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But she was not ready to accept that. She did not understand it.

That’s not her fault; she was young, and, like many young people, did not have the wisdom to see the full picture.

You did. But then you are different. You always have been.

You understand things.

And not only that, you have the patience to wait for what you want. When you know something is right, you know that it is right forever. It will always be right. And so you will wait for it.

And you and her are right. You will be together from now until eternity. And what is a wait of a few years, when compared to that?

She is ready now. You are sure of it. After what she has been through she will have learned that love matters. That the love of a man who is truly devoted to her is priceless.

She will understand that this is meant to be.

She will understand what it took to find her, and she will see that this is the measure and the mark of your love for her.

And in it she will see safety and security and a shared future. All things which she is lacking, which she has always lacked.

And which you will be able to provide to her.

You take a deep breath, then another, and another.

Your heart rate slows, a little. You manage to focus on what is about to happen.

You take a step towards her.

Then another, and another.

Another breath, another step.

When you are merely a few yards from her – you cannot believe you are this close, after all this time – she looks up and sees you.

She looks frightened.

That is no surprise; a man is walking towards her in a public park. A man she thinks she does not know. It is a threatening situation, in today’s world.

It is why she needs you.

But you are not a man she does not know. You are a man she knows well.

It has been a while, but you have not changed all that much.

You watch the look of fear turn into one of surprise.

Then to concern.

Although it hurts you to see this, you forgive her: you are from a past she was determined to escape. It was not you she wanted to escape, but still, you must remind her of that time.

Then she smiles. It is a tentative smile, but a smile nonetheless.

‘Hello,’ you say. You’ve had some grand words planned, but they do not come. This is all that you have.

‘I – I can’t believe it,’ she says. Her voice is quiet, her tone uncertain. It’s clear she is very moved to see you. ‘It’s you.’

Part Four

Who is It?