She gave Zara Chapman a reassuring look, then suddenly leaned in and whispered in her ear: "Ms. Chapman, it's not that I'm unwilling, I actually really want to, but have you thought about this—if just the two of us share one toolkit, it might be too tight. But if everyone is willing to help, our chances of getting a permit will be so much higher. The instructor said as long as we make it through 72 hours and walk out of the forest successfully, we can get a permit. He didn't say there's only one permit. If we all get one, wouldn't that be the best outcome?"
In fact, if she could get the permit by herself, Wendy Aldridge wouldn't be saying any of this. She knew exactly what she was capable of, and tying herself to Zara Chapman would make it even less likely.
But Renee Morgan, Lynn Miller, Gael Prescott, and even Miles Yates were all strong contenders. If she could form an alliance with them, maybe she'd stand a better chance at getting a permit.
