“Ah, well. Sort of.” Jem wondered how much of that conversation had been lost in translation. Most of it, she guessed, given her current predicament. “I, uh, I think the message has got a bit mixed there. I’m more of an armchair mountaineer, really. My dad used to tell me loads of stories—the history of the Great Walls, first ascents, that sort of thing. I go to the Alps every summer if I can, but only to hike.”

“Right. Shit. I must’ve got my wires crossed.” Sylvie pulled into the climbing centre car park and drummed her fingers on the wheel, clearly considering her options. “I’ve booked us a session each.”

Jem shook her head in apology. “I can pay you back. It’s not a prob—” She broke off as Sylvie dismissed the offer with a wave of her hand.

“Don’t worry, I know all the staff here. I’m sure they’ll switch you to the beginners’ wall, and we can meet up for lunch afterward. There’s a cafe in Hulme that does a fantastic vegan omelette.”

The latter concept left Jem so flummoxed that she was rousted from the car and standing at the climbing centre’s reception desk before she could mount a protest.

“That’s great. Thanks, Kel,” Sylvie was saying to the receptionist. “Can we get her a pair of shoes as well? I don’t think her trainers will cut it.”

Jem scuffed her feet on the hardwood floor, her chest tight with apprehension and embarrassment. She felt like the kid who’d forgotten her PE kit and got stuck with the class hand-me-downs. “Sorry,” she said to no one in particular. “I don’t have any…” Her explanation withered to nothing as she watched Sylvie stride toward the changing room. Kel put a hand on Jem’s arm, keeping her at the desk.

“Here, hon, these are brand new out of the wrapper.” Kel placed a spotless pair of climbing shoes on the signing-in book. “I’ll give Rob a shout. He’s brill with newbies, and you can take things at your own speed, so don’t look so scared, okay?”

“Okay,” Jem said, easing her grip on the inhaler in her pocket. “Thank you.”

Shoes in hand, she entered the changing room, where Sylvie was pacing the floor, decked out in all the right clobber.

“There you are,” Sylvie said. “I’m going to make a start on the Beast. It’s the advanced wall at the far end, if you fancy watching when you’ve had enough. It’s got some awesome overhangs on it.” She flexed her fingers, cracking most of her knuckles. “Have fun, and I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”