‘We’ve seen a few now,’ he went on with a cheerfulness that Esther knew was all about boosting her, ‘and, you know, it really doesn’t look too bad, and is all over in, literally, seconds. But get this, the best news of all is that we can do it as a pair. I’ve asked and they say it would be fine. They strap you together. I’m totally happy to pay and it could be fun. What do you say?’ He waggled his eyebrows. ‘We leap à deux, ma chère.’

Esther smiled. That Marcus was such a thorough romantic was a continuing source of surprise and pleasure. As was the protectiveness that lay behind this last-minute suggestion. ‘I say that you are transparent, and very kind, and no, thank you. I have come here to jump alone.’

Over his shoulder she could see the next person riding upwards in the metal lift that led to the jumping platform. The lift could bring her down again if she wanted, Esther told herself. No one could make her jump. No one would love her less. Maybe they would even love her more.

A man in a high-viz jacket with a clipboard came up, checking off her name and asking her to follow him to be fitted for a harness. Esther waved farewell to her little crew of supporters, managing a rictus smile. The harness straps went under and between her legs, as well as across her chest and back. The man with the clipboard asked her to get on some scales. Her weight dictated the correct rope-length for the jump, he explained cheerily: too long, and she wouldn’t bounce back up.

Esther took her place in the row of plastic seats provided for waiting jumpers. She knew her friends and family were all looking at her, but she couldn’t look at them. She was deep inside herself now, mining for a courage that was not there. She was a vertigo sufferer and she was going to jump off a crane. There were four people to go before her. They each swung like stick-men off a towering, distant gallows. They all screamed, even the men.

At the last moment, Dylan came bounding over.

‘Mum, just to say good luck, and you are the best, and actually a total Wonder Woman and I never, like, meant for you to actually pick the bungee jump. It was just a joke, and Matteo says to tell you he did it in the US and you don’t actually feel a jerk or anything, it’s more, like, gentle, and also you go up and down quite a few times and the landing isn’t so bad…’ He was steered away by Zee, still talking.