Olivia pushed the trolley into the room. ‘We’re not short-staffed. I’m dining here so I can talk sense into you. Lawrence told me you’ve volunteered again. One afternoon with Celine was kind. A second day is madness. You should be out exploring Edinburgh, not trapped in that room with her.’

‘I’ll go exploring on the weekend. When you can come. At least this way I feel useful. I’m also salving my guilt about taking up space in this beautiful suite.’

‘You’ve already earned yourself a year in this suite by doing yesterday. That’s enough.’

Eliza helped Olivia set out their trays on the table by the window. Golden-yellow scrambled eggs, slivers of smoked salmon sprinkled with chives, hot buttered toast. She poured their coffee.

‘I’m enjoying it. Truly.’

‘That’s because Celine hasn’t started insulting you yet.’

‘Yes she has.’ Eliza repeated some of the insults.

Olivia looked appalled. Before she had a chance to speak, Eliza’s phone pinged.

‘I hope that’s Rose trying to talk sense into you,’ Olivia said.

‘It’s Sullivan. The boy from the plane. I think he’s lonely.’

‘Why don’t you go explore Edinburgh with him? At least until I’m free. That would be much better for you than being Voldemort’s PA.’

Eliza told her godmother she was running out of space in Celine’s suite. Olivia remembered that the room adjoining Celine’s was being redecorated after a leaking pipe. She could use that too.

‘You’re sure I can’t talk you out of this?’

Completely sure, Eliza told her.

‘Then I’ll ask Lawrence to meet you there with the key.’

Lawrence was waiting outside Celine’s suite. ‘You’ve already saved two of our reception staff from nervous breakdowns, thank you. She used to ring them every ten minutes.’

Eliza knocked. No answer.

‘Celine?’ she called. ‘It’s Eliza. It’s nine-thirty. The time we arranged.’

Another knock. Still nothing. She turned to Lawrence. ‘Perhaps she’s gone downstairs for breakfast?’

‘No,’ Lawrence said. ‘She said the carpet pattern gives her a headache and the dining room stinks.’

She knocked again. Nothing. ‘Could she be —’

‘I’ll get the master key,’ Lawrence said.

While he was gone, Eliza pressed her ear to the door. It swung open. She nearly fell in.

It was Celine, in yellow silk pyjamas. ‘Serves you right for eavesdropping. You’re late.’

‘I’m not late. We were getting worried.’

‘We? You’re alone. I was meditating.’ She gestured to earplugs. ‘It keeps me calm.’

Eliza couldn’t hide a smile.

‘Funny, is it?’ Celine raised her voice. ‘You have an attitude problem, missy. You’re sacked, you —’

‘Can’t sack her, Celine, because you haven’t hired her.’ It was Olivia, holding a master key and the key to the adjoining room. She gave them both to Eliza, then made a swift exit.