‘He could have but he wasn’t going to.’ She took a phone out of her bag. I recognised it immediately as Scott’s. She tapped a few buttons then passed it to me. It was open on his emails and, specifically, confirmation of an appointment with a divorce lawyer.

I looked up at Fiona, biting my lip.

‘Now click on the Notes app.’

I did as instructed and saw calculations for how he could financially support his family and still put money away for our wedding. There was also a list of items he could sell to raise more money.

I handed the phone back to Fiona. He’d told me on the evening we got back together that he’d done both of those things and, once again, he’d been telling the truth. ‘I’m sorry. If I’d known about you…’

‘It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. I caused this and I’m here to put things right.’ She pointed at the phone. ‘I don’t think it gets much clearer than all of that, does it? He chose you and, strange as it may sound, I’m glad he found the real thing before he died, even if it wasn’t with me.’

41

Jemma

‘You’re sure you don’t want to join in?’ Karen asked me early that evening, putting her right foot up on the bench beside me and tightening the laces on her trainers.

I shook my head and indicated the grey woollen dress and boots I’d been wearing for work. ‘I’m hardly dressed for it.’

‘This is true. Cute dress, though.’

‘Thank you.’ Shivering in a sudden gust of wind, I fastened up my coat. ‘I’ll sit on this bench and watch you work your magic. Well, what I can see in the streetlights.’

‘Okay. I’ll be about an hour then you have my undivided attention.’ She put her foot down and sighed. ‘I’m sorry, Jem. I wish I could talk now because I can tell that something’s upset you big time.’

Tears threatened to break loose again. ‘Go! I’ll be fine. Your clients need you. I think that’s one arriving now.’

‘Crap! Laters.’ Karen picked up her clipboard and backpack then bounded across the grass towards the sea wall where a woman in her fifties encased in fluorescent pink lycra was waiting. Wow! I didn’t need the streetlights to see her!

I leaned back on the bench and looked past Karen and her client towards the sea, then down the promenade. Watching a group of women in their fifties working out wasn’t how I’d envisaged spending my evening but I couldn’t face being at Bear’s Pad alone after Fiona’s surprise visit and shock revelation this afternoon. I still couldn’t believe it.