“More like the automatons and mechanimals? Technology has come on leaps and bounds in Medlock. All these creatures – well, apart from a few of the pigeons you see roosting above – are personifates, or ghost machines, if you like.

“They’re incredible! Utterly lifelike.”

Craftsman Primrose smiled proudly. “I’m delighted you think so, although it’s best not to use the term ‘lifelike’. Some personifates and first lifers can be rather sensitive to the word, you know, with the whole philosophy on what defines the term ‘life’.”

“Oh, sorry. And they’re all … ghosts?”

“They certainly are – well, they were alive before, as far as we can tell. We like to think of their current situation as something different – a second life.”

“Oh, I see.”

“It’s very important to be respectful to them in the words we choose.”

Prue took in the square: roads branched off all around and there were all manner of shops and grand-looking buildings: Acton Chaos Lamps, Bard’s Precision Tailoring, Cogs & Co. In the centre of the square, rising above the people, was a sculpture. It looked to Prue like a huge mechanimal bee, great metal components whirring as a clockwork mechanism lifted and lowered the wings in a recurring pattern, as though the insect was captured in a perpetual moment of slow-motion flight.

“It’s a symbol of Medlock as a hive of industrious invention,” said Craftsman Primrose proudly.

“It’s incredible.”

Craftsman Primrose looked at his pocket watch. “Now, I’m afraid I have other business to attend to, so you’ll be on your own for a while. You need to head to Deakins Entire on Smithy Door first for your uniform and supplies.” He pointed across the square. “Keep along this side then cross at the sculpture. Take Burlington West and walk right to the end, then take a left into Pickwick and halfway along is Smithy Door. Have you got that?”

Prue nodded. “Statue, Burlington West, Pickwick, Smithy Door.”

“Good. Here’s a note for you to hand in from me.”

Prue took the note, but panic was rising; she would soon be alone in this enormous city. Craftsman Primrose must have read her expression because he put a hand on Prue’s shoulder and said, “Don’t look so worried, Frances. The shopkeeper at Deakins will tell you the way to the Guild from there and I’ll meet up with you later.”

Hearing him call her Frances made her stomach twist, but she smiled and nodded. Craftsman Primrose turned and disappeared into the crowd.