Jane glances toward the window, trying to gauge the position of the moon. How long has her mother been talking? Time has been strange ever since they returned, as though a bit of Neverland’s magic followed her back here. It feels as though Jane only blinked, and the cave in Neverland became her bedroom, as though no time passed at all. It feels as though they were gone for weeks, but she understands that in London, it was only just two days. It doesn’t seem possible, but sometimes the world passes slower here, and sometimes faster—her mother explained that too, with a sad weary smile.

“We should count ourselves lucky, Jane. We didn’t miss too much while we were gone.”

The way her mother says it, Jane knows it isn’t really a matter for smiling over, and she knows her mother knows that too.

“You know, I’ve kept this secret for so long, you’re only the second person I’ve told,” her mother says when all the other words are done.

“Papa?” Jane asks.

Her mother shakes her head, a look of regret crossing her face.

“Mary,” her mother says. “Cook.”

She lifts Jane’s hand, places it palm to palm with her own atop the covers, then presses it again with her other hand, closing Jane’s hand between her own.

“Your papa doesn’t know yet. I plan to tell him very soon, but until then, I would appreciate it if you would keep my secret for a little longer. I know it isn’t fair to ask.”

It seems like her mother will say more, but she doesn’t, letting the words hang, acknowledging the unfairness and doing nothing to right it. Jane isn’t certain what her mother has told her father about where they’ve been. Last night—or maybe a lifetime ago— when she was meant to be sleeping, tucked into bed after the warm bath she’d so longed for while she was in Neverland, she’d heard snatches of words not meant for her ears.

“… shouldn’t have gone without telling you … so afraid.”

“… how could she have left the house … gone so far alone? What will we tell Scotland Yard … brothers, and my father?”

“… on a little adventure. You know how curious and strong-willed she is … what we will tell them. … home. That’s the important thing. Jane is home safe, and that is all that should matter.”

Jane’s hand tenses between her mother’s, but her mother holds her hand tight, not letting her pull away just yet. Her expression is grave again, and again Jane feels it like a physical thing pressing down on her.