It slipped out of her sweat-slick fingers, and with a howl she slid downwards, her fingernails breaking as they scrabbled at the wood. She threw out her left hand to steady herself, and her fingers connected with the wooden bowl that contained the water. It splashed onto the coals, hissing and spitting, the heat immediately rising as the water fizzed and bubbled.

‘Oh, God,’ Paula wept, the tears drying on her cheeks as soon as they leaked out of her eyes. ‘Please, help me!’

After walking around on deck for a while, Anna was cold enough to return inside. As she headed along the glass-walled corridor that ran past the bar area, she pulled her short hair forward and peered through her fringe. Tommy was in there, not drinking morosely as she had half expected, but surrounded by a cluster of men. They were laughing and chatting, and Anna felt a stab of pleasure that he had not felt the need to go in search of his wife.

She speed-walked to the sixth deck, smiling with satisfaction at the sign on the spa door, which was just as she’d left it. She turned it over again and slipped inside, pausing in the doorway for just a moment before heading towards the sauna. The poker was still in place, and there was no sound from within.

Taking a deep breath, she slid the poker soundlessly out and set it down underneath a pile of towels. Then she gripped the handle and opened the door wide.

Paula was huddled in the corner, on the furthest bench from the door. In the dim light Anna saw her raise her head.

‘Goodness! You’re still in here?’ Anna gave her a friendly smile. ‘Did I leave my bracelet in— Oh, there it is!’ She scooped up the silver chain, then stopped, the smile slipping from her face to be replaced with a look of concern. ‘Hey, are you okay?’

Paula let out a deep, shuddering breath as she clambered off the bench.

‘Don’t let that door close!’ she shrieked. She pushed past Anna and practically threw herself through the door. ‘Oh my God!’

The tears came then, as Paula gulped great lungfuls of air. Spotting the water cooler, she staggered over to it. Anna went to stand beside her, taking the cup from the woman’s shaking hands and filling it for her. Paula grabbed at it and drank greedily. When she had finished, she reached out her arms and pulled Anna into an embrace.

‘I was stuck in there,’ she cried. ‘I thought I was going to die!’

Over Paula’s shoulder, Anna rolled her eyes. ‘What do you mean, stuck?’ she asked.

‘The door wouldn’t open,’ whispered Paula, her eyes darting fearfully to the sauna.

Anna moved back to the door, closing it and opening it again easily.

‘It wouldn’t open!’ Paula cried. ‘I swear, it was stuck fast.’