Feeling increasingly uncomfortable being alone in the darkness, I made my way to the corner, but to no avail. With a heavy heart, I started to re-trace my steps. The sea wall was quite high at that point but there were stone steps going down to the sand, running alongside the wall. I’d only seen the entrance to the steps on my way out, but I could see the steps descending ahead of me on my return trip. About six steps down, with his back against the wall, staring out to sea, was a lone figure. My heart leapt. Sam.

I watched him for a moment, wondering if he’d become aware of me, but he was clearly lost in his own world. Would he appreciate me invading his thoughts? Tough. There was no way I could leave him there. It was dark and cold and, although the sea wasn’t rough, it wasn’t safe.

Clinging onto the handrail, I descended a couple of steps then sat down, shivering as the coldness of the concrete steps immediately permeated through my coat.

Sam looked up, his eyes wide. ‘Jemma!’

‘Looks a bit cold for a swim.’

‘I’ve surfed in colder.’ He looked out across the gentle waves then turned back to me again. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘You left your mobile at your brother’s and your mum rang me. She was worried about you and wondered if you were with me which made me worry about you, so I drove down here hoping to find you.’

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to panic everyone.’ His voice was strained and, although the gentle glow from the streetlight only partially lit his face, I could see the anguish in the crease of his forehead and slump of his shoulders.

‘Was it something to do with the new baby’s due date?’

He nodded.

‘What happened on 21st May?’

He sighed and tossed a stone into the sea. ‘Nikki always told me to be honest but I haven’t been honest with you. Or anyone else.’

My heart skipped a beat. No! Not another one! Surely he didn’t have a family hidden away somewhere. I quickly dismissed my fears. He wasn’t Scott.

‘Go on…’ I encouraged.

He continued to stare into the darkness. ‘The day it happened, I told you – and everyone else – that we were walking along the beach, chatting about our plans for the future. I told people we were talking about the wedding and some home improvements. That’s all true. We were talking about those things, but I never expanded on what the home improvements were and why. Nobody asked. Why would they? Who cared if we were upgrading the double-glazing or putting in a new kitchen. Except that wasn’t what we were planning. We were planning changes to the second bedroom.’