Harriet’s car made quick time from the harbour to Ellarick, then to the little shop that she owned, and above which she lived. As she looked up the window opened and Phantom’s head appeared, followed by that of a cheerful middle-aged woman. A moment later she was climbing the stairs to throw her arms about the dog.

‘Mmm,’ she cooed, and he responded with a throaty growl that sounded much the same.

‘No problems?’ she asked Mrs Bates, the neighbour who’d kept watch in her home.

‘No sign of anyone.’

‘Let me make you a cup of tea,’ Harriet offered gratefully.

But Mrs Bates refused and departed. She was a kindly soul and she knew Harriet wanted to be alone with Phantom, although how she could bear the loneliness of the apartment Mrs Bates couldn’t imagine.

But to Harriet it would never be lonely while Phantom was there. She hugged him fiercely before saying, ‘Come on, let’s take a walk. You need space to go mad in.’

They slipped out together into the darkness and walked down through the streets of the town, heading for the shore.

‘But not “the ogre’s” private beach,’ she said. ‘From now on, that’s out of bounds.’

They found a place on the public sands where they could chase each other up and down in the moonlight.

‘That’s enough,’ she gasped at last. ‘Yes, I know you could go on till morning, but I’m out of puff.’

She threw herself down on the sand and stretched out on her back. Phantom immediately put a heavy paw on her chest, looking down into her face while she ruffled his fur.

‘That’s better,’ she sighed. ‘How could he not like you when you were trying so hard to be friendly? Being hurled to the ground by you is a real privilege. You don’t do it for everyone.’ She gave a soft grunt of laughter. ‘Just people with expensive clothes. If he really does send me the bill you’ll be on plain rations for a long time. So will I, come to think of it.’