‘Oh dear. Well, whatever happens from here, there’s always a home for you with us.’

‘Thank you.’ Nicole knew now that she would stay in Rosella Cove. Once she spoke with Charlie’s lawyers, she’d figure out how. There was too much to think about right now, and not enough information.

‘Will you be all right, if I head?’ Mandy asked.

‘Of course. Thank you for coming over.’

They hugged and Mandy went home.

All alone, the afternoon hours dragged on relentlessly for Nicole. She thought about walking to the boatshed, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. Instead she wandered aimlessly through her cottage, running her hands over walls and furniture until the sun set and the evening air took on a slight chill.

Though the night brought no rest, it had felt good to tell Mandy about Ivy, to share with her the stories of the old lady, how special the letters were. Somehow it made the grief of losing Charlie just a little more bearable.

‘You here, Nicole?’ A warm, familiar voice called from the verandah.

Nicole went to the front door.

‘Hey.’ She allowed a small smile to cross her face as she opened the screen door.

Danny came inside and as soon as he did, Nicole’s bottom lip started to quiver and a tear fell down her cheek. Then another. And another.

He scooped her up into his arms and she sobbed into his chest.

‘Shh.’ He stroked her hair. ‘It’s okay. I know what he meant to you.’

‘And to you,’ she whispered.

He nodded. ‘I wonder what will happen to this place now he’s gone.’

‘We won’t know till the lawyers come.’ Nicole frowned. ‘Hang on a minute. You knew? You knew Charlie owned the cottage?’

Danny cast his eyes down. ‘He made me promise not to say anything to anyone.’

‘That’s why you helped out with the renovations so much?’

‘He asked me to help out a bit. I did as much as I did because I liked spending time with you.’ He grinned. ‘Sorry I didn’t tell you.’

‘Will you make me a promise, Danny Temple?’

‘If I can.’

‘Promise me, that no matter what happens between us, we won’t keep things from one another again.’

He touched his forehead to hers. ‘I promise. Total honesty. And in the interests of that I need to tell you this. I don’t know what anything that’s happened means for us, Nicole. Long term. Or short. I just know that when I’m this close to you, I don’t ever want to leave.’

Nicole gulped. ‘I don’t want you to resent me down the track, Danny. And I know how you feel about having kids.’

He stood up and walked around the room, running his hands through his hair.