‘Go all the same, Sandy.’ Perez’s voice was firm. Sandy thought how splendid it was to have the old Perez back. There’d been a time following Fran’s death when he’d thought he’d be lost to them forever. ‘Anything out of the ordinary, report back to me.’

None of them asked where Perez intended to search. They had the sense that he wouldn’t have told them anyway.

Outside, Sandy thought that the fog was lifting a little. They’d passed the darkest point of the night. He walked away from Sletts, first onto the road and then by the path that led above the beach towards Voxter. His mind wandered. A week ago the Malcolmsons would have been preparing for the hamefarin’, the house full of activity and the smell of baking. Friends and family would be turning out to help make bunting and decorate the hall. Caroline would be in her element directing proceedings. Then he wondered if he would ever marry, and that led him on to thoughts of Louisa.

The sky was definitely lighter now, but still he shone his torch and shouted Polly’s name. If she’d fallen she might see the pinprick of light in the gloom. He imagined finding her alive and well, and thought how pleased Jimmy would be then. At the planticrub he paused. But there was no sign of Polly here. No phone lying on the grass to be discovered. He looked down towards the sea. The sky was brighter still. A faint glimmering line along the horizon. There was a sharper point of light, which he assumed to be from Willow’s torch as she searched the beach. He walked on down the bank towards the Malcolmsons’ croft, shouting the woman’s name, thinking he must look like a madman, howling into the darkness.

He’d just left the crub when his phone rang. He answered without seeing who was calling. ‘Jimmy? Is that you? Any news?’

But it was a woman’s voice on the other end and it took him a moment to work out who was there. Mary Lomax.

‘Sandy, I’m really sorry.’ She seemed distraught, on the verge of tears.

‘What’s happened?’

‘David Gordon has done a runner. I didn’t realize until I heard the sound of the car starting. He must have come down the back stairs. I tried to run out to stop the car, but I was just too late.’

‘You should tell Jimmy Perez.’ Sandy didn’t know what else to say. He didn’t want to take responsibility for the missing man. And Jimmy had told him to check on Grusche and George, so that was what he intended to do.