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  They went back down the corridor, past their own room, to the corridor on the other side of the stairs. Again, Lex checked the rooms – a couple were empty, others were storerooms full of boxes. At the end of the corridor was a locked door. And their second key unlocked it.

  There were all sorts of things in this room. Bookshelves, models of strange hybrid animals arranged on a display shelf with carefully handwritten labels: Hippogriff, Griffin, Jackalope, Wolpertinger.

  ‘Weird,’ said Xandra, as Lex pushed her and the trolley further into the room.

  A central glass display case was filled with monarchy memorabilia – a souvenir program from Queen Victoria’s coronation; a collection of porcelain dolls of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their lion ancestors; and an odd assortment of tacky merchandise, from a tea cosy with the royal coat of arms to a Queen Victoria toilet roll holder, paper spewing forth from her roaring mouth.

  ‘Seems like Lord Edwin is a bit obsessed with the Queen,’ whispered Xandra.

  ‘Yeah.’ Lex stifled a giggle. ‘Just a bit.’

  Down the far end of the room something caught Xandra’s eye. ‘What’s over there?’

  Lex pushed her forward.

  Cages! Empty cages of all sizes, from those only just big enough for a bird or mouse, to ones that could easily fit a human being.

  Xandra felt uneasy. Why would Lord Edwin have a bunch of empty cages locked away? What, or who, were they for?

  ‘I see you’ve discovered my private collection.’

  Lex whirled around and Xandra looked over her shoulder. Lord Edwin stood in the doorway, his bulk blocking any chance of escape.

  ‘I don’t care about your Queen Victoria collection,’ said Xandra, heart thundering in her chest. ‘What are the cages for?’

  Lord Edwin held out a paw. ‘I’ll take those keys.’

  Lex handed them over reluctantly.

  ‘I have always lived in hope of obtaining a live mythical creature to present as a pet to Her Majesty,’ said Lord Edwin. ‘I believe in being prepared – hence the cages. A variety of sizes for a variety of possible pets. What I had not counted on was my mythical creatures having a degree of intelligence. Given the circumstances, I decided locked rooms were preferable to cages.’

  Xandra felt anger and fear competing inside her. She was nobody’s pet.

  The bear glared. ‘But I could always change my mind. If the rooms I have furnished you with are not to your liking, if you feel the need to leave them … I can have you moved to one of the cages.’ He paused, meeting Xandra’s wide-eyed gaze. ‘Now, return to your rooms and stay there until you are summoned.’

  After a restless night’s sleep, Xandra and Lex found breakfast, new clothes and an envelope with a wax seal waiting for them.

  Xandra was still angry about the cages and Lord Edwin’s threat. She ripped open the envelope and yanked out a card.

  Lord Edwin requests the pleasure of your company for luncheon at noon. Appropriate clothing has been provided.

  On the back was a scrawled note.

  Sorry I couldn’t visit yesterday. Will see you at lunch. Bringing a friend to meet you. Archibald Archie

  Xandra’s anger subsided. They would get to see Archie soon – maybe he could help them. She put the card aside and looked at breakfast. Porridge, toast, juice and tea. She had to admit that they were being well fed.

  After breakfast Lex exchanged his hoodie and jeans for a three-piece, light-grey suit with trousers, high-collared shirt, bow tie, waistcoat and jacket. He looked very uncomfortable.

  Xandra was pretty good at getting dressed, despite her legs, but her new outfit was more difficult than her usual skirt and windcheater. There seemed to be endless layers of lace and ruffles. She had to squirm and squeeze herself into them. After Lex helped her into the ambulator, she checked herself out in the mirror. She quite liked the way she looked in the old-fashioned, light brown dress and puffy-sleeved jacket with burnt orange trim.

  At noon on the dot, the armadillos arrived to fetch them.

  They were led down to a grand dining room. There were only four people there: Lord Edwin and Archie, they already knew. The two of them stood together to the right of a huge dining table, with a large rat in a dress. They seemed to be arguing and Xandra wished she could hear what it was about.

  On the other side of the room, in a darkened corner was someone else, hunched over, back turned to them. A cloak concealed their features.

  Archie rushed forward to greet them.

  ‘My dear friends,’ he said. ‘I do hope that you have been treated with all the hospitality the Society has to offer.’

