Katie pushed the heels of her hands deep into the sockets of her eyes. “Not really, no. Patrick had an appalling night. He was sleeping downstairs and got up to go to the loo, and then fell over. I couldn’t move him and he couldn’t move himself, so I had to put a mattress on the bathroom floor and roll him onto it.”

“Is he still there?”

“No, Pete arrived about half an hour ago with the van and he carried him back to his bed before heading back to the factory in Patrick’s car.”

Dan had no doubt that Pete Jackson would be able to manage such a Herculean task. The factory manager at Seascape was built like an ox and had an awesome reputation in the heavy events at Highland Games throughout Scotland.

“What time did this happen?”

“About three o’clock.”

“You should have got hold of me. I would have come straight over.”

Katie lifted the lid of the Rayburn and put on the kettle. “I did try. I left a message on your mobile.”

“Hell, I’m sorry about that. The wretched thing doesn’t work in the cottage. We have to yomp up the hill to get a line.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“And I don’t suppose you could have left him for a minute and come over in the car.”

Katie shook her head. “No. For all Patrick’s bluster and bravado, he is absolutely terrified of what’s happening to him. As I was putting the duvet over him, he grabbed hold of my hand, and he wouldn’t let go.”

“Do you mean you spent the whole night with him in the bathroom?”

“I hadn’t much option. It was bloody cold and extremely uncomfortable as well. I must remember to put a rug down on those tiles in case it happens again.”

“You must be feeling exhausted.”

Katie poured boiling water into two cups of instant coffee and gave one to Dan. “You get used to it. Most nights, there’s something going on. Not usually as bad as that, though.”

“What happens now, then?”

“Well, much against Patrick’s wishes, I’ve told him to stay in bed and I’ve called the doctor. He’s on his way out from Fort William.”

Dan took his coffee over to the table and sat down on the window seat. “In that case, why don’t you let me deal with the children today? I can easily drop them off at school and pick them up later. That’ll give you time to catch up on some sleep.”

Katie shook her head, using the opportunity to dispel some of the fatigue from her brain. “No, I’ll be fine. Anyway, I’m afraid that you’ve got your work cut out for the day.”

“Oh?”