Chapter 35
DELILAH
The party was in full swing, spreading across the reception floor and the cafeteria floor.
Delilah wandered amongst the tables in the cafeteria, a soft drink in her hand.
It amused her to see that the tables had faint black lines from where she’d stuck duct tape on them, even though they had all magically repaired when the hotel had come together.
There was a shadowy outline across the floor where there had once been a crack, but the tiles were all smooth again.
Lucy had gone all-out with this party. Dozens of floating gloves handed out food in the buffet line. The first station had small treats: puff pastries, tomatoes on crackers, devilled eggs and miniature roast potatoes.
The second station had a truly massive salad and a plate of lamb kebabs. In a giant crystal bowl, fruit had been shaped on skewers to look like flowers. Pineapple in the middle formed yellow centres, with strawberries as petals.
The hearty part of the meal was at the third station. A huge bowl of linguine with a shellfish sauce sat in the middle. Surrounding it were pork chops, roasted salmon, black-bean burgers and tomato soup. Even the pizza looked fancy, on golden plates with basil leaves on top.
The final station held drinks and desserts. The seven-tier strawberry shortcake looked as if it was held up by magic. Around the centrepiece were small bowls of gelato, bread pudding and lemon bars.
Delilah passed John as he popped a lemon bar in his mouth. ‘The ceremony upstairs will be in five minutes,’ she called. Chewing, he shot her a thumbs-up.
The tables were full of people eating and chattering.
A group of hands danced in a line down the table, the fingers tapping like tap dancers.
Forks, spoons, knives and empty plates had joined the dance like a scene from Beauty and the Beast. The diners cheered and clapped.
The backdrop of music was low enough not to suppress the conversation and seemed to come from nowhere at all, rising up from the floor.
A colourful disco ball floated overhead, casting bright lights down on everyone.
The mingled smell of so many foods gave the air a sweet scent.
Delilah even recognised a few guests from Floor Gluttony, who had been lured out of their paradise by this feast.
At a familiar chime, Delilah turned round.
The lift door opened. The guests who poured out had haggard eyes and rumpled clothing.
At least none of them seemed injured. Upon seeing the feast, the weariness faded from their faces.
They began to queue to fill their plates.
As Delilah passed by, she waved at Aaron.
He must have recognised her, because he waved back before heading to the buffet line with an empty plate and a big smile.
It was good to see everyone safe. This would finally lay to rest her guilt about seeing Aaron dragged off by a shadow while she’d survived.
Delilah waved at Damien as she walked over. She knelt down to rub under Nefertiti’s chin to give the sphinx her proper due. ‘Is that everyone from Floor Limbo?’
‘Yes.’ Damien smiled. ‘Everyone is finally safe. We think all the people came back when the hotel first repaired – they have been hiding in empty cubicles out of fear. I walked around for a bit with a plate of lamb kebabs, using the scent to lure out nervous people.’
‘Smart idea.’ Delilah patted his shoulder. ‘It’s good to see you out of the lift too. Do you want to grab some dessert?’
‘I would, but the ceremony . . .’
‘Of course. We don’t have much time left to get to the reception floor.’ Delilah stepped into the lift.
Damien pressed the button. The new lift didn’t rely on a lever. It moved much more smoothly, taking them straight up.
The tips of his ears red, Damien said, ‘I like your new dress.’
‘You do?’ Delilah twirled round. Her white dress blossomed with a pattern of red poppies, a slit running down the side. ‘I’m glad. Heather and I spent ages deciding on our outfits.’ She glanced at him. ‘It’s charming to see you out of the uniform.’
Damien wore a black suit with a white collared shirt. He adjusted the grey striped tie. ‘It’s uncomfortable.’
‘Let me help.’ Delilah loosened the tie, just as the doors opened.
The reception floor was also the scene of a party too big to be contained on one level.
People moved about the small standing tables, drinks in hand, chattering.
The tables contained dark-chocolate brownies and vanilla pudding.
A brand-new computer sat on the reception desk.
Faint dark shadows ran across the lightbulb where she’d once stuck it to the ceiling with tape.
At least the odd dark band didn’t seem to affect the light shining down on everyone.
Lucy had created a small wooden podium at the back. It was empty at the moment. Instead, Lucy stood in a corner, chatting with Howard. He said something that made her groan.
A slightly different chime came from the lift, two short high notes then a long one. Damien turned his head. ‘That means a new guest has arrived at the hotel.’
