I told Tristram that the fact the opal was forever lost was a relief. It was also a terrible shock.
In the space of a moment, the foundations of my life seemed to crumble and crash. I felt myself on the very edge of oblivion. I was thirty years old with years of aimless drudgery ahead of me. The focus of my obsession had suddenly vanished. Just what the hell was I supposed to do?!
doI was desperate to escape the gallows of the rest of my life. And so, I hit upon the idea of going to Europe. Yes – I was inspired to do so by the example of Joseph Jones. What Tristram has not said, is another ugly truth about my departure to Europe.
I took Regina with me to hurt Tristram. Yes. I can admit it now – with a feeling of self-disgust and remorse. I deliberately set out to break his heart. He was
