Page 24 of The Clifftop Cottage

Her heart gave a small, unexpected jolt.

She pulled it free and opened it where she stood.

Hi Erica,

I hope you’re doing a bit better these days. I don’t know if this is a strange thing to suggest, given where we met, but I wanted to let you know the cottage on the cliff is available. I remember you saying you liked it up there, and since you’re staying with your sister, I thought you might be looking for something more long-term. I’d rather have someone living there than turn it into another holiday let, so I could offer you a good deal. I’ll be up there tomorrow, or you can reach me on the number below.

Cheers,

Gabriel

Erica turned the letter over, scanning for the number.

For a second, she just stood there, the sounds of dinner drifting from the kitchen behind her – cutlery, voices, Dylan’s laugh – and let the idea settle.

Her own place.

Not a spare room. Not a borrowed life. Somewhere that wasn’t temporary.

To wake up to the sea. To look out over the hills. To exist without feeling like she was in the way.

Her fingers tightened around the paper.

She pulled out her phone and typed:

Thanks for the letter – your timing is kind of perfect. Yes please, I’d love to stay in the cottage. Erica x

She hit send without hesitation. Immediately, she felt lighter. This was it. She couldn’t stay here – Dylan was home now, and this was their home. She had been clinging on too long, existing in a life that wasn’t hers.

It was time to move on.

Her phone buzzed.

Great, I’ll see you tomorrow then. Gabe x

Erica blinked.

X?

She scrolled up.

Oh no.

She’d put one first.

Heat rushed to her face. Her stomach flipped in that ridiculous, treacherous way it used to. She shoved her phone into her pocket like it had personally betrayed her.

Professional, she told herself. He’s your landlord. Not a flirtation. Not a saviour. Just a man with a cottage.

But still.

As she climbed the stairs, the sounds from the kitchen felt softer somehow. Less like something she was avoiding and more like something she was gently stepping out of.

And for once, the thought didn’t make her want to retreat.

It made her want to see what was next.

The next morning, Erica set off for the cottage, a flurry of excitement buzzing through her. With her sister’s family off for a full day of soft play and the cinema, she had nothing but time and possibility ahead of her.