It was as good a confirmation as she could get, and she gave Glynn her sympathy. Poor bloke. To witness such a thing was awful, but to see two of your fellow racers crushed to death would be traumatic for anyone.

‘You did amazingly today, you really made a difference,’ she said. ‘I’m Detective Inspector Kelly Porter, by the way.’ She held out her hand, which felt silly, given what they’d both just been through. It was so polite and proper, and the opposite of the chaos that surrounded them. He shook her hand.

‘Glynn Cortantes.’

‘Cortantes? The Goat? I’ve heard of you,’ she said. The runner was a bit of a local legend, and anyone who followed local races heard his name all the time. Johnny talked about him when he competed. Cortantes looked embarrassed – even in the dark she could see it.

‘It’s an honour to meet you,’ she said. ‘And thank you, there are lots of people who’ve left this mountain today in a better state than they would have been because of you,’ she added.

‘I just did what I thought I should,’ he replied.

Johnny approached them and she turned to him. The three of them looked as though they’d been mud wrestling for hours. They must look ridiculous.

‘Johnny, this is Glynn Cortantes, he’s been a real hero today. Glynn, this is Johnny Frietze, a member of the Keswick MRT. I’m surprised you haven’t worked together,’ she said.

Johnny took the man’s hand and grasped it hard. Kelly knew him well enough to know that he was a little star-struck and it made her heart warmer, if not her appendages.

‘I follow your success. I’m a bit of a fan,’ he admitted sheepishly. It was a touching addition to a crazy afternoon.

‘I’m not a hero,’ Cortantes said.

‘Accept it, mate, I watched you. You were a valuable asset in a shitty situation,’ Johnny said.

Cortantes put his hands on his blanket and pulled it around his body, shivering.

‘It’s time to go. I’m good to walk down,’ Kelly said. ‘It’ll get my heart pumping, Eden House has sent a car for me to the Wasdale Inn. You can both grab a lift if you need it?’ she asked.