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When they arrived in Keswick, she stayed in the cab, on the edge of telling him about Ned yet unable to.

‘You don’t have to get a taxi back,’ he said. ‘I’ll come for you, if you want.’

‘That’s very kind, but I’ll be fine.’

‘If you’re carrying all that food shopping, you don’t want to be waiting around for a taxi. It might rain anyway.’

Katie had to admit he was right, yet knew he was going to the builder’s merchants and had an errand ten miles away. ‘OK. Thanks. I’ll call you and if you’re around, I’d love a lift. Otherwise,’ she added firmly, ‘I’ll be fine to grab a taxi.’

‘If I’m not at home, please wait inside the Lodge. The key’s under a flowerpot by the front door.’

Katie laughed. ‘That’s high security!’

‘There’s not much to nick in there and Pongo’s on guard.’

The idea of such a canine softy scaring burglars brought a smile to Katie’s face. It would be so easy to settle in up here with Arlo and Pongo.

‘About yesterday,’ she said, grasping the nettle. ‘I feel you ought to know.’

Arlo waited a moment before replying and kept his eyes on the windscreen. ‘You don’t have to tell me anything.’

‘Even so, I wanted to say that I made it clear to Ned that we’re not going to make up.’

He sighed. ‘I ought to say I’m sorry and I am sorry for any pain or upset the situation has brought you – and him.’ He paused before adding, to Katie’s surprise, ‘How did he take it? Was he OK?’

‘He seemed resigned …’

‘Did he?’ Arlo sounded taken aback. ‘I won’t pretend to know how he must be feeling, because he’s a very different person to me. I’ve learned not to assume.’

‘I hope he’ll be OK,’ Katie said. ‘He has a busy life in London, and he has a big, exciting project on the go and a lovely family and a lot of friends.’ She felt as if she was comforting herself.

‘He’s a very lucky man, in some ways. In others, not so much.’

‘I’m aware that Ned going doesn’t change things between us,’ Katie said. ‘And that both of us need some time to heal and some space between us. Maybe after that, maybe there could be a time when …’ She left the thought hanging, not sure what she meant or dared to say.

Katie’s phone pinged but she ignored it before she saw that it was a message from Wanda that read, Please call me. Urgent. Help!!!!!

‘Sorry, I have to get this. It’s Wanda in a panic.’

‘OK. I’ll leave you and pick you up later.’

‘Yes. Thanks.’ Their moment had gone so, reluctantly, Katie climbed out of the Land Rover, already talking to Wanda. ‘Hi, is everything OK?’

‘I’m OK and the walk has been amazing but I was desperate to get you. Is Ned over on the island by any chance?’

‘Ned? I’m not on the island. I’m still in Keswick. Arlo just dropped me off. Why?’

‘I – wasn’t going to tell you but I had a message from him earlier while we were on the summit. It said, Don’t waste words. Jump to conclusions.’

‘Oh.’ Katie laughed in relief. ‘Those are the words carved on the walls of Millican Dalton’s cave. Ned probably sent them as a writing prompt. He does that and he must have sent them to you by mistake.’

‘I see.’ Wanda didn’t seem to believe the explanation although it made perfect sense to Katie. ‘I didn’t realise. I feel a bit silly now. You see, he told me he’d made an appointment at the museum in Keswick to view some documents first-hand. And when I had that message and couldn’t raise him, I called the museum but they had no record of him turning up. I’m probably worrying too much, aren’t I?’ Wanda laughed nervously.

‘No. Not worrying too much.’

There was a pause during which Katie only heard the wind gusting.

‘Katie. Tell me to mind my own business but have you and Ned had a falling-out?’