She had read about Master Woolstenbury, the greatest technician and inventor that the world had ever known. Hannah Woolstenbury had been ridiculed by other inventors for most of her life for believing in ghosts, let alone her lifelong ambition to connect with them; people had said her methods were unscientific. But she ultimately found a way to bring them back into this world.

As they waited, Prue’s eye was caught by a brightly coloured peacock and lemur making their way along the pavement. She marvelled at how their movements had an edge of human characteristics in their relaxed chatter and gesturing. How Hannah Woolstenbury had proved everyone wrong.

Footsteps sounded beyond, and the door swung open. A woman with grey-brown streaked hair flowing over her shoulders stood there. She wore an apron covered in flour over a voluminous skirt with some flour smudged on her nose. Was this Master Woolstenbury? After surveying them for a moment, the woman clapped her hands together, a large smile broadening on her face.

“Well, here you all are – and what fine young apprentices!” She brushed her floury hands on her apron. “I must say, I was expecting two girls and a boy, but there you have it!” Before Prue knew it, they were engulfed by warm embraces. Cora stiffened, but when it was Prue’s turn, she welcomed the scent of roses and yeast, which instantly reminded her of home.

“I’m sorry, I should introduce myself. I’m Lavender Luckhurst, head of boarding. Well, half of the head, that is.”

“I’m Cora Duval, this is Agapantha Young, and this is Frances…” she turned to Prue. “I’m sorry, what even is your family name?”

“Haywood,” Prue said.

“Oh, I see, hay, as in farm!” said Cora. Then she lowered her voice just a touch, as though somehow Prue wouldn’t hear it. “She’s from the country.”

“Well, that’s just lovely,” said Lavender. “I’m from Bimbledown, a small village north of Gawthorpe myself. A warm welcome, my darlings. Now come along and I’ll show you what’s what.” She ushered them inside.

Prue stepped into an enormous hallway. It had a chequered blue-and-white floor, mahogany paneled walls and a great staircase that climbed the walls in a squared spiral, leading to door upon door. Prue couldn’t help but turn and look up as she walked inside, taking in the intricately carved posts, candy-twisted spindles, and the walls filled with gold-framed paintings. Were the secrets of creating personifates behind these doors – her way back to Francis?

Footsteps sounded beyond a door at the back of the hallway. It started to open.

“One hundred? Are you quite sure, Amelia?”

“Indeed. It’s certainly going to be the most challenging few moons we’ve ever had.”