‘Mats, I mean it. She could prove vital.’

‘She’s his ex,’ Matty groaned. ‘Probably everything she’ll tell us is lies anyway.’

‘We need to talk to her. Get a number for her, even if it’s the only thing you achieve all day.’

Matty sensed an opportunity. ‘. . . If I do, can I go back to bed?’

‘If you must.’

‘Yay.’ Mats snuggled deeper into the sheets, pulling them tightly around her neck. ‘I’ve been so jealous the past few days, being stuck inside while you and Johnny get to be up there. But not today.’

‘No,’ Clover sighed, dreading what awaited her up there. ‘Not today.’

It was instantly clear that yesterday’s training had just been a warm-up for today’s big finale. Every single rider was out there. The ‘parkitects’ had been working all night, refreshing the course, digging out and sharpening the angles. Coaches and trainers were standing to the sides, barking orders and swapping notes, watching intently as the athletes pushed themselves harder and higher.

Clover had been unable to rouse herself to move quickly, in spite of Johnny’s pleas, and it was lunchtime before they got to the glacier and skied down to the snowpark. While Johnny scanned for the best sites to set up according to the light, she looked around for familiar faces.

Mikey. She was looking for him. She had to at least apologize for running out on him like that. She knew he’d be on the park slopes. He’d spent much of last night telling her he was going to the FIS World Cup event at Modena next week.

‘Want to get some big air shots?’ she asked Johnny.

He looked at her, puzzled. ‘. . . Why? Foley doesn’t run that.’

‘Yeah, but we could try and find some new faces over there. Get some more soundbites.’

‘We did that yesterday. It’s the last day, Clo. Kit’s missed eleven days of this camp thanks to his drubbing. Don’t you think we should focus on him now?’

She sighed. ‘. . . Yeah, you’re probably right.’ The last thing she wanted today was to see him.

‘Hey,’ Johnny said, suddenly jogging her with his elbow. ‘You said you wanted to talk to Tipper McKenzie, didn’t you?’

‘Yes. Why?’

Johnny jerked his chin towards a figure walking down from the lifts, carrying a coffee. He was alone, for once, no sign of the others yet.

‘Shit,’ she said under her breath. There would be no better time. Of course her opportunity had to come when she could scarcely support her own head! ‘Come on then.’ She hastened forwards. ‘Mr McKenzie?’

She raised her arm to bring his attention to her as he looked up. She jogged over.