You pulled up the gravel drive, the car crunching to a halt outside the rustic lodge in the New Forest . Lynsey let out a contented sigh, a wide smile spreading across her face as she looked at the picturesque scene before you. "I can't believe we're finally here," she said, her voice a low murmur. Her auburn hair, tousled in waves, caught the late afternoon sun as she pushed her floppy straw hat back a little.

But as you both unbuckled your seatbelts, a small detail caught her eye. "Oh," she said, her smile faltering. "Looks like someone beat us to it."

You followed her gaze to a small, silver car tucked neatly in the corner of the drive. It was sleek and modern, a stark contrast to the old-world charm of the lodge. Lynsey, ever the logical one, was already piecing it together. "Must be the cleaner, or maybe the owner checking everything's in order for us," she mused, grabbing her bag from the back seat. "It's fine. Come on, let's go get settled."

Together, you walked to the front door, the key feeling heavy in your hand. The lock clicked open with a satisfying thud, and you stepped inside, the warm air of the lodge enveloping you. Immediately, you noticed the signs of life that weren't your own. A half-eaten bag of crisps on the coffee table, a coat slung over a chair, a pair of sandals kicked off by the door.

Lynsey's green eyes scanned the room, a confused frown creasing her brow. "This is weird," she said, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern. She pulled out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she double-checked the booking confirmation. "The address is right... and the dates are right," she said, her voice trailing off. "So who's staying here, and why?"