Seeing him again was both an incredible relief and a second bout of shuddering heartbreak all at once. It was as though a years worth of fear, longing, desperation and joy were happening all over again. Every unsent letter, every prayer said in his behalf, every moment with their daughter had led them here, to this pub, to this moment full of unspoken love and tension. Perhaps they stood a chance this time. Maybe they could claw their way to happiness somehow.

Except, this wasn't - and couldn't be - about their relationship. Too much trust and faith had been lost for them to slip back into any familiar patterns. They'd been caught by his sister last time when it was just them. Jo couldn't envision Juliana forgiving or remaining mum about a baby. Not when the last time had ended so terribly.

No, for once in her life Jo had to remain unselfish. Ilona had to come before all else.

"Of course." She gestured for him to sit and did the same, more because she was afraid of collapsing before him than any attention they might have attracted. "I'm well. And you? How do - how fares the shop?" Jo was struggling to keep her voice level and her expression pleasant, but thought she managed it for the minute at least. "How is your family?"

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