When I was little, I’d line up my soft toys in a pretend hospital, giving them all random ailments and then play-acting the role of doctor. My mum always told me I could be anything I wanted, including a doctor or a vet, but I never had the confidence to pursue my ambitions all the way to the top. Being a veterinary assistant is where my aspirations settled, and I enjoy the work. Or I did. I’m not really sure if I can go back to it though. I left them in the lurch, quitting the way I did, so suddenly and without any warning, and although I think they’d be sympathetic, given all I’ve had to cope with, I still don’t know if they’d want me back. I wasn’t exactly the best employee by the end, dealing as I was with my mum being ill and planning a wedding. They will have replaced me by now. There’s even a chance they might not give me a good reference if I look elsewhere for a job.

One day at a time, I remind myself, taking a deep breath. One day at a time. I’ll make it out the other side eventually and start living again. This honeymoon is the fresh start, even though it’s turning out to be not quite the romantic getaway that we had planned.

By the time we make it back to the cottage, the sky has turned the colour of a fresh bruise. I cast a look up at it and Liam does too. That’s not a good sign, I think to myself. Perhaps the boatman was right after all and the storm he warned us about is brewing. Liam must be thinking the same because he frowns unhappily, pursing his lips in a tell-tale sign that he’s annoyed.

Liam unlocks the back door as the first fat drops of rain begin to fall, and he ushers me inside. My arms are aching from carrying the bird all this way and I have no doubt that it has done its business inside my coat, but I don’t care. All I hope is that it’s not for nothing, and that I can somehow fix it, mend its wing so that it can fly once more.

‘Where are you going to put it?’ Liam asks, nodding towards the bird.

I look around. ‘I need a box or a crate of some kind and a towel.’

‘I think I saw a box under the stairs,’ Liam replies. ‘Hang on.’

He goes and retrieves it. It’s just big enough.

‘Could you fetch me a towel, please?’ I say, getting to my knees.