‘Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you directly to the twins’ house?’ Mam said as she turned the car into Clonbridge.

‘No, it’s all right, Mam, I need to grab my pyjamas and my costume.’

‘Go straight over afterwards, OK? No–’

‘No dilly-dallying. I know, Mam.’

‘And make sure and lock the door behind you.’

‘Yes, Mam.’

They pulled up to the house and before she could say anything else, Cat unbuckled her seatbelt, reached forward and gave her mam a tight hug. ‘Stop worrying. I’ll be fine.’

‘I know you will, Kitty-Cat,’ said her mam, kissing her on the forehead and giving her a final squeeze. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Try not to eat too many sweets.’

Cat stood by the gate and watched her mam’s car until it rounded the bend out of the estate.

Next time I see you I’ll have Mikey back, she thought. I promise.

The distant shrieks of younger children out trick-or-treating brought Cat back to the present. What she wouldn’t give to be out there with Mikey right now!

Cat shook herself. It was getting late. Dusk was already falling and she could see her breath curling through the air like plumes of smoke. She shivered. It was time to get to work. She was nearly at her front door when she felt a prickling sensation at the base of her skull, as though someone was watching her.

Slowly, she turned around and felt her heart slam into her chest. In middle of the road stood a dark figure, as still and silent as a shadow. Cat squealed and dropped her key. At the same time, the streetlights buzzed to life, illuminating the figure in a soft amber glow. With relief, she realised it was only Jenny Culligan, Shane’s sister.

‘Jenny! You frightened the life out of me,’ she said, breathing deeply to calm herself down. She could still feel the rapid tat-tat-tat of her heart and it made her dizzy. The girl said nothing in reply; she simply stood where she was and stared at Cat, unblinking.

‘Are you all right?’ said Cat with concern. It wasn’t like Jenny to be so quiet. Normally she talked nineteen to the dozen. ‘Do you need help? You shouldn’t be out in the middle of the road like this.’

Cat made her way over to the girl. As she got closer, she noticed something strange. Jenny was barefoot and wore no jacket. She wasn’t even shivering, despite the cold of the evening. There was something else too, something Cat didn’t notice until she was right in front of the girl. Under the light of the streetlamp, her eyes flashed a bright, emerald green. Cat gasped.

‘I know what you are,’ she said, grabbing the girl by the arm. ‘You’re a stock! I won’t let the fairies keep Jenny! I’ll get her back as well as Mikey, you just watch me.’

Still, the girl said nothing.

‘What are you doing?’ said a voice that was high and tense. ‘Leave my sister alone.’