'I just wanted you that night, Collins. I'd gone off the pill months previously. No need for it. When I told you it was safe, I meant to gel a morning-after pill the next day.' She sighed, doubtful he could understand how she'd thought and felt afterwards.

'But you didn't,' he quietly prompted.

'No. You were gone without a word to me. Call it madness if you like, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.' She managed an ironic little smile.

'If a new life had been conceived by us, I felt it was meant to be. And I guess if I miscarry now, that's meant to be, too.'...