‘Now us,’ he’d told her as he’d roped her to him. ‘I’ll go first and then you follow. Don’t look down, but even if you do, you’ll only see my face smiling up at you.’

She’d relaxed a little at that, the fear in her eyes diminishing.

The descent had taken longer than he’d wanted, conscious as he was that the gradual turning of the Orlova at anchor would soon expose them to anyone who might be watching from the shore. The periodic unveiling of a bright, almost full moon only increased his concern, but he couldn’t let Nadia see that. So every time she stopped, seemingly frozen to the ladder, he’d spoken calmly, telling her they would soon be on dry land and in the warmth of the farm kitchen. That she could have hot buttered bannocks with bacon and fresh eggs from the hens.

He had no idea if she’d heard or understood his wittering, anxiety strengthening his Orkney accent, but eventually she got close enough for him to grab her by the waist and ease her aboard the Fear Not.

Feeling Nadia shiver now against his legs as a squally shower added to the sea spray hitting the boat, he ordered Finn to get down beside her, which the collie did, pushing his warm body into her arms.

In sight of the slipway now, Dougie watched as the moon slid behind a cloud, plunging them into shadow once more.

‘It’s okay,’ he told a silent Nadia, ‘I know my way in the dark.’

Seconds later, he felt the bow scrape against the slipway. The tide, he knew, was well in, so they were very close to the boathouse. Finn, familiar with the routine, jumped out, Dougie following, before holding out a hand to help Nadia.

He was shocked at how cold her hand was and realized he had to get her into the warmth, and soon. She scrambled onto the slipway and waited while he drew the boat up and secured it.

Dougie’s plan was to stop at the barn, get Nadia settled in the warmth of the hay, then approach the house alone to talk to Ava.

He explained this to Nadia as he opened the barn door. ‘You’ll be safe here,’ he told her. ‘I won’t be long.’ Worried about her low temperature, he told Finn to stay with her to keep her warm.

Once he saw them settled, he apologized for leaving her there. ‘Don’t go outside. Finn will stay with you until I whistle for him. Okay?’

She nodded, the whites of her eyes barely visible in the gloom.

As Dougie walked swiftly towards the house, he saw a pair of lights turn off the main road to make their way down to the farm. He held his breath as he realized that it looked like a police car.

Had Ava got his message and called Erling?