Thea suddenly felt like crying. Watching Lara’s huge tongue licking and licking, while the shape became more and more like a puppy wriggling under her rough ministrations made her feel very emotional. It even opened its little mouth and squeaked. At last Ben picked it up, latched it on to Lara’s huge flank and it started suckling. It was dark brown with a few white patches.

‘Oh, wow,’ said Toby.

Ben smiled. ‘It is a bit.’

‘Will the others come now, too?’

Ben shook his head. ‘It could be ages.’ He looked up. ‘Why don’t you ask Thea if she can get you a snack, or something.’

Thea wiped away a rogue tear. ‘I expect you both need a proper meal. I’ll cook the lamb chops that Rory and I were going to have. I put a couple of potatoes in the oven ages ago. They’re quite big, we can share them. I’ve opened some wine, and there’s a chocolate sponge if Petal’s left us any.’

‘Toby’s a vegetarian.’ Ben’s expression seemed to chill slightly at the mention of the cosy meal Thea described.

‘Well, I can easily grate some cheese on the potato. Would you like that?’

Toby nodded. ‘That would be very kind.’

‘And what about you?’ Thea asked Ben. ‘Are you a vegetarian?’ She mentally surveyed the fridge. She’d bought eggs yesterday; if necessary she could run him up an omelette.

‘No, I eat anything.’ He gave her a grin, which was a little startling. She’d thought him totally reserved and suddenly there was a glimpse of what went on behind. ‘It’s very kind of you to look after us like this.’

‘Not at all, I’m used to looking after people and if you look after Lara, it seems a fair deal.’

‘Talking of which, did you find any old rags or sheets or anything?’

She was still clutching a lemon-coloured sheet she’d found in the airing cupboard. ‘There’s really nothing wrong with this, except it’s a bit bobbly and an unpleasant colour, but I can always buy Rory another one.’

Ben produced a penknife, nicked the top of the sheet and ripped it in two. While he was draping the sofa as best he could, Thea asked, ‘What do you think the father was?’

‘There’s no telling by looking at the pup, but as we’re in the country, I expect it’s a collie.’ He looked up at Thea. ‘Can you imagine, all the intelligence and energy of a collie wrapped up in something the size of Lara?’

Thea opened her eyes wide. ‘I’d rather not – a baby elephant on speed.’

‘On the other hand they might all take after their mother. The shepherd will say, “Come Bye,” or something, and one of these chaps will amble up saying, “All right, all right, where’s the fire? I’ll be along in my own good time.”’