It was a big deal for Hayley to accept help, let alone ask for it. He could only imagine how she was feeling. The resentment and antipathy he’d felt for her over the past few months faded to nothing.

As the shuttle left the station Lily was already on Skyscanner. ‘There’s a plane to Luton at 20.50, which is doable. It’s not seven p.m. yet.’ She studied the screen. ‘That’s about the only option this evening. I’ll buy a ticket.’

Numbly, he passed her his credit card and watched her tap in the payment, then his passport details.

She worked rapidly, swaying in her seat with the train’s motion. ‘You land at 21.40, UK time. Trains from Luton would get you to Peterborough station at either just after midnight or just after one, and then you’d still have to get to Hayley’s place. I think it’ll be better if we book you a car.’

He nodded, watching her use his credit card again as if trapped in a dream. Then reality made itself felt. ‘You’re on the train to the airport with me,’ he said stupidly. ‘You’re going to have to get it all the way back again on your own.’

Her eyes twinkled. ‘Ten minutes to Zürich Main and then from Zürich to Biberbrugg, for which I already hold a ticket? And then I’ll get the minibus—’ She broke off. ‘Minibus! Give me the keys! I’m not sure how the others will be getting back from Biberbrugg to Schützenberg but Carola has numbers for Max, Tubb and Garrick. I’m sure they’ll work it out.’

He swore beneath his breath, earning himself a reproving look from an elderly lady nearby. Now the first shock was over his mind was moving into gear. ‘Your hand – you can’t drive, Lily.’

‘I can if I have to,’ she contradicted him flatly. ‘My hand’s much better and I’ll take paracetamol. The only thing that’s really worrying me is getting Doggo back to the UK, to be honest. You’ll have to ring me when you’re home and talk me through where his documents are and what to do.’

He slid his arms around her and rested his cheek on the top of her head. ‘You are a diamond. You’re coping with this as if it’s a walk in the park instead of a tricky situation you could easily have distanced yourself from.’ He tilted her face to his and kissed her lips gently. ‘Thank you.’

When he looked up, the elderly lady was looking upon him with a little more warmth.

Lily gave him a hug as they whooshed to a halt in the Zürich Flughafen station. ‘My role in this is comparatively easy. Much worse to be Hayley.’

Lily rode the train home later having seen Isaac as far as she could through the airport.