‘That’s fantastic,’ I gasped, ‘and so fast. Are you going to haggle over the house?’

‘No,’ said Dad, ‘because the woman who wants to buy it also wants Joan and Jim. I didn’t think we’d get lucky on that front, so I’ve cut my losses and accepted already.’

‘That’s great news,’ said Sam, putting his arm around my waist. ‘So Wynmouth has gained not one, not two, but three Tylers this summer.’

Sam and Joe’s expressions had been even more memorable than I had expected them to be the day Hope and I told them we were sisters. In fact, they had looked so hilarious, I rather regretted not having my phone to hand to record the moment.

‘It certainly has,’ I said, kissing his stubbly cheek, ‘and now we can push ahead with our plan too.’

Sam had agreed to let me buy Crow’s Nest Cottage and although I still hadn’t decided what I was going to do about work, I did have the cosiest abode in the village to live in as I made up my mind. The sale of my car was going to free up enough funds to live on for a while and, because my life in Wynmouth was far less expensive than in Essex, downsizing felt like no hardship at all.

‘Let’s get back in,’ said Joe, ‘it’s starting to rain again.’

It was already dark in the pub and I helped Hope light some candles while Sam went back to serving behind the bar. If it stayed overcast, we might even consider lighting the fire later.

‘So, how are things with you and Sam?’ Hope quietly asked me.

‘So good,’ I told her, trying not to sound smug or let thoughts of our cosy nights in make me blush too much.

‘He’s like a new man,’ my sister grinned, which made me colour up anyway.

‘I’m not sure if that’s down to me or his bionic new leg, to be honest,’ I told her.

Hope rolled her eyes.

‘You, of course!’ she laughed. ‘Although it’s so good to see he’s not in pain anymore.’

It certainly was. There was a new light in Sam’s beautiful green eyes and he spent a whole lot more of his time smiling now. In the end, Joe had decided to also tell Charlie that Sam hadn’t been responsible for the crash and I knew it was a weight off both of their minds. Sam had been hailed a hero by the eldest Upton brother and although unwilling to accept the moniker, he really was a changed man.

I left Hope lighting the last of the candles with Joe and stepped behind the bar myself. I had been helping out a bit and had fallen in love with my change of lifestyle every bit as much as I had fallen for the man who had given me my first kiss.