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“Okay, thank you,” I say awkwardly, still unsure why Caleb is being so generous. The only thing I know is I can’t stay here until the dance studio is rebuilt. That part of my life is over. I can’t afford to refurbish and reopen it. That ship has sailed. But while I am here, I might as well make the most of what Caleb is willing to share. In the meantime, I will need to look for an alternative job and other accommodation.

The next day,Caleb presents me with my own Penelope Dawson fitness watch.

As a dancer, this has been a pipe dream of mine. An intelligent watch that monitors its wearer and ensures they stay at peak fitness. I thought I recognised Pete’s app, but I’ve only ever seen it in adverts for posh gyms.

“I can’t accept this,” I tell Cal when he hands me the watch.

He looks at me a furrow forming between his eyes.

“Why not?”

“Because… this watch is worth about two and a half thousand pounds!” I squeak.

Caleb lets out a deep sigh. “Please just take it,” he says.

My stomach clenches as if I’m being completely ungrateful.

When I look up, Cal is pinching the bridge of his nose as if trying to ward off a headache.

I clench my hand to stop myself reaching out to him, unsure why he is so bothered. Instead, I watch as he shakes his head. When he catches me looking at him, he smiles.

“What?” I ask, suddenly feeling defensive.

“It’s you,” he says, his grin widening. “You’re refreshing.”

When I shoot him a questioning look, he laughs.

My hands go to my hips, and I raise an eyebrow. “I don’t understand.”

“No, I don’t suppose you do. You’re different.”

He makes it sound like a compliment, but I’m not sure. I can understand him buying a gift like this for a girlfriend, but I’m a nobody. Someone who has ended up down on her luck, living in his spare room.

Caleb runs his hand through his hair before adding, “I have bought the watch. Please, will you accept it as a gift?”

We stand and stare at one another, neither sure what to do.

My throat constricts, and I step forward, holding out my hand, suddenly feeling ungrateful.

Caleb smiles, our fingers brush as I take the box.

“Thank you. I will treasure it,” I say quietly.

“You’re welcome,” he says before adding quickly, “It not only works in the gym but also works on a number of the appliances in the house. It controls the temperature, can set the coffee machine going?—”

I spin to fully face him. “It what? Did I just hear correctly?” I say slowly, my mouth slack. “This watch can make me coffee?”

Caleb looks at me, his high cheekbones darkening. “Er yes,” he says awkwardly.

“So, I can order a salted caramel latte?” I ask, trying not to laugh at his expression.

“Not right now, but if that is what you drink. I’ll ask Paula to get some salted caramel syrup for you.”

I stare at him, my mouth open. “Normal latte is fine,” I tell him, shaking my head. “Tell me, what else can my magic watch do?”

Caleb grins and tells me all the appliances and integrated devices that are linked to Pete, his smart tech system. By the time he’s finished my brain is in a spin. What happened to just pressing a button?

“Boys and their toys,” I mutter, which Caleb seems to find incredibly funny.