Lexie nodded. ‘Communing with earth.’

‘At one with nature,’ Speck threw in.

Byron frowned but didn’t pursue it. ‘If you wish.’

I smiled. ‘We do. Although if you could install a permanent guard then we can avoid any future misunderstandings of this sort.’

His frown slowly evaporated and he scratched his chin; he knew where I was going with this. ‘You understand why you’d be a suspect, Integrity. You are a thief.’

I met his eyes. ‘I was a thief. Maybe you’re right and I still am that person but I’m not going to jeopardise my chance to compete in the Games. This wasn’t us.’ Brochan groaned and sat up, rubbing his forehead. My voice hardened. ‘Any of us.’

‘I believe you,’ Byron said quietly.

I nodded. ‘Thank you.’ Then, because I could afford to, I widened my smile. ‘I don’t suppose you could help us clean up?’

He bowed. ‘It would be my pleasure. Stand back.’

I raised my eyebrows and did as he requested. He smirked slightly and the green in his eyes deepened. I jumped about an inch into the air as there was a clatter from the cabin.

‘Have you ever seen Mary Poppins?’ Byron asked. ‘Or Fantasia?’

‘It’s been a while.’

He leaned in towards me and lowered his voice. ‘Then watch this.’

More clatters sounded. As the rest of us gaped, all manner of objects rose up and righted themselves. A pair of off-white Y-fronts floated in the air. Taylor coughed. ‘They’re mine. Black suitcase.’ They danced away and folded themselves neatly inside it.

A teddy bear waved at us. Byron crooked an eyebrow towards me but Speck raised his hand. ‘Into the backpack, please.’

The sleeping bags – which were unused, of course – rolled themselves up. The cartons of juice, bottles of water and pot noodles stacked themselves on the counter. A hot pink bra edged with lace dangled in the air.

‘I know who this belongs to,’ Byron murmured. I swallowed.

‘Neat trick,’ Speck whispered as everything slotted back into place.

‘You’re right,’ I agreed. ‘I wish I…’

Oh shite. I swayed slightly, feeling both dizzy and sick. ‘Byron, I didn’t mean it.’

He looked at me confused. Brochan got to his feet, albeit rather slowly, and threw me a warning glare. I grimaced and fell quiet, passing my hand across my forehead.

‘Lord Byron,’ Taylor asked, ‘do you feel okay?’

‘It’s just Byron. And yes, I’m fine.’ He was still puzzled but at least his attention was elsewhere. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Er … I just wondered if using your Gift took much energy,’ Taylor replied hastily. ‘That’s all.’

Byron smiled. ‘Not unless it’s for protracted periods of time. And that rarely happens with telekinesis.’ He tapped the side of his nose. ‘It was definitely handy when I was a teenager and had to tidy my room in a hurry though.’

We all laughed, although the sound was forced.

Byron checked his watch and swore. ‘I have to go. The opening ceremony is starting soon and I promised Tipsy I’d help her with her dress.’