‘So, are we ready?’ Johnny asked. They were driving behind the minibus taking their climbing group to Woden’s Face in the Borrowdale Valley. They were nervous and Callum knew that Josie’s dad was simply trying to make conversation to ease their fears.

‘I’ve known Kev for years. He’s a pro. Anyway, you smashed the rehearsal at Blencathra.’ Johnny tapped his hand on the wheel as he drove. As they left the southern shore of Derwent Water, the valley opened up before them. It wasn’t a wide road, and it was slow going, but the view was spectacular.

‘Give it a few months and you’ll be begging me to drive you up here for a climb. I used to do all the faces round here.’

‘You climbed?’ Josie seemed shocked.

‘He’d have to, to be qualified in the mountain rescue,’ Callum said.

‘Thanks, Callum, at least someone knows my worth. How do you think I know Kev? And he’s letting me help out today.’

Josie shrugged her shoulders. ‘So, what have you climbed, then?’

‘Matterhorn, a few cheeky faces in Scotland. The best one was in the Himalayas though, not because it was hard but because of the view. I could see Everest from where we were. I’d never do that, though. Only idiots go that far up into the death zone.’

‘Dad!’ Josie exclaimed.

‘Cool!’ Callum couldn’t help himself.

‘Parents have a life before kids, you know.’

Callum enjoyed the banter from the back seat and thought Johnny even more on point now. In fact, Josie was becoming slightly irritating for her constant tutting at her father, but then she was only fifteen still.

‘This is a great place for a swim in summer,’ Johnny said, pointing towards the jaws of Borrowdale: a network of gorges and gigantic rock formations forming hidden pools and places to cool off, if one knew where to look.

‘The best is Argen’s Pool,’ said Callum.

‘I agree! I took Kelly there last summer!’

Callum knew that Kelly was Johnny’s girlfriend. He also knew that she was the policewoman in charge of the murder cases. He also knew that she was fit.

‘Argen was supposedly a giant who destroyed Celtic tribes and stole their women. The clansmen sought their revenge by calling on an old hag who was a witch to cast a spell on him and she did, turning him into a gigantic stone.’

‘Isn’t the same said of Castlerigg?’ Callum asked from the back seat.

‘I think that story is about the Druids.’

‘Who are the Druids?’ Josie asked.

‘Don’t they teach you anything in school?’ Johnny asked, toying with her. Callum smiled and replied to her question.