AFTER A COUPLE OF hours, it became clear that the trip to the park wasn't going to happen.

Charlotte and Danny were battling the tiredness valiantly, but soon I could feel my eyes doing the same. Every time I blinked, it felt like I was closing my eyes for a few minutes my eyelids were so heavy. When I opened my eyes, all I wanted to do was close them again.

I wanted to have the conversation, but I knew we had time. I could see in Archie's eyes that he wasn't forgetting, so I just listened to the conversations going backwards and forwards. I was too tired to have it now anyway, as everything seemed to be slurred and in slow motion.

We were listening to Millie and Archie talk about what was next for WEH, and to be honest, despite how tired I was, I was hanging on Archie's every word.

So far, they had broken ground on the community centre in Downtown New York, and they were hopeful that it would be finished by June next year, ready for opening. Once that one was up and running, Archie said the next priority was London.

"Did you do the typical groundbreaking picture?" Charlotte asks. "With the shovel and everything?"

Archie laughs but shakes his head. "I was there, and we did take a ridiculous amount of pictures, but there were no shovels involved I'm afraid."

Charlotte giggles before her face goes serious again. "So what exactly is going to happen at these places again?"

"They'll be places in the community where people can come to if they want or need to escape a bad situation. We're planning to have counsellors and therapists on hand, social services on stand by, along with lots of activities to keep the kids busy."

"Like what?" I ask, finally contributing to the conversation.

"Art classes," he says with a smile. "Music, self-defence and karate for the older ones, ballet... You name it, we're going to try. There are so many kids in so many communities that have nowhere to go, and some with little or no access to education, so we just want to make sure those kids aren't left behind. So they know that they're in control of their own future, a future they can choose."

It's quiet for a few seconds as his words sink before Danny sits forward and smiles. "That's incredible Arch. So amazing what you guys have accomplished in such a short space of time. How long has this all taken exactly?"

"To be honest, we've been lucky. With the amount of resources we have at WEH, and how well the commercial projects are doing, the funding for these community centres will be basically never-ending." He smiles. "It's intimidating to think that, but it's pretty cool at the same time when you think of how many kids we'll be able to help."

He smiles at me again, but I can tell from his smile that he wants to change the subject. He shuffles towards me - probably on instinct - and points at Millie.

"What's even more exciting is Millie's school!"

Millie smiles on cue and it seems the subject change works. His smile seems easier and his shoulders relax a little. Millie beams under the limelight, of course, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Yes! I already have bookings and the kitchen isn't even in yet!" She gives a pointed look to Danny, who just laughs it off.

"Hey, I'm working on it! I've been told by the higher ups that I'm allowed these two weeks off," he winks at Archie. "But the guys are getting all the appliances in this week, so it'll be installed by the time we get back."

"Your school will be amazing, Mils. It's what you always dreamed of doing, and it's so cool it's on that estate."

I turn to smile at Archie.

"Yes, and then doing up the house is next. It's all being gutted at the moment."

Danny nods and goes off on a tangent, telling us what's happening with the new stairs, and how they were focussing on making sure the house was stable first before moving on to how it would look.

"But we're lucky he's so laid back," he finishes.

"Well... I have college to finish... and the beds at the school will do until then," Archie adds, looking towards Millie, waiting for her reaction.

"You are not!" Millie gripes, throwing a cushion which he just about catches. "I won't have space for you."

"You can stay at Andy's surely?" Charlotte says, and her statement sits menacingly between us as Archie looks between her and me.

I'm trying my hardest not to glare, as I hadn't told him that I had moved in with Jamie. He looks okay, as he's smiling, but I can tell hearing it this way has hurt him. I just wish Charlotte had kept her mouth shut so that I could tell him gently, and not ambush him.

I mouth a sorry at Archie, and he subtly shakes his head, saying it was okay. He knows it wouldn't have been my plan to announce it to him that way.

"You could always stay at ours?" Charlotte covers herself. "We have space, and Danny's going to site every day anyway, so you can car share."

She turns her to head to look at me, mouthing a sorry at me this time. I can't blame her for the fact I was making it overly complicated, so I just nod, deciding to let it go.

"Yep, Arch I'm holding you to your promise of painting."

