After calling cut in Bonnie’s photography studio, Darcy had been sweaty and breathless as she’d desperately tried to save things. She’d had faith she could do it, but watching the footage back now, she realises how naive she’d been to believe that she could have rectified anything.

She knew things were falling apart, but she couldn’t think quickly enough. Darcy had cringed at herself as words fell from her mouth. She’d been clutching at straws, trying to talk Bonnie around, but it had been pointless. Bonnie was ashen but firm in her decision.

There would be no coming back from Bonnie’s resignation.

‘I’m going to have to send the footage in.’ Ben gets her attention back and points to the time.

They’re behind schedule. ‘I have to call Alice.’ It’s the last thing she wants to do. Any hope of a promotion is going to disappear into thin air.

Darcy knows they’ll use Bonnie’s exit to grab ratings, and if Bonnie was leaving due to her feelings alone, Darcy could feel okay about it, excited even about the drama. Instead, she’s worried the whole thing is going to blow up in her face. Is Ty going to continue his downwards spiral? Will there soon be no suitor on The One?

Darcy’s career has never looked so dire.

‘Hi,’ Carla purrs when she opens the door. Her eyes widen and her smile pauses at finding Bonnie on her doorstep. The arrangement had been for Darcy to arrive with the camera crew before Bonnie and Ty. Carla is bright and smiley. She’s had her teeth whitened, hair done, and Bonnie suspects a touch of Botox.

The drive over had been a blur, a thousand thoughts going through Bonnie’s head. One of the most persistent ones was that Carla had redecorated her entire house for this and now it wasn’t even going to be on TV.

Carla looks past Bonnie, her eyes searching, clearly trying to remain calm. ‘Where are the cameras?’ She leans forward and cranes her neck to look down the street. ‘Where’s Ty?’

Bonnie’s face twists, not sure what to say. Where should she begin?

But Carla reads her expression. ‘He’s not coming?’

Bonnie gives the slightest shake of the head. ‘I just quit the show.’ Numbness outweighs tears for the moment.

‘Oh, Bonnie.’ Genuine concern rushes over Carla’s face as she opens her arms to hug her older sister. She directs her to the lounge as Bonnie explains what happened, that Ty is in love with someone else. As the words spill from her lips, tears glaze over her eyes.

But Carla’s emotions opt for outrage instead. ‘How can the producers let this happen? They’re supposed to pick a guy who isn’t hung up on somebody else!’

‘I’m pretty sure he hadn’t told anyone.’

‘We should sue!’