‘Let me go and talk to Celine,’ he said. ‘I’ve had an idea. That’s why I asked to see you.’

She shook her head. ‘There’s no point. She’ll only abuse you.’

‘You’ve checked out Dad’s promise legally?’

‘Yes. Twice. Edgar’s letter is tantamount to a legal promise. She’s allowed to stay here for as long as she wants.’

‘Specifically here? Specifically the Montgomery hotel? Or with the Montgomery family?’

‘What’s the difference?’

‘Can I see the letter?’

Olivia didn’t need to get it. She’d read it so often, hoping for a loophole. She knew it off by heart. ‘It says she is welcome to stay with us, Alex. Us meaning the Montgomerys. Here, in the hotel.’

‘Could I still see it?’

She stood, unlocked the filing cabinet, found it and gave it to him.

He read it carefully, then looked up. ‘Olivia, have you seen the occupancy rates for my hostel? It’s nearly full. Every night.’

She was in no mood to praise him, if that’s what he was wanting.

‘Nearly full,’ he repeated. ‘But there’s always a vacant room. In my hostel, Olivia. I am a Montgomery. It’s a Montgomery property.’

She stared at him. ‘Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting? That we move Celine into your hostel?’

‘Yes.’

‘Have you gone mad?’

‘Not yet.’

‘Alex, you and I don’t always see eye to eye, but I wouldn’t wish her on my worst enemy. You’ve seen her. Heard her. How rude she is. How noisy she is.’

‘I can be rude. Hostels are noisier.’

‘She does nothing but complain.’

‘We have a good complaints system. It’s called “Like it or lump it”. In any case, I’ll ask my staff to give her so much attention she won’t have time to post any bad reviews.’

‘But even if you could get her to move, where would you put her? A dorm full of twenty-year-olds?’

‘That would be too mean. To them. Olivia, I think Celine’s bored senseless. If you ask me, that’s why she keeps demanding those temps or Eliza and that weird kid. For company. She wants people around her.’

‘Yes, to bully them. Insult them. I can’t see her happily relaxing in a hostel common room, can you? Exchanging travel tales? Giving tips?’

‘I can, actually. She travelled all her life, remember. She must be full of stories. I have a vacant room at the back of the hostel. Ground floor. Close to the common room. She could come in and out as she pleased. Hold court.’

‘A woman of her age?’