The only thing that marred it for Forest was the ache where the bottom of his right leg had once been. He was supposed to be on painkillers, but he didn’t take them. Any drugs affected his mind in weird ways now, making his head feel like he was on the precipice of a big hole. Dr Joseph, his psychiatrist again, now that Forest was able to tell the whole truth, said his neurochemistry was still fragile given the drug abuse he’d suffered, first under Jesse, then the Witch.

He figured the pain would ease once he got his prosthetic leg. Although he had to admit, the temporary solution Ahab had come up with was growing on him: a wooden peg leg.

All the doctors said they were impressed by Forest’s resilience. He’d had three journalists approach him, wanting to write his biography. ‘A remarkable young man. An inspiration.’ He was putting these journalists off – he wouldn’t mind writing the book himself one day, when there were a few more happy stories to put in there. Moments like this one right now – safe, warm, full, and with family.

And they were family. Blood. The police had insisted on a DNA test, and it had shown that Forest really was a Dempsey. Jesse’s insistence that he was adopted was another of his merciless tortures – Forest’s identity built on shifting ground even in childhood.

Ahab stood behind the bar, in a bartending apron, smiling as he pulled De Corrado a beer, making a wisecrack.

‘Thank you, Master Pubman,’ said De Corrado. She wore a flowery dress, and her hair was tied back. The way they looked at each other, Forest suspected there was a romance brewing. That would explain why Ahab looked happier these days – and why he had started keeping his beard and hair neatly trimmed.

The door to the Mermaid’s Darling opened, and a familiar figure limped in, wearing a well-fitted white shirt. Forest’s mood improved even more.

Mackenzie had lost a lot of weight in hospital, surgery saving his life after he was shot. Not that Mackenzie Dempsey was one to let things keep him down. Not anymore.

Forest waved him over, but Mackenzie was immediately stopped by two men. One slapped him on the shoulder, the other shook his hand. Mackenzie tried and failed to palm them off – it looked like they were offering to buy him drinks. Big Mane followed him into the pub, dressed in boating gear, and pushed the other men away cheerfully, his booming voice reaching across the room, ‘He’s busy, pester him for a job later.’

As Ivy’s only remaining son, Mackenzie had inherited Safe Harbour and all her assets. He’d soon be ready to dive again, his FLAD registration restored.