Neither of them spoke until they reached the motorway. Merrin was too busy trying to make sense of Ruby’s terrible news. The surreal addition of Digby into the equation was just another strange thing for her to deal with on this momentous night.

‘Digby.’ He kept his voice low, respectful and yet still with an urgency to understand what was going on. ‘The rich kid from Port Charles . . .’

‘Yes.’ She managed to scramble the word from a throat full of grit.

‘Why is he in our hotel? Did you know he was here?’ He gripped the steering wheel.

Merrin wanted him to be quiet to let her think, to try to understand what had happened to her dad, but was also vaguely aware that she was in his car and he was going out of his way to help her.

‘Yes,’ she whispered.

‘Did you arrange for him to be here on Valentine’s?’ he asked quietly, as if he couldn’t quite bear to hear the answer.

‘No. No. Of course not!’ She pulled the duvet around her form for warmth. ‘He turned up with his wife and kids. I had no idea. It was awful to see him walk in. Awful.’ She let her head fall on to her chest, as if the effort of holding it up was more than she could manage right now.

‘Go to sleep, Merrin.’ He sounded kindly, but also as if this might be his preference.

It was in the early hours, a little before dawn, that she felt the cobbles beneath the car bump them along. She sat upright, and in that glorious second before she remembered what had happened, wondered why and indeed how she was home! She smiled at the sight of Kellow Cottages all lit up like Christmas trees against the dark of night, as if it were not the time when most people were asleep. Miguel left the engine running and came around to her side of the car and, gently opening her door, he removed the quilt to ease her movement. The weather was foul, wet and windy, as he helped her from the car, holding her close for a beat and kissing her face as she hugged him.

‘Thank you for driving me home. Thank you,’ she whispered, laying her head on his chest. ‘Are you . . . are you going to come in?’ she asked weakly.

‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘I need to get back and I think it’s only right I leave you with your family to come to terms with this, but give your mum and Ruby my condolences. I’ll call you tomorrow and if you need me at any time of the day or night you just pick up that phone and I’ll be here. I love you. I really do.’ His voice cracked.

‘Thank you. Drive safely.’