Two years after Norfolk GP David Lidgey disappeared after walking out of his family home, his wife Shona today makes a heartfelt appeal for him to return for the sake of their three children.
In an emotional interview Shona, who is also a GP in King's Lynn, admitted that her husband's sudden disappearance in June 2011 has been 'traumatically horrible' and left her and her daughter Ruth, 17, and sons Arthur, 15, and Tom, 10, at times struggling to cope.
Since David Lidgey left the family home in Hilgay, near Downham Market, leaving a note saying he had 'gone for a walk', his wife Shona has said that she has been forced to become a different person to cope with the loss.
Shona, who is herself a GP at the Southgates Medical Centre in King's Lynn, said she 'has had to change and adapt' to cope with life without him as she has had to accept the increasingly likely possibility that he may never return.
Yet although she said the 'traumatically horrible' event had made her a 'harder, more independent' person, she said: 'We want him to come back so we can resolve things.
'For me, it was overwhelming being plunged into being a single parent. I am missing the person I'd want to talk about my children with.
'I am more independent and have to deal with a lot of things myself. I've become quite different and even more confident. However, we want to know what's happened to him.'
If he did return, Shona said she and her three children 'would have to renegotiate everything,' adding: 'It could never go back to how it was before.'
However asked what her personal message to David would be, Shona said: 'It would say to him to get in touch for the sake of his children, because they have been affected the most.
'David is a huge loss to our lives still and always will be. He left a massive gap that can't be filled.'
Shona has also revealed more about the circumstances of her husband's disappearance and where she thinks he might be now.
She said that before leaving, David had told her that 'nothing was working for him in Norfolk' and that he felt he was holding back the rest of the family - even though Shona categorically told him that was not the case.
'He said we were better off without him,' she said. 'He believed that and he allowed himself to think that he has done the right thing.'
He is thought to have started up a simple, uncomplicated life abroad but Shona reminded him: 'You have three brilliant children and you are missing out on so much by not having contact.
'Our lives would still be better if he were a part of them.'
Since David vanished on June 29 2011 there have been some possible sightings which have not led to him being found. However Shona said the trail has now been 'completely silent for months and months'.
Police investigating the incident still keep in touch with Shona and have asked her to send off toothbrushes and other items so they have the family's DNA on file.
David is described as white, 6ft 3in tall and of slim build with brown/greying hair. He was last seen wearing brown leather boots, dark trousers and an RAF fleece with the Cotton Traders logo.
He left his prized silver Volvo, wallet and mobile phone behind on the day he left.
Anyone with information should call the Missing People helpline on 116 000 or Norfolk Constabulary on 101.
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