Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy reveals emotional moment he ‘sent her a sign’ on her first birthday without him

LIAM Payne's heartbroken girlfriend Kate Cassidy believes the late singer sent her a message from above on her birthday.

On Tuesday, the waitress-turned-influencer celebrated her 26th birthday – her first without the One Direction star.

Flying Eze can reveal that, supported by her close friends Fiona and Leann, Kate enjoyed a road trip to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to mark the occasion.

They were joined by Nala, the adorable dog Kate and Liam rescued while living in Miami, Florida.

Driving to the hotel at sunset, Kate noticed the clouds appeared to form angel wings.

She previously revealed that hers and Liam's angel number is 444 – meaning when she sees the number while out and about, it's a sign of “protection, encouragement and support”.

Taking to Instagram, Kate shared a series of snaps of her and Liam before reflecting on the past 12 months.

She wrote: “Thankful for another year, and reflecting on the beauty of 25 — it’s a chapter that will always be a part of me. Here’s to 26.”

A source said: “Naturally, Kate's first birthday without Liam was hard but she had her closest friends around her as well as Nala.

“Liam was always on her mind, and seeing wings in the sky the night before was really special.

“She spent the day enjoying the sun and having cocktails at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Myrtle Beach.

“It's been a tough few months, but Kate is finally learning to smile again.

“Liam will always be a part of her.”

In November, Kate was joined at Liam's funeral in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, by her pal Derek Snook.

Taking to Instagram the author praised her for “giving love” even in the darkest of times.

Derek said: “Happy birthday to a bestie who is resilient, optimistic, and keeps giving love with a smile no matter what comes her way.”

Liam was always on her mind, and seeing wings in the sky the night before was really special

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Previously opening up to Flying Eze about Liam's tragic death, Kate said: “Love is so optimistic, and you just hope that everything will work out at the end. Obviously if I knew, if I could see into the future, I would never have left Argentina.

“It was a tragic accident, and no, I never did think (he might die young). But, you know, we did have our own separate lives — this wasn’t the first time we have travelled separately.

“I just never thought this would have happened, that it would turn out the way it did.”;

Kate added: “It still doesn’t feel fully real for me that he’s not here.

“I’m trying to be the best I can be, but I feel like my life has changed so much. I think about Liam every second of every day.”