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“I’m really happy for you, Claire. It’s great to see you like this. I’m proud of you.”

I swallow around the sudden lump in my throat. “Ok, that was a bit emotional for a Monday evening.”

“You’ve earned it.”

We take a sip. The tea is perfect. Or maybe it’s just the company and my good mood that’s making it taste sweeter than usual.

“And,” she continues, arching a brow, “I for one am thrilled that you now have someone to talk to about your endless stream of history books. I was running out of polite nods.”

“That’s slander,” I say. “You love my book recaps.”

“I tolerate them,” she corrects. “Tom, on the other hand, actively encourages them. Which is frankly alarming.”

I laugh, the sound easy and unforced.

She studies me for a moment longer. “You look different, Claire.”

“Different how?”

“Lighter maybe? Or more relaxed.”

I let the words sink in. She’s right. I do feel lighter. My worries haven’t gone, but the stark edges of them have softened, and I know it’s a combination of all sorts of things. Of having a partner who treats me like an equal and cares about what I have to say. Of the promise of a job where I can be creative. The opportunity to pursue my interests without feeling like they belong in the margins or to be tucked away at the side of my life. It’s having someone who I can’t wait to see at the end of the day.

“You’ll get there too,” I tell her softly.

“One day,” she smiles. “But happiness looks good on you.”

I clink my mug against hers again, because happiness feels pretty good too.

Chapter 43

Tom

I’m halfway through a pile of essays when Marina pops her head around the staffroom door.

“Please tell me you’re not still working,” the headmistress says. “It’s nearly the end of term.”

“Depends. Are you about to assign me more work?”

She snorts and comes in holding a folder. “Only a little bit more.”

“I’m just finishing up,” I tell her, checking my watch. It’s not that late, but I do have some marking to do.

“I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to give you this.”

She hands me the folder and I stare at it. It’s got the school crest on the front, nothing unusual, but when I open it, I spot the title: Outreach Programme Proposal—Preliminary Approval.

I gape at the pages.

“Seriously?” I flip through the folder. “They’ve approved it?”

Claire’s mum had mentioned it, but I hadn’t been sure whether to believe it.

“Pending final review from the finance team, yes. Though I know you’ve already gone through the numbers meticulously, so I don’t foresee any problems. The board were impressed with your revised cost breakdown, one or two were quite enthusiastic, actually. The vote was unanimous.”

“Enthusiastic?” I repeat, still not quite trusting that this is real.

Marina nods. “Yes. Enthusiastic. You’ve put together a thorough, well-evidenced proposal, Tom. You should be proud of it.”