Saving Miranda: A Love...Maybe Valentine eShort. Catherine Ferguson

my box of tumble-dryer sheets. I’ve been keeping them hidden from Rufus in my knicker drawer. I must have forgotten to put them back. Careless.

      I do a mock pout, leaning up on my elbow to look at him. ‘It’s just I hate having washing draped all over the place. I mean, I know tumble dryers are evil beyond belief but sometimes I can’t help myself. Am I forgiven?’

      He leaps out of bed. ‘Go on, then.’ Grinning back at me, he strides into the bathroom and turns on the shower. ‘Get in here, you eco-disaster!’

      And even though I’ve just had a bath, I don’t need asking twice. We always shower together at my place.

      For obvious responsible reasons. And others, too. (Rufus, brilliant teacher that he is, has shown me it’s possible to save energy in the shower and at the same time, expend energy in lots of interesting and imaginative ways.)

      I head happily out of the bedroom, a spring in my step. It feels so natural being with Rufus. Of course, because of his commitments, we can only get together once, maybe twice a week. But I’d rather have quality than quantity any day.

      And anyway, he’s going to make up for it next week. We’re both taking time off work and he’s even hinted he might sweep me off for a couple of nights in a posh hotel. It also happens to be Valentine’s Day. I’m so excited, I’ve gone off my food, and believe me, that’s pretty unheard of.

      I’ve already been shopping with Eliza for a sexy new dress, and when I tried it on in the changing room, she took a photo of me in it and suggested I get it framed and give it to Rufus.