Aaron pretends to be sad, reacting to what Dave has said.

‘Don’t be too hard on him, guys,’ I say, my voice much less shaky than the last time I was on stage. ‘It’s hard when no one can see us but we can see each other.’

‘Dumb living people,’ adds Yas. ‘They can’t see us no matter how hard we try.’

It’s my third time competing with the improv team after Hayley had to bow out, because even though her leg wasn’t broken her ankle was badly sprained and she needs to be careful whilst it heals. I wouldn’t say I’ve started to relax or that it was becoming natural to me, but I am starting to feel a little more comfortable and I’m contributing more. I’d always assumed it’d be hard without a script but in some ways it’s easier as none of us know what’s coming next. You can’t really get it wrong and there’s always someone there with another line straight after to hide it if a line doesn’t quite land.

I’m amazed after the judges award us the win. Not that the rest of the group weren’t brilliant, but just because it’s the furthest that the team have progressed before in the competition. I hear Layla’s unmistakeable wolf whistle and I try and spot her in the crowd, and when I do, I also catch sight of the fluorescent yellow tie of the man next to her. It’s Dad. He’s clapping loudly and he leans towards Julie who’s next to him.

After celebrating on stage, I head into the backstage area with the rest of the gang.

‘Edie, are you OK?’ asks Aaron, tugging at my sleeve. ‘Stunned we won?’

‘A little, but I was just surprised to see Dad in the audience.’

‘Oh, yeah, I bumped into him on the way out of work and he was so excited to come along. Hope that’s OK?’

‘Of course,’ I say, wondering what I’m going to say to them after. Dad had made me promise I’d tell him when the next one was and I’d forgotten to.

I can’t think when I last popped round to Dad’s. I used to visit at least once a week and we’d have dinner together. If I’m honest, it was my way of making sure he was OK; I’d run through my mental checklist, peering into his fridge to see if he was eating healthily and checking for signs he’d been drinking again. I’ve not been round as much because Julie always seems to be there. I can’t help worrying that she doesn’t know what warning signs to look out for like I would.