The same person who put a ventriloquist’s doll on my pillow, Alice wants to say, but bites down on her words. She needs to talk to Leon about it first.

Mitch looks about him, peeling off his wet jacket. ‘Where are Christine and Faith?’

‘Faith’s watching Halloween in the lounge, I believe,’ Lori says, taking a sip of her drink. ‘She said it might cure her angst. Said if you returned, Alice, could you let her know you’re back.’

‘Well, I’ve never heard of a horror film curing anxiety before,’ Mitch says. ‘I’d much rather have a brandy.’ He pushes up the sleeves of his top to reveal a tattoo of a rose dripping with blood on his lower arm, and heads away, towards the bar, squelching as he goes.

Alice takes off her wet Parka, and drapes it over her arm with the dress. ‘You’re right, Lori, I’ll talk to Christine,’ she says, her voice calmer. ‘I need to find out who has a key to my room.’

‘Well, she said something about needing to ice some fairy cakes.’ Lori furrows her forehead. ‘So, I’m guessing she’s in the kitchen.’

‘OK, thanks.’

‘Has Cameron turned up yet?’ Leon asks. ‘He would have a key to every room, wouldn’t he?’

Lori shakes her head. ‘Christine said she’d try calling him again, but I don’t know if she got through.’

‘I think I’ll get changed before I do anything else.’ Alice shivers, the discomfort of being soaked through to her underwear getting to her. She looks at Leon, hoping he will come with her, the ventriloquist’s doll in their room pinching at her anxiety. On top of finding her dress on the rocks this is all too much. She doesn’t want to be alone in this place if she can avoid it. ‘Are you coming?’

He nods, and they are about to leave the bar when Christine appears in the doorway, looking exhausted.

‘Who would have a key to our room?’ Alice asks her.

‘Only me and Mr Patterson, I believe.’ She bites down on her lip. ‘Why?’

Alice can’t bring herself to explain about the dress. ‘Are you sure?’

Christine glances over her shoulder towards the reception desk. ‘Well, there’s always a spare. I guess … I’m not always there to keep an eye, you see. There’s so much to do. I’m sure my Terry would turn in his grave if he could see me now.’