Bonnie’s words offer Darcy a reassurance she didn’t know she needed. But she’d be lying if she didn’t admit that some days she wonders if she missed out on the big romance. She’s known Drew since primary school. She wasn’t swept off her feet, they just happened to hook up at a party when she was sixteen, then did it again at another party, and then started going out. They fell in love but it wasn’t a magical, earth-shattering experience that some people go on about. Their relationship is certainly at the trackies and takeaway level and most days she’s okay with that. But some days she wonders what else is out there…

Ben, the cameraman, shifts and she glances up at him, but his eyes are still on Bonnie. Darcy assumes he’s subtly giving her the hint to keep things going.

‘Okay, so special talents,’ Darcy says, reading the next question. ‘Are there any hobbies or activities you’d like to tell us about?’

Bonnie’s face splits into a smile, a rumble of laughter in the back of her throat. ‘I’m sorry, but whenever I hear “special talents” I can’t help but think you’re expecting me to do fire twirling while hula-hooping in a bikini or something.’

Darcy almost snorts at this. Some of the videos that applicants send in are very close to that description. She feels Ben’s body shake with laughter next to her.

Darcy waves the question away. ‘Fair enough, let’s move on.’ She quickly refers to her checklist of questions. ‘What do you like to do for exercise?’

Bonnie shrugs apologetically. ‘I walk sometimes, but it’s usually followed by a glass of wine. It’s not really something I enjoy.’ Bonnie’s grim, as though waiting execution.

Darcy can’t help but like her. She seems so real and down to earth, which are qualities they don’t often get in applicants. ‘Do you have a favourite recipe you’d like to cook for the suitor?’

Bonnie rubs her forehead. ‘I feel like I’m a total disappointment here but no … I don’t cook.’

Darcy wants this girl on the show. She likes Bonnie’s honesty and knows they could have fun putting her on dates she’d be clearly uncomfortable with. Darcy imagines the audience will love her frankness. ‘I think that’s all we need,’ Darcy tells her. ‘If you go back to the holding room, we’ll come and grab you for some games shortly.’

The look on Bonnie’s face suggests she’s just been told she’ll be thrown into a tank of sharks. Darcy has to stifle more brewing laughter.

‘Great,’ Bonnie says politely. ‘Thanks for your time.’ She gets up and moves to the door.

Darcy scrawls a thick asterisk on Bonnie’s application before turning to Ben. ‘I like her.’

‘Yeah.’ He nods. ‘She seemed pretty awesome.’