‘You gave me CPR?’ Helga says. She tries to imagine him blowing breath into her body. ‘They said at the hospital that was what saved me.’

Jamie shrugged. ‘I felt bad I didn’t do more.’

Jamie and Maddy don’t stay long and, after they’ve gone, Helga stares out of the window, going over everything Jamie has told her. She has him to thank for her life, it seems. She could see the terror in his face as he told her about seeing her falling and clutching her chest.

Maddy insisted that they call the police together and Jamie bravely explained everything on the phone. The police are on their way to the squat now. She hopes they find Scully.

The light is coming in through the window and she watches the birds chirruping. There’s a pair of collared pigeons on the stone bird bath, rubbing their necks together, and she feels the decision rising up in her.

So what if Linus has a family, a wife? She made him a promise, didn’t she?

She turns and picks up her book, then her home phone and dials the number Linus has written down. She hears it connect. The ring tone seems to resonate right in her heart.

‘Hello?’

It’s his voice. The hairs on her arms stand up and she feels fluttery and light. She tries to speak, but the words won’t come.

‘Helga, is that you?’ He sounds cautious.

‘Yes,’ she manages.

‘It’s about time. I thought you weren’t going to call.’

‘There was … I had …’ Helga says, but she’s so glad to hear his voice, she can feel tears threatening to take her voice away.

‘Are you all right?’

She tells him about losing her bag and phone and how she’s been in hospital and how, thanks to a miracle, she got her book – and his number – back.

‘I couldn’t bear the thought that you might think I didn’t want to call. That was the worst bit of the whole ordeal.’

He chuckles softly. ‘Helga, I seem to have spent my whole life waiting for you to call. I’ve learnt to be patient.’

‘But what about your wife and—’

‘My …? Oh, Helga, I’ll tell you all about that later, but I’m on my own. I have been for five years.’

He’s single? But he was wearing a wedding band? Helga feels so much joy radiating through her that she can hardly take it in.

‘You’ve called me just at the right moment. I was meeting some people interested in buying the boat today. I thought there was no point in keeping it. I’m going back to Australia. Well, I’m meant to be—’

‘Don’t go,’ she blurts. ‘At least not until I’ve seen your boat,’ she adds, and Linus laughs.

‘Oh, she’s a beaut.’

Helga’s heart soars at the thought of seeing Linus on a boat. It’s like she’s manifested her most secret, treasured dream.

‘So, if I come for one last sail. Will you be there?’ he asks. ‘Will you come and meet me?’