“I’ve decided to go public,” stated Flynn senior, emboldened. “I’m going to go to the press and reveal what she did to me for years.” Now it was his turn to gulp a mouthful of wine. “Something good might come of it. Hopefully any other men or women who are suffering or who have suffered in the past like me, will then feel they can speak out too.”

“That’s very brave.” I smiled up the dining table at him. “And I think it will be the worst thing that could happen to her. I’ve only met your ex-wife once, but I get the impression her reputation matters a great deal to her and once her charities find out about what she was doing, I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before they disassociate themselves.”

There were general murmurs of agreement from around the table.

“No more secrets,” exclaimed Flynn senior. “There have been too many for too long and they stop right now.”

Carl shuffled in his seat. “Look Dad, I hate to ask but what are you going to do about Merry Wood, now that it still belongs to the family?”

I could see Flynn beside me, rolling his eyes. “Look Carl, I think there will be plenty time for Grandfather to decide what he wants to do, once the air has cleared a bit.”

“Oh, no need to procrastinate. I’ve done enough of that.”

We all studied Flynn senior.

“I’ve made a decision,” he said, settling back in his chair and cupping Lily’s hand in his. “I’m sick of sneaking around, all secret squirrel. I’m getting too old for all of that nonsense.”

“Dad?” frowned Carl. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about my alter ego. Chandler.”

More confused glances were swapped between us all as we sat there.

Flynn senior revelled in the questioning looks we were giving him. “I’ve made up my mind. Enough is enough.”

He picked up his wine glass, swished around what was left of it, and downed the remainder with aplomb. He set it back down on the table. “I’ve decided to not only go public about Astrid and the abuse I suffered at her hands, but about being Chandler too.”

“What?” I asked. “What do you mean?”

“If I’m being honest about Astrid, then it’s time I was honest about other things in my life as well.” He squeezed Lily’s hand again. “All that matters to me now is being with Lily and enjoying the time we have left together.”

Flynn beside me shrugged. “So, what does that have to do with Chandler, Grandfather?”