As if emerging from a trance, Logan rose to his feet and walked over to his wife. He took the baby from her and tipped one of the lifeboat crew out of his chair so that she could sit down.

Flora smiled at her friend. ‘Good timing. I was just about to tell everyone that I’ve discovered that I don’t really want what I thought I wanted. Up until a month ago I thought I wanted a man who loved me, a home, children—all the usual things. And then Conner came back.’

Conner’s eyes were on hers and he shook his head. ‘Stop now, before you make things worse.’

‘Things can’t get any worse for me, Conner.’ Flora touched his cheek gently. ‘I’ve discovered that not being with you is the worst it can get. You’re all I want.’ She was speaking just to him now, suddenly oblivious to her audience who stood watching, paralysed with surprise and fascination. ‘You’re all I want, Conner MacNeil. And I want you as you are, for as long as you want to be with me. I know you don’t want babies or a family. I know you don’t want anything permanent. And that’s all right. If all we ever share is hot sex, that’s fine.’

Someone in the crowd gulped and she wasn’t sure whether the shocked sound had come from Meg or Evanna because she wasn’t paying attention.

She was watching Conner.

‘I love you,’ she said, her eyes misting as she looked at him. ‘And I know that probably scares you. I don’t think anyone has ever loved you properly before and I want you to know how I feel. And I know you don’t feel the same way about me and that’s fine. I understand. If I’d been as badly hurt as you were as a child, I wouldn’t risk my heart either. But I’m giving you mine, Conner, for as long as you want it. And I’m telling you that in public so that there’s no mistake about it. I love you so much. And I’m not ashamed of that. I don’t care who knows because I’m proud of what you’ve become and I’m proud that I’m the one you’ve spent time with since you’ve been on Glenmore. And if turns out that you’ve had enough of me, I’ll accept it.’ She shrugged. ‘But I won’t accept you ending our relationship because you’re worried about what people might think of me. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I just care about you. Us.’ She stopped and Logan cleared his throat.

‘That’s got to be the longest speech you’ve ever made, Flora Harris.’

Conner stared at her, his face unusually pale. But he didn’t speak.