Molly tried Jack’s number again but as before it went to answerphone. Perhaps, bringing her to a casino was his way of showing her what was going on. It didn’t look as if she’d much choice, she had to go.

One thing was certain, she wasn’t going to take the tube and risk getting pushed and shoved by revellers. She wasn’t sure there was much point in trying to get a taxi, not at that hour, but she dialled a number she knew on the off-chance she might be lucky. In two hours, she was told, hanging up with a grunt of frustration.

It looked like she’d no choice here either, she’d have to take the car. She slipped on the shoes she’d kicked off a few hours before, picked up her coat and keys and headed out, wondering if she’d make it. The car was further away than she remembered, either that or her laboured gait made every minute seem longer. Finally, she was there, lowering herself into the driver’s seat. Luckily, the BMW was an automatic, so it made driving a little easier. She’d have to make sure she parked near the hotel.

She’d written the satnav co-ordinates on her hand, she inputted them and groaned when she saw the hotel was on Eastbourne Mews, near Paddington station. The traffic would be manic. Gripping the steering wheel, she took a deep breath, indicated and pulled out.

It didn’t take long to discover she’d grossly underestimated the situation. It wasn’t merely manic; it was mayhem and madness. Added to that, the satnav directions were confusing, and she went the wrong way several times, almost crying with relief when it eventually told her she’d reached her destination on the left. The hotel and casino loomed large on the relatively narrow street. There had been no expense spared on neon lights, it looked garish and tawdry.

To the left of the hotel, a smaller neon light pointed out a downward ramp to the underground car park. Unfortunately, a large sign standing dead centre of the entrance told her bluntly it was full. She swore loudly and reversed, almost hitting a car behind. A hand raised in apology, she moved forward again, hitting the sign and knocking it flat. It seemed like an omen. She drove over it and headed down the ramp into the car park.

The sign hadn’t lied, every row was indeed full. Desperate, she parked in front of a door marked maintenance. Ignoring the no parking signs, she got out and moved away as fast as she could before someone arrived to take her to task. She pushed open a door into the hotel and followed signs for reception down narrow, brightly-lit corridors until she reached a large bustling lobby.