I wondered what was written on his piece of paper, but knowing I would have felt awkward sharing the details of mine, didn’t ask.

‘Come on then,’ I said. ‘We’d better go. Everyone’s meeting outside the pub, aren’t they?’

‘Apart from Abbie and Noah,’ Ned told me. ‘He’s driven them near to the site because they can’t get on to the sand with the wheelchair. They’re going to set up and watch as close as they can from the clifftop.’

I felt a little nervous as we approached the large group milling about outside the pub. It was only half two in the afternoon, but I could see lots of people had torches and lanterns with them.

‘Oh,’ I said to Ned. ‘I didn’t think to bring anything to light the way. I suppose it will be almost dark on the walk back, won’t it?’

We were to walk along the seafront and over to the beach huts where a large fire had been built near the shore and then back into the village after the formalities to celebrate in the pub. As it would be dark by four, we’d most likely need something to light the path back.

‘Don’t worry,’ said Ned, ‘I’ve got a torch.’

He pulled the red Maglite I recognised from the office out of his pocket.

‘Good,’ I said, ‘but it doesn’t look very in keeping.’

Some of the group, who were wearing hooded cloaks which reached the floor, had traditional lanterns and jars adorned with lengths of ivy.

‘I don’t suppose it matters,’ said Ned. ‘As long as there’s light coming out of the end of it, I’m sure it will suffice.’

The level of chatter began to rise as everyone found and paired up with family and friends. Ned and I stuck together, with Wren and Theo in front of us and Sue and her partner behind. Then a hush fell over the group as the two cloak-clad people at the front turned and led the way down to the beach. I imagined we looked like the elves leaving Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, only perhaps slightly less elegant.

As we progressed, the walk began to feel properly ethereal and, in the distance, I could see the bonfire had been lit. With every step we took, the light seemed to be fading and it felt quite eerie as we approached. Without a word we all formed a circle around the crackling fire and those with lanterns set them down or drove their handles into the sand.