‘I’m sorry I ruined your birthday, Ollie,’ Joan whispered later, her face buried under her arm.

‘Right now I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be,’ I whispered back, patting her shoulder.

She snorted. ‘Well, that’s clearly not true.’

‘Okay. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be with.’ I waited a beat before adding, ‘And at least you’ve made it memorable.’

At some point in the seemingly endless night, as Joan and I huddled under my sleeping bag, trying not to imagine what awful fate might have beset Irene, the torch started to flicker.

Then, just as it gave one final angry buzz before abruptly switching off, Nesbit began scrabbling at the tent door. Clambering out from under the sleeping bag, I trusted in his wagging tail and manoeuvred around to unzip the tent.

Two black noses pushed their way in to greet Nesbit with a gentle whuffle. Behind them, the light of a professional forest ranger’s torch blazed through the darkness.

I’d never seen Sam look so grim. Rain dripped off the hood of his jacket, and blood trickled down one cheek from a jagged scratch. With a few curt sentences he’d established the situation and taken control, scooping up Joan with a promise that a service truck would be waiting a quarter of a mile away, along with two colleagues.

I felt awash with panic at the thought of being left alone, but when Sam instructed Scout to stay, it helped me quash the urge to wrap my arms around his legs so he was either forced to stay too, or drag me with him.

‘Have you heard from Irene?’ I asked, just as he turned to go, Nesbit and Willow at his heel.

‘Not yet, but we’ll find her.’

Crap. I willed myself to keep it together. The last thing any of us needed right then was me falling apart. Offering what I hoped was a reassuring smile, I gave Sam a nod to indicate that it was fine for him to leave.

I was in a fretful doze when Scout’s ears pricked to attention, already pulling myself into a sitting position and tumbling out the tent the second Sam unzipped the door. Holding my arms steady, his eyes roamed my face.

‘Okay?’

‘Yes. Yes, I’m okay. But oh my goodness, I’m so happy you came back.’

Sam pulled me into his chest, strong arms wrapping tightly around me. I felt him press a kiss against my forehead where my hood had slipped back. Nestling into his solid warmth, I would have smiled if I had the energy. I’d got a birthday kiss after all, and it was more wonderful than anything I could have imagined.