I don’t know what reaction I was expecting, but it wasn’t silence. Millie stares at me for a beat too long before she replies. ‘You’re sure this is what you want? It’s a lot of grant applications. Sometimes you have to stay kind of late, and honestly, the pay stinks. And it’s not like we’re at a marine station . . .’

‘Yeah, I’m sure. I can’t quite explain it, it just feels right.’ I pick at my cuticle. ‘I know Columbus isn’t the most glamorous place to do this . . . if you don’t want me to apply, I won’t.’ I rush to say the words. ‘I promise, I really don’t want to get in the way and if you feel like it’s your place, I understand.’

‘Are you kidding?’ Millie asks. I look up. She’s beaming. ‘I would love nothing more. I just wanted to make sure you’ve really thought it through. It is hard. Like sometimes it really sucks.’

I nod.

‘But we can carpool!’ Millie squeals. ‘And I’ve been asking you to hang out with Bianca and me for ages and now you will finally have to!’ she says. Bianca is Millie’s best friend from work. Millie squeals again. ‘Apply! Apply!’ she chants.

So, I do.

The interview process is easy. Millie refers me and talks me through the phone screen. I get fast-tracked through to final stages, mostly because of a letter of recommendation from an old marine biology professor. When I’m offered the job, I cry with relief. I feel like even though everything with Hugh still feels terribly wrong, something in my life is starting to feel right.

On the day I put in my notice at work, I return to the letter I wrote to Hugh. I’ve only been back at work a couple of weeks after New Year, and when Matteo asks what I’m going to do, I tell him that I’ve accepted a position at a marine biology lab.

‘You’re moving to Australia?’ he asks, so loudly that Becca’s head pops up from her cubicle.

‘I wish,’ I joke. ‘I’m starting at the lab here, where my sister works.’

Matteo nods, unaware of how much his comment pulled at my heartstrings. I wish I was moving to Australia. I would give anything to go back to the place that captured my heart, to hear the ocean again, to smell the salty air every day. The University of Sydney also has the best marine station in the world – every marine biologist dreams of working there. Even Millie respects it, despite the fact that Hugh works there.

‘I always thought you were destined for something greater,’ Matteo says cheerfully. He pulls me into a hug. He means it as a compliment, but it makes me want to roll my eyes.