‘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.

Jenna wondered why he didn’t give the boy painkillers first, but then she saw another wave rushing down on them and realised that the boy was only minutes from drowning. Rope or no rope, if Ryan couldn’t lift him clear of the water the boy was dead.

As the wave swamped all four of them Jenna held her breath and gripped the rock tightly. The tide was coming in. They didn’t have much time.

‘What can I do?’

‘Do you see that narrow ledge just under the waterline? Stand on it. I need you to hold his body steady so that we move him as little as possible.’ As a precaution, Ryan put a supportive collar around Matt’s neck.

Jenna stepped into the water, gritting her teeth as the ice-cold sea turned her legs numb. If she felt this cold, how must the children be feeling? She steadied Matt’s body, her hands firm. ‘I’m ready.’

‘I’m going to lift—try not to let his legs drag against the rocks.’

Using nothing but brute strength and hard muscle, Ryan hauled the boy out of the water. Matt’s screams echoed around the narrow chasm, bouncing off the rocks and adding to the deadly feel of the place.

Her heart breaking for him, Jenna gritted her teeth, wanting to stop but knowing they couldn’t. They had to get him clear of the water. He’d already been in there too long. Even as Ryan lifted him she saw the terrible gashes on the boy’s legs and knew they were dealing with serious injuries. Blood mixed with the water, and as they laid him flat on the rock Matt was white-faced, his lips bloodless.

‘Shaft of femur—both legs.’ Now that he could see the damage, Ryan worked swiftly, checking for other injuries and then examining the wound. ‘Jenna, we need to control the bleeding on his left leg and cover that wound. Get me pads and a broad bandage out of the rucksack. I’m going to give him some Ketamine. Matt, this will help with the pain.’

Matt groaned. ‘I’m going to die. I know I am—’

‘You’re not going to die.’ Seeing Lexi’s horrified look, Jenna spoke firmly, and Ryan gave the boy’s shoulder a quick squeeze.