‘I used to think I was strong, Kerensa, but all the time I had this terrible weakness in me. I couldn’t bear to think I didn’t have total control of my life, of those I loved and those around me. While I wanted so desperately to have had the opportunity to get to know Samuel and see if we could have got on as brothers, I hated him for having the same arrogant proud behaviour as I had myself, and it was that that made me treat you so badly.

‘The truth stung me for days, but slowly I got used to it and one morning I woke longing to come home to you and the children. It was hard to say goodbye to Jules and Michelle, it was comforting and humbling to have had them as sort of foster parents for a few months. I took the first ship back, a French merchantman, working for my fare. The ship was a smuggler and when she met up with her English partner I transferred to her. The captains didn’t care who I was, they gave me no trouble. One day, Kerensa, if it’s possible I would like to go back and repay all the kindness Jules and Michelle showed me. I’d like you to come with me.’

Throughout his narration Kerensa had barely moved. Now she wound her arms round his neck and kissed him tenderly.

‘I would love to go with you. One day it will happen,’ she said, smiling into his soul. ‘Perhaps we could take all the children with us, even Kelynen, whom they don’t know about.’

He hugged her tightly with tears sprinkling his lower eyelashes. ‘It’s no wonder I love you so very much, Kerensa Pengarron.’

He banked down his fierce need to make love. Kerensa sensed he had more to say.

‘What is it?’ she whispered.

‘When I spoke to Clem Trenchard last evening I realised it must have been him who suggested the baby’s name to you. Does this mean you have a need for him, Kerensa? I’m sorry I have to ask this. I just want everything to be clear between us.’

‘Clem and I have a special friendship, Oliver, nothing more, and certainly nothing that can hurt or come between us. The wonderful thing about me having Kelynen in Trecath-en is it made Clem realise he needs and loves Alice. We’ve both let go of the past, I went my different way years ago, and now so has Clem. There is nothing left of the boy and girl we once were. I didn’t take the name Kelynen to hurt you, Oliver, it just seemed right at the time. But we don’t have to call her that, if you would rather change it.’