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In just a few hours, I would be in England.

And hopefully I’d also be back with the woman I loved.

50

SAMMIE

‘What made you want to come here again?’ I asked as Stella and I walked from Brighton station towards the beach.

‘I thought it’d be nice!’ Stella replied. ‘And I know you’ve been missing the sea since you got back from Italy, so I reckoned this would help.’

‘Hon, I love Brighton beach as much as the next person, but it’s nothing like the ones in Italy.’

I sighed as I remembered the conversation I’d had with Romeo’s mum, Linda, when I’d said the crystal-clear waters couldn’t compare to the murky greenish-blue sea here.

It wasn’t just the beaches I missed about Italy. It was Romeo.

I was so looking forward to video calling him yesterday like we’d planned earlier in the week. But when I’d messaged to ask when would be a good time and he’d asked if we could speak today instead, my heart sank.

At least spending time with Stella would take my mind off it and by the time we got the train back to London tonight there wouldn’t be long to wait until we could chat.

Sadly, Aunty Jeanette hadn’t had any luck finding any job leads, but I wasn’t gonna give up. I’d find something and that was what I planned to tell Romeo tonight. I needed him to know that I was trying.

I was also finally going to tell him I loved him.

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I couldn’t wait to speak to him again.

When we got to the seafront, Stella and I went down the steps and walked along the pebbled beach.

Although it was cloudy and windy, I supposed she was right. It was nice to get out of London and smell the sea air.

‘I’m dying for the loo.’ Stella winced. ‘I’m just going across the road to find a toilet.’

‘I’ll come with you.’

‘No,’ she said quickly. ‘Just wait there, close your eyes, breath in the sea air and imagine you’re back in Italy. I won’t be long.’

‘Okay,’ I sighed.

I took a few steps towards the sea, closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

As a reel of memories showcasing the fun I’d had by the sea with Romeo flashed through my mind, I smiled.

I pictured the time I bumped into him on the beach then ended up having lunch with Linda and Biscotti.

Then I remembered our time on the boat.

Next, my mind replayed the memory of us chatting as we walked along the other gorgeous beach he took me to. Then I chuckled as I thought about our fun skinny-dipping session.

Oh, sweet memories.

I’d give anything to be with Romeo right now. To hug him. To inhale his gorgeous scent. To kiss him.

Just to be with him.

‘Enjoying the views?’ a deep voice sounded from behind me.

A deep voice with a sexy Italian accent that I instantly recognised.