‘Bring your leg back over. That’s right. Now, climb up to the next bar so you’re higher. There. I’ve got you.’

Somehow she scrambled over, ending in a heap on the other side. Was there no end to her humiliation? He’ll hate me now, she thought. I’m such a townie I can’t even be taken for a country walk because I can’t climb over the gates without help.

‘Are you all right now?’ he asked when, after an athletic leap, he was over the gate and by her side in one elegant move.

‘Fine, thank you. I’m just a bit out of practice.’

‘When did you last climb over a gate?’ He sounded amused, as if he expected her to have never climbed one before.

‘A while ago,’ she said, trying frantically to remember.

‘I bet you were about six,’ he said.

Although she fought it, a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth as she recalled a family holiday in Cornwall. ‘That would be about right.’

‘We’ve a couple more to climb later. I expect you’ll get the hang of it.’

‘I’m sure I will,’ she said seriously, but smiling inside, and they set off, Dermot setting a cracking pace.

They went uphill. It was a bright, clear day, cold but sunny. Currently the sea was on their left but quite far away. The sun bounced off the little waves as it had done before, twinkling like fairy lights in the distance. The land was covered in short, springy grass. Here and there a sheep looked at them curiously, wondering who on earth was mad enough to be out here if they had a choice. Laura, though, was warm as toast. It was hard work keeping up with Dermot, although she sensed he was going slowly for her benefit. Soon her calves were burning and she had to stop for a breather. The blood pulsed through her muscles like mild electric shocks. Although she was tired she felt totally in touch with her body and utterly exhilarated.

‘Not much further now. I want us to have lunch in the most perfect spot.’

Laura nodded agreement. She couldn’t spare her breath for idle chat.

On and up they went. Laura took off her jacket and tied it round her waist with the sleeves. Even then she was sweating under her clothes. She was elated though, and although she was pleased when he called a halt, she’d have happily gone on for much longer.

‘Right now,’ he said, swinging his pack down from his back and rummaging inside it. ‘What have we got here? A bit of something waterproof to sit on.’ He spread out an old plastic mac.