Garrick's tail wags furiously when Greta drops onto his level, his entire back end swaying from side to side as he snuffles happily at her cheek and her hair before sitting back and letting out one of those great big dog sneezes that Demelza can only be grateful he's had the foresight to aim toward the ground instead of straight at Greta's face.

"Yes, I thought I ought to take him, sometimes he do get so restless in the house and tramples all over everyone. He would go everywhere with me if he could, but when I was working at Tintern, it wasn't allowed and when he waited for me outside, sometimes people would be cruel to him."

It might be different at Green Gardens, though, and she considers speaking to Baz and Simon about it. They might welcome her gentle and yet protective dog, who would only ever lie about and let the children crawl all over him, but would stand against anyone who tried to hurt them.

"Are you headed home or would 'ee like to walk with us for a bit?" she asks.