He is there before her, standing by the park gates with his hands in his pockets, dressed casually in jeans, trainers and a navy hooded top, the silver zip glimmering as it catches sunlight. In time to come, this image of Greg will remain with her, so vividly it will be like looking at a photo of him, which she’ll see even when he’s not in her thoughts.

‘Thanks for coming,’ he says when she reaches him. Unlike their last meeting, she senses no animosity and he’s smiling at her. Everything will be okay, she thinks.

Still, Abby questions him. ‘I have to say I’m surprised. When I saw you at the hospital, you made it clear that there was nothing to talk about.’

He nods. ‘Well, you gave me an ultimatum, didn’t you? And everything’s changed now.’

The confidence in his tone puts her on edge; it’s almost insidious. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Let’s walk,’ he says. ‘I don’t like standing still for too long. I’ve never been able to.’

Several people wander about as they walk. Abby’s willing to bet their lives are simple, unlike hers. All because of one mistake. She wonders if anyone assumes she and Greg are a couple. She moves further apart from him, even though there’s already a large space between them. ‘So you’re going to talk to Sienna tonight?’ she asks. And once he has, Abby will have her own conversation with Rob.

Greg ignores her. ‘I’m not a bad person, Abby. I mean, I don’t like to hurt people. But sometimes… well, we’re just up against a wall.’ He stares straight at her. ‘Aren’t we?’

A shiver runs through her, despite the warmth of evening. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘I’m talking about you, Abby. Forcing me into a corner. Leaving me little option. I hate what I’m about to say to you, but you’ve brought this on yourself. I’m so sorry.’

She stops walking, quickly turns to him. There’s no anger on his face, just resignation. And somehow that frightens her more.

‘I’m a surgeon, Abby,’ Greg continues. ‘A respected one, and I’ve worked too hard to lose everything in my life now. Reputation is everything, you see. And Sienna won’t understand. She’s not like you.’

Abby’s not sure what he means, only knows this isn’t a compliment. ‘I…’

‘What happened between us that night can never be spoken about. To anyone. Can you understand that? I’m desperate here, Abby, so I’ve had to take precautions to protect myself and my family. I have a son.’

‘That’s exactly why you—’

‘You have things you might not want people to know about, haven’t you, Abby?’