The fear in Nancy’s eyes was evident and though Cat didn’t like it, she couldn’t argue with her.

‘All right,’ she said. ‘Let’s go.’

Nancy led them back through the darkened corridors of the Green Rath, pausing every now and again to check that the coast was clear before allowing them to proceed.

‘How do you know where you’re going?’ Cat asked.

Nancy gave her a sad smile. ‘I’ve had a long time to learn their ways. Every year they head to a different fort for the Revels, but they’re all much the same once you’re inside. I know what to look for.’

That was all well and good for Nancy, but Cat was beginning to panic about how they could ever hope to find their way out again without her to guide them.

If only we had a piece of string or some breadcrumbs to follow.

Suddenly, an idea occurred to her. Cat swung her backpack off her shoulder and pulled out the box of nails, dropping one on the ground close to the wall. A few metres later she dropped another nail and then another.

Just as she was dropping her fifth nail, Nancy finally seemed to notice what she was doing. She whirled on Cat in a rage.

‘What are you doing?’ she hissed.

‘Dropping breadcrumbs,’ said Cat, proudly.

Nancy seized the box of nails and bent to pick up the fallen ones.

‘Hey! Leave those alone,’ said Cat, trying to wrestle the box back. ‘You might know your way out of here, but we don’t.’

‘Do you know what the fairies will do to you if they find you’ve brought iron into their home? Honestly!’

‘Iron, gold … what is it with supernatural creatures and their hatred of metal?’ asked Shane.

‘Do you think this is a joke?’ said Nancy, turning on Shane. ‘This isn’t some adventure story. Fairies might look nice enough and sometimes they might even be kind. But they’re not good. They’re not here to help you. They serve one thing and one thing only and that is their own pleasure. They would as soon curse you as help you. Remember that.’

Nancy was shaking so badly that Cat stepped forward and put an arm around her shoulders.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I won’t leave any more nails behind. Shane likes maps so he can just remember the way. Can’t you, Shane?’

Shane still looked shocked by Nancy’s outburst, but he murmured his agreement.

Nancy took a few deep breaths and once again they were on their way.

Cat noticed Shane mumbling to himself as they walked and hoped he really was trying to memorise their route, otherwise … well, it didn’t bear thinking about.

It wasn’t long before they could make out the sounds of merriment once again.

‘Take the path that leads to the right,’ said Nancy. ‘The Great Hall is through the door with the carving of an oak tree. You can’t miss it.’

‘You can come with us you know,’ said Cat. ‘Even if you won’t help us save Mikey and Jenny, you can still leave here.’