Page 20 of I Will Steal You the Stars
Mina closed her eyes.
Took a breath.
Andleapt.
Stagnant London air swirled with steam and the thick burn of coal and oil, and the pistons pumped that little bit faster asshe fell untethered into an abyss of uncertainty. Like a sliver shaved from a sovereign, her life weighed thin and practically worthless. The reckless abandon of an instant made fear coarse through every beat of her heart, both hearts in her body, then fear melded with hope that while life would be an unplanned path, she would not be alone, because not only would she have the small, blossoming piece of herself, she would have the boy with dark eyes and ruffled hair who took her hand and squeezed like he would never let her go.
To the world, they were nothing. Less than nothing.
But to each other, they would be everything.
Enzo humpfed as she landed hard against his chest. He let out an extra loud whoop as he wrapped his arms around her and staggered back with the force of their collision. He kissed her cheeks, her brow, her lips, then turned their stagger into half a dance as he lifted her off her feet and spun, and he laughed a new laugh, not his cynical chuckle, but a sound made just for her.
‘Wilhelmina Fischer, with the golden plaits and too many dreams. Will you marry me?’
‘I just jumped out of a train. What kind of question is that?’
The whistle echoed in the distance, taking a last inhalation of the train engine with it, before the world of Paddington settled to the hubbub and hustle of the city. Down the platform, someone shouted, and the unmistakable thump of pursuit clapped against the stone. The crowd shuffled to make way for a stout station master, followed by a red-faced bobby.
‘You can’t go jumping off trains,’ the station master hollered as he swaggered towards them. ‘That’s disturbing the peace. Why didn’t you wait for the next station and come back? Bloody youngsters.’ He pointed at her, then Enzo. ‘I’ll have you. Both of you.’
Enzo’s smirk creased his cheeks. ‘Should I step onto the straight and narrow and turn myself in, little matron Mina?’
‘Go on then,’ she teased. ‘I dare you.’
‘I need an answer before I put my neck out for you.’ His voice carried no threat, only a mirror to her own tease. ‘Is that a yes?’
Mina traced his inner forearm, over his wrist, until she buried her fingers in the pocket of his palm.
‘Yes. A million times, yes. I will follow you anywhere, Duke.’
The station master took a step closer. Enzo tightened his grip.
‘Not follow. Beside me. Are you ready?’
Mina nodded as her smile matched his. Mischief danced in his eyes. The bobby and the station master both moved closer.
‘Good show. On my count…Run.’
Epilogue
Six years later.
Enzo squinted into the semi-darkness, watching the jemmy as it twisted.
‘Like this Papa?’ Rosanna asked, a slight voice amplifying her whisper. She stood on tiptoe to be level with the lock. Her tiny fingers manoeuvred the tools until the mechanism clicked.
‘What in heaven’s name do you think you are doing?’
The stern voice cut harsh through the quiet, and Enzo blinked fast as the curtains swished and light flooded the hallway. Mina, hands on hips, glared down at him.
‘Mama, I picked the lock!’ Rosanna turned the handle and pushed the door to his office open with a flourish. Mina’s scowl deepened.
‘I wasn’t expecting you to be finished in the laundry so soon,’ he stammered.
‘I didn’t think I’d get caughtis not an excuse.’ Mina huffed, then scooped Elliot from the floor. Johannes barrelled into her legs and hugged her like he had not seen her in an age, even though she’d been gone barely half an hour.
‘It’s a useful skill. What if she loses the keys one day? And there’s nothing wrong with having a career to fall back on.’
