After they said their goodbyes and before the door was even shut behind them, the record player crackled, and Dolores began singing again.

‘Oh my God, are you sure that dog is alive?’ exclaimed Ella, stepping into the stairwell. She was convinced he wasn’t breathing.

‘He’s definitely alive,’ confirmed Callie, much to Ella’s relief.

‘I hope I’m just as wacky as that one day – living with my canary, my deaf dog and obsessed with Dolly.’ She giggled, thinking the whole visit was surreal.

Callie let herself back into her flat and they sat back out on the balcony and poured the wine. ‘Dolores is Hamish’s ninety-something-year-old mother.’

‘Ninety-something?’ Ella let out a low whistle. ‘Wow… just, wow!’

‘She’s as bright as a button, doesn’t miss a trick and on the whole is still able to take care of herself, but since I’ve been here, I do check in on her every day. She brightens up my days to no end.’

‘Amazing.’ Ella was in complete awe. Ninety-something years old! She couldn’t believe it. ‘She seems wonderful, absolutely wonderful,’ confirmed Ella, thinking if their first meeting was anything to go by, Dolores must have a very interesting and colourful past.

Having only arrived in Heartcross an hour ago, Ella was already feeling relaxed and very much at home. They sat in a comfortable silence, staring out over the mountainous terrain. ‘I hope I’m as switched on as Dolores when I get to her age,’ Ella thought out loud.

‘I’m just hoping I’m still alive,’ replied Callie with a chuckle.

‘Can you believe we are both sitting here… single?’ Ella looked at Callie. ‘I really can’t thank you enough for inviting me to stay.’

‘You don’t have to thank me – you’d do the same for me. It’s a funny old world, isn’t it?’

‘It certainly is. You know what, Callie? We need to be more like Dolores.’

‘What – idolising Dolly Parton, owning a canary and a deaf dog?’ Callie gave her a funny look.

Ella threw back her head and laughed. ‘No! Living life to the max… that’s my new motto… be like Dolores.’

‘You’ll be getting a T-shirt made next,’ teased Callie.

They were still chuckling as they finished their wine. With her feet propped up on the balcony, Ella tilted her face up towards the sky and shut her eyes. It was late September, and the weather was still glorious. Ella inhaled and they exchanged contented smiles. In her heart she knew that Heartcross was a good place to get her life back on track after leaving her old life behind. ‘Today is the start of the rest of my life,’ she announced.

‘I’ll drink to that.’ Callie reached forward and clinked her glass with Ella’s.