Gavin brought us to a stop next to a gigantic map, where underneath a layer of ice I could see lines of varied colours tracing their way down the mountain. The right side of the map was all iced, except for a series of glowing red lights that I knew were next to the names of the chairlifts. It meant all lifts closed.

‘Sorry, folks.’ He swivelled in his chair like a bus driver. ‘I’ll take you back around, but why don’t you grab a warm drink first? Jules and I have some business to discuss.’ He swung open his door.

‘Really, Gav?’ Juliette stayed put.

‘If she’s here, she’ll be inside,’ Gavin said. ‘Your mate can check the room list, too, though everyone’s accounted for.’

‘It might be useful,’ I wondered aloud. ‘I might recognise a name you’ve missed.’

‘I’ll take a coffee. Irish, if it’s going. And a phone charger.’ Andy lifted himself off the steel bench, standing hunched in the back and rubbing his hands over his backside. ‘If I don’t get a break, I’m a shoe-in for haemorrhoids.’ He caught Juliette’s impatient scowl. ‘What? She could have made it up here.’

He pushed open the back door and jumped into the snow with a crunch. I followed, figuring that he had a point: even if Lucy was unlikely to be here, we may as well ask a few questions. Someone might know who Green Boots was. Not to mention, Marcelo had been up here the night before this all started. Juliette, resigned to our visit, hopped out and followed Gavin to the largest shed, which looked like an aircraft hangar.

The storm wasn’t any lighter on this side of the mountain. I could hear the wires of the chairlifts creaking under the battering wind. Cars turned into huge white termite mounds lined the road. Skis and boards were stabbed into snowdrifts, I assumed once neatly, but now splayed or knocked over like bad teeth. Gloves had been slotted on top of ski poles, evidence that many who had retreated indoors were hopeful of getting back on the slopes quickly, but they were now frozen through. It was like an avalanche-struck version of Chernobyl.

‘This is some seriously creepy shit.’ Andy spoke low beside me as we approached the building, a throbbing orange glow in one of the windows the only sign of life. My cheeks were so cold they tingled with his hot breath. ‘It’s like a ghost ship. Is anybody even at this resort?’