to the garden beyond.
That was when they saw the flames rushing along the wooden pergola that covered one of the parking areas and fanning across the gap to the ivy-covered hotel building. As Grace watched, the flames took hold and began burning the green foliage, sending more smoke and flames billowing into the night air.
‘Putain de merde!’ cried a man behind her.
Grace didn’t understand the words, but their meaning was obvious. Although the immediate danger was currently confined to the newer wing of the hotel, the fire could easily spread. She thought about Ken’s laptop, still in the bedroom, and wished she’d had the presence of mind to grab it. But, as she’d been trained to do, she’d abandoned everything.
A sudden siren heralded the arrival of the fire brigade, to shouts of encouragement from the guests, most of whom were now watching the ever-growing fire with a mixture of apprehension and ghoulish interest. Meantime, a hotel employee was trying in vain to count them, a difficult task when everyone was intent on the unfolding drama. The firefighters were focusing jets of water on the flames to further cries of encouragement and approval. The smoke turned blacker. Ash rose into the air and then fell on the onlookers, some of whom started to cough. Grace’s eyes began to sting.
A woman beside her was screaming for her husband, while at the same time a man was yelling out for ‘Amélie!’ A moment later the two reunited, amid applause from the crowd. Grace couldn’t help thinking that everyone was being rather overdramatic. Yes, the hotel had been in some danger, but the firefighters seemed to have things under control, and although there was still a lot of smoke, the flames themselves had been quenched. As far as she could see, the building wasn’t damaged, although the wooden pergola was almost destroyed and the cars parked beneath it had taken hits from the burning wood as well as the deluge of water. She was thankful she’d found a parking space in front of the main building, then suddenly thought of Deira’s convertible. And then she thought of Deira herself and looked for her. But people were still milling around and it was hard to identify individuals.
The firefighters continued to keep a cordon around the area even when it was clear that the fire itself had been extinguished, but after a time, the guests were allowed to enter the main building, where the management shepherded them into the public rooms, saying that all of the bedrooms needed to be checked before they could return to them.
‘Deira!’ Grace finally saw her, in a tracksuit and fleece, standing barefoot at the window overlooking the garden. ‘Are you OK?’ When Deira didn’t say anything, she went over to her and repeated the question.
‘My car,’ said Deira. ‘I need to get to my car.’
‘I don’t think they’ll let anyone into that space for a while,’ said Grace. ‘Anyhow, the car is the least of your worries. The most important thing is that you’re all right yourself.’
‘The car is the most of my worries.’ Deira’s face was white, her green eyes clouded with anxiety. ‘It has to be all right.’
‘I’m sure it is,’ lied Grace. ‘Come and get a coffee. Or hot chocolate. Or whatever it is they’re handing out.’
Deira followed her wordlessly. There was nowhere to sit in the café, so Grace continued walking through it towards the hotel bar, where, although the seats were taken, there were deep window sills suitable for perching on.
‘I’ll get you something,’ said Grace, who had decided that Deira was in shock. ‘Don’t move.’
A few minutes later, she returned with brandies for both of them.
‘The queue for hot chocolate was longer,’ she said. ‘So I thought we should make the most of what we could get.’
‘I don’t usually drink—’
‘Nor do I,’ interrupted Grace. ‘But take a sip anyhow. It’s a pretty decent cognac.’
Deira did as she was told, then made a face. ‘Decent or not, the only time I drink brandy is hot with lemon and honey when I have a cold.’ But her voice was stronger and Grace thought she looked less fragile than before.
‘I’m not a big fan either,’ she admitted. ‘But hey ho. Needs must.’
Deira smiled faintly and took another sip.
‘Feeling better?’ asked Grace.
‘What happened?’ Deira responded with a question of her own.
‘I haven’t a clue,’ said Grace. ‘I was asleep when the alarm went off.’
‘The car will be ruined.’ Deira’s teeth began to chatter. ‘I’m so fucked.’
‘Your insurance will