  Xandra didn’t know what to say. Did he know that they were locked up and that Lord Edwin also had cages waiting for them?

  Before she could answer, Lord Edwin’s voice boomed from the other end of the room. ‘They have use of our best guest suite, our tailors and dressmakers worked tirelessly overnight to ensure they had civilised clothing, and our kitchen staff have outdone themselves in the preparation of their meals. What more could they want?’

  ‘Freedom.’ Xandra whispered under her breath.

  Archie’s brow knitted tight and his lips pursed. He gave her a warning glance.

  Xandra decided to say no more for the moment.

  ‘I would like to introduce you to a good friend of mine,’ said Archie. ‘The renowned inventor Nikole Tesla.’

  The rat came scuttling over. She wore a gown of brown and beige that blended in with her own brown fur. Her eyes were alive with excitement and her whiskers were twitching.

  ‘It’s … it’s …’ began Lex.

  ‘I’m a coypu!’ declared Tesla.

  ‘Sorry?’ said Xandra.

  ‘What?’ asked Lex.

  ‘I’m a coypu,’ said Tesla. ‘I just wanted to make that clear from the start. I am often mistaken for a rat. I am most definitely not a rat. Whilst most rodents are below the Great Divide, coypus are above. Well above, I might add. There is, in fact, a prominent theory that coypus are not as closely related to other lower rodents as is commonly believed. I have a theoretical anthropologist relative who has developed a theory –’

  ‘Yes, yes,’ said Lord Edwin, cutting in. ‘We are all aware of the theories. Let us not bore our guests.’

  Tesla fell silent.

  Xandra felt sorry for the rodent. It seemed like Lord Edwin was mean to everyone.

  ‘Now,’ continued the bear, turning to the far corner of the room, ‘there is someone more important I’d like you to meet. May I present the Queen’s Lord High Chancellor, William Frederick Grimsby, Marquis of Pemberley.’

  Lord Grimsby turned, stepped forward into the light and threw back his cloak, all in one smooth action.

  Xandra gasped.

  Lex grabbed her arm.

  Xandra prepared to flee.

  Lord Grimsby was a tiger.

  Xandra’s first thought was, He’s going to eat us!

  But the tiger merely smiled, displaying his shiny, sharp teeth. ‘Greetings and salutations, honoured guests.’ His voice dripped with charm. ‘I must admit to being rather eager to meet you.’ He began to circle them, like a predator stalking its prey. ‘Such incredible … beasts.’ He continued to circle, clicking the claws of his right paw against each other. ‘Despite Lord Edwin’s protestations, I am not sure that I entirely believed in your existence until now. Beasts of myth and fancy, right here in civilised society – in Lord Edwin’s dining room.’

  He isn’t going to eat us. Xandra calmed down. ‘We are not beasts,’ she said. ‘We’re human beings.’

  ‘So forthright.’ The bear chuckled.

  ‘Oh, my dear,’ said Lord Grimsby. ‘We are all of us, beasts. No matter how civilised we claim to be, instinct and beastly nature lurk within the depths of our souls.’

  ‘Well,’ said Archie, ‘that is a matter of opinion. According to some of our most renowned anthropological scholars, the nature of which you –’

  ‘Yes, yes, Arch
ibald,’ Lord Edwin cut him off. ‘This is neither the time nor place for an academic discussion. We are here to eat. And I’m famished.’

  ‘Likewise,’ said Lord Grimsby, with one last lingering leer at the children.

  Lord Edwin indicated the seating arrangements for the luncheon. Each chair was shaped to the proportions of its intended occupant. He was seated at the head of the table, Lex, Lord Grimsby and Archie to his right. A spot had been cleared for Xandra and her ambulator to his left, with Tesla beside her in what looked like a child’s highchair.

  Tesla kept sneaking glances at Xandra’s dress until the rodent finally plucked up the courage to ask about her legs.

  Xandra filled her in on her condition, the others all listening politely as well. Tesla asked several medical questions, until armadillos in tuxedos brought in the first course – potato and leek soup. Conversation ebbed as they all ate.

  While they were eating, Xandra noticed the animal’s paws and hooves. The llama, bear, tiger and coypu all managed their spoons with equal dexterity. She studied Archie. His hooves were divided and nimble, with the equivalent of a thumb.

