‘You’ve signed a contract, Ty,’ she reminds him. ‘We’re more than halfway through filming the show.’

‘But I could break it?’ He won’t make eye contact now, instead looking down at his hands.

She doesn’t say a word, and silence brews as a thousand thoughts go off like fireworks in Darcy’s head. She can’t keep track of a single thought as new ones keep exploding in the forefront of her mind, expanding and shattering. She’s never had a suitor get this serious about walking before. Is Ty about to quit? Is he about to leave the show? There are still a few weeks of television to be made. She has to do something. She has to save her job. She has to save the show. She has to save this guy from walking out on a chance at love. She decides to ignore the question and try a new tactic.

‘You deserve to be happy, Ty. And I believe that one of the girls still here will give you everything you want. Someone to stand by you and create a life with. House, kids, the whole shebang.’ Darcy catches herself wondering if she’s ever used the word shebang before. ‘I’ve seen you with some of the other girls, I’ve seen there’s something there with a few of them.’ She wants to ask about his feelings for Bonnie, she’s sure there’s potential there, but stops herself.

‘The girls are great,’ Ty agrees.

But his heart belongs to someone else.

‘I feel bad for all the women who are here for me.’

‘Oh Ty,’ she stammers, truly starting to freak out. Can anyone compete with his ex? She has no idea if they can, but she feels like she has no choice but to shake some sense into him. ‘You said yourself that things with her are over. She’d be with you if she wanted to be.’ Her lips feel dry, her heart racing. If anyone else had confessed they were still in love with their ex she’d be full of sympathy, but her job is on the line. ‘You’ve got to get over her. This is your chance to move on.’

‘Sorry,’ Ben calls as he approaches from the van. ‘Technical issues.’

Ty stands abruptly, the moment interrupted. ‘I’m sorry,’ he says in a hushed voice to Darcy, a horrified expression on his face as though he’s realised what he’s confessed. ‘Shit! That was really out of line. Forget it, okay?’

Ben reaches them, unimpressed with what he’s just been dealing with. ‘This equipment is a load of …’ He trails off, but they get the idea.

Darcy can’t be more relieved that the momentum of their conversation has been broken. She feels like she’s standing knee-deep in mud and doesn’t know how to get out.