Darcy, the field producer interviewing her, is younger than she is, which in itself is depressing. Thankfully she isn’t wearing a wedding ring—that really would be rubbing salt in the wound, but maybe crewmembers take them off before spending the day with over a hundred single women looking for love.

‘So, we’d meet Carla, her husband and kids on your hometown date?’

‘Hometown date?’ Bonnie echoes and as she draws her eyes away from the camera, they lock with the cameraman’s for a split second. She can’t see the rest of his face but can tell by his gentle brown eyes that he’s friendly. She finds comfort in this but then cringes, wondering what he must think of her and all the other women signing up for a show like this. ‘Sorry, I haven’t thought about that.’ She can’t even think about taking home a guy she doesn’t know yet and introducing him to Carla. Her sister would jump the gun, assume Bonnie was the only woman for him. She’d be pushy and aggressive. Bonnie’s chest tightens at the thought of how much screen time they’d be allocated. ‘We could go to my best friend’s place?’ Bonnie suggests, knowing Paige would be a much safer option. ‘We’ve been friends since we were at school.’

But Darcy brushes away the suggestion of Paige. ‘Is there a reason why you wouldn’t want to take the suitor to meet your sister?’

Bonnie feels very aware of the camera and the man standing behind it but forces herself to keep looking at Darcy. ‘No.’ She shrugs. ‘I’m sure my sister would love it.’ That is probably the biggest understatement she’s ever made; Carla would almost die with excitement at being involved in The One.

Darcy studies her face for a moment, as though trying to decide whether or not to push the subject. But then she glances down at her question sheet and moves on. ‘Have you done much travelling?’

‘I always thought I’d travel but somehow I’ve never even left Australia. I was so determined to set up my business and make it a success that I kept putting it off. I’ve barely had any time off work in ten years.’

‘Wow.’ Darcy shakes her head. ‘That’s impressive.’

‘Or just stupid?’ She wonders if she’d do things differently if she had known that she’d have a successful business but still be single.

‘So, are there any places you’d really like to see?’

‘Anywhere. Everywhere.’ Bonnie is struck with a feeling of inadequacy about her lack of worldliness. She wishes this wasn’t being recorded. Her throat narrows at the thought of someone potentially picking through her interview and deciding what to broadcast on national television.

‘Can you describe your ultimate fantasy date?’