It didn’t.

‘Bugger,’ Sebastian groaned. There was obviously a problem with the system.

Dressing as fast as he could, Sebastian picked up his phone and dialled Bob in maintenance. Not surprised he was not yet in, he dialled Bob’s home number and got his wife on the line.

Bob was obviously still in bed. His voice was groggy, but he promised he’d be there as soon as he could.

‘Probably a burst pipe,’ he muttered. ‘It’s starting to thaw this morning.’

Sebastian groaned. Seventy boys unable to take their morning showers, smelly and cold and complaining.

He dialled her number and she answered immediately.

‘Hello, sweetheart, it’s me. How are you?’

‘I’m . . .’ There was a pause whilst she thought about it. ‘I’m good. Very good.’

‘What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you until the weekend.’

‘No, but let’s just say I had a sudden change of plan.’

‘How long are you here for?’

‘That’s what I want to talk to you about tonight.’

‘Okay. Listen, there’s a small crisis here which I need to sort out. I’ll have to call you later, but I’m hoping I should be able to get away around eight, only for an hour, I’m afraid, but it’s better than nothing.’ Sebastian paused. ‘I have some news for you, actually.’

‘Good news?’

‘Yes, very good as it happens.’

‘Well, I most certainly have news for you.’ Sebastian could hear the smile in her voice.

‘Let’s say eight then, unless you hear from me. Gotta go now. Bye, sweetheart. See you later.’

Sebastian switched off his mobile, tucked it in his trouser pocket and went off to alert the three floors of dorms to Fleat House’s lack of hot water.

‘I’ll be off to see young Rory, then,’ said Issy, as Miles appeared in the reception of the hotel.

‘I’ll give you a lift there. I’ve just had Angelina Millar on to me. Apparently, her boyfriend has done a bunk.’

‘Still not appeared then? She was very worried when I saw her yesterday.’ Issy followed Miles out of the lobby and onto the street, which was slippery with melting snow, rivulets of water flooding down the road. ‘Not having a lot of luck with the men in her life, is she? That’s both her ex and her partner currently on the missing list. You don’t think . . .?’

‘I’d doubt it has anything to do with the case, can’t see how it could, but I’d better go and have a word with her.’ Miles opened the passenger door to allow Issy to step over the puddles and climb inside.

‘Pretty odd, though, him disappearing when all of this has happened, isn’t it?’ Issy questioned as they drove off.

‘It sure is, if he actually has. Wouldn’t be my type, Mrs Millar. Bet she nags constantly, makes you pick your wet towels off the floor and irons your underpants and socks.’

‘So what is your type, sweetie?’ Issy’s hand snaked onto Miles’s thigh. He slapped it away gently.