Gwyneth opened her arms and held the sobbing girl as Terence knelt by the still figure wrapped in blankets and closed Max’s eyes for the last time. She closed her own eyes and prayed that at last her boy would find the peace he’d so yearned for.

She let Sal cling to her and cry and, when she felt the storm was ebbing, she smoothed back the wild hair and cupped her face. ‘He’ll always be with us, Sal,’ she soothed, her own voice wavering with emotion. ‘Max will live on in our hearts, and in our memories, guiding you and giving you the strength to find your true destiny.’

Sal nodded and smeared away her tears. ‘I know, but it hurts too much, Gwyneth. I can’t bear the thought of never being with him again – and there was so much I wanted to say to him – so many things …’

‘I know, Sal,’ she crooned into her hair. ‘And I understand. He was my son and I loved him dearly – but I regret that I didn’t have time to say goodbye to him.’

‘Your son?’ Sal’s eyes widened in her tear-streaked face. ‘But why didn’t you or Max ever tell me?’

Gwyneth patted her cheek. ‘You didn’t really need to know, and it wouldn’t have changed anything, would it?’ she asked softly.

Sal was silent for a moment and then she shook her head. ‘I loved him, Gwyneth. It didn’t matter who he was.’

Gwyneth held her as she cried, and when her sobs had finally stuttered to a stop she gently withdrew her embrace and coaxed her to round up the ponies and collect her things. While Sal was occupied, she approached Terence. ‘Was it the head wound?’ she asked as she regarded the blood-soaked bandage.

‘I suspect the injury produced a blood clot in his brain, and that was the end really. It would have been very quick, Gran. He wouldn’t have suffered. But I can’t tell you any more until I’ve done an autopsy.’

Gwyneth shook her head vehemently. ‘There’ll be none of that,’ she said firmly. ‘Max is gone and there’s nothing we can do about it. He’ll be buried with dignity, and all in one piece.’

Terence bowed his head. ‘It’s all a bit irregular,’ he said, ‘but I suppose it won’t matter in the circumstances.’

She looked down at her son, the tears blinding her as she cursed the useless legs that were stopping her from kneeling at his side and gathering him to her. ‘Would you please carry Max over to the utility? We need to take him home now.’

The dog growled as Terence gathered Max into his arms.

‘It’s all right, Brandy,’ soothed Sal. ‘We won’t hurt him. Come on, boy. You can ride in the back with him.’