Fran’s throat tightens and she coughs lightly. ‘Oh. So, um, what news? What did Kate want to talk to you about last night? I’m guessing she hasn’t worked out who you are.’

Caroline crosses her arms over the tiger’s head. Because she’s embarrassed or cold, Fran isn’t entirely sure. ‘She doesn’t. But she made it very clear that she doesn’t want me talking to you.’

‘Because I asked about Jenna?’

‘That’s part of it, I’m sure. She’s certainly got her suspicions. She couldn’t say your name without grimacing.’

Fran shrugs. She’s seen similar reactions in meetings at work.

‘Talking of suspicious,’ she says. ‘Damian took my photo last night. After I left your room I headed for the back door and he was here, smoking. He took my photo with his phone and then scarpered.’

‘Strange.’

‘That’s what I—’

She turns sharply as the door behind her opens.

‘Oh, there you are!’ Phoenix’s eyes shine with excitement from behind his glasses. ‘Tom’s announcing what we’re up to this morning. No spoilers, but I hope you can both swim.’

Fran tugs at the clips on her life jacket as she stares in horror as the large yellow dinghy on the edge of the river. According to Tom’s morning briefing, they’re going white-water rafting to get them out of their safety zones. They’re also going to learn how to embrace fear, relinquish control and put their trust in their instructor. Oh, and it will be a bonding experience too. All absolute crap in Fran’s opinion. She’s fairly certain stag parties don’t go white-water rafting for spiritual enlightenment. They do it for lad points, Facebook photos and half a dozen beers afterwards.

‘Is it safe?’ She addresses her question to Tom, who is shepherding four of the guests towards the second dinghy.

He pauses. ‘Would I ask you to do something that isn’t?’

The question hangs in the air between them and it takes all Fran’s self-control not to state the obvious.

‘It’ll be fine.’ Kate’s hand lands on Fran’s shoulder. She shoos Tom away with her other hand. ‘We’ve been on umpteen white-water rafting expeditions and the instructors have done hundreds, haven’t you, Evan?’ She smiles at the thin young man standing nervously to the left of the group.

He steps forward, offering Fran what she assumes is supposed to be a reassuring smile but looks more like the kind of grimace one of her students proffers when she asks them a question.

‘All you have to do is paddle when I tell you to and stop when I say stop. If anyone falls in we have Mark and Emma here, our safety canoeists, who’ll rescue you and return you to your raft.’