She trod in a rabbit burrow and twisted her ankle, giving a cry of anguish as she fell to the ground. She pulled herself up again and plunged on blindly. The path she was following gave way to a stretch of sand and she knew she was on the beach. She turned around and began to go in the opposite direction which she now knew must lead her back to safety. Then she stopped. What about Jonathan? She could see nothing but the grey, clinging mist all around her.

Suppose Jonathan, who didn’t know the beach and the ways of the sea at all, were to wander in the mist out towards the sea? What if he was caught by the incoming tide as it swirled inward, forming creeks and sand islands? That much at least she had learnt about the sea and the tides since coming to live here. Jonathan knew nothing. He would be cut off, caught by the rushing water . . .

‘Jonathan,’ she cried, fearing more for him now than for herself.

There was silence all around her, the mist wrapped itself about her like a shroud.

She stood still and listened intently. Was that a seagull crying?

Suddenly it was clearer, though faint. ‘Eeestheer!’

‘Jonathan, Jonathan – I’m here. Where are you?’

His voice was nearer and now she continued to call his name and steadily he was coming closer and closer, the sound of his voice in answer to her own becoming stronger and louder. ‘I’m coming, Esther. Stay where you are and I can come to you.’

The mist cleared a little and his dark shape came towards her. She was so thankful to see him that she flung herself against him, winding her arms about his neck, kissing his face, crying and laughing all at the same time.

‘I thought you’d gone towards the sea. I thought you could have drowned.’

Jonathan’s arms were about her, tight and protective and thankful. Their mouths were warm against each other, whilst the cold mist enclosed them.

‘Oh, darling, my love, my dearest love,’ she was murmuring, her endearments echoed by his deep voice. She was shivering as much from fear as with the cold. Jonathan took off his jacket and wrapped it around her, hugging her close to him. He kissed her, soothing away her terror. His lips were gentle, but as she returned his kisses, his mouth became more urgent.

‘Esther, oh, Esther,’ he whispered and they sank down together into the sand.

In their relief at finding each other safe, having for a few brief moments believed each other in danger, their longing overwhelmed them and they were lost. They yielded to the hunger that had been between them almost since their first meeting – an inexplicable craving that had shocked and engulfed them both.