Dinner, preluded by champagne aperitifs, had been a truly spectacular affair, a no-expense-spared feast of five-star cuisine displayed on sizzling silver platters: a plethora of fresh crustacean and melt-in-the-mouth meats; foie gras appetisers; and fresh fruits carved into elaborate works of art that looked almost too good to eat. After clearing away the devoured dishes, one of the mutes brought a selection of digestifs along with a box and placed them onto the table before bowing subserviently. ‘Mine’s a brandy and lovage,’ Rupert said, giving him the nod to pour. ‘Another box?’ Billie-Jo peered over at it. It had the words ‘Play if you dare’ written on the front. She repeated them with a raised eyebrow. ‘Sounds like a challenge to me!’ ‘Looks like a board game or something,’ Nate said opening it. ‘Ah.’ He pulled out a set of cards and some instructions. ‘It is a board game.’ ‘Ooh, I’m in.’ Billie-Jo clasped her painted hands.
