Beatrice sat back down on the carousel steps and the tiger settled himself in the snow at her feet. She wasn’t sure how long she sat there in the clearing. It seemed an endless, timeless moment, with only her, the tiger and the clockwork horses. But finally the Spider Queen returned with Rosa and Ada, both of whom wore the same expression of utter enchantment that Beatrice knew she had worn herself when she first visited the Winter Garden.

‘You have read it?’ the Spider Queen asked in a kindly tone, indicating the letter in Beatrice’s hand.

She nodded.

‘There did not seem much point in staying at Half Moon House before,’ the queen said gently. ‘I realised you were not ready to read the letter, so I decided to return when the time was right. I did not think you would mind sharing your garden with other lost souls in the meantime.’

Beatrice stood up and walked over to the others, the tiger following in her steps. ‘What did you m-mean about the m-magic?’ she asked.

‘A garden must have a botanist if it is to thrive,’ the Spider Queen said. ‘The garden has lived in your mother’s vision for this long, but the magic has been slowly draining out of it. Many of the plants and animals have already gone, and my own time here is almost over. It will soon be an empty space for you to fill as you wish.’

‘F-For me to f-fill?’ Beatrice asked, startled.

‘Of course. It is your garden, after all. Why do you imagine I set the competition when I did? And invited you, even though the wish was not destined to be yours? You must have other items to replace those that will soon be lost. Rosa’s creation was, I thought, the most wonderful, but there were plenty of other extraordinary offerings, and you must see them all for yourself. I have recorded all the details for you as to where in the world you might find them. You will need people to help you rebuild the garden, and I sent invitations to only the best in their fields. And then, of course, I expect you will take the garden and explore the world yourself. Assuming that is what you want.’

Beatrice could find no words. It was the only thing she had ever wanted – to make extraordinary discoveries and share them with those who would appreciate them.

‘Th-Thank you,’ she finally said.

‘The wishing well will remain,’ the Spider Queen said. ‘Although there is no magic left in it now. If you go down that path,’ she pointed at one winding into the trees, ‘it will return you to the Key Gate, and thus anywhere you wish to go. You have only to think of the place and the garden will take you there.’

‘Anywhere?’ Rosa asked eagerly. ‘You mean … Ada and I need not return to Raven Hall?’