I don’t want to see Dad. I don’t want to see Luke, either. Where’s Suze? I try her number, but her phone’s switched off. In the cot, Minnie gives one of her sleepy snuffles and turns over, sucking her rabbit, all cosy under the covers. I eye her enviously. Life is so simple for her.

Maybe I can fake some autographs in Dad’s book. Yes! Genius idea. I’ll pretend I bumped into a load of famous people at the filming. Maybe I could even forge Dix Donahue’s signature. I mean, Dad will never know the difference, will he? I’ll fill his books with autographs and he’ll be happy and it’ll all be good.

Feeling better, I switch on Minnie’s night light and reach for Each Peach Pear Plum. It’s one of my favourite books. I’ll read this, and perhaps Guess How Much I Love You too, and then I’ll go and check on my notes for the filming tomorrow. It’s a 6 a.m. call, so I need to get an early night.

And on the plus side, I’m totally prepared for the show. I’ve made about twenty pages of notes, with pictures and mood boards and everything. I’ve worked on every single fashion story I can think of, so I’ll be able to talk, whatever pieces they’ve chosen. Just thinking about it makes my stomach flutter. I mean, it’s Breakfast Show USA! It’s going to be huge! My career will be launched! And then everyone will see.

GREENLAND ENDEAVORS … where challenge and adventure meet inspiration …

OFFICIAL REPORT

Client: Danny Kovitz

Subject: Medical Emergency/Airlift

The client began to exhibit signs of distress early on Monday. Despite encouragement from the Team Leader and other team members, he finally stopped skiing, threw down his pack, and began sobbing. The client was airlifted at 15.00 hours, and taken to Base Camp on Kulusuk.

A full medical examination was undertaken and the client was found to be in good health, with no signs of frostbite or respiratory disorder. However, the client was in significant mental distress. Nurse Gill Johnson observed him for three hours, during which time she noted down the following remarks: ‘My toes have gone’; ‘My fingers will have to be amputated’; ‘My lungs have frozen’; ‘I have snowblindness’; ‘Why me?’; ‘I’m ebbing away’; ‘Tell the world I was brave at the end’. Despite her reassurances, he remained convinced for several hours that he was about to die.

The client subsequently enjoyed a substantial meal, viewed several episodes of America’s Next Top Model on the sanatorium TV, and slept a comfortable night before being transported the following day to Reykjavik and thence to New York.

Team Leader

From: Kovitz, Danny

To: Kovitz, Danny

Subject: don’t know how i survived

dearest friends

despite my best endeavors my trek across the ice sheet ended prematurely when, against my own wishes, i was airlifted to safety. i wanted to continue but was told by the team leader that to do so would endanger myself and the others. you will be shocked to hear I was near death.