Bonnie watches as Darcy’s finger slices through the air and gestures to the camera. It’s time for Bonnie to speak.

You can do this, she tells herself. Just like you practised.

She stares down the barrel of the camera, Ben’s body perfectly still behind it. She closes her eyes as she exhales a long breath, finding courage from deep within to just get this over and done with. ‘Being a contestant on The One has been an experience I’ll never forget.’ Even though right now she desperately wants to forget the whole thing. She wants to forget that she put herself on television for all of Australia to see, she wants to forget that she let herself believe she had a chance with a guy that she never had a future with.

Darcy offers an encouraging smile and gestures to keep going.

Darcy had written something about forming special friendships with the women she’d met on the show, but Bonnie isn’t going to say that. Sure, some of the women were great, but she probably won’t talk to any of them ever again. ‘Living in the house was harder than I thought it would be. I’m looking forward to getting home and living a normal life again.’

She notices Darcy lean in to Ben and whisper something to him. Bonnie feels her head drop, wondering how she looks on camera. How has Ben framed her? Can they see how depleted she’s feeling under all the makeup?

‘I feel lucky to have spent time with Ty. It was easy to be in his company.’

Darcy had wanted her to say that Bonnie knew he wasn’t the guy for her, but Bonnie had argued, insisting on saying, ‘But I believe Ty’s feelings for someone else are stronger than they are for me.’

She can see Darcy’s boss Alice standing with her hands on her hips, her lips thin, an air of terrifying importance about her.

‘He’s a great guy and I wish him the best of luck in finding the one.’ She holds her smile to camera for a few seconds, giving them enough time to call cut. ‘Is that all you need?’ she asks, already half out of her chair.

‘It’d be good if you could say the bit about knowing the right guy is out there for you?’ Darcy says.

Bonnie doesn’t miss the hope in Darcy’s eyes. It would clearly make Bonnie’s exit look more favourable if she’s optimistic for her own future. But Bonnie doesn’t know what expectations she should have. Ollie showing up at her house announcing he’s called his wedding off has her second-guessing a life with him. She’d like to think it’s all going to unfold naturally, but can it when he’s still living with Sophie?