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Now this is a gift I can get behind. It makes me wonder what other ideas she’s come up with for us to spend time together.

“I told you it was silly,” she says.

I lean forward and take one of her hands in mine. “No April. It’s not. I promise you; this is one of the most thoughtful and personal gifts I’ve ever received. I will cherish each one of our date nights.”

I push back my chair and pull her forward and into my lap. “I mean it. Thank you.”

She smiles shyly at me. “Are you sure? There is no comparison to the things you’ve done for me.”

“I’m more than sure. I love it.”

Like I love you, I want to say, realising Iamandhavefallen totally and utterly in love. Something I never thought possible.

The past coupleof months have flown by. In between our date nights, I’ve been dealing with the new development, while April has been travelling to and from Scarlett’s, where she’s been working with Scarlett and her choreography team, when she is not working with her own kids. As a result, April is developing an air of confidence I’ve never seen before and it’s amazing to watch her shed her shackles and come into herself. Even Samuel’s noticed the difference.

“I have a surprise for you,” I say.

It’s Sunday morning, so neither of us is rushing out of the door.

Last night was one of ourdate nights.

Who would’ve thought, watching an old movie in the back row of the cinema, with a bag of traditional sweets and popcorn could have been so enjoyable. Holding hands and snuggling in the paired seats, like teenagers.

As it’s Mason’s day off, I grab the keys to the Porsche 911 Carrera four GTS Cabriolet, in ice grey metallic. My pride and joy. It’s the only one of my cars, apart from the one Mason drives, I keep in the city.

The car's features are lost in city driving, but it’s still smooth.

“Want to drive?” I say, holding out the keys to April.

I watch as her jaw drops. “Me? Drive your car?” she says, a slow grin appearing. “Your baby?”

I laugh at her words. “Yes,” I say. “It’s the least I can do after your wonderful gift this morning.”

I’ve already spent hours showing her exactly how taken I am with my present.

I drop the keys into her outstretched palm and move to the passenger side. My heart rate picks up when she unlocks the door and gets in. This is, after all, my baby. All my cars are my babies. But April has always wanted to drive it, and I added her to the insurance months ago.

“Where to?” she asks, pressing the on button.

“Sunny Down.”

April turns in her seat to look at me.

“You’ll see,” I tell her, as we set off.

By the time we arrive at Sunny Down, I know I must introduce April to the racetrack.

I’m about to say something, but stop when I turn to see April’s jaw drop. “My goodness, Cal, it’s…I’m speechless,” she whispers, her face flashing to mine, her cheeks glowing.

It’s been a couple of weeks since she was last here. The doors are now on, windows in place. Her studio still needs to be kitted out, but the holdup is due to the surprise I’ve brought her here for.

“I’m glad you like it. Come on,” I say. “It gets better.”

I get out before moving to her side and opening the door. Always the gentleman, my mother would say. I’ve trained April to let me as well. Told her my mother would have me in a headlock if I didn’t.

We enter the building. The internal walls are in place. April moves to the door that will connect with the cafe next door. The security system wiring is already in place. One of Elijah’s new designs.

The reception area is bigger than before, although not by much. More to allow for some seating and a desk. Changing rooms and shower rooms are off to the right. Before they were at the back, but new regulations and planning had us move them. Now, students can access these from the front of the building, no-longer disrupting the next class.