“It wasn’t like that! We were… ” Ava stopped.

“You were what? What was it like?”

“Never mind.”

“Why won’t you ever talk to me about this? We’ve been together eight months and you never bloody let me in. What’s the big secret? For God’s sake, I don’t even know how your parents – where are you going?”

“To knock on their door and make sure they’re all right,” said Ava, wrapping herself in burgundy silk.

“Are you insane? Get back into bed right now.”

“But… ”

“But nothing. Dressing gown off. Bed. Right now.”

Slowly, Ava peeled off her silky outer layer and climbed back in beside him. Paul wondered if she’d even been planning to go, or if she’d just done it to stop him asking questions.

(“… don’t know if I can… ”)

(“… please don’t be… I do love… ”)

(“Ha!… you know… love?”)

A door slam and angry feet passing their door. Through the wall, a stream of muffled syllables with the short angry rhythm of fluent cursing, and the sound of someone shuffling around. Another slam of the door, and more footsteps. Silence.

“Well, that’s that then,” said Paul cheerfully. “Give me a cuddle.” He slapped Ava’s hand gently away from her mouth. “And stop chewing your nails, I want them long enough to scratch my back. Now where are you going?”

“To preserve the public trust, protect the innocent and uphold the law.”

“What?”

“Swimming. I won’t be long.”

“Liar. Please listen. He’s an adult. Leave him be – look, I can’t understand you if you talk to me with a jumper over your head. What did you say?”

“I said,” said Ava, emerging from the depths of her polo neck, “I’m not going for Finn. I’m going for me.”

The tide had crept close to the top of the beach. On the slender sliver of sand remaining, Finn was writing with a stick.

“I heard Caroline leaving,” said Ava, treading carefully around the edge of the words.

“Oh, no, did you? Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to disturb you. I think she’s gone home.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right, I don’t mind.” Finn’s teeth gleamed sharp and white in the twilight. “She’s been getting sick of me for a while. Doesn’t Paul mind you coming down here?”

“Probably.” Ava kicked off her flip-flops and dipped a cautious toe into the sea.

“That’s what he gets for stopping you from swimming earlier.”

“If I drown he’ll never let me forget it.”

“You won’t drown. You’re a mermaid in disguise.”

“And it’s really cold.”

“Yes but the hotel rooms are like blast-furnaces. Or mine is, anyway.”

“And I haven’t got a swimming costume.”

Finn glanced around. “Just go for it. Underwear’s fine. No-one’s watching. Go on, you know you want to.”

“Oh, you know what… ” Ava was already pulling her jumper off over her head. Seconds later she was gasping and muttering as she waded through the flat, glassy water. Finn folded her jeans and jumper out of the way of the sea, and carried on writing.