‘Adding what you know to what I know, I think there is no doubt in it. She was the one my mother called the Moonwatcher, whom gypsies befriended. Perhaps there is mention of her in their ancient promises, for how else could they know of her? She must have returned to the Land somehow, and while it seems tragic that no more than a poisoned mountain range prevented her returning to Obernewtyn, I would never have been born if she had not settled and bonded to some man. Indeed, she might have tried to reach Obernewtyn anyway, if she had been able to find one of the Beforetime safesuits. In the end, from what my mother told me of her, she went without it.’

‘It is very strange to think that Hannah’s blood is your blood through your mother, and that Michael Seraphim, who fell in love with her, was living at Obernewtyn where Hannah had longed to go. Rushton, I wish I could have told you …’ I began, but he laid his finger over my lips, silencing me.

‘You do not need to explain or apologise to me,’ he said. ‘I know everything now, including how you mean to keep your secret and why it must be kept. I console myself with the knowledge that I will one day remember all of the things I came to know this night.’

It was not a question, but I nodded, keenly aware that he had not once spoken of the fact that I would have to leave him, though he knew it now. But what was there to say? He knew I loved him and that I had no choice. We lay quiet for a long time, our bodies clasped loosely as two hands in repose. But when the rain stopped Rushton sighed, and bade me do what had to be done. I stopped the words with kisses and gave way finally without restraint to the hunger and desperation that welled up in me at the knowledge that every parting now was a foreshadowing of what was to come.

At last he drew back and there was compassion in his eyes as well as sadness. ‘You have carried a terrible burden these long years. I only wish I could help you bear it in the days to come. I envy Gahltha and Maruman their roles as your guardians and confidants but I can also see that if I had known, Ariel would have taken that knowledge from me. Be careful of him, my love.’ Without waiting for me to respond, he pulled me in to his chest and held me close. I listened to the slow, strong beat of his heart and the rigid unhappiness eased in me until I relaxed into his embrace.

‘Do it now,’ he whispered. ‘Only let me remember loving you.’