‘Yes I was.’ I faced her and my heart sank when I saw that she still had her top undone. I shook my head and looked at Jemma again, my stomach churning at the look of disgust on her face. ‘I can explain.’

‘There’s no need.’ She sounded weary.

‘There is! We haven’t… I wouldn’t… She threw herself at me.’ I realised I sounded like a little kid caught with his hand in the sweetie jar.

‘I know,’ Jemma said gently. ‘We saw what happened and, even if we hadn’t, I know you, Sam. You’re not that bloke.’ She turned to Kirsty and her voice hardened. ‘You, on the other hand, are that woman. I have no idea what Sam ever saw in you and after tonight’s little episode, I bet he doesn’t either. You should be ashamed of yourself. Have you no respect?’

Kirsty, top still unfastened, brazenly planted her hands on her hips. ‘You don’t know me.’

‘No, and I never want to.’ Jemma grabbed her friend’s arm. ‘Come on, Karen. Bye, Sam.’

They stormed past us towards the steps.

‘Thanks a lot,’ I said to Kirsty.

‘You’re welcome.’ She grinned as though she’d done me a big favour.

‘You don’t get it, do you?’

‘Get what?’

‘Any of it.’

She pointed towards Jemma. ‘What I don’t get is why you’d choose her over me. What’s she got that I haven’t got?’

I put my fingers out, about to reel off a list, when it struck me. What the hell was I doing? The woman I loved was walking away from me and I was wasting time with a woman who I despised.

‘Me,’ I said, turning away from Kirsty. ‘She’s got me.’ And if I’d blown it, I’d do whatever it took to make up for it. I sprinted along the beach without giving Kirsty a backwards glance.

Jemma and Karen had reached the top of the steps and were heading along the promenade in the direction of the Sea Rescue Sanctuary.

‘Jemma!’ I cried, taking the steps two at a time. They both turned round. ‘I’m so sorry.’

She shook her head. ‘It’s not your fault. I could tell what she was like the first time I met her and I know this was all her tonight. Forget about it.’ She gave a weak smile then turned away again.

‘Jem! I need to talk to you.’

She turned to face me once more. ‘Not tonight, eh, Sam? It’s been a tough day for us all.’

Her shoulders were slumped and she looked so sad. Something else had happened – something bigger than witnessing Kirsty’s pathetic little seduction routine just now. ‘Has something happened with your mum?’

Jemma sighed. ‘No. It’s not Mum.’