CHAPTER 1

Staffordshire Moorlands 2018

Glaring winter sun streamed through the large rear windows of the eco-Scandinavian style barn house that Jessica, and her husband, Darren, had built with the guidance of her skilled father. It was one of those rare occasions when they’d both managed to get the day off together. With the children safely at school, they managed to get quite a bit of DIY done.

Darren, dressed in a paint-splattered t-shirt and jeans, stood on a ladder, carefully hanging a framed picture on the living room wall. Jessica, wearing an old pair of jeans and a faded flannel shirt, stood back sighting the alignment.

‘A tad to the left,’ she instructed.

Lowering the frame slightly, Darren asked, ‘Like this?’

A smile playing on Jess’s lips. ‘Perfect.’

As they worked together on the finishing touches, their laughter filled the room. Despite the occasional bickering over the kids and DIY projects, moments like these were what made their life together special.

Once the picture was securely in place, they stepped back to admire a photograph taken during a family camping trip from 2016: a reminder of the moments they cherished most.

‘That was such a great trip. Benjie must have been seven?’

‘He was six,’ Jess replied.

‘They’re growing up so fast,’ Darren said, his arm slipping around her waist.

She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. ‘I know, but they’re still young. I love how easy it is to fix stuff to wooden walls; we can fill this house with memories.’

Darren pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, his warm breath tickling her hair.

‘Me too.’

Their playful side took over, and soon they were messing around like teenagers, tossing cushions at each other.

‘Come on, detective,’ Darren teased, ‘Show me what you’re made of!’

Jess giggled as she dodged a well-aimed cushion. ‘You asked for it!’

They exchanged frisky blows, until they collapsed on the sofa, breathless and laughing. Darren's eyes met hers, and a shared moment of intimacy passed between them.

In the comfortable silence, Darren gently brushed a strand of hair from Jessica's face and cupped her cheek. Their laughter faded as they drew closer, and their lips met in a tender, lingering kiss; a kiss that spoke of years of unwavering love.

When they finally pulled away, Jessica smiled up at him. ‘We should do this more often.’

Darren nodded, his eyes filled with affection. ‘Definitely, I just wish we’d get more time like this together.’

As they settled back into the warmth of their home, Jessica couldn't help but feel grateful for the life they had created; a life filled with love, laughter, and the comfort of being each other's best friend and partner.