Nothing was what it seemed

Fiona Bayliss-Stranks, 54, thought she was about to disappear into the sunset with the love of her life for a fairy-tale ending…

- FIONA LOCKE, FRANCES LEATE

Watching another beautiful sunset on my favourite beach in Turkey, I sighed. As usual, I was there alone. Perpetually single, in my 20s and 30s I’d worked hard as a solicitor, and dating or holidays weren’t a priority.

So when my mum, 69, died of cancer in July 2007, I’d taken a career break to travel using my inheritance. Now, three years later, in March 2010, I was enjoying the jet-set lifestyle and financial freedom my inheritance gave me. ‘I just wish I had someone to share it with,’ I thought.

So, once home, I started online dating and came across Craig Brown, then 41. He wasn’t my usual clean-cut type, with rugged looks, shaved head and tattoos, but his profile said he was adventurous and loved travel, like me, and when we met for coffee, he seemed funny and sensitive, too. The spark between us was undeniable. I opened up to Craig about Mum’s death, while he told me about his Crohn’s disease, a serious bowel condition. ‘I sold my furniture-making business as I can’t work, but I’ve invested my money and I’m doing OK,’ he smiled.

‘It can’t have been easy,’ I sympathized. Things became serious, and while I’d always felt insecure about being size 18, Craig’s constant compliments made me feel beautiful. Only, on 2 April, Craig got bad news. ‘My sister died of breast cancer at 3.30am,’ he texted one morning.

‘I’m so sorry,’ I replied. I was heartbroken for him. He told me his sister had fought bravely, before dying with him by her side. Having lost Mumto cancer, I knew how he was feeling, so to be supportive I signed up for the Race for Life in his sister’s memory.

That June, we went on holiday to Turkey, and as we walked along the beach, Craig said he loved me.