Mike put his face close to the webcam. “I’m the handsome prince, darling”

Liz had been missing at dinner. A tray of half-eaten food lay in the corridor, a full ashtray among the plates. There was no reply to my gentle tap at the door. I tried turning the handle, but the door was locked. At this time of evening, there was only one other place she could be. Mike and Harry were already in the computer room. Liz was talking into a webcam. On the screen, I could see Annie in yellow pyjamas. Lucy, in pink, was rubbing her eyes.

“Hello, sweetie-pops,” said Liz. “You look awfully sleepy.”

Lucy climbed on to a chair and leant forward, her face filling the screen. “We’ve just been getting ready for bed, Mummy.” Her expression brightened.

“There you are, Maggie. Have you seen Father Christmas yet?”

“No, pet,” I said. “But I will soon.”

“You haven’t forgotten what you were going to ask him? About the doll’s house?”

I registered the expectation in her voice, but was unable to remember when I’d made this particular promise.

But I was an expert at thinking on my feet. “Absolutely. He’s going to be bringing it personally.”

Challenge

Annie shoved her sister off the chair. “I want to talk now.” She pointed at the screen. “Who’s that strange man, Mummy?”

“This is Mike. Say hello.”

“You look like the giant who lives at the top of the beanstalk,” Annie said, her voice a challenge. “There’s a picture of you in my story book.”

Mike put his face close to the webcam. “I’m the handsome prince, darling. The one who rescues the princess from the wicked stepmother.”

“You made that up. There’s no such story.” “What’s a stepmother?” said Lucy.

Annie was glaring at Mike. “You talk funny.” He flashed her his smile. “Well now, that’s how handsome princes talk.”

She didn’t look convinced. “Don’t go away.” She left the room quickly.

Lucy, delighted at having us to ourselves, climbed back on to the chair. “The Icehotel’s been on the telly, Mummy, but we didn’t see you.”

I exchanged a glance with Liz. It was inevitable that the news of Wilson’s death would have been reported at home. “When were you watching telly?” Liz said sternly.

“We weren’t watching. It was Siobhan. I came into the room and saw the picture of the Icehotel. It looked just like in your magazines.”

Annie bounced in, clutching a large book. “I want to show the giant his picture.” She pushed Lucy off the chair, and held the book up to the webcam. “See. He looks exactly like you.”

The balding giant had yellow teeth, a bulbous nose and warts on his face. But the eyes were brown and flecked with amber and their expression was pure Mike.

He was evidently at a loss for words. I felt a twinge of pity; his ego would be taking a knock.

Annie dropped the book on to the floor. “Harry, do the flower trick.”

“Alas, my lovely, I’ve no carnations. It’s far too cold for flowers here.”

She stared, open-mouthed. I had to suppress a smile; this was probably the first time Harry had refused her request.

Sceptical

Lucy spoke hesitantly. “Can you do magic tricks too, Mike?”

“Of course. Close your eyes and count to 10 and, when you open them, I’ll have disappeared in a puff of smoke.”

“Can you really do that?”

Annie looked sceptical. “Bet you can’t. Even Harry can’t make himself disappear.”

“Talking of disappearing,” said Liz, “it’s time you two disappeared to bed.”

“Do we have to?” whined Annie.

“We’ll be back tomorrow, sweetie-pops. Now scoot. And ask Siobhan to come in.”

Annie tilted her head back and shouted so loudly that Lucy cringed. “Siobhan! Mummy wants you.”

Siobhan was a work colleague, a single woman who lived nearby and babysat for Liz. She was plump and cheerful, and had an easy way with children.

The twins adored her, something I hadn’t failed to notice, and I felt a prick of jealousy whenever I saw them all together.

Siobhan arrived and jerked her thumb in the direction of the door. “Bed.” The girls scuttled away, giggling.

“How have they been, Siobhan?” Liz said. “Wonderful. No trouble at all,” came Siobhan’s lazy voice.

“What have you heard about the Icehotel? Lucy said it was in the news.”

“Not much. Just that some millionaire had a heart attack.”

Liz was playing nervously with her ponytail. “The girls didn’t see that, did they?”

“I always sit with the remote in my hand,” Siobhan replied. They saw a bit of the building, but I switched off before they heard anything. It’s been in the papers, too.”

“What, specifically, Siobhan?” said Harry. “The same stuff, Professor, only in more detail. I suppose these things happen, even on holiday. I hope it’s not spoiling things for you.”

“Not at all, my dear,” he said cheerfully.

“Can you try to keep the twins from finding out?” said Liz. “You know what children are. They’ll jump to all sorts of conclusions. I really don’t want them fretting.”

“I’ll be careful, Liz. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.” Siobhan pressed a key and the image disappeared.

“Your children are adorable,” Mike said, getting to his feet.

Liz seemed distracted. “Thank you.”

“And you’re good with kids, Mike,” I said.

“You sound surprised. I’m the eldest of eight. I helped my mam bring up the young ones.”

Genuine

The statement said much about Mike. I had thought his interest in Liz’s children was a ploy to wangle his way into her affections.

Perhaps I was wrong, and it was genuine. Yet, despite his friendliness, there was still something about him I didn’t trust.

“You’ve got that thirsty look on your face again,” I said, turning to Harry.

“Well spotted, dear girl. Are you children ready to hit the bar?” He glanced at Liz.

“I’ll pass, sweetheart.”

“Come for a quick nightcap, Liz,” I said. “I promise I’ll keep Denny Hinckley at bay.”

“All right. But just one drink, then I’m off upstairs. And who’s Denny Hinckley?”

“So you’ve not met him?” said Mike. “He’s from the Express.” He said it as though it tasted bad. “He’s been giving Maggie a hard time.”

“I can handle him,” I said defiantly.

He threw me an old-fashioned look, but said nothing.

More tomorrow.

Icehotel, available on Amazon Kindle, is Hania Allen’s debut novel. Her second book, The Polish Detective (Constable, £8.99), is the first in her new series featuring DS Dania Gorska and is set in Dundee.