‘The truth is, Merrin’ – he sat up and reached for her hand – ‘I’m only happy when I’m with you. Happier than I’ve ever been. I can be myself for the first time ever. It’s like I’ve shaken off a skin. I don’t have to impress you like I do my friends, or pretend everything is hunky-dory when it isn’t. And you don’t give a shit about the stuff my mother bangs on about all the time – money, status, the right thing to do, the right place to be seen, the right clothes to wear.’ He closed his eyes with a sigh, as if even the thought of wearing these masks was exhausting. ‘I’m happier sitting here on a patch of grass with this view than at any other time in my life. Whenever we say goodbye, I count down the minutes until I can be next to you again. You make me happy because you love me no matter what.’

‘I do.’ She crossed her legs and sat forward with her elbows on her knees, her hands inside his. ‘I love you no matter what.’

‘So let’s do it! Why not? Let’s get married!’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. Please don’t make me say it again.’ He smiled.

‘One more time would be nice.’ She leant forward and kissed his sweet mouth, feeling a jolt of love deep in her gut for this beautiful man.

‘Merrin, will you marry me? Please.’

‘Oh, my God! Yes! Yes I will! I’d love to marry you, Digby!’ Jumping forward, she lay on top of him, kissing him as he ran his palm over her flat stomach towards her bra so they could celebrate in the only way they knew how.

CHAPTER ONE MERRIN

CHAPTER ONE

MERRIN

Merrin stood outside, barefoot on the uneven cobbles, liking the way they fitted inside the high arch of her instep, anchoring her as she curled her toes around them. No matter the environment, she always felt better without shoes and socks, her feet treading the earth, grass, sea, rocks or shoreline; it seemed to connect her and calm her like nothing else. Especially today and at this early-morning hour when she had woken, climbed from her single bed and trod the narrow wooden stairs, feeling as if a thin cushion of air lay between her and the ground, almost as though she were floating. She was excited mostly, but a little overwhelmed, too. Not that she would show it. It was her knack, keeping herself together when things veered off course – in part because her sister, Ruby, never shied away from high emotion and the chance to display it; her outbursts, mostly unwarranted, were a little draining, no matter how predictable. Merrin’s demeanour provided balance.

‘Grampa Arthur has collapsed; he’s not breathing, Merry! I just seen him in the garden! He’s lying on his front on the path!’