‘Ow!’

It took her a couple of seconds to get her bearings, registering the Crystal Waters snug, remembering being with Noah and their impromptu ghost hunt. The lights were still low, she could hear the storm hadn’t even begun to abate, and her empty brandy glass was on the table next to his. Spirit was asleep at their feet, but she couldn’t recall Daniel bringing him back inside.

She glanced sideways. Noah was rubbing his chin but, thankfully, looking amused.

She opened her mouth, and her stiff jaw protested. She must have fallen asleep on Noah. On his lap? She’d felt his hand in her hair, hadn’t she?

‘Are you OK?’ she croaked out. ‘I’m so sorry, I was disoriented. Did I hurt you?’

‘No, it was just a surprise. I was beginning to nod off myself.’

‘Why didn’t you wake me? Why did you let me … slump, like that? Have I got drool on your trousers? Oh God.’ She covered her eyes with her hands, her face on fire.

‘It wasn’t the most thrilling ghost hunt,’ Noah said. ‘Hopefully Audrey’s will be a bit more interesting. And don’t be embarrassed: it’s been a long day. We’re well into tomorrow, now.’

‘You should have poked me the moment I started dropping off,’ Hannah said. ‘Then we could have called it quits and gone to our rooms. Now it’s far too late and I’m all stiff.’ She circled her shoulders, trying to loosen them. ‘No doubt you are too, what with me falling asleep on you, and I bet we didn’t catch anything anyway.’ She pointed at Noah’s iPhone, which was still sitting on the table and, presumably, still recording.

‘I have no idea. I’ll have a listen, but I’m not holding out much hope. It felt peaceful in here. There’ll be a couple of gentle snores, obviously,’ he added, grinning.

‘Please don’t say that.’

‘Don’t worry, they were pretty adorable.’ He stood and stretched his arms to the ceiling.

Hannah put her boots back on and slowly pushed herself off the bench. Had she heard him right? She felt simultaneously exhausted and wired – she was blaming ninety per cent of the wired on Noah – and wondered if she’d be able to sleep.

‘I hope you don’t mind me saying,’ she started cautiously, ‘I’m surprised you’re so interested in this paranormal stuff. When you picked me up from the station last Friday, I—’

‘You thought you were working with a dickhead? That’s totally understandable.’

‘That’s not what I was going to say.’ Hannah laughed. They had paused on the threshold between the snug and reception, the lights on the Christmas tree set to a slow fade, the gold and blue decorations sparkling gently. Noah walked to the door that led to the stairs and held it open, ushering Hannah, then Spirit, through. The little dog followed obediently, as if he understood exactly what was happening.

‘What were you going to say?’ Noah murmured, as they walked down the stairs side by side.