“Hurry, Lavender said all the best spots get filled up quickly and I’ve thought of just the place for us,” Edwin said, urging them across the road. He stopped at the rear end of the huge mechanimal bee.

“Edwin, I’m pretty sure that’s a no-go,” said Agapantha.

The great metal components whirred as the metallic wings lifted and lowered.

A grin spread on Prue’s face. It was exactly the sort of thing she and Francis would’ve done together. She didn’t need convincing. “Want a ride?” She looked at Edwin and patted her own shoulder.

Edwin turned, and for a moment it looked as though he was scampering away, but then he turned and scurried forward, took an almighty leap up to Prue’s shoulder – then leapt again on to the platform.

“You are one bonkers stoat.” Prue laughed.

With a big jump, she grabbed the top of the platform. Prue scrambled her feet up the side and pulled herself up.

“Come on, Ag. Honestly, it’s the best view in the square,” she called down.

Agapantha shuffled uncomfortably, her cheeks ruby red. Prue noticed there were already other people looking at them and heading towards the statue.

“Take our hands and we’ll pull you up,” Prue urged.

After a deep breath and an awkward smile, Agapantha reached up and took Prue’s hand. A couple of girls were trying to climb up on the other side.

“Quick, it’s a race to get on the bee’s back,” said Edwin.

The great wings of the bee whirred, rising above them.

“We have to catch the down motion,” he said.

One of the girls was already on the platform on the other side and was trying to pull her friend up.

“I’ll go first,” said Prue, jumping as the wing arced down. She almost slipped and fought to regain her balance. There were large rivets on the bee’s body that she could hold, so without another thought, she used one to push herself upwards to grab another, and before she knew it, she was on the back of the great statue, the vibrations of the mechanics rumbling gently through her body as though she was now part of it. “Hurry up!” she said.

Edwin and Agapantha climbed up the other side and soon joined her. The three of them sat on the top and took in the view.

“Didn’t I tell you it would be the best seat in the house?” said Edwin.

Prue looked around at the people and personifates starting to fill every inch of the busy square. She spied many blue jackets like their own and some mustard and ruby too. Barriers were keeping onlookers off the road and the windows on the upper floors were open, with colourful flags crisscrossing and people waving.

By now, others were on the statue’s platform and a few climbed up to sit behind them where there was still room.