‘It’s fine. I lived in LA for thirty years, but I’m originally from this area. I moved back here a couple of years ago.’

‘Have you mentioned your phone to Christine?’ Faith interrupts, picking up her pint of lager, taking a gulp.

‘Yes, I have. And I’ve reported it to the phone company too, using the hotel’s landline. But there’s not much else I can do until I get home. You?’

‘Same.’ Faith looks about her, as though searching for a kleptomaniac amongst them.

Alice follows Faith’s gaze. A couple in their late twenties sit on a velvet sofa, laughing too loudly, a champagne bucket in front of them, as though celebrating.

‘You should be like me, Lori,’ Mitch says with a sniff. ‘I’ve never had a mobile phone in my life – or should I say cell?’ He leans forward, taps his nose. ‘Got some inside info years back that they fry your brain. Never looked back.’ He lifts his chin and smirks, as though everyone around him is stupid.

Lori takes another sip of her drink. ‘Is it what you expected?’ she says, moving her eyes from Mitch to look again at Alice.

‘Sorry?’

‘This place.’ Her gaze roams the room. ‘Is it what you imagined it would be like?’

Alice shrugs. ‘I’m not sure what I was expecting, if I’m honest. I guess it’s like the photos on the website and Instagram, so yes, I suppose so. It’s certainly atmospheric.’

‘Mmm.’ She leans close to Alice’s ear. ‘It’s changed out of all recognition.’ She smiles, puts down her glass, and looks at her delicate gold watch. ‘Cameron Patterson should be over soon, shouldn’t he? I believe he’s going to do his talk and tour. I’m very much looking forward to it.’ She strokes her mane of hair, as though it’s a pet. ‘I wonder how much will be truth, and how much fantasy.’

‘You think he’ll make things up?’

Lori shrugs. ‘Possibly. The truth about this place is far too dark.’

Alice opens her mouth to question her further. How does she know about the hotel’s history? But Faith leans across the table. ‘Have you met him?’

‘Who? The mysterious Cameron Patterson?’ Lori shakes her head. ‘No, not yet.’

‘I have,’ Faith says. ‘He’s rather gorgeous.’

‘Faith!’ Mitch stares at her, eyes fired, arms folded across his broad body. ‘Christ’s sake! Way to make me look an idiot.’

‘I never meant to.’ Faith tugs at the hem of her dress, stares at him for a long moment. Nobody speaks, all clearly feeling awkward about the man’s outburst.

Finally Faith takes hold of his hand. ‘You know you’re the only man for me, Mitch,’ she says, and kisses his cheek. But there’s a sudden rigidness about her, as though being near him makes her anxious.