Emilia Blythe adjusted her glasses and stared bewilderingly at the bizarre message currently occupying her phone screen. It was from a man she had not heard from in over two years. Not just any man; this was an ex-boss from a previous job she held.

The man was Jason Cleverley. Emilia had built a close relationship with Jason and they became good working friends. Often they would both joke about how they disliked customers and people in general.

Emilia would often express her wish to disappear to a lonely cabin and Jason would always encourage it as a great idea, even claiming he would buy the cabin if he could.

But that was then, she had not spoken to him since she had left the company. So why was he messaging her now? What did he want? Well, she knew vaguely what he wanted. He wanted to talk.

"What are you up to, Jason?" She said aloud as she continued to examine the message.

Can we talk? I have an offer for you.

Jason

"What could he possibly want with me?" Emilia flipped her phone over as if that would provide an answer. She was about to text a reply then a noise at the door to her bedroom diverted her attention.

"Mummy, I can't sleep."

Emilia smiled warmly up at her daughter, Alice. She was nearing four years old.

"Bee, what is wrong, baby?" Emilia asked comfortingly.

Alice edged closer to her mother, "The shadow... At the window," the girl nicknamed Bee replied with a hint of fear.

"Now, now, Bee. "I've told you, my darling, that is just the tree from the garden. Let me show you." Emilia stood up from her crossed-legged position on the bed and gently grabbed Alice's hand. She led her back to her own little room.

"I'm scared, mummy."

"It's ok, Bee. I am too sometimes." She picked her daughter up and held her tightly as she showed her the large acorn tree outside her window. "See, nothing to fear."

Emilia carried Alice to her bed and tucked her in, "Do not fear the dark, Bee. I won't let anything harm you."

"Nigh' nigh', mummy," replied Alice. She rolled onto her side and held her favourite plush doll.

"Goodnight my favourite little bee." Emilia kissed Alice on the forehead and left the room. Now she was curious to learn what Jason wanted.

Hey, Jason. How are you? Long time, no hear. Was Emilia's reply.

It did not take long for Jason to reply.

I'm fantastic. I did it, Em. I finally did it.

Emilia could not think what he may have done. That's great but done what?

The app I was working on. It finally sold!

A smile appeared on Emilia's face. She remembered her old friend had spent a lot of time writing some kind of app. She was still puzzled by his unexpected text however.

That's brilliant news. Well done, Jason. But what does that have to do with me? We haven't spoken for a long time and you're not the gloating type.

There was a slightly longer pause before the next reply.

Remember how many times you told me you wanted to move to a cabin in the woods?

Emilia was hesitant to reply, but she did. Yes.

Well, I brought one. I'm doing it up as we speak.

Lucky bastard, Emilia thought. She typed, Congrats, finally getting away from society?

Not exactly. I'm renting it out. I would like to offer you first refusal. Mates rates, think about it before you turn me down.

"What?" Emilia questioned the air, "Is he serious?" She placed her phone on the bed and looked around the room. "I can't actually move into a cabin with Alice... Could I?"

She picked up the phone again and typed, You were serious?

Yes, was all he replied.

I don't think I can move to a cabin? Where is it? I'll have to think about it.

I'd be worried about your sanity if you had jumped at the chance haha. I will give you a couple of weeks. It's in Kielder Forest, very far north from Oxford.

Emilia sighed heavily before replying, I have no idea where that is. Sounds a long way.

It is but if you still want to get away from your ex and mundane life, this is your chance. Young Alice will love it up here. I now have a house in Carlisle so I won't be too far away if you need help with the place.

I'll think about it, Emilia replied for the final time. It was getting late and she was tired, too tired to be contemplating making a severe life-changing move away. There was a lot to take into consideration; namely her ex, Alice's father. He was a dick but he was a good dad when it counted.

Jason replied, You won't regret it, followed by a thumbs up.

"Hmm, I'm sure," Emilia replied to the air. There was a lot to think about and she decided it would require the help of a glass or two of wine the next day to weigh up her options.

Curiosity took control of Emilia's hands and they used the phone to open Facebook and type Jason Cleverley into the search bar. They were still friends on the platform but she had not been in it as much as she once would have.

She began searching through his profile. Apart from sharing memes and wishing the occasional birthday, Jason had not published anything since September of the previous year announcing he made a very happy financial gain from his published works. Emilia was curious as to how she had missed that since she had seen the posts before and after it when they popped up.

Either way, she was very pleased for him but incredibly surprised he had remembered her after all this time and living a life.

She could almost feel what she wanted to do, she knew Alice would love a new life, even with more trees outside her bedroom window. She knew she would have to speak to her own mother before even contemplating her plans.

Emilia could not decide if she hated Jason or not for upsetting her mundane life in Oxford. The next few months were going to be very interesting indeed.

***