Delilah flipped her hand. ‘You’d better hurry back. You’re being honoured today, after all.’
‘That’s a first for me.’ He smiled. ‘I like it.’ He ran into the lift, Nefertiti at his heels.
When the lift had first been repaired, there had been a backlog of confused newly dead waiting outside the hotel.
Lucy had arranged this party partially to welcome them.
Delilah spotted a few new faces amongst the tables, refilling their glasses or grabbing a brownie.
With this kind of treatment, people might think they were in Heaven.
Lucy walked over to Delilah. ‘How are you enjoying yourself?’
‘It’s brilliant,’ Delilah said sincerely. ‘You’ve outdone yourself.’
‘It’s the least everyone deserves. Where is Damien?’
‘He went to fetch a new guest.’
‘Then I can wait a few minutes longer.’ Lucy went to the podium, but did not yet climb up.
Delilah spotted Heather and Jaime at the desk, chattering. She went over. ‘Why have you two got such big grins on your faces?’
‘My new computer is amazing,’ Heather said. ‘Just look at this!’ She pointed at the screen. ‘We have internet for the first time in hotel history. I can catch up on all my old TV shows and watch new ones. Have I gone to Heaven without noticing it?’
Jaime bounced up and down. ‘Look here! There’s a website where I can order new books to be shipped to the hotel.’
‘How does that work?’ Delilah asked.
‘They appear on Heather’s desk after I click on them.’ Jaime clutched a blue book entitled The Wonderful World of Spiders to her chest. ‘I don’t know exactly how it works, and I don’t care. This is wonderful! Now I have endless entertainment.’
‘Lucy said something about needing to keep you out of trouble,’ Heather said dryly.
‘Hey!’ Jaime yelped. ‘I did help fix the hotel in the end.’
‘That you did, kid.’ Heather tousled her hair.
A creaking sound made Delilah glance over.
John climbed up the shaft. Instead of his usual overalls, he wore a grey suit to match the fancy atmosphere.
He approached them. ‘You look stunning,’ he said, gazing at Heather’s emerald-green dress with lace on the shoulders and ruffles on the skirt. ‘Am I late?’
‘Thank you.’ She punched his arm. ‘You’re early, actually. We’re waiting for Damien. He’s picking up a new guest.’
As if on cue, the lift doors opened. Damien escorted an elderly woman with snowy-white hair and a round face into the room.
‘Our last guest of honour is here! As well as a brand-new guest.’ Lucy struck her spoon against her glass.
As the chime echoed throughout the room, everyone fell silent.
Lucy climbed on to the podium. Addressing the new guest, she said, ‘Welcome to the Purgatory Hotel for Wayward Ghosts. I created this hotel as an opportunity for mortals to cleanse themselves of their sins and ascend to Heaven. This place does not merely exist to punish you. I hope that through the trials, you will be able to learn more about yourself and free yourself of any lingering regrets from your death.’
Looking a bit overwhelmed, the new guest nodded.
Lucy continued, ‘You’ve arrived at a pivotal moment in hotel history.
Several weeks ago, the hotel suffered a massive breakdown.
We’ve decided not to focus on why, but it definitely wasn’t because of any fault in my perfect design.
Ahem. A group of heroes stepped forward to repair the hotel.
Because of their valiant efforts, the Purgatory Hotel for Wayward Ghosts is back in business and stronger than ever! ’
A cheer went up from the crowd.
‘In addition, I have renovated the hotel for the modern era. These changes will make the judgement more fair and helpful. Gambling has been removed as a sin from Floor Greed. Excessive gambling will be treated as more of a self-harm than a greed issue. On Floor Anger, the trials will strive to strike a balance between teaching people to control their anger without becoming doormats. Floor Heresy has been removed entirely. By popular demand, the hotel now has internet access and a hundred additional options in the cafeteria.’
The crowd cheered even louder, clapping and stomping their feet on the ground.
‘Today, we are hosting this celebration to honour the people who saved our hotel from destruction.’ Lucy gestured to Heather, and Heather joined her on the podium.
‘It’s my profound pleasure to announce that Heather has been promoted to hotel manager.
She did an amazing job as acting hotel manager during the crisis.
Throughout our quest to repair the hotel, she was a bastion of strength for everyone.
Although the details of how to reach our engine room must remain secret, I will say that not all of us would have made it without her.
I have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead this hotel into a new era of fairness. ’