Chapter 80

Winking, I tilt my glass toward my Master.

His eyes crease and he makes as though to move toward me, then is interrupted by some guy in a suit tapping him on the arm. He throws me a look of apology, then plasters on an expression of polite interest as he ducks his head to listen.

Retreating as best I can into a neighbouring recess, I watch the mill and whirl of people, some obviously making small talk, some in vociferous argument. The band play on the stage. In fact, they're not bad and after a few moments, I find myself humming along, swinging my glass in time with the music.

After a minute, it dawns that I'm not the only one in my lurking spot. A young woman stands to one side of me. Early twenties maybe, very blonde, very pretty, she's watching me in a wasn't-watching-really sort of way.

I nod her way. "Hi."

"Hi. You're, um… You're Beth Haswell, aren't you?"

"That's right."

"I saw you under the spotlight earlier. Belle of the ball. Why are you hiding back here?"

"Because I was under