Evan’s drawing was immediately recognisable as Mrs Denholm’s cottage. A ‘for sale’ sign stood in the garden with a ‘sold’ panel across it. I was standing on the doorstep and Thor was parked on the drive. She wanted me to move in next door. There was only one thing missing on the picture, though.

‘Or there’s option two.’

I glanced up to see her nibbling on her thumbnail – her tell-tale nervous tick. What did she have to be nervous about? She’d already said she loved me and that had to have taken some courage.

As I flicked over to the second drawing, it all became clear. It was almost the same except Jemma’s car was on the drive alongside Thor and Jemma was beside me on the doorstep.

I looked from one image to the next, my heart pounding. ‘You know what I think we should do? Go back to my mum and dad’s, put these in the frame, then get in touch with Mrs Denholm and make an offer for the cottage.’

Jemma looked at me expectantly, still nibbling on her nail.

‘Our cottage.’ I held up the second drawing. ‘Because this is the ending I choose.’

‘You’re sure I’m not being too forward, inviting myself to move in?’

I shook my head. ‘The moment I saw it, I wanted it. And not because of the swirly orange and brown stair carpet, the woodchip wallpaper or the avocado bath suite, gorgeous as they are. Do you know why I wanted it so badly?’

‘Cute village? Sea views?’

‘They’re added bonuses. The real reason I wanted it was because of you. There was something about that cottage that made me picture you and me growing old together there. Maybe it was because I knew you’d rest easy knowing you were right next door to your mum and brother. Everything about it seemed so perfect for us that I knew I had to have it. I’d have put in an offer there and then if I hadn’t worried it would scare you off.’

‘You can really picture us growing old together?’

I nodded. ‘Definitely. Can’t you?’

‘I can.’ Jemma leaned forward and tenderly kissed me. ‘Come on. Let’s go back to yours and put that offer in. New year. New start. New life together.’

Hand in hand, we made our way down the promenade towards Thor the campervan, chatting excitedly about the future. Our future.

Just over a year ago, I’d lost my best friend, my fiancée, and my future. I’d never imagined in the dark months that followed that I could ever let anyone in again but then Jemma Browne blew into my life and changed everything.