Chapters (37)
- Cover
- Title Page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Part I
- Jessie MacRae (21) the arrival
- Flora (33) the drag ball
- Levi (31) the bone library
- Jessie MacRae (21) the second day
- Flora (33) After – everyone arrives
- Levi (32) the four horsemen of the apocalypse
- Jessie MacRae (24) the conclusion
- Flora (33) It’s not my cage
- Levi (32) fear fir the mermaid
- Part II
- Ivy Proudfoot (17) the night witches
- Agnes Campbell (63) the fraudulent mediums act
- William Burroughs (49) the basement
- Ivy Proudfoot (17) cupid’s corner
- Agnes Campbell (63) the sisters
- William Burroughs (49) take me to your word maker so I can plead for my pitiful life
- Ivy Proudfoot (17) the palais
- Agnes Campbell (63) the devil’s daughter, her lover and the child
- William Burroughs (49) this building is a psychic vampire
- Part III
- Queen Bee (21) the red room
- Ivor (37) deathwatch beetles
- Dot (27) the death of all the secrets
- Queen Bee (21) triads vs rebels
- Ivor (37) after all these years
- Dot (27) the long walk home
- Queen Bee (21) Santa baby, please put a sable under the tree, for me
- Ivor (37) ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
- Dot (27) i’m going to leave this city one last time
- Epilogue
- About the Author
- Also by Jenni Fagan
To step back into his arms. Follow his feet. He always was the better dancer. His stubble up close. Resting her head on his chest, he pulls her tight toward him. Falling – just like that, heart aching. Photos on the dresser in the lounge – his wife – their kids. Glasses are set out for Tom Collinses. His secret drag balls are the best. Select men and women across the city will be leaving their professional worlds. Dresses and suits in bags. Sparkly headbands. Strap-on belts. Nipple tassels. Stockings and fishnets and hats and eye masks and whips. All of them keening for the glitter and the release – much as she still does. Her ex-lover pulls her waist. She is as up close to him as she can be. Looking for the first time in too long into his eyes.
– No, Flora whispers.
– No?
– Not a fucking chance.
He spins her out and back in toward him and on instinct she raises her leg and lets her head fall back.
1939
Flat 3F3