John Johns had left the hospital after about ten days and had moved into a Catholic retreat run by nuns. I was summoned by post after another month, given very little information other than the address and the date that would suit him, so I headed up the long lane once more to get the bus to town. He was determined to make me come to him, one last time.

I changed to the Belfast bus in Omagh and rolled through the hills and motorways and got snared in traffic a few times before it rolled into the grimy Europa Bus Centre. My first thought was how dearly I wanted to be back in Johns Farm, with its high hedges throwing out the scent of honeysuckle and whinbush, its vast piece of sky draped over the green fields, its animals and life. My second thought was how much I didn’t want to go back without John Johns, but he might, just might, take the opportunity to come home with me?

The sanctuary of Froughlagh smelt exactly like the convent: floor polish and stale dinner mingling unpleasantly with a huge display of lilies on the desk where a nun was waiting to direct people. I asked for John and the Sister sent me along the corridor where he’d be outside. He’d been a dream come true for the roses!

I found him where she said, in the big formal gardens at the back of the house. He seemed even bigger than usual as he’d picked up a little bit of weight and looked ridiculously hale and handsome. He didn’t stand up but sat and waited for me to make my way to him.

–  Hello.

–  Hello, Mary. You’ve finally made it, I see …

–  I’m sorry I wasn’t here before!

He just laughed. The boys were right: he was different, lighter. He was a man who had halved his troubles when he shared them; the frown line between his eyebrows was smoother, his black eyes clear. He was still smiling when he confirmed he was leaving me for good.

–  Mary, I’m going to miss you, believe it or not. I’ve plans to go abroad for a while at the end of the year. I’ve not told the boys yet.

–  You’re really leaving me?

–  To be fair, I’ve never really been with you. You were never mine. And getting away from me is all you have ever wanted, so chin up, Mary darlin’! All your dreams have come true at once.