  ‘Splendid,’ said Lord Grimsby, as he emptied his bowl. ‘Compliments to the chef.’

  Lord Edwin nodded, acknowledging the praise of his staff.

  ‘So,’ said Grimsby, dabbing at the corners of his mouth with a napkin, ‘I believe you’re planning to show off your …’ He paused and inclined his head to Xandra. ‘Your human beings at the opening of the Great Exposition?’

  ‘Quite so,’ agreed Lord Edwin. ‘They’re bound to catch the eye of Her Majesty.’

  ‘Indeed, indeed,’ agreed Grimsby. ‘I am having dinner with some associates tomorrow night and I was hoping I might entice your two guests into joining me. I’m sure they would be the highlight of the evening.’

  ‘Oh, no, no, no,’ said Lord Edwin with a shake of his head. ‘Quite out of the question, I’m afraid. While I consented to this luncheon, as you are Her Majesty’s High Chancellor, I am determined to keep their official unveiling until the Exposition. They are my highlight … not yours.’

  ‘These are quite special animals,’ persisted Grimsby. ‘All in unique positions. All in positions of power. All –’

  ‘Definitely not,’ reiterated Edwin. ‘Terribly sorry, old chap. That’s just the way it is.’

  ‘Very well. I shall have to find other means …’ Grimsby paused to gaze from Lex to Xandra. ‘… to entertain my associates.’

  Conversation stopped again as the armadillos served the main course. Each guest was given a plate with an entire roasted quail, surrounded with an assortment of vegetables … all except Grimsby. He only had vegetables.

  Xandra and Lex stared at him.

  ‘I’m vegetarian,’ he stated. ‘I prefer not to consume the charred remains of once-living creatures.’

  A vegetarian tiger? Xandra wasn’t sure she believed that.

  As they ate their meal, Xandra noticed that Tesla was still staring at her … particularly her legs.

  ‘What?’ She glared at her.

  ‘I do apologise,’ Tesla said.

  ‘Why do you keep staring at my legs?’ Xandra asked.

  ‘Well … ah … you see …’ she began, ‘I have been working on an invention.’

  ‘You and your ridiculous contraptions,’ said Lord Edwin. ‘When will you learn that no one will take the inventions of a rodent seriously?’

  Tesla shrank into her seat, looking crestfallen and defeated.

  ‘Well it is unfair for society to judge coypus on the basis of their supposed, and I might add disputed, rodent lineage,’ said Archie. ‘Coypus can make contributions of great value to animal society. Miss Tesla comes from a long line of inventors and her developments would be of much interest if only animals would take the time to see.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Tesla said quietly to her friend.

  ‘Her latest invention would be of great benefit to the Queen herself,’ continued Archie. He looked at Lord Grimsby. ‘If someone would be willing to facilitate an introduction.’

  ‘No,’ responded Grimsby. ‘Protocol and all that. Even Lord Edwin has not met Her Majesty.’

  ‘Not yet,’ said Lord Edwin. ‘One lives in hope.’

  ‘I understand that royalty may be beyond me,’ Tesla said. ‘But my invention could help ordinary animals.’

  ‘I doubt many ordinary animals would be willing to trust themselves to a ra … coypu.’ Lord Edwin sneered.

  ‘Well,’ said Archie, ‘perhaps she could assist Miss Volodin?’

  Xandra looked at Archie, then Tesla.

  ‘My invention is a mechanism that allows for disabled limbs – arms or legs – to be made functional again through the use of a mechanical, static-powered exoskeleton.’

  ‘What?’ asked Xandra.

  ‘Walk,’ explained Archie. ‘The mechanism could, theoretically, allow you to walk.’

  ‘You would have no need of an ambulator,’ continued Tesla.

  Xandra’s knife and fork slipped from her fingers, clattering to the table. ‘Really?’ Her heart skipped a beat. She almost didn’t want to believe it. Just in case it didn’t work. But excitement was building within her anyway.

  ‘Perhaps, Lord Edwin, with your permission,’ said Archie, ‘Miss Tesla might test the device on Miss Volodin.’

  ‘Yes!’ Xandra almost yelled. She managed to calm herself and lower her voice. ‘Yes, please.’

  ‘Very well,’ agreed Edwin, with a dismissive wave of his paw. ‘I consent. Although, Archibald, I would not be putting so much faith in Tesla’s pseudo-technological mumbo jumbo.’

