Nancy looked confused, ‘You’re Mary’s … granddaughter? How … how is that even possible? How old is she? How old am I?’

Cat wasn’t exactly sure how to answer. ‘Well, Granny’s almost seventy …’

‘Seventy! That means I’ve been gone for …’ Nancy went quiet and for a moment Cat wondered what she should do. Nancy’s face had clouded over and her pale grey eyes filled with tears. ‘I never meant to come away with them. I only wanted to see the Rath again. I wanted to prove I was brave.’

‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. I didn’t mean to upset you.’

Nancy closed her eyes and when she opened them again her face was set. ‘No, I’m glad you did. It’s good to know for sure.’ She looked at Cat, taking in every inch of her, and smiled. ‘You know, you actually look quite a bit like Mary. I can’t believe I didn’t see it right away. You have the exact same nose. How is she?’

Cat hesitated for a second, wondering how much more she should tell Nancy.

‘She’s sick,’ Cat said. ‘But I think she’ll be OK. As long as we can get her grandson back to her. If she finds out Mikey’s been swapped for a changeling …’

Nancy nodded. ‘I understand, I really do, but I don’t think you realise quite how much danger you’re in. The queen is smitten with the children and she won’t give them up easily, not until she grows bored, or something better comes along. Believe me, I know. If you go ahead with this plan of yours, you’ll risk having Mary lose both of you.’

‘I can’t speak for Cat, but I’m not turning back. Not now,’ said Shane. ‘Jenny’s my little sister. It’s my job to protect her.’

‘And I have to protect Mikey.’

Nancy threw her hands up in frustration. ‘You’re both impossible. How do you propose to get them back?’

‘We’re not totally unprepared,’ said Cat. ‘We have a plan. The Clurichaun told us we need to offer up a swap and the queen can’t refuse us.’

‘We’ve brought things that are really important to us,’ added Shane. ‘Things that are really valuable so she doesn’t feel cheated – the Clurichaun warned us about that too.’

Nancy chewed her lip. ‘Yes,’ she said slowly. ‘I suppose that could work … but fairies are very good at bending the rules to suit them. You would need to be careful in everything you say and do.’

Cat held Nancy’s eyes. ‘Does that mean you’ll help us? You’ve been here for a long time; you must know all about them.’

‘They might listen to you,’ said Shane.

For a long moment, Nancy said nothing, and Cat could see a battle play out on her face. Finally, she turned away from them. ‘No,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry. I’ll show you the way back to the Great Hall, but I can’t do anything more than that. I can’t afford to anger them. You must understand.’