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do that to me again, Tia, will you?’ I stroked her soft head and she tucked her nose under my chin.
    Jago had her lead and he clipped it onto her collar. ‘We don’t want to lose you again, do we?’ he said.
    Tia licked his hand.
    â€˜I thought for a minute there we’d have to tell my dad we’d lost his dog.’ Then he added quickly, ‘When he comes back.’
    I was beginning to wonder if Tristan was ever coming back.

CHAPTER
    6
    We were nearly home before I realised that, for the first time ever, I’d run through a Troll Hole without being scared. I was pretty chuffed about that.
    We made tuna sandwiches and took one down to Dad in his shed. I told him about Hug Howells shouting at me.
    â€˜Can’t believe it. Hug is as sweet as her honey. She might look like an all-in wrestler but I’ve always found her such a gentle soul. Hand me that glue?’
    I passed Dad the tube and he squirted a thin line along a piece of wood. He was making yet another birdhouse. I think he’s on a mission to give free homes to all the birds in Carreg.
    The shed was filled with the smell of clean wood and glue. Curls of shavings littered the floor and the air was thick with sawdust.
    â€˜Well, Hug wasn’t sweet earlier, was she?’ I looked at Jago for backup and he shook his head.
    â€˜Can we leave Tia with you for a while? We want to go to the beach.’
    â€˜Sure. If you take the stuff out of that cardboard box and put something soft in it she can have a nap.’
    â€˜You, um … you’d better keep her tied up if you’re going to be in and out of the shed.’
    Dad raised his eyebrows. ‘She might run off?’
    I shot Jago a warning look. I didn’t think it was a good idea to tell Dad we’d lost her once already. He might think Tia should have someone more responsible looking after her.
    â€˜Just in case,’ I said.
    â€˜She’d be better off in the flat but old Mrs Jenkins in number three is already sniffing around and complaining. I told her it was only for a day or two but…’ Dad said.
    â€˜I know. I know. No dogs allowed in the flats. You keep telling me.’
    â€˜Don’t think we can have her in the caravan when Mum comes out of hospital either. There’s a “no pets” sign by the entrance,’ Jago said. ‘Just wish my dad would come back…’ His head drooped and his long hair covered his face.
    On the way to the beach Jago suddenly decided we should go to the police and make a missing persons report.
    â€˜And say what?’ I said. ‘That your dad has gone away for a day?’
    â€˜It’s nearly two days now, and there’s that guy you told me about. The one who’s stalking him. I think Dad’s in real danger. Remember, he was covered in blood on the night he ran away from Bristol. Maybe there was a … a … murder or something.’
    I thought for a minute. The idea of murder had crossed my mind too, but stuff like that doesn’t happen to ordinary people – does it? It was more likely Tristan had been in some sort of fight or an accident. But then again, what did we really know about him? He was secretive…
    â€˜Wouldn’t hurt to report him missing, I suppose,’ I agreed.
    The police officer at the desk didn’t look much older than us. He was skinny with sticky-up hair and an Adam’s apple the size of a walnut.
    He took our names and addresses, but when we told him what happened his forehead wrinkled. ‘One day? One day?’
    â€˜He wouldn’t run off and leave his dog unless it was something serious,’ I said.
    Another police officer came out from an inner office. ‘Hello, you’re Dai Thomas’ daughter, aren’t you? Carys?’
    I nodded.
    â€˜What can I do for you?’
    We told her the same story.
    â€˜So you’re the son of our celebrity sculptor? I can see the likeness,’ she