She could feel that if Elle let loose just a little bit, then perhaps something wonderful could happen for her while she was here. Then at least if the hotel didn’t work out, there would be a silver lining, of sorts.

Chapter 13

Elle had always been a tiny bit afraid of the attic, though she would never in a million years admit it.

She supposed it was entirely fitting that a property as old and grand as this should have an attic that matched. Creaky, shadowy, full of old junk from the hotel down the years, much of it from previous owners, and probably bats nesting in the eaves, watching for any visitors with baleful, glowing eyes. Elle hated bats and the thought of their frail and thin wings brushing against her gave her the shivers.

Rob chuckled on the shadowy stair behind her. ‘You know there was an old rumour going around about this place at one stage? That it was haunted.’

She frowned, but a sudden shiver ran up her spine and she couldn’t be sure if it was because of the possibility Rob had suggested, or the mere proximity of his presence in these dark quarters. ‘I never heard anything of the sort.’

‘I’m serious. The story goes that a jilted fiancé of the first owner haunts the place. The story has probably been responsible for a few bookings over the years. You know some people are desperate to see a ghost.’

‘I think I would have noticed a ghost hanging around for my whole childhood,’ she countered.

‘I didn’t say it was true.’ She felt him shrug as they climbed the narrow stairs up to the attic door. ‘I just said there was a rumour.’

Now Elle imagined ghosts swooping like birds from the corners of the attic. Stop being an idiot, she told herself. You’ll give yourself nightmares.

The attic smelt old as all attics do: of books not opened for years, mouldy wood, and a musty damp smell from the leak in the roof. Rob picked up a feather and held it out to her. ‘I think you’ve got a few visitors.’

‘I think a few things worse than birds, probably.’

Elle turned on the light and the bulb flickered uncertainly, then gave out a weak and watery light. It made it slightly easier to see things, but also made them a bit spookier somehow. You couldn’t be exactly sure what each thing was. Was that a coat stand with a sheet over it, or was it a tall man, hiding in the corner? Did the ancient wardrobe in the corner just creak open a little, or was it just her imagination?