I march back up the slope. With or without him, I have to do this. I strap in and look around. A trio of figures slalom down the piste, half a dozen more ascend the tow lift, but none of them are looking my way and they’re not even in hearing distance. I’ll wait until they come nearer.

I’ve always prided myself on not needing anyone, but it occurs to me now that this is not entirely true. Sometimes, even in an individual sport like snowboarding, you do need someone.

Nobody’s looking this way still. I’m itching to jump but it’s just too risky. Argh! I fling myself to the snow. Of all the days for this to happen. How am I going to face my family if I can’t beat my result from last year—or even worse, if I rank lower?

I can imagine their responses.

Told you so, Milla.

Toughen up.

Cold seeps through my jacket and trousers. Soon I’m shivering, but I lie there anyway.

The hurt on Brent’s face weighs on my mind, eating away at me. I never made him any promises, so why do I feel so guilty?

It’s no good; I’ll have to talk to him. Swearing inwardly, I fasten on my snowboard and ride down. When I reach the half-pipe, though, I don’t see Brent anywhere.

Odette approaches. She kisses me on either cheek. “You weren’t training today?”

I feel weird around her now that I know she’s with Saskia. “I was on the glacier trying Cripplers.”

“Cool. And can you do it?”

“I’m getting there.” I don’t want to say too much. She’ll tell her girlfriend. “Brent and I ended things.”

She touches my arm. “I’m sorry.”

“Probably for the best. Like you said, he was my anchor.”

She looks at me in sympathy. “In another sport, ski racing perhaps, it would be different. But with half-pipe, the chance of injury is so high.”

“You and Saskia seem to manage it,” I say before I can stop myself.

“Actually I am terrified for her.” Odette turns to look for her.

And there she is, coming up the tow lift.

“Why do you keep your relationship secret?” I say.

“She doesn’t want anyone to know.”

“Right.” I sense Odette’s sadness about this. “Hey, did Brent turn up just now?”

“Yeah, he did one run and fell and hurt his knee. He went down a few minutes ago.”

“What?” Panic rushes in. “Is he okay?”

“He walked to the cable car. So I think it’s not so bad.”

But is it bad enough that he can’t compete? Smash is the main sponsor of the British Championships this year and Brent’s their star rider, his airborne image on billboards around the resort. He’s acting like it’s no big deal but I know he’s feeling the pressure.