Poe gave a sharp whistle and the dog in question came bounding up to them - clearly it hadn’t been very far off.

“As long as we get there before Demeter does, everything should go smooth as silk,” he said, giving Beebee a firm pat on the head and a rub. “If something goes wrong here, tell him, and he can come fetch us. He can find me anywhere.”

He was brimming with hope and happiness, a wide smile on his lips.

She’d said she wanted to try again later, so he didn’t make a move for her lips - but he did lean on and press a warm kiss to her cheek, only a scant centimetre away.

“I promise we’ll make this worth it.”