It had only been in the years since she’d become a world traveller that the connection between them had been broken. So when she’d returned after their parents’ death, they had felt like strangers.

Dealing with the fallout from the Orlova and the Go Wild investigation had changed things between them. She recognized that now. Somehow, when she’d returned, she’d expected to find the small boy she’d left behind, whereas Dougie had become a man in the interim.

And had to be treated as such.

When she’d picked up what she thought was a call from Magnus, only to hear Dougie’s voice, she’d thought her heart would stop. He had been so hesitant, so apologetic for making her worry.

She, on the other hand, had dismissed all of that. He was safe. She understood. She hadn’t kept her promise about not revealing Nadia’s presence at the farm. She had broken her word. They were safe, she’d told him. That was the important thing.

The phone had been passed back to Magnus at that point.

‘I’ll bring them round now,’ he’d said. ‘They’re well, although I think a hot shower and food will be required.’

‘Where were they?’ she’d asked.

Magnus had described a small bay, one he used to go fishing in. ‘They had a tent, well hidden. No fire. I doubt even the coastguard launch would have spotted them.’

‘How’s Nadia?’ had been her second question.

‘As keen to come back as Dougie, I gather. What are you planning to do now?’

She had told him she was going to Glasgow. ‘I hope Nadia will come too,’ she’d said. ‘If she agrees, will you and Erling keep an eye on Dougie?’

‘Of course.’

In fact, Nadia had been full of the idea on their return and more than delighted that Ava had done what she’d promised.

The day had been spent planning the trip, with Dougie saying he would have further talks with Erling’s dad, Tommy, regarding the farm, while they were away.

And so it had all been arranged, the police helicopter for the flight down, plus an attempt to find spare clothes for Nadia from among her own.

‘We could shop when we’re there,’ Ava offered, wondering how possible that would be if Nadia was under guard.

The issue of where they would stay had also come up, which she could answer.

‘Dr MacLeod has offered to put us up. If the police okay that, I think we should.’

Nadia had seemed pleased by the suggestion.

Having reached the shore now, Ava walked along it, drawn as she was by the burnt-out remains of the boathouse. The Fear Not was already tied up by the jetty, having been returned by the coastguard.

The sooner they got the boathouse rebuilt, the better she would feel, she thought.