Hearing the letterbox clang, Ella picked up the mail that had landed on the mat. ‘Junk, junk. Even more junk and I’ve no idea what this one is.’ The envelope was addressed to her but she didn’t recognise the writing. She turned over the envelope in her hand and sat down next to Roman.

‘What have you got there?’ he asked.

Ella shrugged. ‘I have no idea,’ she replied, hooking her finger under the envelope and opening up the letter.

‘Woah!’ Ella’s jaw dropped wide open. ‘Is this for actual real or some sort of cruel joke?’ She handed the cheque over to Roman.

‘It’s signed by Wayne Ridgeway.’

Ella couldn’t believe her eyes as she stared at the letter. In her hand she held a cheque for seventy-five thousand pounds with what seemed like a sincere hand-written apology. Ella let out a long shuddering sigh. ‘I really wasn’t expecting this. I know it’s not the full amount he conned from me and it’s a year of my life I can’t get back, but it’s better than nothing. Why would he even give me some back?’

Roman was re-reading the letter. ‘How do you feel about the last couple of sentences?’

Ella stared at the words on the page: Just for the record, I never meant to hurt you and you will always have a place in my heart. I know it’s not all the money but it’s all I have and I am sorry. You were different from all the rest.

She swallowed down a lump in her throat. ‘Numb, indifferent. Call me cynical, but maybe he’s after a shorter prison sentence.’ She shrugged. ‘If anything, the last year has taught me not to look backwards but just to keep going forwards, because that’s when incredible things happen.’ Ella snuggled into Roman’s chest then looked upwards and placed a soft kiss to his lips. ‘That may not be all my inheritance back, but it will pay off the debts and allow me to sail forward, hopefully not in a storm.’

Roman laughed. ‘Ella Johnson, you are an amazing woman.’

‘I know,’ she said, nudging his elbow playfully. She looked down at the letter one last time then pushed it aside. ‘Are we ready to take Dolores to meet Charlie?’

‘I’ll tell you something, my life isn’t dull with you around.’ He gently slapped her thigh with his hand and jumped up. ‘You go and see Dolores, I’ll fill Bette up with petrol and I’ll meet you out the front in say… twenty minutes?’

‘Perfect,’ replied Ella.

Ella rapped on Dolores’ front door, but there was no answer. She put her ear to the door and couldn’t hear a sound. Knocking again, she pulled down the handle and walked inside.

‘It’s only me,’ she shouted as she walked into the living room.