"Let me lie." And with a groan of pain he lay back on the beach.

Miriam folded a blanket and placed it under his head.

He looked round, recognised her and nodded.
"No place for you, miss," he said, and closed his eyes.

After a moment he raised himself on his elbow and looked into the faces peering down at him.
"Loo will beach her anywhere he can.

Keep a bright lookout for him," he said.