I remember looking down from the balcony with a mixture of shock and disbelief. It was like a pageant of some sort. I remember the king waving around the drumstick of a swan while singing loudly and belching—yes, both at the same time! And then suddenly I was back—back in Gran’s house. How did that happen? When I had left Gran’s before, at a few minutes before nine, I had touched that little hollow place in my neck where the locket had rested. Had I perhaps touched that place again and magically been transported back to this century? It might have been hard, as I was wearing that stiff high-neck ruff. And when I got back, the collar lay at my feet in the greenhouse.

Well, it’s past midnight. Have to get up early and finish the costume. For me it’s only a Halloween costume for a pretend queen. But what is real and what is pretend? If I told people what was happening to me, they’d never believe it. Then again, maybe, just maybe, Franny would. I wonder if Franny would have gotten my letter by now? I mean, here at Gran’s house, only a few hours have passed since I returned, but over there it might be days or weeks or even months. For all I know it could be Christmas when I get back to England!

P.S. Had a very disturbing dream—just before I met Prince Edward. I can’t remember it very well except that I was in a school lunchroom and there was mac and cheese—that yucky smell—and then —oh yes—the scent of doom. They were there! It was really creepy. The Mean Queens were planning something.

P.P.S. I wonder if that long ride from Hatfield to Greenwich has improved my riding. Can’t wait until my next lesson Monday, October 31. Indianapolis, Indiana, longitude 39.7684° north, latitude 86.1581° west. (In math class we’re graphing longitude and latitude on a Mercator map. And while I was at it, I found that Hatfield, England, is 51.7634° north, 0.2231° west, and Greenwich is 51.4826° north, 0.0077° west.) So time might slip around, but places stay put.

P.P.P.S. Just had a super phenomenal idea. I can hear Betty across the hall talking to Gran about clearing out some of Gran’s old clothes and sending them to Goodwill. Why have I never thought of this before? I could raid her closet and I might find stuff for my costume!!!

Rose got up and tapped lightly on the door of her gran’s bedroom.

“Come in,” Betty called out. “We’re just getting rid of old clothes, dear.”

“Gowns I’ll never wear,” Gran harrumphed. She was sitting up in her four-poster bed with a half dozen pillows behind her. She looked quite regal.

“Gran, I love to sew. And I love old clothes—vintage.”

“That’s me—vintage!” Gran quipped.