Remembering the emergency stop button that Roman had shown her the first day she sailed across the river, she looked towards the dashboard. Her heart dropped as she realised this was a different boat but as her eyes frantically flicked up and down, she finally spotted a red round circular button.

‘You didn’t have to call the police, we could have worked this out, and because you’ve done that you’ve given me no choice.’

Ella looked into the distance. It was pitch black, but she could just about make out the coastline and realised Alex was heading directly towards the rocks. Ella edged her way forward and remembered Roman had told her not to press the emergency stop button if you were going at some speed, as it would throw you off the boat like a rag doll. Ella decided she’d rather take her chances with that than at the hands of Alex or being smashed against the rocks.

Preparing for the worst, Ella took her chance. She lunged forward and pressed the red button with all of her might.

They were both hurled forward with force. Alex lost his footing and rolled out on to the main deck. Ella’s head smashed against the window, and she felt a sharp pain followed by a dull ache, then a trickle of blood running down her face. Alex was dazed and Ella attempted to stand up. He was shouting at her but all she could do was concentrate on locking the door to the glass cabin. Her fingers fumbled as she placed the fallen key in the door and turned it. Alex’s face was now pressed up against the glass, his fist thumping against the door.

Trying to calm her beating heart, she saw the lights on the water moving closer and closer. Soon, they were at the side of her. Much to Ella’s relief she saw the coastguard, the police and Roman. Thank God! All Ella could do was fall on to a seat and cry.

Within seconds the police swarmed the boat and arrested Alex. He stared at her through the glass as they took him away on the other boat. Ella’s whole body shuddered, and she cursed the day he’d ever come into her life.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped straight into the arms of Roman, who held her tight. In shock, Ella sobbed and sobbed.

‘It’s okay, I’ve got you,’ he murmured, kissing the top of her head softly.

Standing there, Ella felt mentally and physically battered and pulled away when she heard a voice.

‘Please can you confirm your name?’ There were three policemen standing at the side of her. Immediately one wrapped her up in a huge foil-like blanket. She could feel her whole body shaking uncontrollably.

‘Ella… Ella Johnson.’