I rest my head on his shoulder. He was so brave trying to save me, even though he must have known it was hopeless. What was it Morgan said? There is more than one type of courage. I hold my locket and think about how the caterpillar becomes a butterfly not through struggle but surrender. I’ve spent so long fighting my emotions and trying to keep them hidden; maybe it’s time I gave in to them for once.

Steeling myself, I turn and face him. ‘Tom, you know how we’re friends.’

His body tenses, his voice unsure. ‘Yes.’

‘Well, the thing is …’ I pause, wishing I’d spent some time figuring out what I was going to say. He smiles and excitement flutters in my chest. ‘Well, I was hoping that …’

His face drops and my hope plummets with it.

‘You’re not going to ask me to go through the portal with you, are you? I mean, driving you to Wales and coming to the island was one thing, but –’

‘No, it’s not that. You said something to me before, and I wanted to let you know that I do have feelings –’

‘When I called you a breeze block? I wasn’t suggesting you didn’t have feelings, just that –’

‘Please shut up, Tom.’

He scratches his head. ‘OK.’

I take his hand in mine and his eyes widen. ‘I hope you’re not going to proposition me when I’ve just had a near-death experience. Only I’d hate to think you’re taking advantage of me when I’m in a vulnerable state.’ He laughs and then stops when he sees my face. ‘Oh.’ Judging by his pained expression, he finds the conversation as excruciating as I do.

I force myself to smile. ‘It’s OK. I know what you’re going to say.’

He rubs his stubbly jaw, his voice serious. ‘Look, the truth is I’ve been hurt by girls before. I wore my heart on my sleeve and it turned out they didn’t feel the same way. I couldn’t bear to go through that again, not with you. I might come across as this tough, macho guy …’

I pull a face and he stops short. ‘Well, anyway, my point is –’

‘I understand, we’re just friends,’ I say.

He looks at me incredulously. ‘Come on, you must know I’ve liked you for ages!’

My heart somersaults, hardly daring to believe it’s true.

‘Why do you think I kept playing practical jokes on you? Why do you think I was always inviting you out for drinks after work? Why was I so keen to give you a lift?’

‘But you said we’re just mates.’

‘When we were in the car, you mean?’