37. Chapter 37

Chapter 37

I awoke when the carriage pulled to a stop, pushed myself up from Greg's shoulder and stared around bleary eyed. I spied a dark stain on the shoulder of his shirt. ‘Did I drool on you?' I asked, mortified. My hand flew to my mouth to – yep – wipe away the spit gathered there. I was so sexy.

‘It was cute,' Greg said with a smile. ‘And funny.' I glared. ‘But mostly cute,' he added hastily.

A laugh stuttered out of me. ‘Please God, tell me we're nearly home.'

He winked. ‘You don't need to call me God. Greg is fine.' I rolled my eyes and he relented. ‘We're at Ali's,' he confirmed. ‘And a shower is moments away.'

I wondered if he needed one as much as I did even though he hadn't been buried under hundreds of layers of petticoats. I had been sweating .

The Victorians may have been prim and proper but they knew bugger all about personal hygiene; a weekly bath was not enough, and whatever had passed for dental care had been totally lacking. Krieg didn't need any more weapons than his noxious breath – and mine wasn't much better. I could knock down Big Ben with it.

‘Let's go!' I threw myself out of the carriage as Greg followed me, laughing.

We knocked loudly on Ye Olde Rosie's and Ali answered the door. He looked as tired as I felt. ‘Did you achieve what you wanted to?' he asked.

I sighed. ‘Kind of – and more that we didn't know we needed to achieve. I'm going to call it a success, but one that I want to end right now. I need to bathe.'

Ali looked faintly amused. ‘You really do,' he agreed. ‘Come on. Let's get you out of my time.'

‘Gladly.'

He did his thing and cast iridescent flames over the portal. I hesitated before I stepped forward and turned to him. ‘I'm not always kind to you, Grandy, but I do love you with all my heart. We all do. You're important to us.' Feeling oddly tearful, I gave him a hug that he returned awkwardly.

‘Take care, Lucy,' he murmured.

I nodded against his shoulder and took a moment to memorise his younger, carefree face. This was my last time in the Third and I would never see Ali again. I barely knew him, but he was family and he'd helped me without question; for some reason, knowing I wouldn't see him again hurt a little.

I was just tired. So tired. I was always more emotional when I was tired.

Rest will be good, Esme murmured. We have earned it.

Damn right we have.

I turned to leave, still turning over how I could help Ali in return. When an idea came to me, I started talking before my brain had consciously agreed that it was a good idea. I blurted, ‘We do get Jason back. He's okay. I just want you to know that.'

Ali raised a supercilious eyebrow. ‘And Jason is…?'

I smiled ruefully. Jason was his great-great-great-whatever. Grandy Sandy probably wouldn't remember this – but then again, maybe he had. During Jason's kidnapping he hadn't seemed overly concerned; he'd even gone as far as keeping the restaurant open. Oof. Maybe that was my fault because he already knew the boy would be safe. Speak in haste, repent at leisure.

I didn't answer; I'd already said way too much, and then some. ‘Goodbye, Ali, and thank you.' I gave him a tired smile then reached for Greg's hand. Thinking of modern times, we walked back through the portal.

Maxwell jerked in surprise at our sudden appearance. ‘That was quick! Like really quick. Did it not work?' He frowned then flashed me a grin. ‘Never mind. I can smell you. It worked.'

‘Asshole.' I stuck out my tongue at my cousin.

He winced. ‘That's even worse. For the love of God, close your mouth. Jeez, did you not brush your teeth while you were away?'

‘The Victorians didn't have minty-fresh toothpaste,' I complained. ‘I need to shower and clean my teeth – I can't even wait for home. Can we use one of your flats?'

‘I have someone in the main one but you're welcome to the smaller one.'

‘Thank you so much! It could be postage stamp-sized for all I care as long as it has hot water!'

‘Go on up. There'll be fresh clothes and toothbrushes waiting for you when you've showered.'

‘You are a God amongst cousins,' I declared extravagantly.

Maxwell winked. ‘Your flattery will get you everywhere.'

I laughed and flew up the stairs; the shower was calling to me and I couldn't ignore its siren song any longer.

Oh yes! Esme said happily when I turned the water to hot.

I stripped off my foul-smelling clothes and stepped under the jet of water, then winced at the colour of the liquid that sluiced off my skin. Steam-train smoke and petticoat-induced sweat made for a rank combination.

‘Room for one more?' Greg asked hopefully.

The shower cubicle was tiny but it seemed churlish to make him wait his turn; besides, now I was blessedly clean I was getting impure thoughts. ‘I'm sure we can fit you in,' I purred. ‘Though we might need to do some shower Tetris. Tab A might need to go into slot B.' I winked.

He grinned. ‘I love you so much that I even found that sexy.'

‘Come here and I'll show you sexy,' I promised. ‘But no kissing! I haven't brushed my teeth yet.'

‘If you're not kissing me,' he said with a wicked glint in his eye, ‘what shall we do with your mouth? I don't want it to feel neglected.'

‘I have some ideas,' I assured him. ‘I'm adaptable. We might need to utilise slot C instead of slot B, but I can work with it.'

I slid down his body and proceeded to shower affection on Tab A.