Mummy. She hadn’t heard ‘Mummy’ since Lexi was about six, and it sent strength pouring back through her rubbery legs.

‘Just hold on, Lexi.’ Her voice was firm and confident, and Ryan gave her a brief smile and released her, checking that she was steady on her feet before crossing the rocks to the two teenagers.

‘You’re a total star, Lexi. I just need you to hold on for another minute. Can you do that?’ He ripped equipment out of the rucksack as he spoke, and Jenna saw Lexi swallow as she stared up at him.

‘Yes.’

‘Good. We’re going to get him out of the water now, and you’re going to help.’ Ryan had a rope in his hand. ‘Just do everything I say.’

Jenna saw the fierce light of determination in her daughter’s eyes—saw the faith and trust in her expression as she looked at Ryan.

Gone was the child who moaned when she couldn’t get a mobile phone signal.

Jenna’s flash of pride lasted only seconds as she saw another huge wave bearing down on them.

She saw Ryan glance at Lexi and then back towards her, trying to make a decision.

Jenna made the decision for him. ‘Hold onto the children!’ She slithered towards the rock face and managed to get a grip just as the wave rose in height and started to break. With a ferocious roar it crashed onto the rocks with an explosion of white froth, as if determined to claim its prize. Jenna clung, feeling the water pull at her and then retreat.

Wiping salt water from her face, she looked over her shoulder and saw that Ryan had his hands on Lexi’s shoulders, holding her. As soon as the wave receded he turned his attention to Matt. The boy was moaning softly, his body half in and half out of the water.

‘My legs—I can’t put any weight—’

‘Yeah—we’re going to help you with that.’ Ryan glanced around him, judging, coming up with a plan. ‘If we can get him clear of the water and onto that rock higher up, that should give us at least another ten minutes before the tide hits us again. Enough time to check the damage and give him some pain relief.’ He spoke into the radio, telling Nick what he was doing and listing the equipment he needed. ‘While they’re sorting that out, I’m going to get a rope on you, Matt.’

‘Just leave me.’ His face white with pain, the boy choked the words out. ‘I don’t want anyone to drown because of me.’

‘No one is drowning today.’ Ryan looped the rope under the boy’s shoulders and secured it to a shaft of rock that jutted out of the cliff. Then he did the same to Lexi. ‘The rope is going to hold both of you if another wave comes before we’re done. We’re going to get you out of the water, Matt. Then I’m going to give you something for the pain.’ He questioned the boy about the way he’d landed, about his neck, about the movement in his limbs.