Later that day, after I had been shopping, I was writing the article for the magazine. Steven was a sleep and there was just me and my laptop. Suddenly, the doorbell went. I slowly got up and opened the door only to be greeted by a large bunch of flowers lying on the step. They were my favourites: white roses, except there was a single red one in the centre too. I picked them up and took them inside. There was a card, plain white with a letter, it was from Shane.

Dear Rachel,
I've never forgotten you since the day we met on your doorstep
four years ago. When we went back to Dublin I went to your house to see why
you hadn't been in contact but somebody told me you'd moved to London. I did
wonder whether I should try and find you there but Kian told me it would be
like looking for a needle in a haystack and that you probably had a boyfriend
anyway. The thought of you with somebody else really hurt me. The very first
moment I looked into your eyes, I fell in love and I've loved you ever since.
Kian was right, before, when he said that I did nothing but talk about you
for months afterwards... In the end I gave up and tried dating other people
but it didn't work.
Anyway, I hope that you can try to at least be friends with me. I
want to see Steven and if we argue, it's not good for him. Well, that's it, I
guess it's up to you but please, this time do call me.

Shane


I felt so guilty after reading that and I realised, in some way, I loved him. Over the past few years, I'd built up an image in my head about him and he'd just totally lived up to it. I felt strange, like I never had before and I sat reading the letter over and over again. In the end I called him up and we arrange to meet in the park, by the lake.