Everyone hurtled towards the first obstacle with extraordinary speed. I let them all pass then ambled forward. I was conserving my strength. As Belinda burbled away about who was in the lead, I took my time reaching the net and crouching down to get underneath it.

‘And Mike has already cleared the first obstacle while Ivy has only just reached it!’ Belinda yelled.

Good for Mike. I hunkered down and began to shimmy through. Even with my glacial pace, this was hard work. The net snagged on my daft corset several times and, unwilling to expose more flesh than was absolutely necessary, I took my time freeing myself. By the time I scrambled out the other side, at least three of the others could barely be seen. I shrugged and moved up to the rope swing. This could work.

Picking up speed, I flung myself towards it, snagging it with one hand. I let myself swing out. Then, in a moment of panic and with the rope burning the skin on my palm, I released it, dropped to the ground and rolled with a loud groan.

I did my best to look hurt and squeezed my eyes shut. Then I opened the left one just a crack and peeked. Morris Armstrong waved to stop the proceedings and in less than a heartbeat a medic, Belinda and several cameras were surrounding me.

‘Ivy!’ Belinda said, her voice the epitome of concern. ‘What’s happened? Are you alright?’

No. I needed her to lean over so I could grab that damn vial. I groaned. ‘My back,’ I said in a strained voice.

‘Don’t move,’ the medic instructed. ‘We’ll look you over and make sure you’re alright.’

Trevor Bellows appeared from out of nowhere. ‘This is the second time this contestant has been out for the count. I think it’s time we withdrew her from the competition.’ He paused for a beat. ‘For her own safety, of course.’

I struggled up to my elbows. ‘I think I’m okay.’ I pressed one hand against my ribcage. ‘It really hurts here, though.’

Belinda leaned close enough for my plan to work but there were too many cameras. I couldn’t see any angle from which I could perform the rune I needed and not get caught. I grimaced. Well, so much for that idea. If I wanted to steal Belinda’s vial without her noticing, I’d have to do it off camera. That was a pain in the arse.

Gasping, and trying to appear winded, I gently pushed away the medic and got to my feet. ‘I’m fine,’ I said. ‘I can do this.’

Barry looked concerned. Even Belinda’s concern seemed genuine. It belatedly occurred to me that I couldn’t do this kind of thing again. With one contestant dead, Enchantment couldn’t take any chances with our wellbeing. They really would pull me from the show, whether I was their much-needed nasty contestant or not.

Thinking quickly, I babbled out a reasonable excuse. ‘I’ve been hexed!’

Everyone blinked in shock.