I took a moment more, drinking it in, then indicated that we should set off walking back towards Blue Savannah. ‘I thought that too. I believe in science but I’ve seen events – miracles if you like – that medicine and science can’t explain so there’s a part of me that believes it doesn’t just end.’

‘I’m the same. I believe in something.’

As we continued along the beach, it became busier, and we were soon in the midst of the activity.

‘How are you feeling now that you’ve visited the place?’

I stopped walking and looked back towards the distant rock pools, before turning to face Jemma. ‘Like I’ve just taken another enormous leap forward.’

‘That’s good to hear. I was worried it could go the other way.’

‘So was I! No, it was good. It was the best thing I could have done. I don’t know what I was expecting. I’ve avoided North Bay since it happened and maybe that was the right thing for me at first, but I don’t need to do that anymore. We spent so much time here that I keep thinking of all the good times rather than that day. Even on the day it happened, I can think of good memories because…’ I glanced back down the beach, thinking about the events of that morning.

‘Because what?’ Jemma asked.

I turned back to her. ‘Nothing. Ignore me. Anyway, it was thanks to you that I came here today.’

‘Me? I didn’t do anything. You’d already decided to come. I pretty much gate crashed it after my crisis with Mum.’

‘It was the thought of you moving home that made me realise how much I missed this place, which then prompted me to phone my mum. As soon as I’d decided to come home, visiting the rock pools was the obvious thing to do and you gave me the strength to go through with it. Thank you.’

‘Stop it! You’ll make me cry again!’

I put my arms out towards her and Jemma eagerly accepted the hug. She wrapped her arms round my waist and put her head against my chest. ‘You did an amazing thing today,’ she said.

It genuinely felt as though I’d been trapped in a dark tunnel and had finally made it to the light at the other side, thanks to Jemma. I gently kissed the top of her head, and closed my eyes as I held her closely. She tilted her head back and looked up at me. My heart started to race as I gazed into her hazel eyes and…

‘Well, well, well. The delectable Dr Jones has finally come home.’ My head snapped round at the sound of her voice. ‘Hello, gorgeous.’