Paul chose a bright red kart, Heather picked a dark green and yellow one, Kirsty chose a blue one and Jamie sat down in a black kart marked with silver stripes. Chris remained where he was.

‘What’s up?’ said Paul, looking up at Chris. ‘Aren’t you joining us?’

Chris gestured beyond the track. ‘This is the beginner’s track, so it’s a bit too tame for me. I’m going to head over to the other track. But I’ll meet up with you later.’ He smiled and said, ‘Have fun,’ then walked off, Lucy following him.

‘Right,’ said the attendant, clapping his hands. ‘Seatbelts and crash helmets on.. Remember, right for speed, left to brake. If you have any problems, give us a shout. Now, away you go.’

Paul put his foot on the accelerator, made a thumbs-up gesture and sped away, joining the other karters, belting around the first corner. Kirsty headed off next, a little more cautiously, then Heather. Jamie sat and stared through his visor, sweat rolling down his forehead. The attendant was looking at him, making a sweeping gesture with his hands, encouraging Jamie to put his foot down. He gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white, and then his body took over. His legs stretched forward, his feet found the pedals, and his right ankle applied pressure to the accelerator.

He was away.

He shot over the starting line far too fast, overtaking a blue go-kart on its second or third lap. Panicking – thinking he was going to crash – he took his left foot off the pedal and his go-kart almost stopped. He heard a screech of brakes behind him as a kart nearly crashed into his tail, and the driver of that kart shook her head at him as she went by. Jamie knew he had to get moving, so he gently applied pressure to the pedal. His kart sped up, and once he was moving at a reasonable speed he kept his foot steady. He rounded the first corner, then the second. Paul sped past him, as did Kirsty, who waved. He couldn’t wave back as he wasn’t confident enough to take either hand off the wheel. But then, as he began his second lap, he realised to his surprise that he was enjoying himself.