‘It does dogs good to have an adventure, now and again,’ said Toby firmly, seeing Tara’s own lip start to wobble. ‘Tara and I will find him. First, let’s take you home.’

Someone in a mackintosh was waiting on the doorstep when they arrived back at the house: David.

He was scribbling something on a pad but stopped as they approached.

‘I was leaving you a note, I need to talk to you about something. Nice day for a country stroll,’ he added, seeing their drenched clothes. ‘Or was it a swim?’

He’s got the job, thought Tara, her heart plunging. He’s here to tell me he’s got the job and he’s excited because he doesn’t know I wanted it too.

The strange thing was, even though Toby had said he didn’t want his share of the house, Tara realized she cared a lot about the Centre Director role.

She’d really wanted it. Not just for the money, but for the team. The projects. The chance to challenge herself, to make a difference.

‘Hi, I’m Toby,’ said Toby, holding out his hand. ‘This is Molly, my sister.’

‘David Dalloway.’ They shook hands, and when Molly heard Toby say ‘sister’, she smiled through the last of her tears.

‘Molly’s been for a cross-country run,’ said Toby. ‘Unfortunately we’re now one Labrador short.’

‘Can I help?’ David looked between Toby and Tara. ‘An extra pair of eyes on the search party?’

Tara knew David could locate Lloyd in an instant – if he could do what he said. But she didn’t really believe he could. The stakes were too high now; she didn’t want him to pretend, and let Molly down.

However, he could always help her look.

‘That’s very kind of you, David,’ she said. ‘Why don’t you and Toby—’

‘Nu-huh. I don’t have the footwear for this.’ Toby pointed at his ruined shoes. ‘You two go, and I’ll ring the police or whoever’s in charge of finding runaway Labradors these days.’

‘Lloyd likes you, Tara – if he hears you shouting, he’ll come back.’ Molly reached in her pocket and gave Tara some damp kibble. ‘He sometimes comes back if I give him treats?’

Then she buried her head in her big sister’s coat. Tara bit her lip and threw back her head to stop herself letting out an audible gulp.

‘Better go and find this dog, eh?’ said David.

They took Tara’s Mini, in case Lloyd had gone further than the fields they’d already searched.

It was still raining, and the monotonous swish of the windscreen wipers replaced the conversation that normally unfolded between them as easily as a map.

‘Pull over,’ said David suddenly.

Tara nearly swerved as the Mini hit a pothole under a large puddle. ‘What? Have you seen Lloyd?’