We move in silence, tramping through the forest. The trees are heavy with rain and creak in the wind, making us jump at every step. Liam’s taking us on a circuitous route so we can avoid going near the castle or its grounds, but it’s rough terrain and slowgoing, especially as we’re trying not to make much noise.

We reach a point in the forest where the trees are thinning and, through gaps, I can spot the flash of water. We pick our way down to a rocky shore, clambering over boulders, and then I see the boathouse up ahead. It’s falling apart, the stone walls clad in moss, which camouflages it so well that from a distance it appears as part of the landscape. The clouds have sunk low, engulfing us in soft drizzle, muffling noise and blurring vision.

As we get closer, we see that the boathouse is built directly over the loch and there’s a stone slipway, pitted with age, that juts into the water like an old, greying tongue. We approach the place cautiously, primed for a surprise – for the man to leap out at us with his gun.

I jolt around, turning left to right and scanning the woods, but I can’t see anyone.

‘Stay behind me,’ Liam whispers as we reach the entrance to the boathouse.

I do, sheltering behind his back. He throws the door open; there’s no one inside. I breathe a huge sigh of relief. Thank god. There is a boat though. It’s a wooden rowing boat that’s been pulled out of the water and is resting on the slip.

Liam rushes towards it and tosses the bag into the bottom of it. ‘Get in,’ he says to me, urgently. ‘I’ll push us out.’

I hesitate.

‘It’ll be fine,’ he reassures me.

But I don’t know. I cast a wary look at the boat and, beyond, to the grey, unending sky melting into the loch. The water is choppy, and I remember the boatman’s warning about the currents and the cold.

‘Come on!’ Liam urges.

I glance in the other direction, through the door of the boathouse, to the island. What choice do I have? ‘OK,’ I say and move towards the vessel.

I climb in and Liam shoves us off into the water. I grip the flimsy sides as Liam jumps in. We rock dangerously and water splashes over the edge, soaking my lap and feet. Liam almost overbalances as he takes his seat, but the boat rights itself and he grabs the oars and pushes us further out into the water.