In the end, she went home, hoping the dog might have returned to the cottage in her absence and that Lucy might simply have forgotten to phone. She found Lucy with Maya, the nurse’s daughter, out in the orchard. Maya was sitting on Scrumpy and Lucy was trying to teach her to ride. Luna wasn’t there.

Marnie took Tessy and Mister into the house. She put Alice’s tin on the kitchen table then, feeling as bad as she’d ever felt in her life, she messaged Jenna to let her know that Luna was missing. Jenna replied at once; said she’d put the word out on social media. She tried to reassure Marnie, but Marnie was beyond reassurance. She paced the bungalow, feeling as if she’d let Jenna down and, at the same time, terribly worried about Luna, who was out there somewhere on her own, certainly hungry, cold and frightened, possibly in grave danger.

The thought of the little dog cowering alone in some lonely place was unbearable.

Marnie considered going out again, but where else could she search? She’d looked everywhere.

She tried to console herself with the thought that some kind person without access to a phone had found Luna and was looking after her, although she didn’t really believe it, and that led her to the terrible possibility of Luna having been picked up by awful people, like the ones who used to own Mister; and from there to the chance that she too might be used as a bait dog.

Marnie knew she had to stop this catastrophising. It wasn’t constructive and she would drive herself mad. She needed to calm down and think logically about what to do next.

She messaged Jenna again.

I’ll make Lucy some tea & then go out looking again.

The message came back straight away.

It’s ok lovey, it’s all in hand. We’ll find her. Rest tonight and if she’s not back by morning we’ll go out together.

Marnie was still not reassured. But she did remember a few months earlier when their roles had been reversed. Jenna had lost a rescue dog and Marnie had been the one trying to keep her calm and persuading her to behave rationally. Poor Jenna had been in such a state and it was Marnie who’d had to convince her there was no point wandering randomly around in the dark, searching for a dog that could be anywhere; who might well come back of her own accord when she was ready. Marnie had been right. The dog found her own way home. Perhaps Luna would do the same.

To take her mind off things, Marnie busied herself preparing a meal for the two girls.