When they reach a spot where the road widens, they spread the flock thinly along its edge, working Kip to keep the sheep tight to the verge, leaving just enough space for the car to squeeze past. Fumes billow from its exhaust as it speeds away.

They release the sheep back across the road and Ted and Jack fall in step once again.

‘I never offered you my congratulations.’ The farmer’s belated good wishes appear begrudgingly bestowed. Unsure how to respond, Jack avoids commenting at all by catching the rump of a straying sheep with the tip of his crook and chivvying it on. ‘You’re a lucky man, Gwen’s a peach.’

‘Yes, she is. Yes, I am.’

‘You must have set your sights on her from the minute you arrived.’ Jack regards him sharply. There is bitterness in Ted’s voice, and regret. ‘Well, you’d better be good to her, because if you’re not …’

‘What?’

Ted stops him with a hand on his arm. He steps in close. ‘Just know this: if you ever hurt her, so help me God, I’ll kill you.’

They catch the bus home in order to be back in time for milking. They look odd, the three of them, armed with crooks, folded into bus seats. Jim argued with the driver to get Kip on board. The dog lies on the vibrating floor by Jack’s feet. Some wit calls out from the front of the bus, asking if Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep.

Ted gets off first. He says goodbye to Jim but only nods at Jack. He starts to make his way down the length of the bus, swaying as it jounces over potholes, holding onto the backs of seats to steady himself. The doors crank open and he climbs down at the crossroads leading to his farm. He holds a hand up to Jim as the bus pulls away.

The driver lets them off just outside their gate, at Jim’s request. Kip races into the yard.

‘Come in for a cuppa and then we’ll go for the cattle,’ Jim says, his manner still brusque.

They find the kitchen deserted. Jim calls out. A faint response is heard from the front of the house.

Muttering, Jim heads into the hall and Jack follows. The dining-room door at the far side of the stairs is open. Muriel is talking to Gwen – ‘Turn my way, stand still a minute, all right, now turn that way …’

Jim stops dead in the doorway. The Singer sewing machine is set up on the dining table. Gwen is standing on the footstool Muriel uses to reach the top shelves in the pantry.

She is wearing a wedding dress.

She gasps when her father appears, then pulls herself taller, pushing back her shoulders. Her hopeful expression breaks Jack’s heart. She looks beautiful.

‘What are you doing?’