He put his arms about her and drew her close against his chest and she felt the solid reality of him.

She was vaguely aware of the cart wheels rattling on towards the Point, and then they were alone.

‘But where’ve you come from? How . . . ?’

‘Later.’ He stilled her questions with his lips and she clung to him, knowing he would never leave her again.

They drew apart for a moment, their eyes shining with joyful devilment. They both spoke at once. ‘The hollow!’

Hand in hand, they were running, across the lane, over the dunes and across the marsh to their special place . . .

Much later they came back to the farm and were standing in the middle of the yard, their arms around each other, when they heard the wheels of the cart returning from the Point. Perched beside Will sat Kate.

‘Mam, Walter’s grandad’s gone home now . . .’ Kate began, as the cart drew to a halt in the yard. Then she stopped, her eyes widening, at the sight of the stranger standing there with his arm about her mother’s waist.

Will climbed down from his seat and held up his arms to Kate. The child allowed herself to be lifted down, but all the time her gaze was on the tall stranger.

‘Will Benson,’ Esther began with mock severity, though she could not hide the happiness from showing on her face. ‘You have some explaining to do!’

Will was grinning happily as he set Kate down on the ground. She made no attempt to leave him and go to Esther, but stood close to Will, leaning against him and slipping her hand into his. But all the time her eyes were intent upon Jonathan.

‘Do you remember,’ Will was saying, his expression more sober now, ‘the day I came all excited with some news to tell ya, and then I found you’d brought Matthew home?’

Esther nodded. ‘Yes, I remember,’ she said quietly. ‘When you saw Matthew, you said your news was another tuppence on me eggs.’

‘That weren’t true, lass.’

‘No, I knew it wasn’t.’

‘You did?’

‘But you wouldn’t tell me. You – you got almost angry when I tried to press you.’

Will shook his head at the memory. ‘I didn’t dare to tell you – not after I’d seen Matthew.’

There was sadness in Will’s eyes now and a look too that begged for her understanding and her forgiveness.

Jonathan took up the story. ‘When I got back from France, I went to see Will. I knew he’d know how things were with you. He said he’d come and break the news that I was alive and – coming back to you.’

‘Oh, Jonathan,’ she breathed.

‘Then,’ Jonathan added gently, ‘he came back and told me that you’d found your husband in France. Of course, I couldn’t – wouldn’t – come then. But I’ve kept in touch with Will ever since.’