Once the mountain rescue team had disappeared out of the drive and down the road, Mel slumped on the sofa, elbows on her knees, hands anchored in her hair.

What would Luke do? If they’d been caught out somehow, what would he do?

He’d get a message to her somehow. He would have rung the police himself and told them his predicament, wouldn’t he? If he was in a pub or a hotel and didn’t have his phone, couldn’t remember her number, he would have found a computer, asked to borrow a phone and messaged her. She was sure of this. Absolutely sure.

If Luke was okay, he would have found a way to let me know and stop me worrying.

She scrolled through her phone, checking and re-checking, walking over to the window where the signal was stronger and refreshing her screen, but there was nothing.

Her body was limp with exhaustion and she leant against the windowsill. It was well after midnight now and she couldn’t imagine that anyone would be manning reception desks in hotels. Pubs would be closed. There really was nothing more she could do tonight.

She wandered back over to the sofa, despondency adding weight to her limbs, heaviness to her heart. She curled up in a corner, the blanket draped over her. She couldn’t go to bed. Not with her family out there. She tried the hospitals again, but she got the same reply. Re-checked her messages and still there was nothing.

Her screensaver photo caught her eye and she scrolled through her pictures; her life, her favourite memories right there in front of her. The Christmas play, the sponsored walk they’d done up Snowdon to raise money for the school, Callum on his scooter, Tessa on a pony, Luke all smart in a suit for an event. She smiled when she came to the picture of them all at the Greenwood Centre, an eco theme park in Snowdonia where they’d enjoyed a wonderful day out. They were all smiling at the stranger who Luke had asked to take the photo, genuine happiness on their faces. Tears pricked at her eyes. Would they ever be that happy again? Would she even see them again?

She found another picture, her and Luke on their wedding day, a picture taken by one of the witnesses, a man who they’d practically dragged off the street. She smiled to herself as she remembered the happiest day of her life.

It had been a whirlwind romance. Eight months after she met him they were married, and when all was said and done she’d have to take responsibility for that. She’d organised a surprise holiday. A break in Scotland, a whole week just the two of them, to wander on romantic walks, explore ancient castles and become enchanted by the Scottish wilderness. Exactly the sort of holiday she knew Luke would love. And if he was happy, then she was too.

Of course, she’d always had a plan, even though it seemed a little far-fetched, more of a fantasy really, but it was a leap year, so how could she not take advantage of it? Especially when Luke was so cautious. It was obvious he was madly in love with her, devouring her with his eyes, his mouth and his body whenever he had the chance. Oh yes, Luke was a very physical man, the strong, silent type, letting her chatter on, as she liked to do. He was perfect in every way, she’d thought, but she’d soon realised it was going to be up to her to make the move. And if things didn’t go according to plan, well, it would have been money well spent setting the whole thing up, because the idea of it was thrilling enough.

‘Luke,’ she’d murmured to him on Valentine’s Day, looking up at him from under her lashes as they sipped wine in the hotel dining room after a day exploring the beautiful Loch Lomond. ‘I have a question I want to ask you.’

He’d smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the edges, his face smoothed free of worry. She’d never seen him looking so relaxed and handsome and knew in her heart that this was right. She put a small red box on the table and he looked at it, puzzled. Her heart raced.

‘Go on, it’s a present,’ she’d said, pushing the box closer to him, excitement pulling at her insides, tugging at the corners of her mouth.

He picked it up like it was an eggshell that could break any minute and snapped the lid open to reveal a gold ring inset with a ruby. Red being his favourite colour.

She’d licked her lips, her voice wavering with nerves as she took the boldest step of her life. ‘Luke, will you marry me?’

His eyes had widened and he was silent for a moment. A waiter hovered in the background with the bottle of champagne she’d ordered, just in case. The air stilled, the silence thickened, filling her ears. Her skin had felt a sudden chill as she’d gazed at his bowed head. And just when she thought she might have misjudged the whole thing, he’d taken her hand and gazed into her eyes, a look so full of meaning she felt a delicious shiver run through her. Nobody had ever looked at her like that before.

‘Yes,’ he’d said, a smile on his face, his voice thick with emotion. ‘Yes, I’d love to marry you.’

She’d laughed, relief washing over her in waves that made her light-headed as she put the ring on his finger. A perfect fit. Of course it was. She wasn’t going to spoil the moment by getting that one wrong.

Later, as they’d lain in bed, sweating and tangled in the bed covers, she’d said, ‘We could get married here, in Scotland, Luke. No fuss. Gretna Green is on our way home, you know.’ She stroked his chest.

He looked away, and she could feel his heart thumping beneath her hand, making her wonder if he was having second thoughts. If she was pushing him too fast.

‘No need to wait, is there?’ She’d drawn a finger down towards his belly button and felt a shudder run through him. ‘If this is what we want.’ She sighed. ‘And I know that you are everything I have ever wanted and more. I love you so much, Luke. So very, very much.’

He’d turned his head and kissed her in lieu of a reply, and they’d made love all over again. But he didn’t give her a definite answer until the following morning, when they were sitting at the breakfast table.

‘We’d better go shopping today,’ he’d said, wiping his mouth with his napkin, a smile in his eyes. ‘If we’re getting married tomorrow.’ He’d reached for her hand, his fingers interlaced with hers, the ruby glowing as if it was his beating heart. ‘We need to look the part, don’t we? And there’s a ring to buy for you.’

Honestly, she’d almost exploded with happiness. At last she’d found her man, the one who would father her children, the partner who would be by her side for the rest of her days.

And now he was gone, and the children with him.

She curled into a ball, her heart aching for him, for the children, the family she had waited so long to cherish, knowing from the lack of contact, the futile search, that something was terribly, horribly wrong.