Jamie looked glumly at the drizzle. Rachel was bustling around, putting things in rucksacks, brewing coffee and chuntering happily to herself.

“Sure you wouldn’t rather go when it’s dryer?” He asked, hopefully.

“Best chance to see the dusk finch tonight. Plus the whole gang’s coming - they’re looking forward to meeting you.”

“That’s what I’m worried about.”

Rachel pecked him on the cheek. “Don’t worry, they’re not as intimidating as they seem at first. Got your wellies?”

Jamie smiled. “I’m hardly worried about being intimidated by birdwatchers. And I’m not wearing wellies.”

Rachel shrugged, pulling her Hunters on. Jamie slipped into his pristine white trainers.

He clocked his reflection on the way out. Not bad. The gym hours had definitely paid off and he was looking forward to the contrast he’d make against Rachel’s new, geeky friends.

At the meet point it was exactly as Jamie had feared. Woollen hats, beards and anoraks everywhere.

“So this is Jamie? Nice to meet you, man,” one of the beards said. “It might get a bit chilly - d’you want to grab a jumper before we set off?”

“You’re alright mate. I can stand a bit of cold.” Jamie stood closer to him, so Rachel could see how much taller and broader he was.

A woman in a beanie the colour of a fish finger led everyone into the trees, the group chattering in excited whispers. It was fully dark now; Jamie had to stay close to Rachel because he didn’t have his own torch. Within five minutes he’d trodden in a puddle of something unspeakable, foot freezing, trainers ruined.

The walk was longer than Jamie had expected. By the time they reached the hide he was worn out, though the birders were still going strong. Out came the sandwiches, the long lensed cameras. The hide soon smelled of strong coffee and the group fell silent, fixated on the woodland outside.

Jamie went to pull out his phone, but fish-fingers stopped him. “The light scares the birds,” she whispered.

“So we just sit here, in the cold, doing nothing?”

The group hushed him angrily

“We’re looking out for the dusk finch, ”said Rachel. “It’ll be really exciting if it shows up, you’ll see.”

“Babe, I don’t think this is for me. I’ll wait for you back at the car ok?”

Rachel nodded resignedly. The beard offered Jamie his torch.

Jamie chuckled and patted his shoulder. “I think I’ll be alright, mate. It’s not exactly far.”

As the door swung shut Jamie swore he saw the beard sit very close to Rachel. She didn’t move away.

He stomped purposefully back towards the car. What did Rachel get out of sitting in a dark, freezing hut with a bunch of soft hippy types? He bet not one of them could run a 10k or benchpress anything over 20kg. He snorted.

Hold on, they hadn’t passed a stream on the way here, but to his left he could hear running water. Surely he should be nearly at the car by now?

He turned around. He’d retrace his steps. Get back to the hide and try again from there. If fish-fingers could do it, how hard could it be?

Shivering, Jamie turned and strode confidently in completely the wrong direction back into the darkest part of the woods.