I twisted my head to look at him and gave him a glare before moving forward, very slowly through the pub towards the bar. Once I’d managed that particular hurdle, trying to get the attention of someone to attend to me was the next. I glanced over my shoulder but Lorcan was further back in the pub, laughing with a small group of people, his whole demeanour entirely changed now that he was out of my company. I turned back to the bar and made another attempt to check in. Finally, I got someone’s attention.

‘Hello. I’ve got a room booked here for the next three nights.’

‘No, sorry, love. We’re full.’

‘No.’ I waved my hand and began to try explaining again, having to practically shout to get myself heard above the very lively Friday-night crowd. It hadn’t seemed like a very big village as we’d driven through it, but from the looks of it absolutely everyone who lived in it was here tonight.

‘I have a room booked already.’

‘Here?’

‘Yes, here. Tonight. Three nights.’ I held up my fingers for emphasis.

‘Ah now. Why didn’t you say so?’

I smiled patiently and waited as the man reached below the bar and pulled out a ledger that he put down onto the surface with a heavy thump.

‘And what would your name be?’

‘Madeline Hart.’

The man ran a meaty finger down one page, then flicked back to the previous one and did the same again, before returning to the first page.

‘Nope. No booking under that name. Sorry.’

A shiver of insecurity ran through me before I caught it. I’d dealt with worse problems than this before. It was obviously an error. ‘I’m sorry, but there must be. Please would you mind checking again?’

He shrugged his shoulders genially and did as I asked, coming up with the same answer.

‘I can give you the name of a few hotels. They’re all a bit of a drive from here. I’m guessing you have a car?’

‘No, I don’t have a car. I got a lift. And I know for certain the room was booked for me. There must be some mistake.’

‘Not that I can see. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.’ His manner was still friendly and I was trying my best to see this from his point of view. But I’d also had an incredibly shit day and really just wanted to have a wash and go to bed.

‘I don’t know what to tell you, love. I wish I could help.’

‘But it must—'

‘I booked the room, Gerald. Maybe Brighid put it under my name.’