Page 83 of Sunny New Beginnings at Sea Haven House

In between all the change, Callie had managed several visits to Adya’s gallery and was trying very hard to lose the imposter syndrome every time she saw her work displayed. Two paintings had already sold and for eye-watering amounts.

And this afternoon she was about to give her first class in abstract multi-media painting in the Art School. She couldn’t wait. At the knock on her office door, she looked up to see Johnny’s face peering round.

‘Won’t stay. Don’t want to get in your hair.’ He brandished a bunch of daffodils. ‘These are to wish you good luck. Not that you need it.’ Coming over, he kissed her soundly. ‘Good luck, Calliope, my darling. The card’s from the clan Starling.’ He grinned. ‘They all insisted on signing it.’

‘Oh, they’re lovely. And so is your family.’ Putting the flowers and card gently on her desk, she rose and slipped her arms around his waist, kissing him. ‘Thank you. How’s the book going?’ Johnny had begun a memoir based on his experiences as a foreign correspondent.

‘Had a really good morning,’ he said. ‘What we discussed last night helped, my Calliope muse.’ He kissed her again. ‘Oh, and I’ve booked a table at The Old School Kitchen for tonight.’ Keeping her close, he added, ‘Thought we’d celebrate you selling another painting. Adya left a message on the answerphone. Said she couldn’t get through to your mobile.’

‘I’ve sold another?’ Callie tried not to sound smug and failed. ‘I’ve been working in the studio all morning. I switched my phone off so I could concentrate.’

Johnny rubbed noses with her. ‘I’m so proud of you.’

‘I know. Listen to myself. Painting in a studio, selling work in a London gallery. Get me!’

He laughed. ‘I think you’re working harder than ever.’

She pushed him away a little so as to see his face better. ‘I am – but the difference is I’m doing it for myself and loving it.’ Tenderly, she traced the fading scar on the bridge of his nose and gazed into his eyes.

‘You know you can do anything you want, don’t you?’ He said it often.

‘I can, with you at my side.’

‘You don’t need me.’

‘I don’t need you, but I want you. I don’t want to do it all by myself anymore.’

‘Neither do I. And we don’t have to. We’re a team, my love.’

‘We make agreatteam.’ She nodded to the flowers. ‘And thank you for the luck, but with you in my life, I’m not sure I need it. I’ve got everything I want right here. Right now. I feel I can do anything.’ She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. ‘Oh, Johnny, it took a while to find you but I’m so glad I have. I love you, Johnny Starling.’ She kissed him with all the love she had.

‘Right back at you, Calliope. I love you, too. With all my heart.’ And, with that, he kissed her back.