Water is running down Colin's face, his hair and clothes stuck to his skin, his shoes like enclosed puddles. Fingers scrape water away from his eyes and he looks up at his rescuer. The woman is tall and built like a house, which is why she felt so solid and reassuring on the way down. He nods.

"Thank you. I didn't fancy breaking an ankle. Come inside, I'll get you a cup of something hot and a free onion tart."