‘Hey, orphan boy, too scared to climb the mountain? It’s just a few clouds.’ That was Jordan Smith, a lanky kid with a shaved head who seemed to have woken up that morning determined to wind Max up. Jordan was the ringleader. The others all looked up to him.

‘Hey, Jordan,’ Mickey had said nervously, ‘that’s not cool.’

Jordan and the others sensed blood. Mickey wasn’t much older than the kids he was looking after. Max sighed. He had seen it happen at school whenever a supply teacher took over a class. Inexperienced and desperate to be friendly with the kids, they never stood a chance.

Jordan rolled his eyes.

‘Like you’d know what was cool, Mickey Mouse,’ Suze said under her breath. The others sniggered. Mickey pretended to laugh along with the joke but couldn’t hide his embarrassment. He reminded Max of some of the adults he’d known in the care home. Whenever one of the kids stood up to them, they retreated, snail-like, into their shell.

Now Mickey was pretending not to notice the attitude of Jordan and the others. It made Max more apprehensive about the day. On an expedition, you needed a leader – and Mickey clearly didn’t have the respect of the group. He ushered them into the minibus that would take them from the outdoor pursuits centre to the base of Helvellyn. It was the third highest peak in England, and famous for its difficulty.

‘Guys, we’ll be ascending via Striding Edge,’ Mickey announced. ‘It’s a sharp ridge line that leads directly to the summit. It has a reputation for being dangerous, but as long as you stick with me, you’ll be fine.’

‘Didn’t a couple of climbers die on Striding Edge last week?’ Jordan asked. He made spooky ghost noises, then looked around with a grin. Jordan was the kind of kid who liked to scare others.

‘There have been accidents,’ Mickey said. ‘But we’ll be all right as long as we’re careful and you do what I say at all times.’ He caught Max’s eye. Max looked away and stared through the minibus window at the darkening clouds up above. ‘I’ve climbed the ridge loads of times,’ he heard Mickey say. ‘We’ll be absolutely fine.’

It was a cold morning. Their minibus was the only one in the car park. The others complained when Mickey insisted they wear waist harnesses and carry heavy loops of climbing rope. They rolled their eyes when he made them share out their supplies and other equipment. It was Max and Suze’s turn to carry the foil ration packs that would be their lunch. Angus was given the first aid kit. The satellite phone, for emergency use only, was given to Jordan. ‘Doesn’t even do Snapchat,’ Jordan said, shoving it into his rucksack. Some of the others laughed.