The whole cave was illuminated by bright sunshine revealing the extraordinary colours of the rock beneath: blazing bright blue with dashes of yellow and rust red, like some wild impressionist painting. For a moment Dora’s claustrophobia threatened to make her turn round and rush back to the boat, but a faint sound penetrated her consciousness like the freezing needles of a cold shower.

‘There!’ she almost screamed. ‘In that cave on the right.’

Nikos wasted no time in diving straight overboard and swimming fast towards the smaller cave, his waterproof phone tucked into his shorts’ pocket in case he needed to use it as a torch.

There was silence for what seemed to Dora and Penny an eternity, and then a shout from Nikos. ‘She’s here! Her foot is stuck in the rock. I’ll try and release it.’

Another silence, and the sound of a sudden scream, which made Dora clutch Penny’s arm in a painful grip.

And then Nikos appeared, holding Ariadne in his arms and kicking with his legs. Karl leaned down and helped him transfer the almost fainting young girl into the boat, where she half collapsed.

‘I came to take look again because I know you thought you saw something, Dora. But he has taken her away!’ The poor girl was almost in tears, feeling she had failed her goddess.

Dora took the shivering body into her arms, and began to gently rub the ankle that had been trapped.

‘Let’s get her back to the boat,’ Nikos said. ‘I’ve got a blanket in the cabin.’

He started the motor and they were soon back on board with Ariadne safely encased in an incongruous Royal Stewart tartan rug.

‘I am so sorry . . .’ she began

Dora hugged the slender body to her again, as Penny watched, fascinated. She had never seen Dora so emotional. ‘You are a good, brave girl. Braver than all the rest of us. The goddess would appreciate that.’

Ariadne looked at her, her dark almond eyes beseeching. ‘Do you think she would know?’

‘Of course she would,’ Dora stated baldly. ‘That’s why her scent was in the olive grove.’

Ariadne’s taught body visibly relaxed. ‘Then I haven’t failed her?’

‘Not at all,’ Dora reassured.

‘Your father has been so worried,’ Penny added. ‘He will be so relieved to see you.’

‘Not angry with me?’

‘Of course not.’

After that she fell asleep, still in Dora’s arms.

When they reached the harbour, Takis and Cassandra both stood waiting. They carried Ariadne gently inside the hotel to her bedroom.

‘Thank you! Thank you!’ Takis repeated over and over. ‘Sometimes I wish this statue had never been heard of!’ His sad face suddenly brightened. ‘But we have some good news. Three of the boathouses have been booked for next month! Somebody in England has been showing many pictures of them and how wonderful and peaceful they are!’