It must be Libby, she thought, and in that moment she really, really hoped it was Libby, because she could definitely use her take on her sudden and unexpected attraction to Ewan, and her confused feelings on just about everything else.

‘Is it Libby?’ she asked Paddy, in the vain hope he would suddenly have developed the ability to speak in human. Of course, he hadn’t and instead he was just happy to continue to rub his head against her and wag his tail in an exceptionally excited manner.

Jo looked down the beach again to no avail and was starting to think she might have to try and smuggle Paddy back into the hotel when she heard his name being called on the wind.

‘You have got to be kidding me,’ she said to Paddy, who, funnily enough, still hadn’t gained the ability to speak. He just looked up at her, his dark brown eyes a picture of complete innocence. If he could speak, she imagined he would say, ‘Don’t blame me.’

When Jo heard his name called a second time, in a broad English accent, she followed the sound and saw, as suspected, Lorcan walking along the sand, looking absolutely terrified.

‘Paddy!’ he shouted. ‘C’mere boy! Where are you?’

Paddy turned his head in the direction of the call and Jo hoped he would run off towards Lorcan before he spotted her. She would hide behind the bin, or hotfoot it as fast as she could back to the hotel without him ever knowing she’d been there.

But Paddy being Paddy, let her down at just the exact moment she needed him to step up for her. He simply barked as loud as he could, attracting Lorcan’s attention immediately to her. His tale still wagged, as if he was exceptionally happy with himself for bringing them back together.

‘Jo?’ Lorcan called as he got closer.

She didn’t want to talk to him, but she didn’t have the nerve to blank him or throw him a dirty look. She straightened her back and waved back. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see Paddy here, or you for that matter,’ she said, keeping her expression as neutral as possible.

‘I can’t say we were expecting to see you either,’ Lorcan said. ‘We just wanted to come down to the beach for a walk. I thought it would be a good idea to bring Paddy since you were away.’ He paused. ‘Although you’re here, and not away somewhere in the wilds of Donegal.’

‘To Ewan, these are the wilds of Donegal,’ she said. ‘We’re here tonight, then move on tomorrow.’

‘Oh,’ Lorcan replied, staring awkwardly at his feet. ‘I thought you’d be further away.’