  ‘Static electricity is not pseudo-anything,’ protested Tesla. ‘And it is not mumbo jumbo. It has an extraordinary potential as an alternative power source –’

  ‘Spare us the propaganda,’ Lord Edwin butted in. ‘No one expects your inventions to actually work. But by all means, try to prove otherwise.’

  Emboldened by her excitement, Xandra could hold back no longer. ‘You know, our mum reckons that if you can’t say something nice, you shouldn’t say anything at all.’

  Lord Edwin roared with laughter. ‘That must be stupendously boring.’

  Tesla looked down and Archie shook his head.

  Although the luncheon continued for another hour at least, Xandra paid little attention to what was being discussed or eaten. All her thoughts were focused on Tesla and the possibility that she might soon be able to walk – something she’d dreamt of for as long as she could remember. No matter how slim the possibility, she couldn’t help but hope.

  After the meal, Lord Edwin called the armadillos to escort Xandra and Lex back to their rooms. Archie walked to the dining room door with them.

  ‘We’re locked in our rooms,’ whispered Xandra, filling Archie in. ‘And Lord Edwin wants to give us to Queen Victoria as pets.’

  ‘What?’ Archie was shocked.

  ‘It’s true,’ said Lex. ‘He even threatened to put us into a cage.’

  ‘He’s got a bunch of cages in one of the rooms upstairs,’ added Xandra.

  Archie turned to where Lord Edwin was in conversation with Grimsby. As Xandra and Lex were bustled out by the armadillos, they heard Archie say, ‘Lord Edwin, we need to talk.’

  Back in their rooms, they discovered that their own clothes had been taken away.

  ‘Looks like we’re stuck with these stupid things,’ said Lex, tugging at his tight collar.

  ‘Who cares about the clothes,’ said Xandra, mind still on what Archie and Tesla had said.

  Lex continued to pore over maps as Xandra positioned her ambulator by the window. She was way too excited to read or do anything other than stare out at the grounds and dream. She had spent so much of her life focused on being capable – on living her life – that her overwhelming desire to now walk, took her by surprise. And she couldn’t think about anything else.

  Time seemed to move so slowly.

  When Archie and Tesla arrived, she was beside
herself with impatience. Archie was pulling a large suitcase on wheels.

  ‘I must apologise for Lord Edwin,’ said Archie. ‘His manners leave a lot to be desired. And his actions are inexcusable. But he is currently in charge of the RCS and … well … the rest of us must do the best we can. I have put forward a case for him to reconsider his notion of humans as pets.’

  Tesla’s whiskers twitched with agitation. ‘He is such a … a … bully.’

  ‘Tell me about this invention of yours,’ said Xandra, unable to talk about anything else.

  ‘With pleasure,’ said Tesla. ‘Without going into the mechanics of it all … I have developed an exoskeleton, powered by static electricity. Steam requires a sizeable engine to generate the required energy. But …’ She held up a paw triumphantly. ‘Static electricity has the ability to be generated with a simple compact power pack.’

  She pointed to the suitcase and Archie opened it. Inside were masses of wires and hinged metal rods. Tesla scampered over, dug through the contents and held up a belt with a small metal box.

  ‘This,’ she said, ‘is the Tesla box.’ She lowered her eyes for a moment. ‘I, ah … named it after myself.’ She looked up. ‘Do you think that’s too egotistical? I could call it something else.’

  ‘No, no,’ assured Archie. ‘I think it’s a fine name. Animals should know who invented it.’

  ‘Now, Xandra,’ said Tesla. ‘Shall we try it on?’

  ‘I thought you’d never ask,’ said Xandra.

  ‘Let us leave the men out here,’ said Tesla, ‘while we go to your room for the fitting.’

  Xandra led the way to her bedroom. Tesla shut the case and with much huffing and puffing, dragged it after her.

  Taking off her shoes, Xandra lay on the bed and closed her eyes as the coypu scampered around, attaching rods and wires to her legs. She didn’t want to watch. In fact, she tried to block it all from her mind. She had been allowing herself to get too excited. Excited about an untested invention. It was better to calm down and expect failure. That would minimise the disappointment if it didn’t work.

  ‘Miss Volodin,’ said Tesla. ‘We are ready.’