She was certainly looking like a goddess in the new Perfect Moment skisuit she had bought at a sample sale – a slim-fitting navy all-in-one with red and white details at the shoulders, waist and knee. Johnny was looking a true powder hound in baggy teal-coloured trousers and a mustard jacket. Clover, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, had chosen plain black trousers and a white jacket that she was now convinced made her look like a mum dropping her kids at ski school.

They were approaching the top station quickly and she could see the others pushing the safety bar over their heads, getting ready to disembark, shuffling forward in their seats. She watched as they stood in unison, allowing the chairlift to nudge the backs of their knees and send them gliding down the short slope, where they swished to a stop and buckled up their boots.

Kit was impossible to identify to a casual passer-by, his distinctive sculpted bone structure and those famous flashing blue eyes hidden behind a helmet and goggles. Clover only knew that he was in a khaki and pale blue colour combo, and Beau in all orange. Ari was dressed all in black – ‘like a fucking Ninja,’ Johnny had muttered worriedly.

Matty began pushing up the bar, bringing her attention back to the fact it was time for them to disembark too.

‘Hey,’ Clover said a few seconds later, coming to a careful stop beside Ari who was waiting – alone – for them. She looked around, her smile faltering. ‘Where’d they go?’

‘They’ve gone for a few runs to warm up first. You may as well do the same, enjoy the views. They’ll make their way over to the snowpark shortly; there’s not a whole load of places to go at the moment anyway. So go have some fun and I guess we’ll catch up with you at some point.’ Ari gave a shrug and, pulling his goggles down, carved away before she could protest.

‘So petty!’ Matty muttered, watching him bear right and soon disappear from sight. ‘First they don’t show. Then they run away. Are they men or mice?’

‘It’s no bad thing,’ Johnny demurred. ‘I don’t want to board alongside those guys when they’re in that mood. God only knows where we’d end up. And a free snow session on their watch? Don’t mind if I do.’

‘Johnny’s right,’ Clover agreed. ‘Foley’s sulking and trying to give us the bird whenever he can. Let him have these petty wins if it makes him feel more powerful.’ She looked at her friend. ‘It doesn’t change a thing. We’re still here.’

‘God, when did you become so endlessly patient? It’s like you’re an adult,’ Matty groaned.