‘Yes?’ he asked, seeming barely to move. He was white-haired and incredibly lean, his cheeks pinched by the biting temperatures. He was wearing a plain navy ski jacket with jeans – as he always did – with nothing at all giving away his esteemed status in this community.

‘I’m Clover Phillips,’ she said. And when he didn’t reply, she said, ‘Do you know who I am?’

‘Of course I do. You’re the reason my client has been a pain in my ass for the past month.’ He didn’t try to soften the words with a smile.

‘Oh.’ Clover nodded. ‘Well, I’m sorry you think that.’

‘It’s a fact, not a matter of perception.’

She widened her smile. ‘. . . Have you been told what it is we’re trying to do with this documentary? That the point is to offer an alternative viewpoint on Kit’s story?’

‘Does anybody actually believe that’s what you’re going to do? Kit’s story is now inextricably linked with Cory Allbright’s – and your position on that was clear.’

‘We approach every project with a neutral stance. In this instance, we were contacted by Julian Orsini—’

‘Yes. The less said about him, the better.’

‘You don’t get on?’

‘He knows nothing about this sport and even less about Kit. If I were you, I would make a point of holding his opinions in the highest disregard.’

Clover sighed, not interested in their politics. ‘Well, do you have a few moments to talk to us – on camera – about Kit?’

‘My understanding from Ari was that I have very little say in the matter. Apparently we are all obliged.’

Long-winded way of saying ‘yes’, Clover thought to herself, forcing a smile as Johnny got busy beside her, setting up the camera.

Tipper took a sip of his coffee as he waited, watching her closely. ‘How’s your eye?’ he asked.

Instinctively, her gloved hand rose to her face. She was wearing sunglasses but from the fact that he’d enquired, she knew the bruise must be visible again. ‘Better, thank you.’

‘It was reckless of you to get involved.’

‘Yes, well . . . I didn’t exactly think it through.’

Johnny cleared his throat, her cue that he was ready.

She smiled at him. ‘Mr McKenzie, you’ve worked with Shaun White, Mark McMorris, Scotty James – some of the biggest names in snowboarding. What was it that made you decide to take on Kit Foley, when he’s a relative rookie to the sport?’