A GIFT FOR OLIVIA

Are you sure you’re OK?’ Olivia asked for about the fourth time.

‘I’m fine, I understand,’ Stuart said, his smile a little forced. He didn’t take his eyes from the road as he drove her home in near silence.

But did he really understand she wondered as she closed the door and he drove off. She fingered the box in her pocket again – a beautiful sapphire ring, surrounded by diamonds. The type of ring she’d always dreamed of when she was younger.

She glanced down at the sliver of gold on her ring finger and felt the same rush of guilt she’d experienced when Stuart had gone down on one knee in the restaurant earlier… His hopeful, expectant face looking up at her so joyfully, his smile slipping slightly when she took too long to answer.

‘Oh, Paul,’ she whispered. ‘I love you so much.’

It had been 10 years since the accident. Eight years on her own trying her best to stay strong for Maisie and Alex.