*

Keira’s hotel was on a main road, which was somewhat wider than the ones Antonio had been driving down so far. The buildings here were made of dark concrete. Wooden green shutters covered their windows and Italian flags hung from their balconies.

Antonio turned down a small alley that led to a courtyard within the buildings. There were scooters parked haphazardly all around.

He pointed Keira in the direction of the hotel.

“I will see you in the morning,” he said from the driver’s seat.

Realizing he wasn’t going to help her with her case, Keira got out of the car, mumbling her gratitude, and got her luggage from the trunk.

She went into the lobby. Here, at least, it was well air conditioned. Other than that, the place looked cheap and shabby. In the foyer was an old desk and threadbare couch, with modern mismatched lamps dotted around. Keira wondered why Heather had booked such an unpleasant hotel for her. Was Viatorum having money problems?

At the reception desk, she checked in. The elevator was out of order so she had to carry her case up four flights of stairs.

Her room was tiny, without even a desk. Surely Heather knew that she was supposed to get her a room with desk! How was she expected to write tonight without one?

She tested the bed. It squeaked as she put her weight on it and the mattress was so firm it felt like it was made of wood.

In the en suite bathroom, Keira found a tiny shower, toilet, and sink. She tried to turn the shower on in order to test the water pressure but nothing happened. Then she saw that there was a coin slot.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said.

She grabbed some loose coins from her pocket and placed one into the slot. Water came from the shower head. She held her hand in the thin stream of water. It left a sticky residue on her palms.

At least she would only be staying here one night, Keira reasoned. Tomorrow she’d be taking the train to the Amalfi Coast and would be staying in a town called Positano.

For the first time since arriving in Italy, Keira had a spare moment to herself. She immediately checked her phone. There was nothing from Shane.

Exhausted, she sat on the bed and felt her tears coming. She tried desperately to think of something positive to write for her article but she simply couldn’t. So far, Naples was horrible. She felt sad and alone, and dreaded tomorrow when she would be driven around in Antonio’s cramped car once again.

She’d only just arrived, but already Keira wanted to go home. She tucked herself into bed and cried herself to sleep.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Keira woke with a start to the shrill sound of her phone ringing. It was still dark out; the sun hadn’t risen yet. Her first thought was whether it may be a call from home. But when she picked up her cell, the number wasn’t one she recognized.