The rain is blowing soft curtains of mist across the estuary, obscuring the far shore, settling in cushions of fog on the hills. Al climbs the steps up to the garden, lets himself into the house. He drags off his jacket, kicks off his shoes and calls to Reggie, who comes to greet him, happy to have him home again.

The rest of the weekend passes slowly, and there is no answering text from Cosmo except the one on Sunday afternoon, which confirms that he is on the train, travelling west and he’ll see Al at Totnes Station. Al sighs with relief and begins to get his belongings together. He tidies up, checks around and then puts his bag and Reggie into the car. Rather than take the lanes he drives up to the main road, and heads towards Kingsbridge. He is surprised at the lightness of spirit he is experiencing, as if he has been appointed an unpleasant task of which he is now being relieved. It is only as he approaches Totnes that he realizes he is actually feeling very angry at having been made complicit in this deceiving of Becks – and of Amy. He resents it. Cosmo might be one of his oldest friends but Al feels he has been used and he wishes he’d never agreed to it.

He finds it even more irritating when Cosmo comes swinging off the train looking so pleased with himself. He gives Al a hearty one-arm hug and lets out a great gasp of pleasure.

‘Hey,’ he says. ‘It’s great to be back. Thanks, mate. I’ll do the same for you one day.’

‘I hope you’ll never have to,’ Al retorts. ‘Did you get my text?’

Cosmo opens the car door, calls a greeting to Reggie and hefts his camera case and bag inside. He begins to laugh.

‘I did,’ he says. ‘And I conveyed your message to Becks. She was touched and surprised. But not as much as I was. What was all that about?’

‘Perhaps I was just trying to make it up to her for all the shit you’re giving her,’ Al answers sharply.

Cosmo raises his eyebrows. ‘Ooh,’ he says, grinning. ‘Get you.’

‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ says Al. He takes a deep breath. He knows he’s wasting his time. ‘Look, I’ll go back over the footbridge and wait for my train. It’s not that long to go. You can give Reggie a walk before it gets dark if you hurry.’

Cosmo hesitates and then nods. ‘OK. If you’re sure. Thanks, mate. Really. Thanks. Are you sure you’re OK?’

‘I’m fine,’ answers Al. ‘But what will you do next time she wants to come down?’