I have written a true account of a relationship and its despicable ending: that almost cost me my life. That there was, indeed, a relationship is patent. The truth is all around me. A great number of points of interest, irregularities and proof are now in the light that were once in the dark. Having shown that, it is understandable to see, why the betrayal was so devastating. And why my trust was so misplaced. There are also in life acknowledged truths: things we will believe without evidence. It is within acceptable limits to presuppose that in a relationship that had spanned almost eight years, that assurances were given and promises were made. I am no author, no writer, no spinner of tales. The desire to record and write down the truth was a lifeline. I wrote my story because I'm trying to reclaim my life: the book is a benchmark of my progress to date. I nearly paid a terrible price. The relationship that dominated my life is over now, and its despicable ending. I have lost someone I thought I could trust unequivocally. I have lost my home, and my job. And my beautiful cat - Cleopatra, I couldn't take her to where I moved to, so I lost even her. I lost my mind for awhile: and I nearly lost my life. Now I have to move forward, and hope that the grief will loosen its hold, and a brighter future will give a better shape back to the world. In his last e-mail to my daughter he said, 'Today's disagreements will resolve themselves and become yesterday's forgotten problems.' I do hope that he's right. Gillian Roberts September 2008