After that, Ryan left her and Gabe alone. For a short while, they sat in silence. She was out of words. The things she’d just heard were overwhelming, terrible things, lies, deception taking place over many years, but for good reasons. Could she ever begin to forgive Ryan for what he’d contemplated? Would he ever really have allowed her to be scared, robbed and hurt by his mates?

She hoped not. He’d certainly looked close to tears when he’d finally told her the horrible truth. Was it genuine? He said he was a new person. A new version of the same person … Could she trust him? Perhaps it would take a lifetime, perhaps she’d never be able to entirely. People could say sorry all they wanted but only actions would prove it, and even then …

And Gabe had kept it all secret, all these years.

She had no idea how she could ever forgive them, no matter how much she wanted to – or how much she loved them both.

She grabbed some more tissues and wiped her eyes.

Finally, Gabe spoke. ‘After we split up, I was torn. I’d done what I thought was right. Some people in the village hated me for it. Did you know some guy spat in my face outside the court?’

‘No, I didn’t. I was angry with you, but I never wanted you to suffer that kind of abuse.’

‘Now you know why I didn’t tell you. After the trial, I left and got a job in a London hotel and I worked every hour while I tried to bury Porthmellow, Ryan – and you. Yes, I got on in my career, but the bitterness and hurt lingered. At Ryan, at you – and at myself for being torn. All this time, I longed to come home and tell you everything, but I didn’t want you to know the truth about Ryan, and the longer I kept his secret, the harder it was. I never meant us to start up again, but now I know that was hopeless from the moment I saw you at the pub.’

‘So you contacted Ryan to say you were back?’

‘No. I had no idea that Ryan was back in the area. I was as shocked as you when we saw him after the hospital.’

‘I knew it was him!’

‘I wasn’t quite sure, but after that I called him. And when I saw him at the festival, I told him it was time to come clean with you, and he agreed.’

‘I – I’m glad Ryan’s turned things around and I’m grateful for your help but I need to ask this,’ she said, emotion almost choking her words. ‘How will I know you’re not keeping things from me again? How will I know you’re not lying because you think it’s best for me?’

‘I won’t ever do that again. I love you.’