The cottage had been shut and dark then, the little garden empty.

He had concluded that Rufus had gone early to rest after a long day with the nets, and had passed on securely to wait for Columbine on the edge of their magic pool.

But what he did not know was exactly where the cliff-path ran out on to the beach.

The opening was close to the Caves and sheltered by rocks.

Could he find it in this infernal darkness?
Could he ever make his way to it in time?
With the waves crashing behind him he struggled desperately towards the blackness of the cliffs.
The rocks under his feet were wet and slippery.