Darcy shrugs. ‘I guess that depends how the next week pans out.’ Addison, Jodie and Hayley are all in lockdown, so they have no idea any of this has happened, but all their families and friends would have seen it. How are they going to feel once they’re out of The One mansion and know that this was kept from them?

‘All the sites are replaying that footage of Ty’s date with Jodie,’ Mel comments, scrolling through articles on her computer.

Darcy remembers the hiking date well. It was weeks ago now, but Ty’s emotional speech about his fiancée breaking up with him is raw. It was the footage she’d shown Alice with great concern. The footage Alice insisted they use. Thankfully it was the only real hint to his feelings for Penny that had been aired. His conversation with Bonnie had been sent straight to the bin.

Alice storms into the office. She’s slightly dishevelled, her appearance not as immaculate as usual, but she’s still terrifying as always. ‘I’ve had the executives on the phone all morning. We don’t want there to be Team Bloody Penny.’

‘Unless …’ Darcy is staring at a photo of Ty and Penelope that is being shared all over the internet.

‘Unless what?’ Alice glares at her.

Even as the words are about to leave her lips, Darcy isn’t sure about it. ‘Unless we can find Penny?’

Alice is waiting for more of a sell.

‘We could bring her onto the show and film the reunion with Ty. For all we know Penny doesn’t want to be with him anymore. Hopefully she’ll dump him. Either way it’ll pull ratings.’ Darcy feels weighed down with guilt. Penelope might still love him or want to give him another chance and where does that leave their three remaining contestants? But maybe Penelope won’t want him at all and in that case, he might be convinced to explore a relationship with one of the others.

Without saying a word, Alice puts her phone to her ear. ‘Nigel, it’s sorted. We’re going to find Penny and shoot the whole reunion.’ She pauses, not even bothering to cast an eye in Darcy’s direction. ‘The public will eat it up and no doubt pull the ratings we’re looking for.’

Darcy’s heart is racing, already anticipating the pressure that’s about to be lumped on her. She’d tried to contact Penny several times before the show started. She’d called and emailed and received not one single reply. She won’t be able to give up this time.

Alice hangs up the phone and looks to Darcy. ‘Get a team together and find out everything you can on Penny. We needed her here yesterday.’