Wycombe came rushing to her side. He looked fraught. ‘I am so sorry, Minister Peng. This is just terrible.’ He continued to offer plaintive apologies all the way to the ambulance. Ling Ling and Peng’s bodyguard got into the back with her.

Hattie came up to me. ‘I’m going to ride back with them and stay with Peng at the hospital. If the Coyote just tried to strike he could have a back-up plan in place.’ He patted my shoulder. ‘You did good work tonight. Get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be busy.’

I watched as he ducked down to curl into the passenger seat of the ambulance.

‘Everyone heading back to London?’ Frederick joined me on the castle steps as we watched the ambulance leave, the blue and red flashing lights lighting up the ancient stone.

‘Yes. If the Coyote strikes again we’ll be ready.’

‘I see now why they call you Rats the best of the best. Nothing gets past you. I’m impressed.’

Wycombe joined us. ‘You two are welcome to stay on. Might as well keep on drinking, despite the bloody incompetent staff ruining any hope of getting this contract signed.’ He mopped his brow with a spotted handkerchief. ‘Your rooms are all made up.’

‘I’d better get back.’ I motioned towards our waiting van; Pixie and Geraint were already in the back. ‘Thank you, though, Charles.’

‘I’ll stay for a nightcap and then I’ll head back too,’ said Frederick.

‘Rightio then. Goodbye, Alexis.’ Charles gave me a couple of quick air kisses and walked back inside. ‘I’ll get the whisky out, old boy.’

‘Goodbye, Lex.’ Frederick leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek and rested his forehead against mine for the briefest of moments. He then pulled back sharply and looked at me over his shoulder as he walked up into the castle.

Not having to stay the night here was a relief.

No good would’ve come of it.

*

Clambering into the driver’s seat of the white van I felt like Cinderella. I’d had my night at the ball. Now I was rushing home in my pumpkin.

I got back by midnight. I opened our bedroom door quietly, hoping to creep in, but Will was still awake, sitting up reading with the bedside light on.

‘So you’re back.’

‘I’m back.’

He closed his book and put it on his bedside table. ‘Did you have another accident yesterday?’

I thought fast. Had I left bloodied bandages somewhere? I’d changed quickly this morning – he can’t have noticed?

‘What are you talking about?’

‘On the walk to school this morning Gigi was telling me all about you bleeding, how there was so much blood and how brave you were.’

‘Oh, that. No. She, well . . . She came to the loo with me.’

He looked at me blankly.

‘I had my period.’

‘Oh.’ He grimaced. ‘Right.’