Sam Mullins

Emily Connell is our digital coordinating producer. Executive producers are Cecil Fernandez and Chris Oak. Senior manager is Tanya Springer. And the director of CBC Podcasts is Arif Noorami.

When David Davis gifted Ron and Elaine one-way tickets to Canada for Christmas, suddenly this plan to move, which for Elaine had only ever existed in the abstract, was now as tactile as a brick. As they closed the door to the aircraft and England with it, Elaine knew there was no turning back now.

When David Davis gifted Ron and Elaine one-way tickets to Canada for Christmas, suddenly this plan to move, which for Elaine had only ever existed in the abstract, was now as tactile as a brick. As they closed the door to the aircraft and England with it, Elaine knew there was no turning back now.

Beside her, Ron grinned the grin he'd been grinning since the moment that he learned he was going home to Canada. He was returning home to the only place he ever felt comfortable and loved and safe, his happy place. But for Elaine, this moment felt a lot more fraught. She was leaving everything she'd ever known, and she was doing it for him. She talked herself into it. But maybe she'd love it.

Beside her, Ron grinned the grin he'd been grinning since the moment that he learned he was going home to Canada. He was returning home to the only place he ever felt comfortable and loved and safe, his happy place. But for Elaine, this moment felt a lot more fraught. She was leaving everything she'd ever known, and she was doing it for him. She talked herself into it. But maybe she'd love it.

Was she going to be one of those people who lived their whole lives in the same town? Or someone who says yes to adventure and yes to love? It wouldn't be a huge culture shock. It'd just be Canada. They have the queen on all their stuff too. And sure, it's the year 1993. And it's not like you can ask Google, is Calgary a place that I should go to live?

Was she going to be one of those people who lived their whole lives in the same town? Or someone who says yes to adventure and yes to love? It wouldn't be a huge culture shock. It'd just be Canada. They have the queen on all their stuff too. And sure, it's the year 1993. And it's not like you can ask Google, is Calgary a place that I should go to live?

All that mattered was that they had each other, they had their love, and together they could do anything. But what Elaine didn't know was that there was a problem with their plan, a bullet through their foot. And it seemed so obvious in retrospect. Their problem could have been solved through one conversation with one Canadian. Sorry, you guys are going where, when? Calgary in February?

All that mattered was that they had each other, they had their love, and together they could do anything. But what Elaine didn't know was that there was a problem with their plan, a bullet through their foot. And it seemed so obvious in retrospect. Their problem could have been solved through one conversation with one Canadian. Sorry, you guys are going where, when? Calgary in February?

Don't do that.

Don't do that.

As they touched down in Calgary, it was a new beginning. The beginning of the end.

As they touched down in Calgary, it was a new beginning. The beginning of the end.

Despite all of the hope and excitement that they'd shared in the lead up, Ron seemed to get caught in the same ruts he always did. He was a bright man and a gentleman and a fine worker, but the bare minimum of social skills required to head out, apply for a job and have an interview go well, he just didn't have that in him.

Despite all of the hope and excitement that they'd shared in the lead up, Ron seemed to get caught in the same ruts he always did. He was a bright man and a gentleman and a fine worker, but the bare minimum of social skills required to head out, apply for a job and have an interview go well, he just didn't have that in him.

After years of hyping to Elaine how much happier he was going to be when they left England, now that they were here, it was clear that Canada was only working to exacerbate Ron's depression further. And as it turned to spring, everything remained untenable.

After years of hyping to Elaine how much happier he was going to be when they left England, now that they were here, it was clear that Canada was only working to exacerbate Ron's depression further. And as it turned to spring, everything remained untenable.

It was never going to work. Elaine didn't have the resources to look after herself, let alone take care of Ron. After only six months, it all became too much to carry. I just, I didn't know for the struggle. The only thing that kept her going was a moment of respite written on the calendar. Her sister was getting married in Norfolk, England that summer. Elaine had her ticket booked.

It was never going to work. Elaine didn't have the resources to look after herself, let alone take care of Ron. After only six months, it all became too much to carry. I just, I didn't know for the struggle. The only thing that kept her going was a moment of respite written on the calendar. Her sister was getting married in Norfolk, England that summer. Elaine had her ticket booked.

And as the date approached, she wondered, what was she going to do? When it was time to head to the wedding, Ron took Elaine to the airport, completely impervious to what was happening.