There’s a flurry of activity as we are all curious about what we’re going to be doing. It’s a fairly mixed group in terms of occupations, but age-wise there’s probably only a ten-year span, which is unusual. Maybe that’s why everyone has bonded so well this week, and it’s only the artsy contingent, as someone named them, who are closeted away with Nico this morning.

‘Good,’ Pierce concludes, his voice rising above the chatter. ‘Now, I want you to write two words in the centre of the page. Like this.’ He flips the lid off his marker pen and lays his own sheet on the floor. He writes his name in the corner and then in the centre he draws two clouds. In one he writes the word intense and in the other altruistic.

He stands, and we all gather around him.

‘I want you to come up with two words – one reflecting your strength and the other your weakness. Words that you feel best describe your personality in a way that sums you up. Yes, I’m intense which isn’t exactly negative, but it’s something about which I need to be wary, so it doesn’t put people off. And my main motivation in life is altruistic, because in my line of work if I can’t help other people to feel better about themselves, then I’d better shut up shop.’

Everyone starts laughing.

‘Are you all happy with that?’ There’s a lot of nodding heads. ‘Spread the sheets out over the entire floor space in the gym. I want you all to wander around and think of a couple of words that you’re comfortable adding to each person’s sheet; based solely on your perception of them this week. There’s no rush and we have half an hour for this part of the exercise.’

It’s actually quite fun. For some people, words instantly pop into my head, but for others, I find myself having to stop and think. Maybe I didn’t get to spend much time in their company, or it takes me a few minutes to find the right word. It certainly focuses your attention and it’s not as easy as it might appear at first.

As I walk around doing my bit, what surprises me is the wide variety of adjectives used. But I studiously avoid glancing at my own sheet as I mingle. It’s gone from quite noisy banter to almost total quiet. People are taking this really seriously and suddenly I feel uncomfortable.

Glancing at Yann, he’s on his knees and I wonder what he’s doing because it doesn’t take that long to write a word and draw a cloud, and then I realise some people are adding personal little messages. At that precise moment, Ceana steps into the gym.