‘Right. Well, umm, welcome home, Paige.’ Her eyes were dulled with sadness. ‘I … Sorry to disturb you, umm – Freddie left his scarf at mine, so I thought I’d better return it. I didn’t know if you were off out tomorrow, and it’s supposed to get colder. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had – well I better go. Bye, Nick. Bye, Paige. Nice to umm … see you back.’

She pressed the scarf into his hands, and he wanted to hold on to them, feel the warmth of her skin as he had before, but she pulled away, tears in her eyes. Nick closed the door. He wished he could call out to her but had no idea what to say. Paige had retaken her seat.

Here to stay? Was she really?

Bella had slipped away from him now. He could feel it. Could see it in her eyes when she’d seen Paige was back.

Though he wanted Paige to be a part of Freddie’s life, was there any way they could try again? Could he ever get over his anger at her abandoning them? Some hurts ran too deep. But as he thought of his son lying asleep upstairs, this didn’t seem to be about him and what he wanted. It wasn’t even about what he could and couldn’t forgive. This was about Freddie. His gorgeous, kind, caring boy who deserved a family: a mother in his life who loved him and could see him every day.

Nick stroked the soft fleecy fabric of the scarf. He’d always promised he’d do everything he could to protect Freddie and make him happy. Was taking Paige back the right thing for his son? It would be the ultimate sacrifice for him because whichever way he looked at it, taking Paige back meant letting Bella go, and it seemed she’d already gone.

Chapter 26

Bella hadn’t thought her heart could break twice in the space of two months, but evidently it could.

After leaving Nick’s cottage having seen Paige (she hadn’t even heard her arrive), she’d spent the rest of the evening crying more than she ever had over Evan. Though nothing of the kind had been said during their short exchange, she felt like her future had been stolen from her. The possibilities that earlier that day had existed so firmly were now rubbed out, leaving her bereft and alone.

‘Saw Paige in the village shop yesterday,’ said her mum.