‘Being a pilot makes dating difficult, doesn’t it?’ I remark, trying to sound like the thought has just occurred to me. ‘I went out with one for a while and you guys are almost never around. I’m surprised your ex didn’t have an issue with that, and I guess it gets in the way of meeting someone new.’

‘I don’t think it’s any worse than any job with irregular hours, is it?’ she replies. ‘My ex hated everything he wasn’t in control of, including my work, but I’m not worried about meeting anyone new.’ She smiles. ‘My dating days are firmly behind me. Don’t get me wrong, I like men and enjoy their company, but from now on they’ll only be mates.’ She turns to Will. ‘Your dad is quite safe.’

‘I never—’ he begins, but she cuts him off.

‘Of course you did. My boys would be just the same, don’t worry.’

I can’t tell whether Will is more embarrassed or relieved but, having fulfilled my task, my concern for him is rapidly being overtaken by the fact I’m not entirely sure I can still feel my feet. I stamp them a few times to try to wake them up but, beyond vague pins and needles in my toes, not much is happening.

‘Are you OK?’ Will asks. ‘Do you want some coffee?’

‘Yes, please.’

My hands are also suffering, so I wrap them gratefully around the plastic cup of warm liquid that Will gives me, but even the hot coffee isn’t enough to stop the chill that I can feel taking hold of me. I wonder if it would be bad form if I asked to go and sit in the car for a bit? The problem is that nobody else appears to be suffering. Audrey, Bernard and Will are all happily watching the helicopter. Maybe he’ll land soon and I can make my excuses then.

It’s a further ten minutes that feel like hours before Jonathan finally brings the helicopter back to earth on the landing patch and another, more enthusiastic, round of applause comes from the spectators. I join in with the clapping, but my hands are so cold that it hurts. To my dismay, Bernard doesn’t immediately rush out to help Jonathan bring the helicopter back to where we’re standing.

‘He needs to let the engine cool for a couple of minutes before he can shut it down,’ Bernard explains to nobody in particular.

By the time Bernard and a jubilant Jonathan bring the helicopter back, it feels like my internal organs have frozen. I don’t think I’ve ever been so cold and my teeth are chattering alarmingly.

‘Are you OK?’ Will asks, concern on his face.

‘Fine, j-just c-cold,’ I stammer.

‘She looks frozen,’ Audrey says, looking at me with alarm. ‘Will, take her to the car and warm her up before she gets hypothermia.’