In the evening, Prue took a stroll to the shed to check on the mechanimal sheepdogs and horses. She had a quick look at the broken plough, but decided she’d mend it after a ride around the fields on one of the mechanimal horses. She stopped off at Haywood’s Oak and climbed into the branches, looking back at the farmhouse.

Beneath the indigo-blue of night, the setting sun burned with apricot and vermillion fire, casting thick orange roads of light between the trees across the fields and blazing the tips of the branches around her. She couldn’t count the times she’d sat in this exact place with Francis beside her, him teasing that she hadn’t climbed up as quickly as him, watching the sunset together, arguing over the last oat cake, dreaming of faraway cities and what the future would be. It was good to be home, even if Mum was suspicious of her intentions and they’d argued, and supper had been tense. She could feel Francis all around her, and memories of the farm and this made her more determined than ever to complete her mission.

*

The morning came all too quickly, and Prue had to set off early in order to make it back.

“Such a short visit. I wish you could stay longer. Here, take some island plum pie back for your friends,” said Mr Haywood, filling her bag with treats from the kitchen.

Friends who probably thought she was anything but at the moment, Prue thought.

Mr Haywood sighed. “I’m sorry, Mum went to the west field early. It might take her a while to come around.”

Prue swallowed back her emotion and smiled. “It’s all right, Dad. I just have to show her. And I will.”

“Mum always said, once you make up your mind, it’s like trying to tame a storm. You’re more like her than she knows.”

Prue hugged her dad and picked up her bag. “I’ll write soon.”

“Have a safe journey.”

“Oh, I forgot to fix the mechanical plough while I was here!” Prue said hurriedly. “I had a quick look, and I’m sure you can do it – the gear box has seized. You just need to separate them and isolate first gear.”

Mr Haywood held up his hand. “Slow down – do what?”

Prue grabbed a piece of paper from the dresser. She sat at the table and drew a quick diagram. “Take out the reverse cog, then remove the second, that’s this one. Put the gear box back together. It will still move forward because you’ve isolated first gear and…” Prue paused mid-flow, her own words suddenly like the missing pieces she’d been looking for. Move forward … Isolate first gear… Prue’s mind began to race.

“Prue? Are you all right?”