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‘It’s OK, we’ll get him seen to,’ Kit reassured him. ‘Thanks for telling us.’

They sped up as they drew nearer, instinctively running the last few steps. As they burst through the door, Fliss was surprised to see the other teens there, all crowded into Apollo’s stable and looking at him anxiously.

One of the girls burst into tears.

‘Hey, come on.’ Kit took her in a hug. Fliss could see that they were all worried and upset.

‘George’ – Kit put his hand on his son’s shoulder – ‘take everyone back up to the house. It’s better that it’s quiet and calm in here for Apollo, OK?’

George nodded, and turned to lead the others out, and Fliss was impressed by his calm maturity. The boy turned to go as Kit reached into his pocket and then swore. ‘I left my phone back at the house. George, run back and call the vet. Sally will have the number.’

With a brief glance at Jasper, George nodded, and the two boys sprinted off, followed by the girls.

Fliss fell to her knees beside Apollo, heedless of the fact that she was still wearing the smart suit she had chosen for the interview; she stroked the animal’s neck and softly reassured him. Apollo’s flanks were shuddering and covered in sweat, his breathing strained. His eyes rolled as he looked at her, but he seemed to recognise her.

‘It’s OK, boy,’ she told him, fighting back tears. ‘I’m here for you …’

His eyelids fluttered open and closed, and he seemed to calm down as she ran her hands over him, feeling the roughness of the hair on his mane, the softness of his nose down to his spiky grey whiskers. Fliss glanced up as Kit sat down beside her; for a moment, she had almost forgotten he was there. She could hear him breathing softly in the silence, could sense him watching her in concern.

‘You don’t have to stay,’ Fliss murmured. ‘I’ll stay with him until the vet arrives.’

‘Of course I’ll stay with you and this old boy. Neither of you have to be alone.’

‘Thank you,’ she said quietly. They didn’t speak, listening to Apollo’s laboured breathing and the sounds of the other horses as they whinnied softly, or pawed at the ground in their stables, agitated hooves clopping on the floor. It was as though they sensed that Apollo was leaving them.

‘Can we do anything to make him more comfortable?’ Fliss wondered, looking down at Apollo. Kit got to his feet and found a blanket in the tack room, coming back to cover him over before sitting back down beside Fliss.

‘The most important thing is that you’re here with him,’ Kit said softly. ‘That he’s not alone.’

His words brought a lump to her throat, emotion rising up inside her. It wasn’t just sadness about Apollo, although Fliss was devastated that, so soon after being reunited with him, he was going to be taken from her again. This moment felt like coming full circle and her blue eyes brimmed with tears. One spilled down her cheek and Kit gently wiped it away with his thumb. The feel of his touch on her skin was almost more than Fliss could bear, and she inhaled sharply, her breath shaky.

‘He’s had a good life. A long life,’ Kit said.

‘I know. It’s not just that …’ Fliss sniffed. ‘I can’t help thinking about when I first came here, to the Hall. Those early years staying with the family, how close Tara and I were. How we had such incredible summers, and I got to know this fellow,’ she said, stroking Apollo softly. ‘I can’t help thinking about the girl I was back then. I would never have expected all of this to happen, all this success. Fame was the last thing I was interested in. But I also didn’t think I’d be divorced, dragged through the papers for a stupid mistake twenty years ago … Sorry,’ Fliss apologised, feeling embarrassed by her outburst.

Kit reassured her. ‘With everything that’s been going on recently, and now Apollo, it’s only natural that you’re thinking about the past … and the future. But Fliss, you’re not alone, OK? You have me. You’ll always have me, if that’s what you want …’

‘Kit …’ Fliss trailed off, closing her eyes. He was so close, his very presence was overwhelming. She couldn’t think straight when he was beside her. Was he saying what she thought he was? ‘You pick your moments,’ she gently chided him.

‘I know,’ he agreed ruefully. ‘I’m sorry. But I mean it, I would rather be out here with you, sitting in a stable on the straw, than in there with everyone else, pretending to be someone I’m not. You know me, Fliss. You always have.’

Fliss looked up at him then reached out and softly touched his face, cupping his cheek in her palm. She felt the rough stubble of his jaw against her skin, the softness of his lips against her fingertips, as they looked into each other’s eyes, seeing the depths and the truths hidden deep within. Fliss truly did feel as though Kit could see into her soul, that nothing was kept from him.

With effort, she pulled herself away and turned back to Apollo – he was her priority now, and she wanted to be there for him. These were his final moments; matters of the heart could wait until later.

Kit seemed to understand. He moved closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as she sank against him, absorbing his strength, as she stroked Apollo and prepared to say her final goodbye.

Fliss was in tears as they headed back up to Clarendon Hall, Kit by her side offering support. When the vet had arrived, she had insisted on staying with Apollo, not wanting him to be surrounded by strangers as he took his last breath. Fliss had cried not just for Apollo, but for the memories of her mother and father, and for her uncertainty about her life right now. She had been bottling her feelings for too long, and as she sat with the gentle, trusting horse whilst he grew still and quiet, passing from this world to the next, everything came spilling out.

As they reached the house, Fliss spotted a taxi approaching down the long drive, and Tara ran out of the front door to meet it. Lady Oliver stepped out and went round to help Lord Oliver, who emerged looking slimmer and frailer than when he had left. His grey hair was wispy, his face pale. But as he gripped onto his wife’s arm, he pulled himself upright, a determined look coming over his face.

‘Neville!’ Fliss breathed. ‘He’s home.’ She hastily wiped under her eyes. ‘Do I look OK? Let’s not tell him about Apollo yet, he has enough to deal with,’ she said, as Kit nodded in agreement.

‘Kit! There you are,’ Tara said, marching over and linking her arm possessively through her husband’s. ‘Where have you been?’

‘The stables. Didn’t George tell you?’

‘I haven’t seen him.’