“OK, if you take his head then …” Alexandre began, but Claude knew what was coming and before I could even get near him to take hold of his halter, he began to flail about, teeth bared and his neck whiplashing like some creature from a Greek myth that had suddenly burst to life. All three of us scrambled back, getting out of the way just in time.

The vet was speaking French again. I had the feeling it was mostly swear words.

I looked at Alexandre. “I can do it by myself.”

“What?” Alexandre shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t be ridiculous, Maisie.”

“Get the vet to direct me. I’ll do it.”

Alexandre looked sceptical, but I think he knew it was the only way.

He handed me the syringe. I waited for them to leave and shut the bottom door and then I stepped forward and knelt down beside Claude, hiding the syringe on the floor behind me.

“Hey, Claude,” I whispered softly to him. “It’s me. Oscar sent me to check up on you.”

Claude had laid his ears back, flat against his head. But I kept talking, kept saying his name over and over, and then I saw it. One of the ears flicked up and turned to me. He was listening. Then I saw a softening in his eyes and I took my chance. I reached forward and stroked his muzzle. Claude gave a sigh, and the sound was so full of despair it was heartbreaking.

“I’m going to help you, Claude,” I whispered to him. “I swear. I won’t let them harm you, but you have to let me do something to you, OK? It’s just a little scratch, I promise.”

“OK.” Alexandre was at the door, guiding me in English as the vet gave him instructions in French. “This injection has to be into the muscle. You see on Claude’s neck there is an area below the mane? Put your hand on it.”

I did as he said.

“Very good,” Alexandre said. “That is where the injection needs to go. Take your hand away now. Use the other hand to thrust the needle in. You will have to punch down quite hard, I’m afraid, to get it into the muscle. He may try to bite when you do this.”

I took my hand away and surreptitiously picked up the syringe. Talking to Claude the whole time, holding his gaze, I poised the needle above his neck.

“My hands are shaking,” I said to Alexandre. “I can’t do this.”

“You can, Maisie.” Alexandre was calm, positive. “One quick, hard push into the neck muscle and then inject the fluid! Keep talking to him the whole time. You’re doing great!”

I took a deep breath; I looked at Claude and then, with my heart pounding, I thrust then needle deep into his neck!