‘And you are telling me this why?’ Merrin folded her arms across her chest as her whole body shook. How she hated that this woman was in her home at all, especially at a time like this.

‘Because years on the planet gives one a certain perspective that is sometimes hard to see when you are young.’ There was the smallest smile to her mouth, as if picturing her young self. ‘It’s only age and experience that allow you to see the big picture. Helps you understand the ripples of actions that reverberate for a lifetime. And that was why I acted . . . why I intervened.’

‘You let me get dressed up and go to the church with the whole of Port Charles watching. You did that to me!’ Despite her new-found strength, Merrin’s voice cracked at the memory of her dad walking her into the vestry.

‘I didn’t do it to you . . . I just pointed out the facts. Gave him options; the fact that he chose to act how he did confirms I was right all along. He wasn’t ready and I knew he wasn’t. I tried to see a happy future as we planned your day, but I knew that in the long run I was saving you from a whole lot of heartache, both of you.’

‘You know nothing of the sort. You caused the heartache! You meddled, pulling strings like we were puppets!’

‘For the right reasons!’ Loretta looked up with a hint of tears in her eyes and her bottom lip trembled. ‘I know what it’s like to marry in haste and to live a life feeling sidelined ever after.’

Merrin shot Bella a look, wondering if she was hearing this too. Bella widened her eyes and pulled a face that in any other circumstances would have seen the two rolling about with laughter, but not today.

Loretta straightened and wiped her eyes. ‘I might have acted inappropriately, but I did so with the very best intentions.’

Merrin shook her head. There was nothing the woman could say, nothing she could do to make amends.

‘Those weren’t your choices to make.’

‘You’re right.’ The woman jutted her chin and tidied her hair from her face. ‘But trust me when I tell you that a bad marriage, a marriage made in haste, a mistake – can ruin a life. It can utterly ruin a life, even if it’s a life you thought you wanted. Imagine if you married a drunk, or worse, someone who could never love you because they loved someone else! Imagine becoming the person everyone talks about.’ Loretta gasped as if she had spoken too freely.

‘Digby’s not a drunk, he didn’t love someone else!’

‘Digby?’ The woman looked at her quizzically, as if confused.

‘Yes! And I did become the person everyone talked about.’ Heat rose in her flushed cheeks.