By the time that we arrived in Tain, my throat was so dry that I could hardly speak.

TPR and I stood by JS and AT’s garden wall and waited until one of them appeared. Soon JS returned to her house, smartly addressed after a long day at work.

I lost TPR when he followed JS indoors. I ended up in a neighbour’s carpentry workshop. This was a vast room, with stuffed deer head shooting trophies staring down from every wall. The neighbour ushered me back next door.

I settled in the kitchen for the rest of the afternoon, focusing on the washing-up.

Later, I was delighted when MH came to the door. She was completely soaked due to a sudden highland downpour.