‘She’s too cunning for me,’ he said. ‘Sorry.’

‘We’ve all been there,’ Daniel replied. ‘Don’t worry. Reenie, we’ve got a researcher staying here. She’s following up on some work done by a colleague of hers about the Clifftop Hotel. He thought it was haunted, and that some of the … ghosts were still around, despite the original building being demolished.’

‘The Clifftop Hotel was most definitely haunted,’ Reenie said. ‘And I’m sure there’s something lurking in the Seven Stars, though of course Hugh is best placed to give you those details.’

‘You know about the hauntings?’ Hannah asked, sitting next to Noah and taking a gingerbread snowman from the tray. She would have to limit herself to porridge and salads in the New Year. Noah took a doughnut.

‘No hat,’ she mouthed.

He shook his head, his eyes alight with amusement.

‘Anyone who’s been in Porthgolow longer than a few years knows about the hauntings,’ Reenie continued. ‘Footsteps, bangs, cold spots. I know a woman who used to clean here, when it was the Clifftop, and she was aware of more than one visitor who’d curtailed their stay because they’d found it too unsettling.’

‘I haven’t had any cancellations like that,’ Daniel said, folding his arms. Charlie held up the last glass of whisky and he shook his head. ‘I can’t now. Later, maybe.’

‘Have you asked, Daniel?’ Reenie probed. ‘Or would you prefer not to know? I have to say that I’m astounded you’re entertaining the idea of a ghost hunt in your luxury clifftop castle.’

‘It’s not going to do any harm,’ he murmured, looking uncomfortable.

‘No, certainly not to your publicity. Haunted hotels are all the rage these days. Everyone runs towards ghosts, not away from them. You should learn to embrace it.’

‘I think I’ll wait and see what happens tonight.’

‘Tonight?’ Hannah squeaked.

‘I’ve agreed Audrey can run her investigation later today.’ Daniel said. ‘You and Noah are still here, and you seemed interested, so—’

‘We’d love to help out,’ Hannah rushed. ‘I mean, I would.’

‘Me too,’ Noah added, around a mouthful of doughnut. ‘I could do with a bit of excitement after the boring day we’ve had.’ He smiled, and everyone laughed.

When Hannah caught his eye he gave her a quick, entirely flirtatious wink and, try as she might, she couldn’t help the swell of happiness that filled her chest. The storm had unleashed something in Noah Rosewall and, complications or not, Hannah couldn’t help responding to it.

Chapter Seven

The reception of the Crystal Waters spa wasn’t large, but it was sleek, and it had the same air of luxurious calm as the rest of the hotel. It was on the building’s lowest level, behind the swimming pool, so there were no sea views. In fact, it had no windows at all. The storm could have been hundreds of miles away, for all Hannah could see and hear it. She sat on one side of the corner bench and Noah sat on the other, their knees touching. She could imagine arriving here for a massage, facial or pedicure, but didn’t think she would be as excited as she was now.