Faye was shocked Derek wasn’t more sympathetic towards Bruce. She lay awake that night worrying about it. She wished there was someone she could talk to about her concerns. The problem was that her new friends were Derek’s old friends. Even though Michelle and Diane knew Derek better than anyone, they wouldn’t be objective and it would be weird to expect them to offer their opinions. Faye knew her mother would be honest but, perhaps because she didn’t want to face what Veronica saw in Derek, she didn’t want to raise the subject with her. The next morning, she convinced herself everyone had their faults and that when they were married, she and Derek would help one another become better people.

Besides, the wedding plans were well underway.

“What I do know, though,” said Faye, staring out of the shelter, “is that I didn’t realise what an unknown thing marriage is. The problem is you can’t change that; you have to experience marriage to find out.”

Clare didn’t respond.

The sun had reached the forest, etching the edges of the leaves with its light and casting long shadows across the ground. The trees around the shelter had grown familiar to Faye and, as one might acknowledge a friendly neighbour, she almost felt compelled to greet them. She remembered the disquiet she’d experienced before she spotted the wild pigs watching her. It was as if she was a different person.

“The pigs are elsewhere this morning, it seems,” she said.

“Uh-huh.”

Clare’s eyes were closed once more and her breathing ragged. Faye stroked her hand, her own felt clammy. She was afraid. What if help didn’t come soon enough? How would she face Geoffrey and Michelle?

She gazed into the trees, trying to still her heart. It wouldn’t help to panic. She needed to be calm and stay pragmatic. She’d get Clare to drink a little. Keep her hydrated and warm. There was nothing else she could do.

The sounds of the forest were changing as if, as the sun rose, the volume dial was turned up. Faye listened as the bird calls became louder and more diverse, and the insects buzzed with increasing intent. She also heard a knocking sound, a patter. Her heart sped up again. Was it the sound of a helicopter approaching? Then it stopped. Where had it gone? A few moments later she heard it again, Tap, tap, tap. Why wasn’t the sound growing louder? Was it going in the wrong direction? She looked as high into the trees as she could. ‘Tap, tap, tap.’

“It’s a cardinal woodpecker.”