‘Midnight,’ Audrey tried. ‘Christmas. Marshmallow. Chocolate.’ Still the dog didn’t react.

‘Maybe this isn’t going to work,’ Hannah said.

‘No, look at his eyes.’ Audrey pointed. ‘He’s listening.’

Hannah peered closely at the dog, and Noah groaned as it shifted its weight again. ‘You should probably do it quickly, while I still have all the vital parts of my anatomy.’

‘Ghosts are a bit of a theme,’ Hannah said. ‘And he’s sort of ghostly, isn’t he, with his scruffy white fur and the way he appeared out of nowhere?’

‘What about Spirit, then?’ Noah suggested, and the dog barked.

‘He’s only done that because he’s standing on you,’ Hannah said.

‘Spirit,’ Audrey tried, and the dog barked again. Noah grinned.

‘Spirit is a good name,’ Hannah admitted. ‘He definitely has spirit.’

‘Perhaps a bit too much.’ Noah lifted the dog off his lap and put him back on the bench.

‘OK?’ Hannah asked.

‘No permanent damage.’

‘With that, you young things, I’m off to bed.’ Audrey stood up.

‘Goodnight,’ Hannah said. ‘Thank you for telling us about Anna and her fisherman.’

‘If you want to be part of my investigation, just let me or Daniel know.’ She wished them goodnight and walked out, passing Daniel on the way.

He placed a key on their table. ‘I put you in the room next to Hannah,’ he said to Noah.

‘Thank you.’ Noah slid the key off the table and put it in his pocket. ‘Is everything OK with the hotel?’

Daniel nodded. ‘So far. We’ve got power backups in place, I just need to keep a close eye on it all. Have you two got all you need?’

‘We’re fine, Daniel,’ Hannah said.

‘Let me top these up for you.’ He took their glasses and went behind the bar, returning with replenished brandies.

‘Do you want to join us?’ Hannah asked.

‘Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got to stay focused. I’ve set up food and water in my office for the dog, but if either of you want him in your room, just shout.’

‘I’ll have him,’ Noah said.

‘Sure?’ Daniel asked. ‘I’m going to check the outside of the hotel for damage, so I can take him out with me now. You’ll still be here in twenty minutes?’

Noah held up his fresh drink. ‘Yup.’

‘We’re calling him Spirit,’ Hannah said.

Daniel glanced at the dog, an eyebrow raised. ‘Very apt. I’ll start making enquiries in the morning, see if he’s been missed. Come on, Spirit.’ The dog jumped straight off the bench and followed him out.

Then it was just the two of them, with nothing except the storm’s squeal beyond the window, and thick, silky quiet inside the room. Hannah picked up her glass and swirled the amber liquid around.

‘Hannah, I …’ Noah started, but the end of his sentence never materialized.

‘What is it?’ she asked quietly.

‘I know I’ve not been the easiest person to be around this week.’

‘I’ve had a good time,’ she said truthfully.