The sea lapped gently at Jenny Gale's feet as she gazed out at the horizon. It was yet another beautiful day, but as usual she just couldn't appreciate it. It wasn't the same without someone to share it with. She gazed around the beach at the families enjoying the weather, and felt her heart break. She wanted that. In the 3 years, she'd been in Australia she'd never come close to even finding happiness, but then she knew where her happiness lay; it lay in the arms of Neil Manson back in the UK somewhere, along with her old life as Beth Green.

She supposed it could have been worse. The weather was better than in the UK and she was a lot safer here. Her new job as a waitress didn't pay too well but it was better than doing a job where she was at risk and she'd even made a few friends but her experience had made her cautious and she wasn't particularly close with anyone for fear of being hurt again or them being hurt. It was better this way, but not a day went by when she didn't think about Neil, Sophie and her family or even Gambon himself. She knew it was futile but every day she hoped this would be the day she heard from home; heard that it was safe to go home and each day she heard nothing. She glanced at her watch and sighed seeing that her shift would be starting shortly.

As she made her way towards the little beach café she called work, she couldn't help but reflect on her life in Australia. All in all, it wasn't too bad. She made enough money as a waitress to pay the rent and afford food each month. She had comfortable little one bedroomed flat not far from here and there were a few people she could class as friends, her boss Cathy included. She smiled a greeting at the older lady as she entered the café and got ready for her shift.

'G'day Darl'.'

'Hi Cath, any gossip for me today?' She loved this part of her day, having a good meaningless conversation with her boss and friend. In the time they had known each other, Cathy had become a mother figure to her, never prying too deeply into her much hidden past but ready to offer advice when needed.

'Well actually that young Stewie came in to see ya, earlier. I told him you would be in later and he said he'd call in this afternoon. He's clearly keen.' She rolled her eyes, Stewie had been coming in regularly to see her the past few weeks. He was the town's parcel man, well known and well liked. He was good-looking, smart, kind and all in all she could do a lot worse but the thing was he wasn't Neil. They had spoken about moving on but she hadn't wanted to. In her heart no one would ever come close to Neil and it would be wrong to expect someone to play second fiddle and not even know why.

'I've told you Cathy, he's lovely but I'm not interested.' Cathy nodded in understanding.

'Ah this mystery man from your past that you can't let go. Well whoever he is I hope he's worth it.' She smiled.

'Yeah he is.'

'Good. Now you best get going, there's a man in your section been sat nursing his coffee for the past hour. You should go see if he wants a top up.' She nodded and went off in the direction of this customer, grateful for the distraction from her thoughts of…

'Neil.' Beth stared at the man before her. Convinced her would vanish the moment she blinked. Was he really here? He couldn't be, could he?

'Beth. I mean…' He gazed at her name badge, 'Jenny.' He was still as composed as ever, whilst she stood there overcome by shock.

'You're here. You're really here.' He nodded.

'I really am.' He gave her his broadest smile and her heart started racing fast as it started to sink in that he was actually here. After all these years, Neil Manson was finally sat before her, breathing in the same air and it wasn't a dream. He still looked pretty much the same, a few extra lines here and there and his hair was tinged with grey but it just made him look distinguished. She couldn't believe this was happening. How could it have been happening? It didn't make sense. Surely this wasn't some cruel trick, was it? She started to back off cautious that she may be setting herself up for a fall. Neil sensed this, and stood up and gently took her hand in his. The familiar fire burning under her skin was still there after all this time.

'Beth, it's OK. We're safe. Gambon is dead, and his men have been arrested. It's over.' Beth couldn't believe what she was hearing, after three long years it was really over.

'But I haven't heard anything, they would have phoned. They promised.' She tried to pull away, scared this would all come crumbling around her if she let herself believe it was actually happening anymore than she already did.

'I told them I'd tell you myself, they'll ring later. But it's over. It really is.' He stepped back towards her, his hands stroking her face. 'I'm here Beth. This is really happening and we are finally safe. Honest.' His reassuring words breathed over her face as she let them sink in. It was over. He was here. Nothing else mattered. She threw herself at him, her hands running through his hair as she pulled him impossibly closer to him as his lips devoured hers. Liquid heat ran through her as their lips reacquited themselves. His tongue plowed into her mouth, as she welcomed him willingly. Unable to get enough of him. He was here. She finally had her Neil back. There was a slight cough, and they pulled back to find a bemused Cathy looking at them.

'Cathy this is…' She trailed off unsure what to call him.

'Neil, her fiancé. Nice to meet you.' He offered his hand to Cathy who took it warily.

'Fiancé? Jenny never mentioned anything.'

'Well it's complicated.' Neil tried to explain.

'Extremely complicated.' Beth couldn't wipe the big grin off her face.

'Well…'Cathy looked expectantly but sighed when neither of them was willing to tell her anything. 'Fine.'

'I would tell you if I could Cathy, honest. But I have things to do and sort out first. In fact could I…' Cathy let out an exasperate sigh.

'Go on, off with you. But I'll see you first thing in the morning and I want as many details as I can get.' Beth hugged the woman gratefully.

'Sure. Thank you so much.' And with that she was pulling off her apron and name badge again before dragging Neil out of the café and back to her apartment to get reacquainted with one another's bodies again before starting the rest of their lives together.