She knew enough about boats to know it was state-of-the-art, world-class, America’s Cup-worthy: 220ft wing sail, shrink-wrapped Clysar skin, carbon-fibre hull . . . ‘Holy shit,’ she whispered, forgetting her prime rule of never swearing in front of the children.

‘Holy shit,’ Linus echoed, taking full advantage of the moment.

They walked slowly down the rattling gangplanks, unable to tear their eyes off the boat. It was transfixing: sleek, powerful, a billionaire’s plaything.

‘Is that really yours?’ Linus whispered as they reached Emil, both of them able to see from here the black-clad crew running through final checks on board, scrambling up and down the masts, racing over the webbing like it was a bouncy castle.

‘Well, look closer. Do you see what I called her?’ He pointed to the grand red lettering along the hull: Linea.

Linus gasped.

‘I had to use the feminized version of your name, obviously. I hope that’s okay? Boats don’t have boy names.’

Linus stared at Emil, then at the boat, then at Emil again – throwing his arms around Emil’s neck so suddenly that his father almost lost his balance and they both would have gone flying off the jetty.

Bell’s own hands flew to her mouth as she saw Linus bury his face into his father’s neck, tears flowing down his father’s face. It was their first touch beyond a handshake and she knew it was more than a hug – it was a wall coming down, a breakthrough, the first step in their new relationship.

‘I’m so pleased you like it,’ Emil said, his voice choked, his face partially obscured as ever by his cap.

‘I love it!’

‘I love you, Linus.’ A gasp of shock followed as the words escaped before he could stop them, blood rushing behind a dislodged clot. Was it too soon?

Bell saw Linus looked shocked too for a moment, his little body instinctively stiffening as he pulled away. But then he forced a bright smile again. ‘I can’t believe you bought me a boat!’

What? No –

Bell automatically stepped forward, catching sight of Emil’s expression too. He was taken off guard, his tears suddenly staunched, his mouth shaping soundless words.

‘Well,’ he faltered, seeing her horror, then recovering himself. ‘I wanted to show you just how much you mean to me – so that meant it had to be something big.’

‘I love sailing!’ Linus cried, jumping up and down at the sight of the machine.

Emil laughed. ‘You get that from me. As soon as I was able to, once I got out of the hospital, I came out here just so I could be on the water every day. And then I waited and waited and waited for you. It’s the thing that made me better – the thought of sharing this with you.’

‘Are we going to go out on it?’

‘Of course we are. The crew’s got everything ready for you. The conditions are perfect. How fast do you want to go?’