‘Good to meet you, Jarvis!’ He fell in step with the man who had come out of the cottage next door and was tying his dusty work boots loosely on to his feet.

‘And you.’ Jarvis slapped his back.

‘Looking forward to the big day?’

‘Be glad when it’s all over, truth be told.’ He kept his voice low. ‘But don’t tell Ruby I said that.’ He looked over his shoulder as if checking she was out of earshot.

‘Your secret is safe with us!’ Ben laughed loudly. ‘He’s had enough of it, haven’t you, Jarv? Nothing but wedding talk for months now! Everyone all of a dither over every little detail. He’s been happy to get out to sea, where we talk about fish and football, not frocks and flowers!’

‘I wouldn’t go that far.’ Jarvis rolled his eyes at Miguel.

‘I’ll just be bloody glad if he turns up at the church! We’ve got our Bella left high and dry with a little ’un to look after now the bloody Dutchman’s done a flit, and before that our Merrin abandoned!’ Ben spoke from the side of his mouth as they walked towards the slipway with the pub in sight. ‘That was a rum old business, make no mistake.’ He addressed Miguel for the first time on the subject, and it made him wonder how many people would feel the need to remind Merrin of that one disastrous day – which was apparently lodged in the memory of Port Charles and the people in it – and for how long. He looked back towards the cottage and considered how this must feel for her, especially as they were here to celebrate a wedding. His heart flexed with concern for her.

‘I can’t imagine.’ He spoke sincerely.

‘Terrible business,’ Jarvis concurred, shaking his head, as if remembering. ‘Reckon if I didn’t turn up tomorrow, Ruby would have my balls made into earrings.’

‘Ouch!’ Miguel cringed at the thought.

‘I’ll go get the beers in; Robin will be waiting for us at the bar, so you lads make your way up and grab a table.’ Ben broke into a small jog while he and Jarvis took their time. It was nice to be by the sea and away from work, and to feel the sun on his skin.

‘Ben jokes about it, but what happened to Merrin wasn’t funny. It changed things for the whole family.’

‘In what way?’ Miguel was keen to gain any insight into the life of the woman he loved.

‘Well, it’s why she moved away, for starters.’

This he knew. ‘Port Charles’s loss is my gain then,’ he joked, but his words seemed to fall flat, as Jarvis didn’t laugh.