Johnny was showering after a particularly gruelling hike up to Broad Stand, between Scafell Pike and Scafell, just after dawn. It didn’t matter how many warnings they put out about the sheer rock face straddling the two peaks; people always thought they could do it without ropes. Every year, some dozen or so folk got stuck on the series of rocky steps that made up the Mickledore col, each the height of a man; hence the permanent stretcher box instalment up there. Johnny didn’t usually get drafted in by the Wasdale crew, but they’d been inundated with calls in the area and were short of volunteers.

It was always a pleasure hiking up the Scafell range, but never when it was to bring down a body. It happened. Falls from Broad Stand were usually fatal. When he guided the Three Peaks later in the year, he’d stick to the corridor route.

He’d had a call from Graeme Millar, who wanted to share a pint and a chat. It was a welcome diversion with Kelly away, and just what she had requested. He’d been taken by surprise at how much he missed her. He’d even slept at hers a few nights, and lit the fire, curling up on the sofa with a glass of red – though only one, in case he got a call for a rescue. Josie was becoming ever more the independent young woman, and she only came to him when she needed something – usually money. He’d suggested going out on the boat, but she always had better things to do, like Instagram. In fact, he’d spent more time with Ted than with his own daughter.

The old man was bloody good company, and they chatted about cricket, rugby and the army. Ted was fascinated by the operational tours Johnny had done, and he asked about his medals. Johnny didn’t wear his medals, not even on Armistice Day, and he didn’t talk about them much either, but an enthusiasm he hadn’t experienced in years had crept back when he answered Ted’s questions about his role in Iraq and Afghanistan. Old wounds that he’d fled from suddenly didn’t seem so threatening for some odd reason. Last night, they’d ended up sleeping on the boat after a full bottle of whisky and tales of Baghdad. They also talked about Kelly, and Ted’s other two daughters from his marriage to Mary.