‘It’s not that I’m not happy being at home with the kids, it’s just sometimes it’s not what I thought it would be. You see all these images online of mums smiling with their children and everyone looks like they’re having so much fun. I see them and wonder why that’s not us. I rarely just lose myself in the laughter like them. I feel like I spend most of the day frowning and saying no. How’d I go from a people pleaser to a matriarchal dictator whose sole purpose seems to be ruining their fun?’

Scott gives a little laugh. ‘I’m sure they don’t see it that way.’

‘I don’t think I know who I am any more. And that’s terrifying.’

‘Or exciting,’ he offers. ‘Everything that was waiting to be discovered before is still there, and it sounds like you’ll be rediscovering what you had previously discovered with fresh eyes anyway. Eyes that saw life being brought into the world. That’s pretty cool.’

‘Maybe,’ I say. ‘Sorry, I’m chewing your ear off now …’

‘No, you’re not,’ he says firmly. ‘You know, the best people to bring on trips like this are people who’ve got a bit more life under their belt. The kids that come, they’re fun and all that but they’re doing it because it’s the done thing. They want to take the snaps of them looking all enlightened and full of thought while sitting with a contemplative pout at the top of a mountain – which they’ll probably post on Instagram with an Erin Brockovich hashtag to really show how inspired or inspiring they’ve become, but it’s all performative,’ he continues, turning occasionally to check I’m still listening, which I very much am. It’s so nice to simply talk and listen to another adult without having one of the kids nipping at my heels wanting my attention. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve headed home following an afternoon of broken and unfinished conversations. Aside from Mike and Zaza, this is the longest adult conversation I’ve had in absolutely ages, and I’m including Nick in that. We just don’t seem to find the time any more. This is a nice reminder of how important that time just chatting is.

‘People beyond that have a more inward journey while they’re here, and they’re all the richer for it. That’s what I do these treks for. So that people like you get to step away from life for a bit and ponder,’ he says, stopping so the others can catch up with us. He looks directly at me when he continues. ‘So ponder, Victoria. Let the thoughts come, let the words out.’