She sat forward to peer out of the windscreen, gripping the steering wheel as she slowly followed the meandering track up the hill, the pale, hooded headlights barely picking out the lumps of chalk and flint scattered across it. Feeling tired and tense, she breathed a sigh of relief when she finally saw the two large white-painted boulders Frank had placed on either side of the steep slope which led down to the isolated bay.

Dolly decided to leave the car at the top of the track, and once she’d switched off the engine, she climbed out, took a deep breath of the cold air and eased the tension in her shoulders. The sound of a latch clicking home made her instantly alert, and she spun round, expecting to see Pauline, armed with grievance and ready for another argument.

‘Oh, Frank,’ she breathed in relief as the giant figure approached. ‘What are you doing out here at this time of night?’

‘I couldn’t sleep,’ he replied. ‘So when I heard the car, I thought I’d come out to make sure you got down the track safely in those daft shoes.’

‘Bless you, Frank. How kind you are,’ she said, wishing her daughter could see how very lucky she was to have him. ‘I never seem to have the right footwear when I come down here,’ she said, glancing ruefully at the high-heeled pumps.

Frank grinned despite the weariness and worry that was etched into his face. ‘You wouldn’t be Dolly without your high heels and furs.’ He offered her his arm and they slowly made their way down the treacherous slope of earth and shale.

When they reached the bottom, Dolly stilled him. ‘I’m doing no good here, Frank,’ she said. ‘So I think it’s best if I leave tomorrow and let you and Pauline work things out in private.’

She saw he was about to protest and forestalled him. ‘My presence here is making things worse. We both know it. And although I’m sorry to run out on you, I really do think things will improve once I’m gone.’

‘She’s finding it hard to take everything in,’ said Frank, staring out to sea where flashes of gunfire and the flames of burning buildings could be seen on the horizon. ‘And with Brendon out there somewhere …’

‘I do understand,’ she consoled. ‘My revelations about Felix and Carol couldn’t have come at a worse time, and I feel horribly guilty.’

He put his great arm about her shoulders to hold her to his side. ‘There’s nothing to feel guilty about, Dolly. I’ve learnt since losing Seamus and Joseph that life is too precious to waste in regrets – that we must live it to the full and grab those moments of happiness while we can. I’m glad you and Felix have found one another again. You deserve to be cherished, Dolly, because you are one very special lady.’