‘Life’s real riches can’t be bought, Gwen. Life’s real treasures are not gilded mansions and fine possessions. Happiness, love, knowing you are loved … those are the things that truly matter.’

Seeing his words fall on fallow ground, Jack advances towards her. ‘Listen to me: what Tom needs is his mother’s love, his mother’s presence. What message would you be sending if you gave him away now? What damage would be done to that little lad? He won’t understand the supposed sacrifice you’re making. All he’ll understand is that his mother didn’t want him, that his mother gave him up, when there was no real reason for her to do so. The life you can give him is as good as most of us get, better even. And all right, maybe with all their money and their fancy friends they can give him things you can’t, but I don’t think those benefits would serve to heal the injury of your abandonment. He would suffer that hurt forever, and the damage of that … it would never mend, Gwen. And money makes a paltry plaster over a wound that size. Your love, your support, those are the greatest assets Tom can ever receive and they will stand him in better stead for the rest of his life than anything Gordon Allingham can buy. What you can give Tom is priceless and everlasting and its effects have greater significance than you will ever know.’

A moonlit tear trickles down Gwen’s cheek like a droplet of liquid mercury. He traces its descent, watches it cling to the precipice of her jaw and, as she nods, whispering her gratitude for his reassurance, it vanishes from sight.

‘It’s the truth, Gwen. Don’t let them turn your head … or your heart.’

She wipes her hand across her cheek. ‘You were always too good to me. I don’t deserve your kindness – I’m not sure I ever did. But I want you to know I’m grateful to you. I didn’t exactly go out of my way to welcome you back, today … and I’m very aware you didn’t have to stay when I asked. So … thank you, Jack.’

He speaks only when she has her hand on the door, preparing to leave.

‘You had every right to send me away. I made you a promise and I broke it coming back here. But I also promised your father that you would have my help whenever you needed it. So, you don’t need to thank me for staying, because that’s one promise I will always keep; that I choose to keep … for as long as you will let me.’