‘Much better,’ she managed. ‘You?’

He nodded. ‘We’ve survived one of Cornwall’s more impressive storms. The waves sounded immense, but I didn’t think it was wise to stop and take a look on our way back.’

‘There’s a great view from the snug,’ Marnie said. She was following the dog around the space, presumably making sure he didn’t wander – or relieve himself – anywhere he shouldn’t. He was sniffing the Christmas tree, his short tail wagging. ‘We’ve been turning all the lights off, so you can really see what the sea’s up to,’ she continued. ‘You should go, get properly dry. I can make you a couple of hot chocolates.’

‘That sounds like a good idea,’ Daniel said, joining them, his own towel slung around his shoulders.

‘Did Charlie get back safely?’ Hannah asked.

‘She did, and the dogs are fine too. I pity any poor bastard who has to be out in this – twenty minutes was enough for me. Are you both all right?’

‘Is that all it was?’ Hannah asked, astonished. ‘It seemed like hours.’

Daniel laughed. ‘Afraid so. It did feel a bit Herculean. But well done for rescuing the dog; I didn’t see him.’

‘He shot across in front of me. I thought it was a ghost for a moment,’ she added, then bit her lip.

To her relief, Daniel grinned. ‘Escaped from here, you mean? If that was the case then the Crystal Waters ghosts are stupid. Nobody would go into that voluntarily. Speaking of which, Noah, are you going to stay here tonight?’

Noah shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘If that’s OK? Not sure I want to risk it when you’re offering a more attractive alternative. I’ll just have to make a call.’

‘No problem,’ Daniel said. ‘I’ll make sure there’s a room ready for you.’

They disappeared in different directions, leaving Hannah alone. She took her sodden coat and her towel and went into the snug. There were a few people in there, the lights low and atmospheric, the bar top shimmering invitingly. She went to the long bench in front of the huge window: there was a couple at one end, talking softly while they shared a bottle of wine. Hannah put her coat and towel on the opposite end and kneeled on the seat, pressing her hands against the glass.

Marnie had been right: the sea was a gargantuan monster, giant waves reaching like thick arms up to the sky before crashing down, bubbling foam gleaming in the intermittent moonlight. The wind screamed around the outside of the building, as if desperate to get in, and Hannah shuddered. She tried to think of pleasant things, like whether she should have cream and marshmallows on her hot chocolate, but her mind skipped quickly to Noah. She wondered who he was phoning; who was waiting for him in Mousehole. She sighed, and felt a gentle pressure on the bench next to her. The dog had joined her, and was looking up at her expectantly with his soulful eyes.