Erik shut the door behind me and lugged the suitcase to the room that would be our refuge for the next few days. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the flat was cosier than I'd imagined from the internet photos; although I'd expected a bit more space, the location in the heart of Madrid more than made up for any lack of square metres.

"Are you getting into bed?" I asked, a bit worried that it might be too small for his height.

Erik lay down on his back, and although his feet barely touched the edge of the mattress, at least they didn't hang in the air. I felt relieved to see that he fit, just about.

"I've had nights in much worse places," he said with a smile, sitting up on the bed. "So don't worry about it."

Meanwhile, I set about exploring the rest of the flat, which barely reached 50 square metres; however, the natural light pouring in through the windows made it seem brighter and more spacious.

"Thank goodness we're not living here all year round," I joked, returning to the bedroom and finding him peering out of the window, where you could see the Tribunal metro stop.

"Don't you like it?" he asked, turning his head towards me with curiosity.

"I love that it's right in the centre, you'll be able to experience the authentic Madrid nightlife," I said, getting excited.

To be honest, I'd never really gone out partying, just a couple of times with Vir, and it had always ended in a row with Oliver. But now, I felt like I had the chance to let my wilder side loose.

"That sounds dangerous and sexy," he said with a suggestive tone.

"With you, anything sounds sexy," I said, resting my head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

From the window, I could see the cars driving by and people rushing to their destinations, and I was overcome with a strange sense of normality that made me sigh with relief.

"Do you miss living here?" he asked.

"A bit," I said. "I'd like to be closer, but... Pierowall has got me hooked," I added, with complete sincerity.

Yes, I missed Madrid, its bustling streets, its lively people, its iconic shops and restaurants. I missed Vir, my parents, and the comfort of having everything within reach. But the truth was that the tranquility you breathed in Westray was something I couldn't find in Madrid. Westray had conquered my heart in a way I couldn't explain; it was a place where I could be myself, without needing to be always on the go.

"Very nice. Very nice," Erik gave me a little nip on the neck and pulled away with a pretend offended face, which made me burst out laughing. I loved how he could make me laugh so easily.

"I'm also in love with the Fish & Chips at the Westray Inn," I said, playing along and making his expression of disgust even more theatrical.

Erik flopped onto the sofa, as if he was about to faint, and I crouched down beside him, looking at his face covered by his forearm.

"Don't go on, please," he said, exaggerating his suffering.

"And the views from the lighthouse," I continued, showing no mercy.

"Kill me now, don't make me suffer anymore, please," he complained, opening one eye and giving me a playful glance.

"If you die, you'll miss the best part," I hinted, and he looked at me with interest, as if he was eager to know what came next.

"Go on..." he whispered, with a voice of feigned desperation.

"And Aga's carrot cake," I said, and Erik laughed, shaking his head and showing his characteristic smile.

He made a movement as if he'd been stabbed in the chest, followed by a grunt of pain, and pretended to die, which made me laugh until I cried.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"You've finally got rid of me, you must be thrilled," he whispered, with a tone of jest.

I stroked his hair affectionately and leaned forward to kiss the tip of his nose, feeling a great tenderness towards him.

"But, despite being in love with all those things, you're the only reason I want to go back," I said, feeling my heart beat faster as I spoke those words.

Erik uncovered his face and kissed me softly, but just then, a knock at the door interrupted our intimate moment.

"Saved by the bell," he said, smiling, before getting up to answer the door.

"Erik!" Vir shouted, hugging him as soon as the door opened, with an enthusiasm that seemed infectious.

"Anyone would think you're more excited to see him than me," I complained, sitting down on the sofa, pretending to be offended.

"Come here, silly," Vir said, opening her arms wide for a hug.

I got up and hugged her tightly, although it had only been a couple of months since I last saw her, it was the longest time I'd ever gone without seeing her, so I held her close.

"You two are adorable," Erik said, joining in the hug. I felt surrounded by warmth and affection in that moment, feeling like everything was in its place.

"How was the trip?" my friend asked, separating from us and looking at us with curiosity.

"Quiet," Erik replied. "Yesterday, Andy met my friends, and, just so you know, he didn't sell you out to any of them," he added with a mischievous grin, which made Vir look at me with a fake offended face.

"Andy!" Vir complained, giving me a little tap on the shoulder and shaking her head. "I want a firefighter for myself too."

"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Erik said with a sly smile, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall with a mischievous look.

And that's why he's my favourite, Vir said, turning to him with a playful glance. "Do you have a photo of Jeremy?" she asked, interested, while Erik pulled out his phone to find one of the ones we took the night before.

"I'm going to the toilet, and we're off," I said, trying to sound serious. "Don't plan the end of the world while I'm out."

"Relax, your wedding is keeping us busy," Vir joked, and I rolled my eyes at the thought of how many times I'd heard that joke.

The day we actually got married, if that day ever came, Vir was going to be the happiest woman in the world. Even happier than my mother or I myself.

I didn't take long to come out, but as soon as I did, Vir approached me and asked if we could visit in January.

"Speak for yourself, I live there at the moment," I said, knowing she wasn't aware of the decision I'd made the night before.

"Aren't you staying here?" Vir asked with a genuinely surprised expression, and her gaze turned to Erik, who shrugged with an innocent face, like a good boy who hadn't done anything wrong.

"You've stolen my friend!" Vir accused him.

Erik looked at me and raised his chin with pride, as if still mock-offended.

"She made the decision herself," he said. "Apparently, she's in love with Pierowall, the fish and chips, the lighthouse views, and Aga's carrot cake. I have nothing to do with her choice," he added, with a smile that betrayed his satisfaction.

Vir changed the subject and focused on her interest in meeting Jer.

"In any case, if you're going to stay there permanently, I'll have to come visit you," she said, with a sparkling gaze.

"Do you know he's the current deputy fire chief?" I asked, trying to contain a smile.

"No need to try to convince me, I'm going," Vir laughed. "Where do you want to start?" she asked as we walked out the door, and Erik took care of closing it behind us.

"Andy told me you guys put squid in bread here," she said, making me laugh, remembering the absurd conversation we'd had about whether squid was eaten with bread or not, days before.

"Squid sandwich? Of course, you'll love it," my friend said, with a confident smile, while Erik raised an eyebrow, with a skeptical expression on his face.

"I already told him it's a weird invention, but he has his doubts," I said to my friend, with a joking tone.

"If you don't like squid sandwiches, I won't let Andy marry you," she warned him, as we entered the elevator, with a playful smile.

"What's with you and marriage?" I complained, laughing. "I thought you were the one who said it was a social construct and that getting married was old-fashioned," I added, with an ironic smile.

"Pero solo en mi caso" she said in Spanish, with a mischievous smile. "Erik is a sweetheart, not a jerk," she added, as if defending Erik from some accusation. "I'll take care of it, you go find a ring," she whispered to Erik, with a joking tone.

"If he ever asks me, I'll say no just to spite you," I said, crossing my arms, although I wasn't really upset, I was actually enjoying their attitude.

"You're going to give me a heart attack today," Erik said, clutching his heart, with a fake anguished expression.

As soon as the elevator reached the ground floor, I was the first to step out, grateful to be on solid ground and leave behind the claustrophobic feeling the elevator had given me.

"Don't worry, I know how to revive you," I said, winking at him, as we stepped out onto the street, where the bustle and activity of the city made me feel more alive and full of energy.