She headed for bed, too tired to even think about dinner. To her surprise, she was happy to find the cats already there, as though they had sought out the one in the house who was the most in need of comfort.

She steadfastly refused to think of Rob, though she could still hear the swing and thud of his hammer as she drifted to sleep, and later in her dreams.

Chapter 24

First thing the following morning, Penny was beating a rug mercilessly.

Colin, still in his pyjamas, had come out onto the lawn and was watching her with a solemn expression. ‘Oh dear,’ he said, ‘I’m afraid you will beat that rug to pieces if you’re not careful. Are you out of sorts?’

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Yes, I am “out of sorts”.’ She continued to beat the rug, though it had long since ceased to emit exhausted puffs of dust.

‘And would this have anything to do with your sister’s reappearance in the hotel yesterday?’

‘It’s just so typical,’ Penny huffed. ‘Blowing hot and cold. One minute, she couldn’t wait to get away, the next she’s back with some far-flung idea to save the world! Or the hotel at least.’

‘Fascinating. What’s her idea?’

‘I don’t know,’ Penny admitted. ‘But I don’t need to, either. It’s far too late for ideas. We’ve moved on.’

‘Well,’ said Colin, ‘I don’t pretend any great knowledge of this place. After all, I’ve only been here a couple of weeks, hardly a lifetime. But I’ve said before that I think this place is special and worth saving. And if your sister has an idea that might help, however late in the day, I think it’s worth exploring. Quite apart from the other affections I have developed here, I have become quite attached to this place.’

Penny didn’t answer and eventually Colin wandered away in the direction of the kitchen. She kept beating the rug for a full five minutes before she stopped to consider what he had said. Could he be right? And what were these ‘other affections’ he mentioned?

For the next half-hour, Penny was distracted, abandoning every task she put her hand to. She was having a tug-of-war argument with herself. Should she allow herself hope in the matter of the hotel once more? Or was it better to be stoical about it, as Elle herself had been before she left?

And even more stoical about the fact that Colin would be leaving soon. She was surprised by how much the notion saddened her. She’d enjoyed their recent adventures in tracking down the records, and especially enjoyed having someone to bounce ideas off and to give advice on whether or not she was doing the right thing, as well as having someone, other than immediate family, concerned about her safety or indeed her whereabouts.