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He scans around and points as he hurries towards the forest gate.

‘Think she’s got spooked and run!’ he shouts over the wind, pulling down the peak on his cap. He seems to be limping slightly in his new boots. He’s scanning the trees blowing in the wind. ‘Dinky!’ he calls, holding his hands around his mouth.

‘Will,’ I say, turning to him, ‘bring Tegan out from the kitchen, would you? See if she can help us get Dinky back.’

Will nods and runs off to the farmhouse. He reappears a moment later with Tegan at his feet. Lara and I put our heads down, and together we all head towards the forest gate.

Chapter 20

Tegan jumps over the lower fence pole, and we head through the gate towards the trees. Overhead, the sky is darkening. The wind whips up some more, as if it’s just playing with us, only just warming up for a big blowout.

‘This way,’ I call out. ‘Lara, wait there in case she comes back!’ I’m leading Luke into the forest. Will is ahead of us, knowing the lie of the land as well as me by now.

We hurry on, pushing back the branches, others flicking into our faces.

‘Dinky!’ I shout, as does Luke. But all we can hear in reply is the wind in the branches of the darkening forest.

And then I hear a rustle, and a bark from Tegan.

‘Gwen! Over here!’ Will shouts.

‘Will!’ I turn around. ‘Luke!’ I call out, as the rain starts to come down in big fat heavy drops, heavier and heavier by the second.

We head in Will’s direction. He’s holding back the branches to the small clearing where Paddy’s tree stands – tall, like an elder statesman, with space around it.

‘It’s Dinky!’ says Will. ‘She’s making funny noises.’

Luke and I look at each other.

‘Oh. I think she might be going into labour,’ he says, looking terrified.

‘Let’s get her inside,’ I say. Luke leans forward to try and pick her up.

‘She’s heavy,’ he says, trying to reach his arms around her.

‘It’s okay, Horse is on his way,’ says Will, and my stomach does a leap at the mention of Horse’s name. ‘I just heard his bike.’ He dodges out of the clearing and through the thick branches, Tegan at his heels. This time, I don’t call him back.

I look down at Dinky, who looks up at me, clearly wondering what’s about to happen.

‘Okay, sweetheart.’ I bend down to stroke her head. ‘I wish I had something I could tell you to reassure you, but I haven’t done this! It’ll be okay . . . Horse is on his way,’ I murmur to her. Maybe I’m saying it for my own benefit, as well as for hers. I feel strangely light-headed.

In what feels like no time at all, Horse is there, peeling his jacket off despite the rain. Large drops roll down his face, and he pushes his hair back off it. He and Luke slide Dinky onto his jacket.

‘You got her?’

‘Yes, you okay?’

They pick her up. Will and I step out in front of them, leading the way back to the farmhouse. Lara is at the gate, holding up a big torch she must have found in the kitchen dresser, guiding our way with its beam.

‘This way,’ she calls out, into the wind and rain.

Working together as a team, they carry her through the trees, Will and I holding back the overgrown branches and brambles to stop them flinging back in their faces. Tegan brings up the rear.

As we approach the gate, Will calls, ‘Lara! We’ve got Dinky! She’s going to have the pups!’

‘Let’s get her to the barn,’ says Luke, ‘if that’s okay with you, Gwen?’

‘Of course, of course,’ I say. I’m wondering if Dinky might be more comfortable in front of the Aga, but I’m happy to take direction.