As much as a part of her wanted to yell and beat her fists at the sky, at the universe, at the old man crossing the street minding his own business, she would pull herself together. She would force herself to forge ahead.

Being thrust back in time had given her self-confidence; made her feel invincible and important. She had felt as if she were here for a reason. But maybe there was no lofty purpose; no big a-ha moment, or romantic, movie-style ending. No silent, secret signs held up for Evie Berry to tell her, without hope or agenda, that she was perfect and that a wasted heart would always love her.

But there was also a new path for her, a new sense of belief, buried deep in her gut, that she, Evie Berry, could make it in the big wide world. Maybe Evie’s somebody to love was staring at her in the mirror all along. And maybe that was enough.

Evie had been on the Tube when the clock struck midnight. A group of teenagers had whipped out their phones and drunkenly performed the countdown from ten, when the new year had begun. A year Evie had already lived through once before. But this time, she was determined to do it better.

Evie wrapped her arms around her chest and powered home—or what had felt like home until only a few hours ago. She couldn’t avoid the place forever, and she prayed that the dinner party was still going, as she knew Hugo would rather die than be caught leaving early. That would hopefully give her enough time to work out exactly what she was going to say to him.

She was shivering as she pulled out her house keys. Her gloveless hands were mauve and her teeth chattered as she turned her key in the lock, bracing herself for the harsh echo of an empty home.

But as she stepped inside, her chest constricted. She suddenly felt hot all over, and stifled, like she couldn’t breathe.

She wasn’t alone.

‘Hugo. You’re here?’

‘Jesus, Evie, I was so worried.’ Hugo took three long strides from the kitchen to the front door, suddenly towering over her.

‘I’m sorry Hugo. But this isn’t working anymore,’ Evie said, almost without thinking, and instantly felt lighter.

Hugo’s eyes darkened. ‘And you thought the best way to tell me that was by ditching me at my very important work party without even so much as a goodbye? You humiliated me, Evie. I had to make up some weak excuse that you had a stomach bug.’

‘I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have left like that. It was wrong of me. I just, I needed to get out of there. To think. After you took credit for everything with the screenplay—’

‘Took credit?’ he interrupted.

‘You made it out like it was all you!’