‘I know,’ Brenda said. ‘If I ever have a husband I want to get rid of, I’m bringing him here. A little shove in the back when he’s not expecting it, and it’ll be Goodbye, Mr Chips.’

‘Brenda!’ Alice said. ‘That’s awful! I can’t believe that’s what this majestic scene inspired you to think.’

‘I’m a practical type,’ Brenda said. ‘That’s all. And you have to admit, it is an obvious thought.’

Alice didn’t think it was that obvious; it was natural to imagine herself falling down, but not her pushing someone who she didn’t like off the ridge. However annoying Ned – or anyone – was, she wouldn’t push them off a mountain.

She wouldn’t be looking for any way to kill anyone.

But whatever. It was probably just Brenda’s Aussie sense of humour.

‘Maybe,’ she said. ‘Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you, though.’

‘You don’t need to worry about that,’ Brenda said. ‘You’ll never be on my bad side.’

They carried on. There was a steep scree slope leading to the summit. It was going to be a tough few minutes, but the rewards would be worth it.

The climb was worth it, and then some. The summit was broad and unexpectedly flat. A woman who was there with her teenage son told them an aeroplane had landed on it some years back. They talked about routes down and she pointed them in the direction of Swirral Edge. It was, if anything, even steeper and more unnerving than Striding Edge, and Alice was quite relieved when they were be back on surer ground.

She was even more glad when they arrived back in Patterdale, and found their way to the White Lion pub.

She sat at a table, her legs aching. Brenda came back from the bar with two pints of dark beer.

‘Warm beer,’ she said. ‘Not sure I could ever get used to it, but when in Rome.’

‘Thanks.’ Alice took a sip. It was delicious and well-earned. ‘What time’s the bus?’ she said.

‘About an hour,’ Brenda replied. ‘Time to finish these and then we can head back. Then we have to decide what to do tonight.’

Alice took a long drink of the beer. ‘Honestly, I think I’ll grab something to eat and then crash. I’m exhausted after staying up late, and now this.’

‘It’s the last night,’ Brenda said. ‘We have to do something.’

‘Let’s see how we feel,’ Alice said.

‘What will you do after you get home?’ Brenda asked.

‘The lease runs out in three weeks,’ Alice said. ‘I would have gone to live with Ned, but now I’ll have to think of something else.’

‘You could travel.’

‘Maybe. I’m not sure I want to go alone, though. And Nellie and Mads will have done their travelling.’