Jack did as he was told. He wouldn’t have dared to let the dog out of his sight, anyhow. Inside the examination room, she pointed at a bench. ‘Put him down there.’

Jack carefully put Frikk down on the bench and stepped back. Ninni leaned against him. The vet turned on the big overhead lamp, peeled away the soggy blanket and looked at Frikk. ‘And what have you done to your lovely self?’

‘It’s vipers,’ Ninni said. ‘He’s fascinated by them, and he got bitten.’

The vet pulled the lamp down more closely over the table. ‘More than once by the look of it. He’s got at least three bites in the face.’

She looked at Ninni with concern in her eyes. ‘There’s only so much I can do. The rest depends on his strength and how much poison he got. I can’t promise anything right now. You do know that, right?’

Ninni swallowed. ‘Please, do what you can.’

The vet got out a couple of syringes. ‘I’ll give him the antiserum, take some blood tests and give him something for the pain. Then we’ll have to keep him calm for a few days. Do you have anywhere to stay for the night? I’m guessing you’re not going to be able to return to the island now. The wind is getting stronger.’

‘No, there’s no point in that now. We’ll find somewhere.’

The vet smiled. ‘There’s a sofa in the office and there’s coffee. Also, there are some blankets in the hallway cupboard. They smell of dog, but I hope they’ll do.’

‘We’ll be fine,’ Ninni said.

The vet fastened an IV needle to one of Frikk’s paws and secured it with a piece of tape. ‘Frikk is the only overnight guest at the moment. I’m sorry, Ninni, but I have to go back home to my baby. I’ll come by in a couple of hours to see how he’s doing. If you notice any deterioration, call me and I’ll come right away.’

‘You’re going to leave everything here with us?’ Jack couldn’t help himself.

The vet smiled. ‘Well, Ninni’s Frikk is here. I doubt you’re going to leave him. Don’t have any wild parties and all the drugs are locked up. Get those blankets. You guys look drenched.’

Ninni stood up. ‘Yes, thank you.’

‘There’s also some overalls and sweaters there, if you want to dry your own clothes. And if you take a look in one of the drawers I’m pretty sure there’s a bottle of Scotch somewhere. For emergencies,’ she said, before carefully lifting Frikk off the table and setting him down on a comfortable doggy bed in the corner. ‘Keep an eye on him and let him know you’re here,’ she said to Ninni.

Ninni nodded. ‘I will. Thank you for coming.’

‘That’s what we’re here for.’

With a last look at the dog to see he was breathing properly, she left. They heard the main door slamming after her.

Jack realised he was cold to the marrow and he was dripping on the floor. He took Ninni’s hand. It was ice-cold and he could feel her shaking.