“Oh, Herbie, I do need you. I didn’t lie. It’s just that I’d never met you, and the hotel sounded so strange when I read about it, and I was nervous about coming to such a grand old place. I didn’t know how you’d react. So, instead, when I arrived at the railway station, I asked someone the way to Sebastian Eels’ house, and they told me, simple as that. I went there – just to look at first – but when I saw that a back window was open, I thought… Well, I thought…”

“You thought you’d start the adventure without me.”

“Don’t say it like that,” says Vi, with a groan. “Anyway, I had a good look over the house, which I thought was empty, and found the study. I was just about to get down to some serious rummaging when I realized there was someone there.”

“Eels?” I say, but Violet shakes her head and shudders.

“No, worse. Imagine how it felt to be in a stranger’s house, without permission, in the dark, and to see Boathook Man emerging from the shadows. It was terrifying.”

“That’s when you came to the hotel?”

Violets nods. “I tried to lose him. I ran and I ran but he was faster than I would have ever imagined. I couldn’t shake him off. I didn’t know where else to go.”

“And that’s it?” I say. “That’s all you’re keeping from me?”

“Yes, I promise,” Vi says. “I should have told you sooner. I just thought you’d get the wrong idea if you knew where I’d been and what I’d been doing, and I was right, wasn’t I?”

I say nothing. I lift my eyes to the glass tower of the Grand Nautilus Hotel, peering like an eye over the roofs and eaves of the old town. Lady Kraken can see a lot with that cameraluna of hers, but seeing isn’t necessarily understanding. No wonder she needs someone like me on the ground. For a moment, I’m tempted to wave up at her. Then it crosses my mind to make a rude sign. In the end, though, I just get to my feet and brush the snow off my bottom.

“I’m starving,” I say. “Let’s go to Seegol’s for chips. We need to work out what to do next.”

“Good idea,” says Vi, standing too.

Erwin strolls over to the door of the bookshop and miaows, pawing at the door.

“I’m sorry, puss, but it’s locked,” says Vi, and she rattles the handle to show him. “You’ll just have to wait for Jenny to—”

Then she stops.

We both stare open-mouthed as the door, which I swear was locked fast a moment ago, swings quietly open.

THE ACHILLES SPOT