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circumstances Gerald wouldn’t have stood any chance of success, but the area was short of jobs and Gerald had influential friends.
    â€œWe wish we could be sure of that, but people want jobs and a few rare bats and newts might not hold enough sway to stop him pushing the plans through.” Jerome lifted a large rucksack onto his back and lifted out the camera equipment.
    The rangers took the tents, sleeping bags and the pack that contained their cooking equipment and food. Once Jerome had locked the car they set off through the wood with the forestry men leading the way.
    â€œAre you okay, Gemma?” Jerome paused beside her as she gasped for breath on a steep, uphill turn in the trail.
    â€œFine, just need a breather,” she gasped as the blood pounded in her ears.
    â€œGive me your pack.” Jerome eased the straps of her rucksack from her shoulders.
    â€œReally, I’m fine.” Gemma wheezed and wondered if anyone had ever died from carrying too many clothes.
    Jerome shook his head and hefted her pack on to his arm. “We haven’t far to go now. Do you need a drink?”
    She shook her head, feeling guilty that he had taken her pack. The rangers were out of sight, so after she’d recovered some of her breath, they set off again.
    A few minutes later they emerged on the far side of the woodland. A small stream burbled down the side of the Fell and the rangers had already begun to erect the tents in a flat space sheltered by some large boulders.
    Ominous dark clouds scudded across the sky. A light breeze tugged at her hair as they crossed the field to the campsite.
    â€œYou two should be fine just here.” One of the men straightened up from knocking in the tent pegs.
    â€œIf you’ve got your map handy, I’ll mark those sites for you.” The other man walked over to Jerome and helped him lower the bags he carried on to the ground.
    Gemma carried the equipment over to the tents as Jerome and the ranger spread the Ordnance Survey map out on the top of a flat rock.
    â€œThere you go, the tents are up. Just as well. I reckon you’ll be having a shower of rain soon, judging by that sky.” The other ranger grinned at her as he knocked in the last of the pegs.
    â€œThank you. It’s very kind of you to help.”
    â€œOur pleasure. It looks as if Jerome and Andy have finished.” He nodded towards the boulder where Jerome had refolded the map and tucked it into the back pocket of his jeans.
    The ranger passed the hammer to Gemma as he joined his companion. “Have a good shoot. We’ll see you on Sunday.” The forestry men took their leave and set off down the track into the forest.
    The nerves in Gemma’s stomach fluttered as she watched their green uniforms disappear from view between the trees.
    â€œCan you give me a hand to get the gear inside the tents? We might just get a chance to make a drink before the heavens open.” Jerome had already moved the bag of camera equipment into his tent.
    Gemma wriggled inside her own small blue tent, tugging her rucksack after her. What had she been thinking when she’d agreed to do this? It was one thing trying to prove she could be adventurous. However, as she surveyed her new small canvas home, she couldn’t help wishing there had been a more comfortable way of proving her point.
    By the time she’d arranged her sleeping bag and accommodated some of the cooking equipment Jerome handed to her, Gemma felt ready for that cup of tea.
    Jerome filled a small pan with water from the stream and set it on top of a gas camping stove. A couple of weathered grey boulders made convenient seats as Gemma joined him.
    â€œI doubt if we’ll get any photography done tonight. It’s too cloudy. Tomorrow’s forecast is clear so we should get some good shots then.” He smiled at her as he poured boiling water into her mug.
    â€œSo, what do we do now?” Gemma squinted up at the