He chuckles as his hand covers mine behind the cover of the cushion between us. He shifts as his hand clasps mine, and I sigh as some of the tension leaves my shoulders.

"Can't leave you to do absolutely everything, I suppose."

I can feel my cheeks go beetroot, but no one else seems to notice, Archie included. It's the first day of sixth form again, Archie's arm over my shoulder, and I need to be careful, as I was already slipping back into my old ways... where being with Archie was easier than breathing.

However it seems, my subconscious is looking out for me, as my phone starts buzzing in my pocket. I move my hand from Archie's to get it and excuse myself into a different room to take it away from everybody.

I make sure I find Millie's room before I answer, knowing I wouldn't be able to concentrate if I was in Archie's. I close the door and answer the call with video before the call hangs up.

"Heyyyy! Hey baby!" The excitement in my voice is real, having not seen him for so long. It is so good to see his handsome face. "Aww, I've missed you."

He has caught the sun, and even in the shade of his hotel room, I can see that. He runs a hand over his growing beard, smiling as he looks at me with longing eyes.

"Fucking hell, Tess. Talk about making it hard. You look so good. God, I wish I was there with you."

My cheeks blush at his words and I smile. "How is Australia? Seen any huge spiders yet?"

He laughs. "Not any huge ones. Aus is great though. They've got me doing loads of really interesting stuff. The people are great, culture is really laid back here so I've been in shorts most of the week."

"Oh of course, it's getting into summer there. It's cold here."

"The locals here have showed me pictures of their Christmasses in hula shirts and shorts."

Somehow I couldn't picture a hot Christmas. To me, Christmas was about wrapping yourself in multiple blankets, being ridiculously excited about receiving socks as your presents, and having snow and cold weather. It had snowed last December up in Scotland and it was so magical.

"I hope you're not thinking of staying," I joke, although I was secretly hoping I hadn't given him any ideas.

"Maybe," he chuckles back with a wink. "But that was actually what I was ringing about - other than me missing you awfully of course."

"Oh?" I frown.

"Yeah. The project's been extended for another few weeks, and they've asked if I can stay on until it's finished."

My eyebrows raise at the thought of not seeing him for a couple of weeks, but then he would still be getting home around the same time I was. I was so proud of him, as he's been going from strength to strength these last few months. However, as he took more steps towards his own goals, in the back of my mind, I couldn't help but feel like I was being pulled away from mine.

"Baby, that's amazing. Are you going to do it?"

"Yeah, I think I will. It's a great opportunity. I'll miss you, I always miss you when I'm working, but this time I think it's one I can't turn down."

I nod and try to keep my composure but of course he notices.

"Aw baby. I didn't mean for it to upset you."

My attempt at not crying has clearly failed. A tear escapes and I swipe it away as quick as I can.

"I'm okay. I'm sorry. I just won't have seen you for nearly six weeks. I miss you so much, despite being hugely proud of you."

He chuckles but then his expression changes. "Maybe..."

He trails off before shaking his head, pinching the bridge of his nose before sighing.

"I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but... Well, maybe you could extend your trip too?"

My eyebrows raise again, this time in shock at him suggesting it after he had been so difficult about me coming here in the first place.

"I could do? I'd need to check in with Dad... and I wouldn't want to intrude here."

I didn't admit it to him, but to be honest, I didn't want to stay longer than when Danny and Charlotte were here. I didn't trust myself on my own. At least with them here, they could keep a close eye on me.

"Millie's going off travelling again once we leave. I could go with them?"

Or you could tell him that and just stay here? My subconscious suggests.

I suppose she's not wrong. There will probably be a lot that I won't see in the two weeks I'm here, and then I would be looking after myself because Archie will be in classes.

"Yeah that sounds like a great idea! You always wanted to travel, right?"

His question is almost patronising, but what hits me hardest is that I thought we wanted to travel, not just me.

"Yeah, but with you though," I say, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice. "Or at least some of it with you."

He doesn't seem to notice.

"The guys here said I should bring you out here with me, but I know you'll be bored. None of the other's girlfriends are coming, so I didn't want you to be on your own."

That makes me smile. It's nice to know he's thinking of me at least. There are some girls in his team I get on with, but even then, as soon as the conversation turns to work, I get lost. I never know what any of it means.

"I love you, Jamie."

