Cynical old reporters shook their heads and wiped their eyes. Joe himself was so relieved and so happy as he went to thank all the old people one by one, but he could tell that Paddywack just wanted to get away and have some peace and quiet. He could feel him hiding behind his legs, nudging him, and pushing his head into his hand.

He bent down to stroke him. “You hate all this noise, don’t you?” he said. “But at least it’s a happy noise. Don’t you worry, all this fuss and bother will soon be over, and then we can go back to the barge. It’ll be just the two of us then, all right?”

But the fuss and bother was not over as soon as Joe might have hoped. Back in Fairlawns there were doctors and nurses everywhere, examining every one of the old people to make sure that none of them was suffering any serious aftereffects from the whole experience. One or two were finding it difficult to get warm again and were taken off to hospital with suspected hypothermia. When everything had settled down a bit, Mrs Bellamy and Miss Carter insisted – and they would listen to no argument about it – that Joe should stay on in Fairlawns for a few days, at least until he was strong enough to leave. “And we will decide when that will be,” said Miss Carter very firmly.

In fact Joe didn’t mind one bit, and in the end, neither did Paddywack. There could never have been a more adored dog in all the world. He revelled in all the loving attention, luxuriated in the warmth of the fire and was offered biscuits almost constantly. Joe and Paddywack were the heroes of the hour, and both were spoiled rotten by everyone at Fairlawns. It was nearly a week before Mrs Bellamy and Miss Carter declared that Joe was fit enough to be allowed to go home.

On the last night there was a celebration supper, to mark the occasion. Everyone got dressed-up for it. Miss Carter wore pink, as she always did for special occasions. Joe brushed Paddywack until he shone, and Mrs Bellamy tied a spotted handkerchief around his neck. They had candles and wine and music. Miss Carter made a speech thanking Joe and Paddywack for saving Fairlawns. The whole evening was like a long goodbye, and when it was over Joe wanted no more fond farewells. So they left early the next morning while it was still dark, while everyone was still asleep. He crept out of Fairlawns with Paddywack and drove home to the barge.

Joe talked all the way there. “Just you and me now, old son,” he said, “and The Lady Marion.” He looked across at Paddywack, who seemed a bit down. “You miss those old people back at Fairlawns, don’t you? Loved you to bits, didn’t they?” It was a few moments before he spoke again. “I want you to know something, Paddywack. I may not ooh and aah over you like they did, but it doesn’t mean I don’t love you just as much. And with me it’s not because you’re beautiful, not because of your big brown eyes. It’s because you stuck by me. That’s what best mates are for, right? My best mate, that’s what you were, and that’s what you are. That’s what we’re always going to be, you and me, best mates.”