| Blind Old Man

In the end, Ava and Sunni found it remarkably easy to gain access to the grounds of Brook Mansion. Once they'd scraped their way over the fence, they stealthily made their way toward the dark, impressive shadow of the hotel building.

Suddenly, a security floodlight snapped on with stadium intensity. They threw themselves down to the freezing damp lawn.

'Stay still,' Ava hissed. 'Cats and owls and critters must set these things off all the time.'

There was no sign of anyone coming to investigate, and after a few minutes, the floodlight switched back off.

By staying low, they kept clear of their sensors. Soon they were pressed up against the stonework of the hotel itself.

'Are you sure it won't be alarmed?' Sunni whispered.

'As I said, I really doubt it,' Ava replied.

'And no one came looking when we triggered the floodlights,' murmured Sunni. She sighed softly. 'So, should we break a window?'