‘Okay. So what if you allow the new you, the paint-brush-wielding-football-cheering-lucky-socks you, to accept what happened. That’s all. Acknowledge that it hurt, know that it was a terrible point in your life, recognise that it changed you, but don’t allow it any power over you now. Send it back to the past where it belongs. Let the new you take control of your own destiny. Whatever it is the new you wants that destiny to be.’

Nicole reached out and hugged her. ‘You really should be a psychologist. Or at least a bartender.’

‘I’ll see if George has any openings. I am multi-talented.’ She laughed and waved her phone at Nicole.

There was a knock on the door.

‘What did you … how …’

‘Multi-talented.’ She smiled and hugged Nicole, whispering in her ear. ‘Don’t underestimate him. I have no idea how he’ll he take the news, but I know he deserves a chance to figure it out himself.’

Nicole walked her to the door. Mandy squeezed her hand gently, slipping past Danny.

Danny waited.

‘Please. Come in.’

He looked impatient and didn’t meet her eyes.

Standing on opposite sides of the hallway, the tension between them was palpable.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Mark,’ Nicole started.

He shrugged. ‘You don’t owe me.’

‘No. I don’t. But I want to tell you. If you’re okay hearing it?’

Danny leaned against the wall.

Telling her story twice in such a short amount of time was draining. But she didn’t leave anything out. What was the point of keeping secrets now?

He took a step towards her. ‘I knew you were dealing with something, but I kind of figured it was just your average break-up story. I didn’t know there was … more.’

Nicole cast her eyes down. She had no idea how telling him about her fertility challenges would change things between them, but she’d had to be completely honest with him.

‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered, ‘that I didn’t tell you sooner.’

When Nicole lifted her eyes to his she was met with his kind face, looking right back at her.

‘You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s not like I’ve been exactly forthcoming about my past either.’

‘What a pair.’ Nicole managed a smile.

Danny turned slightly and held his hand out towards the living room. ‘May I?’

They moved to the sofa and sat down, a cushion between them.

‘I had a girlfriend …’

‘Caitlyn.’

‘How do you …?’

Nicole tilted her head. ‘Mandy mentioned something.’ She shared what she’d been told.

‘That’s why you were withdrawn that night. Mandy, Mandy, Mandy. Her heart is always in the right place. But …’ He shook his head. ‘Anyway. Here’s the full story. She’s the reason I stayed here when my parents went back to England. Caitlyn, not Mandy.’ He allowed himself a little grin.