Lotte screams shrilly. I start walking towards them, carrying the purple bucket that Theo has given me. Dad picks her up in his arms and begins wading into the sea. Lotte shrieks. I can’t tell if she’s having fun or not – the way she’ll scream blue-murder if I tickle her, but then beg for more if I stop. She’s kicking her legs and Dad is staggering, waves slapping against them. I look behind me, but no one else from our family has noticed. Lotte’s yells go really high-pitched and I pick up my pace. Dad sinks into the sea, still holding her, Lotte thrashing in his arms. It doesn’t look as if she’s enjoying herself. Suddenly she stops yelling and goes limp. I drop the bucket and sprint towards them as Dad shouts, ‘Lotte!’

He is struggling to stand, and Lotte’s head lolls loosely over his arm, dipping into the sea. Her hair fanning out in the water and I feel sick.

‘Nick! What’s wrong with her?’

I put my hand under her head, pulling her out. Her eyes are shut and she looks lifeless.

‘She didn’t want to go in! I wanted to persuade her it would be fun. I thought I was helping – and then…’

I lift Lotte out of the sea. I’m wheezing with the effort of running down the beach. She seems heavier than she normally does. Her legs dangle, her heels clipping my thighs.

‘What’s the matter with her, Nick? Is she breathing?’

My heart is squeezing tighter and tighter. I’m trying not to think of Ruby-May. I wade through the waves back onto the beach, my father stumbling behind me. Thank God Luca has noticed. It only takes him a few strides to reach me and he lifts Lotte effortlessly. I follow him. He sets Lotte on a sun-lounger and I wrap a towel round her. The rest of the family crowd around us. Lotte’s lips are blue and she’s shaking.

Amy is hysterical. ‘What happened? What’s the matter? Is she okay?’

Theo is standing frozen by his sand-rocket, his face white, his eyes large.

Matt is desperately trying to get a signal on his phone. ‘Someone call a fucking ambulance!’ It doesn’t look as if the Italians can understand him or even realize what’s happened.

Luca doesn’t respond, but remains focused on Lotte. I drop down on the sand next to her, breathing heavily, and take her small hand in mine. Her eyes flicker.

Luca is saying over and over, ‘Look at me. Breathe. Breathe. You are okay. Breathe. You are okay. Breathe.’