‘Right, there’s a lot of that going around at the moment. I’ve also come to a decision as well, about my job, that is. I’m going to talk to my dad about leaving the company, as I think I want to give teaching a go.’

Joel’s the first person I’ve told and it feels strange hearing it out loud. I brace myself for his reaction.

‘Really? That’s so brave, but I think you’ll be brilliant.’

‘Thank you,’ I say, breathing out a huge sigh of relief. ‘I’ve wanted to leave for a while, but I’ve never seriously considered doing anything about it. You know, I haven’t been able to shake that conversation we had on the beach about what I want from life, and I guess it made me realise there was nothing stopping me from going after my dreams. I’m just plucking up the courage to tell Dad.’

I wrinkle my nose up. I’m not looking forward to that one little bit.

‘That’s great. What does Miles think of it all?’

‘Er, actually, we broke up.’

‘Oh, I didn’t know. Are you OK?’

‘Yeah, it was the right thing to do. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what I want and I don’t think that Miles is the right person to give it to me.’

He bites his lip and we walk along for a little while in silence. I don’t know what I expected him to say. He didn’t want me all those years ago, he doesn’t want me now. I’ve got to stop imagining that what I feel for him is reciprocated.

‘Look at us, adulting, choosing paths,’ he says, making reference to the chat we had on the beach while watching the sunrise and us being at the crossroads in our lives.

He turns to me and I’m glad we’ve got sunglasses on because I don’t want to look into his eyes, and I don’t want him seeing how sad I am about his life choices.

‘I know.’

‘So when do you go?’

‘Not right away. Verity’s heading off next month, and then I’d have to apply for a visa to go, so it’ll take a while.’ He nudges my elbow with his. ‘Why, are you going to miss me?’

‘Maybe,’ I say, trying to hide in my voice how much. ‘Although, I’m more pissed off that I’m not going to have a seafaring adventure on Hetty now you’re buggering off.’

‘Glad you’re going to miss me for me, and not my boat.’

‘Your yacht, remember; sounds way more impressive.’

‘Well, Hetty is almost seaworthy, so I might be able to take you out before I go.’

‘That’s a relief then.’