Agapantha was scribbling calculations on a notepad. “Mine are off on some jaunt to New Mercia – I think word is out about the stag-men, and they’re keen to find out more about the ancient myths and customs. They think they might hold the key to transferring frequency across qwortzite in a sustainable way. So, I’m staying here,” she said.

“Well, this is my home, so I’m staying put,” said Edwin.

Something flew through the air close by – Abel was launching snowballs with a spade.

“Excellent!” said Edwin, leaping and gathering a handful of snow to launch back.

Lavender emerged from the factorium with Phineas bearing a tray full of steaming cups of cocoa and spicy gingerbread.

“Brilliant, I’m ravenous!” said Agapantha running towards them.

Prue stood for a moment and watched her friends.

“Francis, you can’t launch a snowball from a hoppity wrench!”

“An adapted hoppity wrench, Prudence Haywood.”

“Let’s see then.” She folded her arms.

“I’ve added the super hop. Just clip the arms back like so, place the snowball here, then release the restrainer, and…”

The snowball hurtled through the air and smacked Prue in the chest.

“Hey!” she laughed, grabbing great handfuls of snow.

“Ed, Ag!” she called. “Wait for me!”

Prue’s mum was wrong when she’d said time flowed like the river and there’s not a thing you can do about it. Yes, time flowed, but you could swim in different parts of the river if you wanted, you could swing over it, even change its course if you really wanted to.

Things hadn’t worked out as she’d planned. Prue had come to the Guild looking for Francis and it wasn’t at all what she had expected. She understood that some things couldn’t be fixed, but she could make a difference. Time was ever-moving and so was the world around her. She didn’t know what that meant for first and second lifers, and the rights of the personifates, but she was certain that whatever that future was, she was going to put herself right at the heart of finding the best way.

And she would have two extraordinary friends beside her.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

This story blossomed from seed to fully realized world faster than the Gigantrak racing to Medlock, and I couldn’t have done it without two incredible people. For me they are the best in the business and both deserving of a ruby jacket. The guidance from my lovely agent, Kate Shaw, set me on track at an early stage – she really is a one-in-a-million (and I’m never letting go!). My editor, Linas Alsenas, is a gem of a human and also someone I adore working with – a story wizard of the very highest level. This book really wouldn’t be what it is without you, and I hope I get to work with you on many, many more stories! My heartfelt and endless thanks to you both.