No, she doesn’t miss it. He knows how she feels.

‘Think about it, we could live with our parents, save a heap of cash and have enough money for a house deposit after a year.’

Move back in with her parents? No thank you. And buying a place back here? Just the thought of living back in Gloucester makes her throat feel like it’s closing over.

‘What would I do for work back here?’ she asks, only one of a thousand questions thumping through her head.

‘Mum said she could get you some work at the post office.’

He’s actually thought about it. He’s thought this whole thing through. He’s spoken to his mum.

Darcy’s skin starts to itch. ‘No.’

Drew pauses, derailed for only a moment. ‘Or maybe we could talk to Mrs Winters about you doing some media studies classes at the school?’

He’s suggesting she become a teacher? ‘No.’

‘Hi, Mr Roberts!’ a voice calls out.

Drew turns, waving hello to a bunch of giggling teenage girls who quickly approach. Darcy watches as he shares a few exchanges with them before they move off.

‘Drew, I work in TV. I can’t live here.’ They’ve had this conversation before. His features distort behind a watery haze. ‘I can’t do this right now.’ Darcy pulls her cardigan a little tighter around her. ‘I’m going to Mum’s. I’ll see you later.’

‘You don’t want to come in?’ He gestures to the fete.

‘I’m not in the mood.’

He’s about to accept this and let her go but then suddenly says, ‘Your birthday!’ He’s a bit panicked that he’d forgotten. ‘Sorry, honey. Happy birthday!’ He moves closer, wrapping her in a hug.

‘Thanks.’ Her voice is barely audible.

‘I really am sorry, Darce. I just got excited. Parko told me just before you arrived. I thought it was good news.’

She can’t find any words. It was in fact the opposite of good news.

His face brightens. ‘I’ll see you tonight for your birthday dinner?’

‘Yeah, sure.’ She shrugs. She’d gotten up at dawn to drive here and spend the day with him, but that didn’t seem to matter anymore.

He leans in and gives her a little kiss. Putting a smile on her face requires more effort than pulling on her skinny jeans. It certainly doesn’t feel like her birthday.

‘You look amazing.’

Darcy spins around. Drew is standing at the doorway to her old bedroom. He’s wearing a serious expression and Darcy can’t help but feel a little nervous after how they ended things earlier. She spent the day trying to hold off tears that were only a blink away. Her mum knows something is up but hasn’t pushed her.