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I kept saying, ‘Go ahead if you need to. I don’t want to slow you down.’

But he stayed by my side the whole time. Even though it was obvious he could go much faster.

We jogged for over an hour, not really saying much. Well – I couldn’t say much, I was too busy wheezing.

If Alex hadn’t been there, I would have stopped after ten minutes. I so wasn’t up for running in the dark and cold. But I couldn’t stop with him there. It would have been too embarrassing. So on I went. And weirdly, as soon as I stopped thinking that Icouldstop, it got easier.

When we got back to the Oakley Arms I was all flushed and sweaty – my hair all frizzy around my face.

I thanked Alex for the run and he said, ‘I’ll be here again tomorrow. Same time. We’ll do ten miles. Make sure you’re ready.’

Friday October 23rd

Another run with Alex last night. We did ten miles. Just like he said. Didn’t talk much. But it was nice. Just running together.

Saturday October 24th

The whole village is talking about Alex and I.

I’m trying to make out like it’s no big deal. But secretly I’m MEGA happy.

I get butterflies in my stomach whenever Alex calls at the pub.

And also, I’m running further than ever.

Friday October 30th

Alex and I went running EVERY night this week.

EVERY NIGHT!

At times it’s hideous.

Alex is incredibly strict and doesn’t go easy on me.

‘Come on!’ he barks, as he bounds around me. ‘Keep up! Push yourself. PUSH yourself!’

But I have to admit we’re getting amazing results. I’ve run further and faster than ever. There are definitely times when I want to kill Alex and myself. But they’re getting fewer.

I’ve been so full of energy in the day that I’ve even run with the stroller sometimes. Just on a whim. Daisy always looks a bit shocked. Like I’m shoplifting her or something.

Saturday October 31st

Halloween

Brandi and I took Callum ‘trick-or-treating’ tonight.

It was pretty embarrassing.

Callum pounded on doors, stuck out his bucket and said, ‘Give me sweets or I’ll silly string you.’

Luckily, most people thought it was funny. Except for one old lady who Callum threatened with shaving foam.

Mum decorated the pub with spray cobwebs and dangling rubber spiders. Then she moaned because no one was drinking her ‘Witches Brew’ – a mixture of all the pub spirits that haven’t been selling.

I’m not surprised no one was buying it – it smelt like boozy toothpaste.

In the end, Mum and Brandi drank most of the ‘Witches Brew’. Then they got up on the bar and danced to theMonster Mash.