{ Andy }

After two days of travelling and nearly 2,900 kilometres, I found myself at the gates of Pierowall, a tiny village in the enigmatic Orkney Islands. As I arrived, the sea air, with its characteristic salty smell, welcomed me with an invisible embrace. Seagulls circled overhead, greeting me to Westray.

I got off the ferry, dragging my suitcase which held everything left from my previous life. I’d cut ties with my past, including a relationship that had failed nearly a year ago. As I left the ferry behind and set foot on solid ground again, a chill ran through my very core.

I soon spotted the man waiting for me, with his greyish hair, bushy beard, and a friendly smile. I felt my anxiety growing as I recalled that my English wasn't as good as I'd hoped.

'Hello, Andrea?' His voice was deep, his accent seeming exotic to me, though it took me a moment to process what he was saying.

I felt quite clumsy, but I kept a warm smile and extended my hand to greet him. It took me a bit to find the right words, but I was determined to show I could communicate in his language.

'Yes, I'm Andrea,' I said, trying to sound confident as my heart raced in my chest. 'Angus, right?' I asked, attempting to sound natural. 'Pleased to meet you. Sorry if my English isn't perfect.'

The gentle sea breeze surrounded us as we shook hands, and in that moment, I knew that despite the obstacles, my life was about to change.

'Don't worry,' he said softly, making me feel better. 'Let me give you a hand with that.'

His eyes, as deep blue as the sea I'd just crossed, shone with kindness. He took a step towards me, grabbed the handle of my suitcase, and easily dragged it to the car, stowing it in the boot.

As I rounded the car to head for the passenger seat, I blushed, realising I'd forgotten they drove on the left in this country, and I'd gone to the wrong side.

'Fancy driving?' he asked with a playful smile, and I shook my head no.

I didn't know how to drive, didn't even have a licence.

As soon as I got in the car, I felt grateful for the warmth inside. Angus's thoughtfulness in leaving the heating on, along with the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla, brought back memories of my dad's car, instantly making me feel at home.

I settled into the seat that, in a normal car, would have been the driver's, and the absence of a steering wheel made me feel like something was missing.

'Tired?' Angus asked, pronouncing each word slowly and clearly.

'Yeah, a bit,' I muttered, feeling my body growing heavier.

I felt grateful that this stranger cared about me and made an effort to speak in a simple way. After the struggle of communicating at the airport and on the ferry, it was such a relief to feel someone was trying to make me feel better.

The short drive only lasted five minutes. We followed the line of the bay, and although the sky was grey, the view of the sea and coastline was spectacular. Finally, we pulled up in front of a cluster of grey stone houses, and I felt like I'd reached a goal that had seemed impossible.

'Andrea,' Angus's voice brought me back to the present, and I followed his gaze to the house right in front of us.

The Scottish architecture had a very different style from my homeland. The welcoming house was warm and cosy, with a rustic touch that made it even more beautiful. I'd stumbled upon Pierowall by chance while searching for a secluded place to spend a few months alone, focusing on myself and my writing. Westray Island seemed like the perfect spot: a remote place with a cosy touch. My plan was to stay on the island until the end of the year and then make a decision: go back to Spain or keep exploring the world.

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That house seemed to be the heart of Chalmersquoy, the holiday complex run by Angus and his wife, Anne. The place consisted of several charming cottages rented out as a bed & breakfast, and although they didn't usually offer long stays, Anne and I had arranged a three-month stay.

'Welcome to Chalmersquoy,' Angus said with a proud smile as he led me to a cosy lounge area with capacity for only a few guests. 'Hope you feel comfortable here.'

The house was tastefully decorated, blending rustic style with modern elements. The natural stone walls combined perfectly with the wood tables and chairs that must have served for breakfasts and meals. Each table had a small container with fresh flowers, adding a pop of colour and cheer to the room.

Before I could keep discovering more details, a female figure entered the room, emanating a warm and welcoming energy. As soon as I saw her, I knew it was Anne, and I realised the photo I'd seen on the website did no justice to the genuine joy and warmth her gaze conveyed.

'Yer fin'ly here!' she said in a warm, musical voice brimming with happiness. 'Walcome, dawtie, A'm richt appo tae see ye here.'

I froze for a moment, a forced smile on my lips as I tried to pretend I'd understood what she said, though I hadn't caught a single word. However, her body language was clear: she was welcoming me. I didn't know in what language, but I was sure none of what she'd said was in English.

'Hello, I'm Andrea. Pleased to meet you,' I said, forcing myself out of my stunned state and resorting to a phrase I'd practised for moments like this.

Both hosts must have been around sixty, and they undoubtedly possessed that air of British elegance I'd imagined. But there was something more to them, a warm and cheerful energy I hadn't expected to find, probably due to their life in a small village rather than a big, bustling city.

'A've been sair wantin tae meet ye!' Anne exclaimed. 'An ye're as bonnie as A thocht! Isna she, Angus?'

Anne's warm welcome took me by surprise, and for an instant, her accent left me puzzled, as I couldn't understand what she was saying. However, her radiant smile and outstretched hand in a friendly gesture made me feel comfortable. By her side, Angus nodded with a kind expression on his face, supporting his wife's words.

'Doll, speak a wee bit slawer, aye?' Angus asked her, noticing my confused expression. 'Don't worry, it's all right,' he added with a reassuring gesture, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I struggled to smile, feeling a tinge of irony inside. 'Sure it's all right, for you,' I told myself with a touch of sarcasm. However, I decided to keep smiling and replied with a shy 'thanks'.

Anne went to the reception and picked up a folder and some keys, handing them to me with a motherly smile. Then, she silently gestured for me to follow her. As we stepped outside, my eyes automatically went to the car parked out front.

'Follow her, I'll take care of your suitcase,' Angus said, walking towards the boot.

I headed for the small house located nearby, where Anne was waiting for me by the door. The structure was similar to the main one, but smaller. As I reached her side, I realised Anne was waiting for me to open the door.

'Oh, sorry,' I apologised, clumsily opening the door.

As soon as I crossed the threshold, I was enveloped by a warm, cosy feeling that made me feel at home. The living room and kitchen merged into an open, bright space, and the view of the bay from the dining room window was simply breathtaking. It was like I'd found my place in the world. There were a couple of green couches that looked very comfortable, and the kitchen, though small, seemed to have everything needed.

'Everythin's aaricht guid, bit gin ye dinnae wantae cook, ye're walcome tae join'z onie time o day,' Anne said, still smiling and striving to speak more slowly. 'A'll sen ye an email wi aw the details an whit ye can dee tae get tae ken the place.'

I nodded and smiled, at least understanding I'd receive an email with more information. Anne showed me around the house, decorated in a simple yet cosy style. The bathroom looked newly renovated, and the bedroom was lovely, with a solid wood king-size bed and a built-in wardrobe taking up an entire wall.

'If ye need oniething, geen's a shout, hen.' Anne said, pulling back the curtain to show how close the house we'd been in before was.

We headed back to the living room and found Angus had already brought in my suitcase.

'Thanks so much,' I said, moved by their kindness and hospitality.

Angus put his arm around his wife, and they both looked at me with warm smiles, as if I was already part of their family. Then, they bid me a friendly goodbye and left, leaving me alone in my new home. Once the door closed, the emotion I'd been holding in burst forth within me.