Cindy was well into a completely unbelievable recital of her recent Spanish holiday when both of them became aware of the shouting. The Fifth Horseman ground to a halt in a dissonant metallic skin.

Adrian, Kendric, and Kats stood in the middle of the dance floor, two against one. Kats stood beside Kendric, breathing heavily, sweat-darkened tassel ends of her hair sticking to her shoulders. Hologram blobs orbited the trio slowly.

"Enough!" Adrian yelled.

Kendric raised a warning finger. "Go home, little boy, you're making a fool of yourself."

"I'll go all right, you people make me want to puke. And you're coming with me." He tried to grab Katerina, but she dodged nimbly behind Kendric.

"No way," she shrilled. "I'm having some real fun. First time in bloody ages, too."

Julia knew Kats well enough to see how she was loving the scene, milking it. The centre of attention. All the glitzy people she worshipped were focusing on her, asking who she was, a girl so desirable she was worth fighting over in public.

Kendric grinned. "That seems pretty plain, little boy. Go play somewhere else."

"Come on," Adrian entreated. His fists were clenched, face beaming hatred at his rival.

Kendric's arm snaked protectively round Katerina, his hand squeezing her breast. "I do so detest these revolting peasants. Why don't you and I go somewhere quieter? My yacht is anchored in the marina."

Katerina's face was flushed with triumph. She tossed her head. "Sounds good. Better than anything Mr. Ten Centimetres here ever offered me."

Kendric roared with laughter. There were snickers from the guests. Adrian paled, staring at Katerina in complete and abject incomprehension.

There was a voice inside Julia's skull pleading at her to rush over and throw her arms round Adrian. He was too honest, too decent for this to be happening to him.

Somehow she managed to keep her feet in place, clinging magnetically to the black tiles.

Kendric and Katerina turned as one. Walking away. Adrian stared at their departing backs, his hands had fallen limply to his side.

"Katey," he called after her.

She let out a playful squeal as Kendric pinched her rump, giggling. Never looking round.

"Katey!"

Julia closed damp eyes.

The music boomed again.

Julia waited for five days after the party before she sat in the chair at the head of the study table and called Kendric. The arrangements with Globecast had taken a while to finalise, but Uncle Horace had come through in the end, God bless him. And then there was her nerve to screw up.