She awoke to the rain pounding against the window. With a sigh, she got up, used the bathroom, and put on her grey dressing gown.

In the kitchen, she glanced out at the garden, where the rain fell steadily. She made a cup of tea, her mind on the plants. Could she fit them all in her car? The little tree was definitely coming with her.

In the front room, she switched on the TV. After a brief weather forecast and some political nonsense,  she turned it off. The clutter around her seemed overwhelming. She really needed to start clearing things out. Looking at the photos, she felt a wave of sadness and allowed herself a few tears before finding a tissue in her pocket. She dabbed her eyes and blew her nose.

The postman’s arrival interrupted her thoughts. She opened the porch door and picked up the post,  just bills and adverts – nothing handwritten.

Upstairs, she showered and dressed. Still raining. Back in the kitchen, she made some toast and another cup of tea, sitting at the large kitchen table with the newspaper.

She flipped through the pages absentmindedly. The usual news. The magazine section featured clothes that seemed impractical and unaffordable, draped on skeletal models. An immaculate house in the Hamptons that looked more like a museum than a home. A recipe for some elaborate dish that required ingredients foraged from a remote clifftop. With a sigh, she got up and took some fish out of the freezer.

The phone rang, breaking her thoughts. She picked up her mobile and saw the caller ID.

“Yes?” she answered.

She listened, nodding occasionally, before ending the call. Feeling a mix of anticipation and unease, she made a strong coffee. When the doorbell rang, she opened the door and signed for the delivery.

She placed the parcel on the table and stared at it for a moment. Eventually, she tore the strip off and took out the inner packet. With slightly shaking hands, she found the scissors and cut it open. The little leather box felt significant in her hands. She took a deep breath and lifted the gold catch. The diamond sparkled as she slipped the ring onto her finger.