The snow had settled on his long dark eyelashes. It rather suited him; he still looked slightly like a vampire.

On the other hand, he almost certainlywasn’tone, and Mirren very much felt short of options at this time. Chilled and exhausted, she docilely followed him across the road, not even knowing where she was going, something she would not have recommended to a single one of her girlfriends, ever.

They were only a short way up the road, into the main section of town, and Theo bounded up the steps of a solid old honey-stone building, respectable looking, lit with round outdoor lights, with The Town Hotel written in a smart font above the old wooden doorway.

‘I’m sure they can sort you out,’ said Theo.

Inside, the lobby was so very lovely Mirren wanted to cry. Luxuriantly warm, there was a large fire burning in the grate, with copies of recent magazines carefully splayed on a low table. Tartan carpets were soft and cheery, and the reception desk had a proper old-fashioned bell. Ahead, a beautiful ornate staircase with a carved banister led upwards; everything felt hushed and there was an expensive hotel smell, as well as a smell of something nice coming from the bar. Mirren knew immediately that she wouldn’t be able to afford to stay there. The car was going to take every last penny she had to fix.

‘This young lady needs a room,’ said Theo.

‘Of course, madam,’ said the man. His smart yellow-and-black striped waistcoat alone suggested to Mirren that it was going to be pricey, which was confirmed when she saw the rack rate.

‘Oh no, it’s okay,’ said Mirren. ‘I’ll ... I’ll find somewhere.’

Theo realised immediately, looking at her cheap shoes, which hadn’t even been able to keep out the weather, what was going on. The problem was, his uncle’s largesse verymuch extended to the business, and keeping himself, and to the same extent Theo, in lavish comfort. However, he combed the accounts with a sharp eye, and certainly wouldn’t stretch to a second room. And he, Theo, had absolutely no money at all; impoverished at the end of his studies, he was essentially an intern, for all his expensive clothes.

So. A dilemma.

‘Well,’ he said, as the wind outside blew harder; the snow had really started to settle now. ‘Do you think you could put an extra bed in my suite?’

‘Of course, Mr Palliser,’ said the man quickly, making a note.

Mirren looked at him, concerned.

‘You don’t have to take it, of course,’ he said. ‘Just ... charge your phone and have a drink and figure things out?’

He held the key out to her, mentally checking he hadn’t left his boxers on the floor.

Mirren realised she was dripping on the polished wooden floor of the lobby. The smart young receptionist was politely not looking at her. She looked at the proffered key.

‘I assure you, madam,’ said Theo, ‘my intentions are quite honourable.’

Mirren smiled. ‘Exactly what a blackguard would say, I am afraid, Mr Palliser.’

‘Alas! Hoisted indeed, by the keenness of your wit. Nevertheless ...’

He dangled the key at her, and Mirren took it.

Chapter 15

After lingering by the fire to thaw herself out, Mirren left Theo in the lobby and headed up to the room. By the time she got there, the second bed had already been made up, and a maid, smiling, and notably better dressed than Mirren was right then, was just leaving. Mirren smiled at her awkwardly.

The heavy oak door creaked open to reveal a beautiful, large, oak-panelled space. There were old oil paintings on the walls, and a pair of thick red velvet curtains had been drawn over what was, on closer inspection, a large bay window overlooking the town.

There were two parts to the room: a large four-poster bed – Mirren couldn’t help smiling and feeling slightly pink at the look of it – then, in the small dressing area, a truckle bed had been set up and neatly made with sheets and blankets and lovely white fluffy pillows. Mirren suddenly felt utterly exhausted and was almost tempted just to fold herself into it there and then.

She explored the bathroom, which had black and white tiles on the floor, a large variety of toiletries and a clawfoot bath. Without hesitation, Mirren put the plug in and turned the tap; hot water gushed out and she nearly cried with delight. Draping her wet clothes on the heated towel rail,which felt rather the height of smartness as far as Mirren was concerned, she filled the bath to the brim, threw in all the scented stuff, and sank into it in full happiness.

By the time she’d emerged into a white fluffy towelling robe, she was yawning properly and very ready to fall asleep, but just as she was plugging in her phone, the phone in the room rang.

‘Oh good, nobody has murdered you,’ said Theo. ‘I believe there is a fine line in hot toddies in this bar, if you’re ready.’

‘I was nearly asleep,’ said Mirren.

‘Yes, I often have that effect on women.’

Mirren grinned, then dug in her backpack for a black dress she’d brought and fresh tights. She could really do with a new jumper, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. She added some lipstick and tied her hair back in a ponytail, but it didn’t look quite right. After a moment, she blotted down the lipstick, and put a long braid into the front of her hair, then caught the rest up in a bun. She looked immediately like someone from another age. Laughing at herself, she glanced in the mirror once more ... then kept it.