‘Wake up! I’d love him to prove me wrong, but I know he’s going to break your heart again. I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing’s changed and he’s still playing the family man with his wife and twins.’

She grabbed her bowl and spoon and headed past me towards the bedrooms but stopped by the door and turned to face me. ‘I’m sorry if I sound harsh, but it’s only because I care. Be careful, Jem. People who play with fire tend to get burned.’

✉︎ To Scott

Hope you got to Brighton safely. Sorry about Leah this morning. She’s worried you’re going to hurt me again xx

✉︎ From Scott

Then I’ll have to work extra hard at proving her wrong. You’re my forever, Jemma. I know I’ve messed up spectacularly but I will make it up to you. It’s over with Fiona and I’ll tell her on Sunday no matter what you decide over the next 2 nights. I love you xx

✉︎ To Scott

I love you too. Can’t wait to see you tonight xx

‘What are you grinning at?’ Owen asked, placing a mug of coffee on my desk.

I put my phone down. ‘If I tell you, will you promise not to lecture me?’

He sat on the spare chair opposite me. ‘If it makes you smile but it might make me lecture you, would I be right in guessing that a certain young man is back in your life?’

I nodded. ‘He turned up last night.’ I gave Owen the edited highlights.

When I finished, he shrugged and sighed. ‘I’d love to be excited for you. I really would.’

‘But you can’t.’

Owen stood up and sighed again. ‘Sorry, Jemma. In my experience, leopards don’t change their spots, but if you do decide to give him another chance, I hope he proves me wrong. I want him to. I really do.’

✉︎ To Scott

Just told Owen. He was as enthusiastic as Leah

✉︎ From Scott

Don’t let them get you down. Grab some of those bears and give them a hug. I’ll prove them all wrong. I promise xx

Moments later, a notification came through from his Scott Facebook account and showed a selfie of him blowing me a kiss. It filled my heart with joy but I glanced across at Owen and thought about Leah earlier and the doubts returned.

Despite Scott’s reassurances and a few lovely messages and photos on his Facebook profile across the morning, my stomach was still in knots. Had I done the right thing? Nobody else seemed to think so. Leah had obviously passed on the ‘good news’ to Tiff and Drew because I’d had texts from both of them. While stopping short of lecturing me, they didn’t exactly convey excitement at my news.