“Imagine if your brother had a second life; you would know it’s him if he could remember his name. And perhaps we could work on a way to restore more memories. I mean, it’s obviously going to take time. I know so many personifates who would want this more than anything. We must be cautious, but this is amazing! For the first time in my second life I feel properly connected to what’s come before. Like a part of me has been unlocked.”

“That’s great.” Prue beamed.

“I could put the word out to some of the personifates. Covertly, of course,” said Edwin.

“That’s a good idea. Perhaps if we can persuade Queen Adelaide to try it, then it could be the key to finding out more. Imagine if it turns out she really was a queen all this time, while everyone around her has been laughing behind her back and humouring her? And if she’s had her memory the whole time – think what it might mean!”

Edwin paused. “It’s a good idea, but remember Queen Adelaide talks to everyone about everything. I’m not sure she has it in her to keep it quiet. Are you going to tell Agapantha?”

“I’d like to. I don’t want to put her at risk, though. And I feel a bit daft for never mentioning my brother and for being so off with her lately.”

“She’ll understand.”

Then something caught her attention at the forest edge; a tall and slim figure walked from the orchard and disappeared into the trees.

“Is that Sollentude?” Prue said.

Edwin looked to where she was pointing, but the figure had gone. “It could be. He’s probably seeing if he can catch us laying traps again.”

But something about it struck Prue as odd. “He seems to do an awful lot of lurking around the forest,” Prue said suspiciously. Then her eye was caught by Luella in the window of the messenger tower and it was clear who would be next. Prue whistled and Luella flew down to them.

“What are you two up to? If you’ve got messages for me, I’m not sure … I’m feeling up for it.”

Prue explained her latest developments.

“Oh! My previous name? I’m rather used to Luella, dearie … but wouldn’t it be a thrill to find out!”

“You must promise not to tell anyone.”

“Of course, cross my feathered chest.”

“Then there’s no time like the present!”

The three of them headed back to the memory lab, making a slightly awkward diversion to the library after bumping into Craftsman Shad in the atrium.

When the coast was clear they hurried around the walkway to the memory lab.

This time, Prue was quicker with the equipment.

“I hope it’s something exotic.” Luella giggled.