Taking a shallow dive, Lottie floated underwater letting her body acclimatise to the shock of the cold. Gran had taught her that years ago, when her instinct had been to fight and kick. Now her body rose to the surface and she existed between the sea and the mist. It felt as if her problems were far away, but she knew they were waiting, and she couldn’t push them aside forever.

She began to swim, enjoying a slow breaststroke across the bay. Swimming had become her sanity. In the water she left her awkward self behind. But that and all her problems returned as she left the sea. Looking up, Boskenna was just breaking through the mist. It looked like a palace set in a bank of clouds.

A searing pain sprang from the side of her foot. She swore and limped further up the beach. Weever fish. This was the last thing that she needed. She examined the side of her heel. There was a small dot, but she could see no sign of a spine. That was good news. Gritting her teeth, she made her way to the café. They took one look at her and put the kettle on. She needed to get this in hot water fast.

While she was waiting at a table outside, she squeezed her heel as best she could to push any poison out. She couldn’t look at the blood.

‘Here you go.’ The man brought out an old washing-up tub and she could see the steam rising. ‘See if you can tolerate that temperature.’

She braced herself and submerged her foot. It was hot, but she could take it. Having done this before when she’d stepped directly on top of a weever, she knew she was lucky. Although with the pain radiating up her leg, it could be debated. Just when she was needed to help out, she would be hobbling. All because she’d wanted a swim to clear her mind. Selfish, her mother would be sure to point out.

A steaming cup was placed down beside her. ‘I thought you might need this.’ The woman smiled and said, ‘You’re Lottie, aren’t you?’

She narrowed her glance trying to figure out who this was. ‘Yes, and you’re . . .’

‘Tegan. Alex’s cousin.’ She pushed her hair back and Lottie admired her bracelet, remembering. Tegan was just ten the last time she had seen her, and Lottie had made that bracelet for her birthday. She could hardly believe she still had it.

‘I’ve given Alex a ring as I think you’ll need a hand getting up to the house.’

Lottie looked down at the steam rising from the bowl. ‘That’s great.’

‘No problem, and I’m sorry to hear your gran is so poorly.’

Lottie smiled at her and looked up. Alex was making his way towards her. She didn’t need rescuing, but it would be churlish not to be grateful.

‘The wicked weever strikes again.’ He smiled and kissed his cousin’s cheek. ‘Thanks Tegan.’ He squatted down by the tub. ‘May I?’