage to a large room on the other side of the entrance hall. In here there is a large desk, sofa and TV hung on the wall. "I have chosen this room as our office and living room as it's out of the way from you two, but we're still near by. There is a room through there that is set up as a bedroom already with two single beds. So... you won't be disturbed... upstairs." He blushes slightly, making Daniel and I snigger quietly. I refuse to make eye contact with Daniel because I know how immature I will look by giggling in front of Rhys.