An ocean OF LOVE

Life had been plain sailing since she met Tom – but was someone from his past about to make waves?

- Amanda Robson

Tom, I always knew that one day there would be a knock on the door. In the end, it wasn’t actually a knock, was it? It was a note left on the coach roof of our boat when we were on holiday, out at a fish restaurant on the Isle of Wight.

We lived every summer on our yacht Seabreeze, pottering around the Solent, joined from time to time by our family – our daughters and their children, our treasured grandchildren.

We have had fun, haven’t we? So much fun over the years. You have been such a good husband to me, and father to Zara and Emily, our leggy daughters, both with infectious laughs just like yours.

How the years have rolled on. Now we have five grandchildren. Three ‘bels’ – Annabel, Isabel and Christabel. And two disciples – James and John. They are our life blood, and we have taught all of them to sail.

Now, you’re in your 80s Tom, 18 years my senior. And I’ve always known you had a life before me.

You joined the Navy at 16 and travelled the world. You didn’t really settle down until you met me. I’ve heard so many tales about your adventures. You were young, a free spirit. And the dalliances of sailors have a reputation of their own. I know what happened. You didn’t hide anything. You told me the truth. Your girlfriend Sophia became pregnant and you wanted to support her. But you were 19 and restless. You sank into a depression.

You left Sophia and your three-month-old daughter Ruth early one morning, with no forwarding address. Your heart ached but you just couldn’t cope.