As I sat opposite him in La Vecchia Scuola, shivering and dripping rain from my long dark curls into my wine, I felt so grateful that the tubes had been cancelled because I suspected that I might have just found love.

✉︎ From Mum

About to leave Logan’s school. Are you at home? Xx

✉︎ To Mum

Hope it went well. Karen and I are in The White Horse. We’ll finish our drinks and meet you at home xx

Our timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Mum pulled onto the drive of Bear’s Pad the moment I’d unlocked the front door. Logan waved frantically from the front passenger seat and Mum shouted ‘Jemma-bear!’ out of the window. My heart leapt. I loved my life in London but I missed my small family and Karen so much while I was away. London was vibrant and exciting, I adored my flatmates, I had some other great friends there too, and I had an amazing job, but I still thought of Whitsborough Bay and Bear’s Pad as home. I couldn’t help it. Home is where the heart is and my heart was with Mum, Logan and Karen. Always had been, always would be.

‘Jemma-bear!’ Logan cried, running round the car to get to me.

‘Logan-paws!’

He grabbed me in a bear hug, singing happy birthday to me.

‘Are you taller than me now?’ I asked, winking at him when we pulled apart.

‘Everyone’s taller than you.’

‘Cheeky!’ At five foot five, I was the same height as Mum, but it looked as though Logan was going to have Dad’s genes. I suspected he’d end up being over six feet.

‘Oi! Shift over, Logan,’ Mum said. ‘It’s my turn. Happy birthday, Jemma-bear.’ Her eyes glistened as she reached her arms out for me. ‘I’m so glad you wanted to come home to share it with us.’

‘I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’

We giggled as both Logan and Karen hurled themselves at us for a group hug.

‘Let’s go in and get some presents opened,’ Mum suggested.

Karen cracked open a bottle of wine while Logan changed out of his school uniform, then we made our way onto the deck.

I loved it out the back of Bear’s Pad. Located on the outskirts of Little Sandby, the cottage was at the end of a quiet street of properties, each one unique in design. Occupying an elevated position and backing onto open fields, Mum’s had a stunning sea view.