‘Wow,’ said DC Logan beneath his breath as a large stately home came into view through the trees. Its arched front door was framed by ivy that climbed the full height of the building. ‘Being a corporate lawyer clearly pays,’ he said, as the car tyres crunched on the gravel driveway. He parked and turned off the engine.

A woman in her early twenties opened the front door and came out to greet them. She had shiny, salon-styled hair and perfect make-up. Her skinny jeans and striped T-shirt were casual but clearly expensive and her nails were painted bright pink.

‘Remember what I said,’ whispered Bloom. ‘Tread carefully and if in doubt follow my lead.’

‘Freya?’ Craig walked up to the young woman and shook her hand. He was wearing jeans and a faded T-shirt with a photo of a band on the front. Bloom guessed he thought it was cool but it made him look like the ultimate nerd. And that was no bad thing.

Freya Llewellyn flashed her bright white teeth. ‘So nice to meet you, Craig. And this must be your aunt?’

‘Alice,’ said Bloom.

‘I didn’t want to raise my mum’s hopes by bringing her,’ said Logan, sticking to the pre-agreed back story, ‘but Aunt Alice wanted to be here for some moral support.’

‘Certainly. Do come on in. I’ll take you straight through to Daddy. He’s been in New York for the past week, but he came home early this morning and I know he’ll be able to reassure you.’ She led them through the grand hallway, past a sweeping staircase that led up to a balcony that circled the hall below. ‘He said it was a life-affirming experience, actually. A time out that enabled him to reassess his priorities.’

‘And he’s happy to talk to us about it?’ asked Bloom.

They reached a closed oak door with an elaborate doorknob in the shape of a dragon, with rubies for eyes.

‘I find seeking forgiveness rather than permission is the best strategy with Daddy.’ Freya opened the door and led Bloom and Logan inside.

Freya skipped to the large desk at the far end of the room. ‘Daddy, I have some friends who desperately need a little chat with you.’

Bloom and Logan hovered in the doorway. The man sitting in the chair looking out of the window turned at the sound of his daughter’s greeting. He was a big man with thick black hair, broad shoulders and cobalt eyes. His daughter kissed him on the cheek and he smiled warmly at her before turning to his guests.

‘This is Craig and his Aunt Alice. Craig’s sister went missing to do that game thing that you did. I told them you came back fine and they shouldn’t worry, but I hoped seeing and speaking to you might reassure them.’