‘You’ll put yourself back together and that’ll be your job for a while; take time to do it, let it be your preoccupation. It’s necessary. Hindsight will show you that this is a great opportunity. You’ll be like a house flattened by a flood or a tornado – rebuilt stronger than before, able to withstand whatever life throws at you, because you will have come through the storm.’

His words offered little comfort, and she wiped her nose and spoke with her eyes lowered. ‘Did you ever get the feeling, Vicar, you know, when we were having our classes and stuff, did you ever think, “Oh, this won’t last”, or that he might not have loved me or anything?’ Her question was draped with a tone of desperation; she wanted to understand, to see if there was something she’d missed.

He shook his head. ‘I’ve been thinking about those sessions, and no.’ He sighed. ‘I often get an inkling when people are going through the motions or when one half of the couple appears to be under duress, and I tailor my advice accordingly. Trust me, I’ve seen it all.’ He paused and looked up. ‘But with you and Digby? I was happy to give you my blessing. Excited for your future.’

‘Me too.’ Her tears clouded her vision.

‘You’re no doubt in shock, as are we all, and I really just wanted to remind you that the doors of St Michael’s are always open if you want a quiet place to sit and think, or if you want to talk.’

She nodded her thanks, knowing in that moment she wanted only to talk to her family, safe and sound at home in front of the range. She looked towards the cottage as if to express that longing.

‘I’ll let you get on, Merrin. But remember what I said: however much pain you are in, it will pass. It will all pass; everything does. I’ve said as much to everyone who has cornered me this afternoon.’ He rubbed his face and looked out towards the sea, speaking freely, as if forgetting momentarily who he was talking to. ‘I feel like I’ve been inundated, just about everyone in Port Charles, and even people I’ve never met before, all with idle hands and busy tongues, wanting to give their opinion on what happened or find out the gossip.’

Her stomach shrank. It was happening . . . In a matter of hours she had become an object of ridicule, wiping away her good, solid reputation and marking her as someone to be pitied: the Kellow girl with ideas above her station, who thought, laughably, for a minute she might snare the boy from the big house and waltz off into the sunset. What a born fool!

‘Take care, Merrin. Take good care.’ He smiled at her kindly as he loped back up the road.