‘I know this girl,’ another answered, ‘who is able to shoot ping-pong balls…’

I gagged and made a face. Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one.

‘Mate, this is Byron we’re talking about. He’s classier than that.’

‘But this girl is classy! You need to meet her. She’s got legs that go on for miles.’

‘I’ve got a company lined up. They’re going to give us their most talented girl for the evening.’

‘Which company?’

The speaker consulted his phone. ‘Tartan Exotica. I know Mark, the owner, and he’s giving me a good deal.’

‘Grand.’

There was a rustle of leaves. All the Sidhe turned guiltily, relaxing only when they saw who had joined them. ‘So,’ Jamie Moncrieffe said. ‘How are the preparations going? Have you managed to book the Haven?’

‘Done and dusted, mate.’

He smiled. ‘Good. Byron has no clue about what’s going on. I’ll tell the band to show up around 7pm but it’s up to you guys to make sure everything’s a surprise.’

‘No problem.’

‘And the entertainment is sorted? No strippers, right?’

The others all nodded vigorously. ‘Right.’

‘Damn,’ Bob whispered. ‘If it’s a surprise, I’ll need to talk to Jamie about my invite. He doesn’t really know me, though.’

‘You’re not going to Byron’s bloody stag do, Bob.’

He pouted. ‘I might find out some serious intel. Maybe Aifric will be there.’

‘Yes, because I’m sure that the Steward wants to spend his evening with strippers and young Sidhe blokes getting off their faces.’ I snorted in disgust. ‘This is a waste of time.’ I started slithering back down the branch. I had zero interest in this.

‘Oi! Where are you going? What about their Gifts?’

‘I’ll find some others instead. Anyway, it’ll be safer to nick their magic when they’re alone.’ As to what that magic might be, I’d just have to hope I managed to get some worthwhile Gifts. A lucky dip rather than a selection box. No problem.

***

Obviously, wandering in through the Cruaich’s main doors was a big no-no. I took inspiration from our jaunt to the Bull’s lair and headed round the back of the massive castle. I shoved all my hair inside my trusty baseball cap and kept my head down. It was unlikely that any Sidhe would be hanging around the servants’ quarters so all I had to do was avoid looking anyone in the eye and I could skate by without suspicion. If the worst came to the worst, I had enough of Tipsania’s Gift to vanish.

I smiled humourlessly. If word got round that Integrity Adair’s ghost was haunting the Cruaich, at least I’d have something new to laugh about.

I found a small door leading in to the staff quarters. Having used one of the guest rooms at the Cruaich on a previous occasion, I was shocked at how shabby these rooms were. They were cramped and small, they didn’t look particularly clean and the sheets on the dorm-room beds were threadbare. Another black mark against the Moncrieffes, I thought sourly.