Tally woke early on Friday, eager to get the day underway. The sooner it began, the sooner she’d be on a plane to Northern Ireland. Even knowing this weekend was the last time she’d see Cash for four weeks couldn’t dampen her enthusiasm. After all, once he got back from the States, they’d never be apart again. She could manage the separation because at the end was the beginning of her new life.

She put the kettle on as a bleary-eyed Em appeared. “Coffee?”

“Yeah.” Em yawned. “What time is it?”

“Six.”

“Six! I only see one six babes, and it isn’t this one.”

Tally laughed. “Best part of the day.”

Em slumped into a chair and rested her head on her arms. “Does your early start mean you’ll be back early enough to come flat-hunting with me?

“That’s the idea.” Tally pushed a cup of coffee over to Em and sipped at her own.

“I’ll miss this place,” Em mused. “We’ve had some good times, hey, babes?”

Tally nodded. “The best. Sure you don’t want to keep it?”

“Nah. It’s too big, not to mention too expensive for one.”

“I’m sorry,” Tally said as remorse washed over her. If she weren’t moving out, Em wouldn’t have to leave either.

“Don’t be daft,” Em scoffed. “New life, new you. It’s no more than you deserve.”

She kissed Em’s cheek. “Love you. Gotta get ready. Catch you later.”

Tally showered, dressed, grabbed a banana, and tried not to skip to the tube. Spring was just around the corner, and even amidst all the concrete, the odd daffodil flourished. Spring was her favourite season as it always brought a renewed sense of optimism that this year felt especially poignant.

Danny was already at work, and the little darling had left a steaming cup of coffee sitting on her desk. She was going to miss working there so much, but more than that, she’d miss her colleagues and friends. Especially Danny.

“Morning. You’re early,” she said, raising her coffee cup to thank him.

“I’ve got a shitload to get through today, and I can’t stay late tonight.”

“Oh yeah? That’s not like you. Normally, we have to shoehorn you out of this place.”

“I’ve got a date.”

She strode over to his desk and perched on the end. “I don’t care how busy you are. I’m not budging until you tell me everything.”

Danny grinned. “His name’s Luke. I met him at a club last weekend, but I honestly never expected him to call, and then last night, completely out of the blue, he did.”

“Well, of course he did. You’re a total catch. Camp, but a catch nonetheless.”

Danny rolled his eyes. “Bloody cheek. Anyway, you’re biased. But if this goes well, you are totally meeting him, Tal.” He wafted himself. “He is hot.”

She laughed. “If you like him, I’m sure I will too.”

“Hey, perhaps we can double date. You need to get onto Cash and make him move to London. That way, you wouldn’t need to be tripping over to Northern Ireland every weekend.”

Her heart took a nosedive. Danny was one of her closest friends, and despite how keen she was to keep her plans secret, she couldn’t lie to his face.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“I think you underestimate your persuasion skills.”

“Danny, it’s me that’s moving. I’m moving to Northern Ireland.”

Danny paused for a beat, his mouth ajar. “You can’t.”

“I’m keeping it low-key. Pete and Em know, and now so do you. It’s not for a few weeks yet, so I’ve got loads of time to meet Luke and give him the McKenzie seal of approval.”

She was rambling, and her heart plummeted at Danny’s distraught expression.

“You’re leaving,” he whispered. “As in leaving the paper. And London.”

She grimaced. “Yeah. Cash has asked me to move in with him, and Northern Ireland is his home.”

“So tell him London is your home.” Danny’s voice had risen, along with his agitation.

“I’m sorry, Danny. But even if we did move to London, I’d still be leaving the paper. Cash is away at least eight months of the year, and I’m going to be travelling with him.”

Danny’s face crumpled, and his shoulders dipped. “What will I do without you?” he said quietly.

“I’ll visit whenever I can,” she said, her heart cramping at how upset he was. “After all, everyone special to me lives here.”

“You say that now, but when you get on that circuit with all the glitz and glamour, you’ll forget all about us.”

“As if. Don’t forget, I’ve already been with Cash at one tournament. Believe me, it ain’t Hollywood.”

Danny grinned. Thank goodness. I’ve won him over. The last thing she wanted was to upset him.

“It’s a massive step, baby girl. I hope you’ve thought it through.”

“I have. I love him, Danny,” she said with a shrug as the thought crossed her mind that she seemed to find it easy to tell everyone she was in love with Cash, apart from Cash himself.

“All your dreams coming true, Tal. I’m so happy for you.”

Her eyes stung with unshed tears. “I am so going to miss you.”

Danny squeezed her hand. “Ditto.”

Later that afternoon, Tally glanced at the clock and groaned. It had barely moved since the last time she’d looked, and she still had two hours to go before leaving for City Airport. The ordeal of this interminably long day reaffirmed that her decision was the right one. She couldn’t live her life wishing Monday to Friday away and praying time would stand still at the weekend.

Her desk phone rang, and she had a spike of excitement that it might be Cash. Damn, couldn’t be. The call was internal.

“Tally McKenzie,” she said into the receiver.

“Hi, Tally. It’s Kim from reception. A package has arrived for you, but the delivery guy is insisting you’re the only one who can sign for it.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks, Kim. I’m on my way down.”

She hung up and jogged down the five flights of stairs. She never received mail at work. This could only be from Cash, but she had no idea what he was up to. He certainly kept her guessing.

She waved at Kim, who waved back and pointed her finger at the delivery driver, who was hovering by the main doors, holding a thick, padded envelope. Tally wandered over to him. “I’m Tally McKenzie. You have a package for me?”

“Yeah. Sign here, please.” He handed her the electronic signature machine, and she scribbled her name and swapped the machine for the buff envelope. She ran back up the stairs and used her scissors to cut through the tape.

Reaching inside, she pulled out a set of date-stamped photographs that showed they’d been taken on Tuesday that week. Confused at first, she frowned when she recognised Cash in the first one. He was climbing out of an SUV, the same one he’d driven to the stables.

The second photograph was also of Cash, taken from behind. In front of him was a large stone house she’d never seen before.

In the third picture, a young woman had been photographed in motion, her long, blond ponytail trailing behind her as she ran out of the house, and by the fourth, Cash had swept her up into his arms, and they were smiling as they looked into each other’s eyes.

It was the fifth picture that finished her off. The photographer had caught the intimate moment perfectly, their lips meeting in a warm kiss.

Cash’s betrayal caused a searing pain in her chest as though it had been cracked open and someone had ripped out her heart. The pictures blurred as her eyes filled with tears. She didn’t want to cry because of him. He didn’t deserve it. But she cried anyway. For him. For her. And for all those shattered dreams.