‘On Monday morning, it was time to go back. And of course I went. Back to Dan, who is the one I want to be with always. Viktor’s mad and wonderful, and I spent a couple of other nights with him. But then I realised I was playing with fire. In danger of hurting someone who is ten times the human being that Viktor is. He’s a great-looking, talented, interesting man. But there’s a dark side to him. He’s strictly dirty weekend. Enjoy him if you want, have a fling, by all means, but never be fooled into looking for more. He lives on the edge, always, and drinks like a fish. I’ve heard that he can lose his temper and be pretty bad, although I’ve never seen that myself. He’ll love some girl madly today, convince himself she’s the only thing he could ever desire, and then he’ll move on tomorrow. It’s the way he is.’

‘I’ve already found an extraordinary man,’ Sarah said, ‘so I can’t imagine ever having a fling like that. With Viktor, or anyone else.’ She paused, wondering if Allie had told the whole story. Perhaps Viktor had let her down, and she had gone back to Dan because she had no choice. ‘But wouldn’t you mind? I mean, if he showed up at your camp with someone else?’

‘No, I wouldn’t mind. Not any more. I like Viktor. We had a good time. That’s all it was, and all it was meant to be. It’s in the past. Dan never knew a thing about it, and they get on really well. So everybody’s happy. But you know, if he was your first, he’d be an experience to remember.’

Sarah blushed. ‘Is it so obvious?’

‘Not at all. But I’m a trained observer of animal behaviour and it’s my business to notice things. Don’t look so discomforted – it’s very special. Many young women these days are willing to be out rutting with any man that takes their fancy. I think it’s a pity, myself.’

‘I want to wait till I marry. I want it to be the man I’m going to spend my life with.’

‘Aha! And you say you’ve found him?’

‘Yes.’ Sarah turned to Allie, needing to confide in someone. ‘It’s Piet van der Beer, Hannah’s brother. He’s true, and straight and beautiful inside and out. I’ve loved him since I was a child.’

‘So, what’s the hold-up?’ Allie asked.