Ben laughed. ‘Hey, I learned from the best. Anything else?’

‘Yeah,’ he croaked out, sad to be leaving the place he called home. Hebblestone was home to him. He didn’t want to go back to London, get lost in the big city and not know the people around him. Amber was home, and he knew he’d be lost forever without knowing she was okay. Having been so close to her now, it would wreck him for any other woman. There had only ever beenher.His Cherry.

‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘Look after my girl for me.’

21

Sharon

How’s the job going?

Tyler

Good. Tiring, but keeps me busy. How’s the Slug? Ben ruined my kitchen yet?

Sharon

He’s doing well. We all miss you. Bill says his cottage pie isn’t a patch on yours. He’s threatening to organise a coach trip to London to come eat at your place at Christmas.

Tyler

Tell them to book it, be nice to see everyone.

Sharon

Aren’t you going to ask about her?

Tyler

I can’t. How is she?

Sharon

Okay.

Tyler

Only okay?

Sharon

Call her, she’ll tell you herself.

Tyler

She fired me, told me to leave. I did what she asked. Why only okay? Are her plans not coming together?

Sharon

Not for me to say.

Tyler

Shazza, I have Matt’s number now. We’ve talked. I will send him that video of the karaoke night when your boob popped out dancing to Shakira.

Sharon

Fuck. Hips don’t lie. And neither can I, it seems. She’s halfway there. One dream down, one to go.