His cheeks heat as he pretends to catch the kiss I blow at him. He puts it in his top pocket, patting as he promises to keep it safe.

"I love you. And I really miss you. Really, really miss you."

"You don't. You're having too much fun to miss me."

He shrugs as he laughs, but then his face goes a bit more serious.

"Oh hey, what's going on with you and your mum?"

I frown as the question comes seemingly out of nowhere.

"I tried to reach you at her house last week and she said you were at Charlotte's? I thought you were hanging out with Ellie?"

I drop my head into my hand and take a deep breath.

I hadn't really spoken to Mum after what she said to me about Archie, and what she believed. After she said Archie used his death an excuse to stay away.

To be honest, I was still analysing her comment myself., wondering how she could have possibly come to that conclusion, and the only conclusion I could come to was that she never even liked him in the first place. She never really saw him, because she was always away. I knew Archie put in so much effort when it came to Mum, all the time, but I just never understood what he could possibly have done. Now I know that all she needed was something to happen for her to blame everything on him, no matter whether it was his fault or not. 

"We had an argument," I say finally. "She said something that was a step too far, and I don't want to speak to her."

"Jesus, what did she say?" he asks.

If I tell him the truth, he won't like it, but I won't lie about it. That would make me just as guilty.

"She said that Archie used Matt's death as an excuse for him to leave. That he didn't want to deal with the distance, so he used what happened to Matt as his excuse to leave and burn all his bridges.

It's quiet between us for a few seconds and I had a horrible feeling in the bottom of my stomach that Jamie was about to agree.

"Okay, even for me that's over the line."

You cannot fathom how relieved I was to hear that come out of his mouth.

"She said that?" I nod. "Wow. I mean, you know I'm not his biggest fan, but even I could tell how close you guys were. As much as it pains me to say... New York would never have been a problem for you guys."

My mouth bobs open and closed as I try to get my head around what he'd just said.

"It's just tough. On the one hand, you guys would still be together if Matt hadn't died... but then, I'm thankful. I met you because he left." He scratches the back of his head as his cheeks pink. "I'm saying this all wrong."

"You're not," I smile. "You're right. Matt was the reason - guilt or whatever he wants to say it was - but he wasn't using his death as an excuse to leave. That's what I can't forgive her for saying. She was basically saying he was leaving me anyway, and that Matt's death just gave him the reason to finally do it."

It hurt to say it out loud, but I'm glad Jamie is on my side with this.

"But just don't go letting him back in, okay." He laughs nervously. "I see you got there okay at least."

I sigh in relief at the slight change in subject, as I didn't want to talk about Archie anymore, not when I knew Jamie hated it, so I get up and turn the camera around.

"Holy shit. That's his view?!"

I laugh.

"Alright, two can play at that game."

The muffled sounds of him getting up fill the speakers, along with the opening of a sliding door before I saw his view. He has a couple of skyscrapers either side of him - although not as tall as the ones here - but the view he has is a straight shot down the river towards the coast, towards Port Phillip Bay.

"Okay you win," I say, turning my camera back around.

"Thought so," he chuckles. "And hey, if you do want to join me, just let me know. You can obviously stay in my room so no extras are needed, and Barclays can get you a flight."

"I'll think about it," I tell him, smiling back. "And I know this can't be easy for you, me being here, but it proves that you love me... and that you trust me."

He grins at me, the same grin I remember him wearing the first day I met him, the grin that made me realise I was falling for him then and there. The grin that pulled me away from the darkness and into his warm, oak-smelling arms.

"I do love you. So much." He sighs. "I know it's something you need to do, so I'm not holding you back from doing it." He smiles again, chuckling. "I know that I'm the luckiest man alive. Knowing you chose me, and that it'll be me up the other end of that aisle... waiting for you."

"Jamie McGregor are you trying to make me cry?" I say, wiping my tears at his words. "Dad's going to have a tough time holding me back as we walk. Think I'll be the first bride to break precedent and just sprint down the aisle," I joke. "I'm genuinely contemplating it."

He laughs, one of his big belly laughs. "I'll be ready to catch you when you trip over that big white dress."

"When?" I feign horror. "You mean if."

"Nope, when." He laughs. I can be quite clumsy when I put my mind to it. "Aw, Tess I really miss you. I can't believe it's been two weeks already. Time can't go by quick enough."

