‘You’re mad, all of you,’ he growled.

‘Yup, you’re stuck with us,’ Mandy affirmed. ‘Some people would call it loyalty.’

‘Most people would call it stupidity.’ But his face softened as he said, ‘Thank you.’

As the others busied themselves with final preparations, Renzo moved closer to Mandy, murmuring, ‘You haven’t got the infernal nerve to try and protect me, have you?’

‘What, delicate little me?’ she teased. ‘No, the one I’m trying to protect is Henry-from you.’

‘You might have a point there.’

They fitted on their skis, Renzo checked the ropes that connected them, and they set out, climbing slowly and carefully, their eyes skinned for any sign of Henry.

‘It’s a pity we can’t shout,’ Joan observed. ‘I’ve got plenty of names I’d like to call him.’

‘Don’t,’ Renzo said firmly. ‘If there’s any name-calling to be done I’ll do it, at close quarters.’

But the day moved on without any sight of their quarry. Mandy hoped fervently that he was safe, but only for Renzo’s sake. If one of his party came to harm he would get the blame, however wrongly. She felt a powerful surge of anger towards Henry.

It grew colder and bleaker as they climbed. Now there was no sun and the world was grey. Peter, whose courage was fast deserting him, was the first to express doubts.

‘I wouldn’t mind finding a hut right now.’

‘What about that one over there?’ Joan said, pointing in the distance.

‘It’s deserted,’ Renzo said. ‘Can you see that it’s on the edge of a precipice? It wasn’t on the edge when it was built, but the ground has fallen away ever since, until it’s no longer safe.’

They moved on up, anxiety growing on them, until suddenly Renzo said, ‘I can see him.’