Ty is unwavering. ‘I was always so lonely growing up. I’d look at friends who had brothers and sisters and, sure, they’d complain about how annoying their siblings were, but whenever I was around I just thought how awesome it was. Someone to play with and to talk to.’

Bonnie tries to picture herself with Ty and a brood of babies, but the image isn’t clear.

He reads her face. ‘I have freaked you out.’

Not exactly, but the concept jars in her head. She shrugs. ‘I’m thirty-three. Even if I wanted five or six kids, I don’t think it’s going to happen.’

Silence settles between them. Is this a deal breaker? Does this mean Bonnie will be the next to go home? Do other girls simply tell him yes—they’d love to have five or six babies with him? A bit of bile comes into the back of Bonnie’s throat. Don’t think about the other girls, she tells herself. Don’t think about it being a competition for love. Don’t think about being on a TV show. Don’t think, don’t think, don’t think!

‘Do you want kids?’ Ty asks, a tightness in his throat.

Bonnie nods. ‘Yeah.’ Her own voice is shaky. ‘But I’ve started to realise it might not happen for me.’ Oh no … please don’t cry.

‘Bonnie.’ Ty cocks his head to the side, affected at seeing her close to tears. ‘Don’t say that.’ He gazes into her eyes as his fingertips dance across her neck. They lean in and their lips touch. Bonnie wants to let herself be swept away in his kiss, but instead her heart aches for dreams she may have to give up on. She feels his hand brush hair from her face and she suddenly wonders whether this is a pity kiss. Had he not known what else to say and the best way to get around the awkwardness was to kiss her? Are the viewers at home going to think her emotional outburst was just a ploy to get sympathy?

Bonnie pulls away, a little abruptly. She wants to be away from here, away from the spotlight. She feels like she needs to have a good cry in her bath at home with a block of chocolate and a very large glass of wine.

Ty’s hand moves to hers and gives it a bit of a squeeze. He hasn’t seemed to take it personally.

Bonnie looks to Darcy, urging her to call cut, but Darcy is watching through the monitor, waiting to see the moment play out.

‘Are we done?’ Bonnie asks, eyes focused on Darcy, too shaky to look back at Ty.

Darcy meets her eye and after a moment’s consideration says, ‘Okay, cut.’