‘What is the same?’ Eliza asked.

‘Oh, I sit down beside him, and we chat, and I fill him in on everything that has been happening with the hotel, and the boys, and Celine, and our occupancy rates, and —’ Her voice broke. ‘And my poor darling Edgar doesn’t take in a word. I don’t even know if he hears me any more.’

Eliza reached for her godmother’s hand. ‘I’m so sorry.’

Olivia’s usual poise seemed to falter. ‘I miss him so much, Eliza. He’s there, he still looks like himself, but it’s not him. And I try to pretend, and keep talking to him, but sometimes it’s so hard.’ A pause, as if Olivia was deciding whether to be truthful or not. ‘I know you never saw the best of him. But he was such a wonderful husband. He built the hotel into the place it is today. It’s his legacy. But I don’t know if either of his sons are ready to take over as general manager. Or if either of them should.’

Eliza was unused to Olivia being so open. ‘But they’re both good workers, aren’t they?’

‘They do the bare minimum. Enough to be paid. Sometimes it’s a blessing that Edgar doesn’t know what’s going on with them both. He’d have never understood Rory’s business idea. Jigsaw puzzles, of all things. As for Alex and his hostel, if Edgar knew even half of what he’s up to —’

‘What is he up to?’

Olivia hesitated, then told her about Alex stealing from the Montgomery to stock the hostel’s bar. ‘I’m sorry, Eliza. It’s not fair to download on you like this. But I keep dreading that Lawrence will give Deirdre his notice and we’ll be forced to decide between Alex and Rory. His contract ended four months ago.’ She sighed. ‘Perhaps I should just ask him outright tonight what his plans are. Except I don’t want to hear what —’

Her phone rang, interrupting the conversation. ‘Hazel?’ Her expression grew serious. ‘Oh my God. Poor Maxie. I know, plaster for weeks. Yes, talk to the doctor. I’ll wait.’

Maxie was in hospital in Glasgow with a broken ankle. She and Hazel had been hill-walking when she slipped and fell. She’d been flown to hospital in Glasgow in the rescue helicopter. She was just out of the operating theatre now.

Hazel came back on. Olivia sympathised again. ‘Give her our love. We’ll be there first thing tomorrow.’

Hazel met them in the hospital reception early the next morning. It was only an hour’s drive from Edinburgh. Hazel looked exhausted but relieved to see them. She led them up to Maxie’s private room on the fourth floor.