‘Hannah?’ Noah prompted.

She turned away from the view. ‘All the trains over the next couple of days are going to be delayed. They’re running a slower service on big chunks of the line because of the high winds, so even if I get the earliest train tomorrow, I might have to stay somewhere overnight. It’s going to be a long and rubbish journey.’

Noah was frowning at her phone screen. ‘Shit. How long does it usually take?’

‘Between eight and ten hours depending on the route, but on the way down there was that signalling problem even before the weather interfered.’

‘You’ll have to play it by ear,’ he said. ‘And if there’s a chance you could get on a quicker route, then I’m happy to take you to a different station. Truro – or Plymouth, even.’

‘That’s very kind, thank you. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Now, what are you going to pick off the breakfast menu? I can recommend the haddock and poached eggs, or the pancake stack with bacon and maple syrup, if you’re up for abandoning calorie counting. Mind you, we’ve both had very little sleep, so we probably need the extra energy.’

‘Is that what you’re having?’

‘I think so. The maple syrup is calling to me.’

‘That’s what I’ll have, then. You know what you’re talking about when it comes to food.’

After Hannah had devoured her breakfast with gusto and Noah had made even shorter work of his, he suggested they go to his room to call Gerald. She agreed: they couldn’t have a phone conference in a public area of the hotel.

Noah’s room was a mirror image of hers, but still Hannah felt strange being in it. It was the fact that she knew he’d slept there, showered under the drench shower that morning, or maybe he was more of a bath person …? She shook the thought away, refusing to let her mind wander.

‘Where’s Spirit?’ she asked.

‘Daniel’s taking some photos of him to put on local Facebook groups, to see if anyone recognizes him. Want one of these?’ He loaded a capsule into the coffee machine.

‘Sure.’ Hannah sat in the desk chair, waited until he’d made their coffees, then took her phone out and scrolled to Gerald’s number.

‘Green Futures, Gerald Hawes speaking.’

‘Gerald, it’s Hannah Swan, and I’ve got Noah here with me.’

‘Noah! Hannah! I was just thinking about you. Apparently the weather down there is even worse than it is here.’

‘The storm’s hit, and shows no sign of leaving just yet,’ Noah said, glancing at Hannah.

‘My journey home might be disrupted,’ she added. ‘But I’ll make it back in time for Monday.’

‘Don’t take any unnecessary risks,’ Gerald said. ‘You must stay safe – that’s the main thing. Now, how is Crystal Waters? I’ve read your updates, Hannah, and it sounds as if it’s going well.’

‘It’s been great,’ she admitted. ‘I think I’ve been lucky with my first case.’ She didn’t add that she felt that way because she’d made new friends, found excellent food, possible hauntings and a stray dog, and developed a potentially massive crush on her colleague.