He smiled at me and I knew instantly that the past had been forgiven and forgotten – put down to youth and immaturity. ‘So, what about you, Sam? Married? Kids?’

‘No. I didn’t quite make it up the aisle.’ I paused. Deep breath. I could do this. ‘My fiancée died a year ago.’

Elise clapped her hand across her chest. ‘That’s awful. Do you mind me asking…?’

‘Aneurism.’

‘Oh, mate, I’m so sorry,’ Stevie said. ‘How do you get over something like that?’

‘I’m not sure you really do but I’m getting there a day at a time. So, do you still live in Little Sandby?’

Stevie nodded. ‘Yeah. Still there. Same house I bought when I was eighteen although you wouldn’t recognise the inside anymore. Complete refurbishment. You?’

‘London. I was a neurological consultant at the hospital here but after Nikki died, I needed a fresh start. Probably not one of my finest decisions so hopefully I’ll come back soon.’

‘Are you just up for the weekend, then?’ Elise asked.

‘The whole week. I’m going back next Sunday.’

‘Then you boys should get together and have a beer.’ She looked up at Stevie, no doubt wondering if she’d said the right thing considering she probably didn’t know why we’d lost touch.

Stevie was already digging out his phone. ‘Good idea. Rob’ll be up for it too.’

We connected our phones to exchange numbers.

‘Prompt me if you don’t hear from me,’ Stevie said. ‘Tristan has a good old set of lungs on him, which he likes to exercise pretty much every two hours from midnight so my brain is mush. I’d love to catch up, though.’

‘Me too. Nice to meet you, Elise, and hopefully see you next week, Stevie.’

‘Definitely see you next week,’ he said as they set off again.

I stood watching them for a moment, smiling. Yet another thing that Jemma had done for me. I’d never have called out his name if it hadn’t been for her.

With about fifteen minutes left until I was due to meet Jemma, I wandered further along the seafront, watching the activity on the sand. Fireworks were still being set off. Some revellers had bought boxes of beer and wine onto the beach and were steadily building up a pile of empties.