I march back out to the car, wishing I’d asked Vicky for a sandwich to eat on the way back. I open my handbag and find a couple of Polo mints in their wrapper. They’ll have to do. I pop one in my mouth, slide into the car and head back to work, thinking about who might have reported the hotel to the health department. Could it have been a random spot check, like Vicky thought, or might someone have had a more specific reason in mind? A rival hotel? A dissatisfied customer? Or something else entirely?

I can’t believe this is a coincidence, not with all the other stuff going on. I don’t want to be paranoid, but after what happened with Cassie, I wouldn’t put it past her to try to sabotage my anniversary party. This has got her name written all over it. The one person I’m praying has nothing to do with this is Dina. I know we’re not exactly on the best of terms, but surely she wouldn’t be so malicious as to try to ruin something that means so much to me. Not my own sister.

Twenty

THEN

With my hand on my not-quite bump, I pace the small kitchen, wondering what I should do about Dina possibly being back in the UK. Calling the police would be the sensible option, wouldn’t it? But maybe that’s an over-reaction.

I don’t want to tell Dad my discovery. Not yet anyway. There’s no point alarming him. But who am I kidding? Dad doesn’t get fazed by anything. I’m more worried by the likelihood he wouldn’t be alarmed. That he would give his usual shrug of the shoulders and say Dina will contact us when she’s ready. It would seem that I’m the only one who actually gives a damn. And I’m not even sure why.

She left the UK almost ten years ago and hasn’t once been back for a visit. Sure, she keeps in touch sporadically via text and the occasional email. But the sad thing is, she usually only contacts me or Dad when she needs something. I try not to dwell on that. If she really is back in England, then surely it’s an opportunity for us to reconnect. To make amends for past hurts. But I know I’m kidding myself. If Dina is back and hasn’t got in touch, then she’s even more selfish than I thought. After the last time we spoke, I felt like I never wanted to talk to her again. But she’s still my sister. I need to know one way or another, partly for Dina’s sake, but mainly for my own peace of mind.