I glance at Brent and he shakes his head a fraction. I don’t rate Dale’s chances either. It probably gets down to about minus fifteen at night up here at this time of year.

I turn back to Curtis. Does he still think Dale and Heather are up to something? That Dale has disappeared on purpose? When I get a quiet moment I’ll ask him. Still, Heather’s desperation is pretty convincing. She fights and struggles to get past.

Brent reaches for her and she collapses into him. He shoots me an awkward look over her shoulder. It’s so odd seeing him hold her.

“How’s your knee?” Curtis says.

I shrug. No point complaining. “Got any sports tape?”

“Yeah. But I’d stick with the knee brace and keep ice on it for the next twenty-four hours.”

“I meant for the trek down tomorrow.”

Worry flashes across Curtis’s face. “It’s a bloody long way with a blown knee.”

He slumps against the wall beside me and I watch his chest rise and fall. He looks utterly spent.

Brent is still trying to console Heather.

“How long ago did the power go out?” Curtis asks.

“Maybe twenty minutes?” I say. “Where would you turn it off?”

“I had a look while we were out there. The electricity cupboard’s on the exterior wall of the building. Big padlock on it.”

So either someone else was out there with them—or one of them turned it off.

Heather flails at Brent’s chest. “This is your fault. You forced us to come here.”

Brent lowers his voice. “No. I told you that last night.”

“I don’t believe you,” Heather says.

“Wait,” I say. “How did Brent force you to come?”

Heather glares at Brent and turns defiantly to me. “He blackmailed me.”

CHAPTER 38

TEN YEARS AGO

The ice presses in around me, crushing my chest. I can’t breathe. I flap my hands, desperate.

“Hey, hey.” Brent’s voice rumbles into my consciousness.

I open my eyes. It’s not ice; it’s just the duvet. Brent’s not-been-washed-all-season, safe, warm duvet. I inhale the musky smell and try to control my breathing.

“You okay?”

“Bad dream.”

“Come here.”

I bury my face in his chest. That was so real. I don’t know if I can face going up the mountain today. What’s Saskia going to do to me next? Because if I keep doing what I’m doing, I have to face it: there will be a next time.

I feel like I’m at a crossroads. I have two options: distance myself from the group, keep my head down, and train on my own, avoiding Brent’s place when Saskia’s there. Or fight back hard.

I can’t let her win.

But have I got the strength to fight?

“Better?” Brent says into my hair.

“Yeah.”