"You're telling me. You better call me every day," I tell him, referring to the fact it took him four days to call me when got there last week.

"I know, I will. And I am sorry I haven't really called. It was hectic last week, but things have calmed down slightly. What time is it there now?" He asks.

"Nearly four. What time works best for you?"

"Morning probably. Around now. But I know that's like super early for you."

"We're behind, so you'd be talking to me in the past. In fact you already are!" I laugh.

"Well the future is bright..." he chuckles. "But does around now work? I can't promise I'll call every day, but most days." He looks off to the side as I hear a knock. "Ah, that's Fred. We have golf today so I'd better go."

"Okay." There was so much more I wanted to say to him but I could see he was trying to do things one-handed so I let him go. "I love you. And I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

"Sounds good. Love you too. Bye Tess!" He blows me another kiss before hanging up the phone.

***

I've been sitting in the spare room for nearly forty minutes before I hear a knock on the door.

I had been watching the sun setting and the leaves below moving in the breeze, using the sounds of sirens and the city below to try and calm me, allowing my thoughts to clear.

I turn around and find Archie standing in the doorway. He's holding a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits for me, reminding me of how he never forgot biscuits at home. It was somehow comforting to find that some things never changed, even after all this time.

"Everything okay?" He asks. "With Jamie?"

I knew he knew who it was. If it had been anyone else I would have just taken it in the living room or told them to call me back.

"It's fine. He's had to stay on a couple more weeks." His eyebrows raise, as if to ask the question. "He's in Melbourne on business, so I'm going to have to find something to do with myself for another two weeks."

He chuckles as I roll my eyes. I take a sip of the tea and sigh at how the hot liquid is so calming as I swallow. Nothing beats a good cup of tea.

"Well, you're more than welcome to stay here. I've got the car and stuff, which you can use. He may not like that... as it will just be me."

I smile at him. "I may take you up on that. Charlotte was discussing the itinerary and it's most the three S's."

"Three s's?"

"Shopping, shopping and more shopping," I laugh and he laughs with me.

"It's hard to forget that you're the only girl I know who hates shopping."

"It's not that I hate it, I just don't like spending money for the sake of it. If I need a pair of jeans, I'll buy a pair and wear them under they're a bunch of threadbare scraps on my legs," I joke, picking at the holes at my knees in the jeans I was currently wearing.

He shakes his head.

"Have the others gone out?" I ask softly.

He nods. "Charlotte and Danny have gone to their AirBnB for a nap, so I expect we won't see them again until tomorrow," he laughs. "Millie and Greg have gone out to get some food for later."

I nod, feeling a little awkward as I can tell which direction he's heading in.

"I, erm, wondered if you wanted to go for a walk? Unless you're tired too... You can take the other guest room... if you don't mind all of Ollie's things. He's moved out but hasn't picked up his stuff yet." He's rambling but I didn't mind.

"I could go for a walk," I say finally, taking another sip of my tea. "We could use the air to..."

"To talk?" He finishes my sentence for me.

I nod.

"That's what I was hoping you'd say." He sits down on the bed next to me. "I know the answers have been a long time coming - for us both."

"Arch, if you don't want to..."

"No," he says quickly, turning his head to look at me. "I do."

"Okay." I give him a reassuring smile as I take a sip of my tea.

"Take your time," he tells me after it's quiet for a few minutes. "Finish your tea. I'll be watching TV, okay."

He smiles at me before he stands, but as he gets to the door, I stand and take his hand.

"Archie, thank you." I hoped my voice was sincere, so he could hear how truly thankful I was.

His hand curls around mine as he turns. "What for?"

I wanted to say thank you for being there, even though he didn't know anything about it. I wanted to say thank you for so many different things, but now wasn't the time. I would get to it, but I needed to take it one step at a time.

I smile as I hold up my mug of tea. "For the tea."

He chuckles. He knows that wasn't what I wanted to say thank you for, but I appreciate him pretending it was.

"You're welcome." He smiles as he gives my hand a squeeze. "I'll be out here when you're ready, okay."

I nod as he pulls the door closed behind him and I sigh as I slide down the door.

Nearly six years... and soon I would have all the answers I'd been praying for all this time.