‘Bro, I’d have been back yesterday but there was nothing getting in or out. Major avalanche over the road.’ Beau’s eyes narrowed as he looked at his big brother. ‘You look all right though. Could be worse. I wasn’t sure what state I’d find you in after everything that’s gone down . . . You look chill.’

Kit gave a shrug. ‘It’s all good. They’re just words she’s throwing around, right?’

Clover saw Ari’s eyes slide towards her. She guessed he hadn’t told him yet about Julian.

Kit shrugged his shoulders a few times. ‘Anyway, I’m gonna get in the sauna, try and ease out the stiffness. There was a cold wind up there today.’

‘You go up, mate,’ Ari said, slapping his shoulder again. ‘I’ll get that deep massage booked for you for an hour from now, okay?’

‘Be sure to ask for the happy ending, bro,’ Beau laughed, pointing a finger at him.

Kit’s eyes fluttered in Clover’s direction but didn’t quite meet hers.

‘Later,’ he nodded, heading for the lifts.

Clover waited for him to disappear, for the doors to close, before she turned to Ari. ‘How was it really?’

Ari pulled a face. ‘Chilly . . . And I’m not talking about the wind.’ His expression was sombre. ‘Put it this way, if he did win tomorrow night, I don’t think anyone would be cheering.’

‘Oh god.’ She glanced at Johnny; his tiny nod indicated he’d got it all on tape.

‘The only good thing is, the more they hate him, the more determined it makes him to win. He just takes the hate and feeds on it.’

‘Right. Was there much press?’

‘Fucking parasites,’ Ari tutted. ‘They were everywhere. Luckily they can’t get into the competitors’ area. Kit just kept his head down, went out there and did his job. He was completely focused; showed his class. That’s what champions are made of – sheer grit.’

‘That’s great. Johnny, you’ll show us, right?’

‘Of course.’

‘And you guys?’ Ari asked. ‘What did you do this morning?’

Beau looked startled.

‘Oh, not much . . . Hung out, chatted,’ Matty said quickly. ‘. . . Clover and I went into town and did some window shopping.’

‘Mmm,’ Clover murmured.

‘Sounds good. Well, listen, Kit’s going to be doing his physio and stretching out this afternoon. He was scheduled to give a press conference today but I cancelled that, for obvious reasons. Then Tipper’s getting over here later, so it’s a full-on day but we’ll keep in touch, yeah?’ Ari gave them a thumbs up as he headed over to the lifts. ‘Beau, you coming? Help me with the boards. You can tell me about the shredding that’s kept you away so long.’

Beau cast them both a wink as he followed after Ari.

Clover looked at Johnny, then at the camera on his shoulder. ‘Shall we?’