'ARE YOU ALRIGHT, ma'am?'
Jessica stifled another yawn as the carriage clattered over Westminster Bridge.
'I'm fine, Atsu. I didn't sleep too well. How are you feeling?'
'I am also fine, thank you. Though I slept like a big lump of wood!'
'That's good,' said Jessica, smiling. 'I was so worried about you, back in the theatre.'
'It was very frightening. Though I am grateful you and Mr Flint decided to rescue me.'
'Of course we did, Atsu. Whilst I am commander of the Diamonds, I will make sure nobody is left behind.'
'How is Mr Flint?'
'He is resting, Atsu.' Jessica thought it best not to tell her the truth. Let Flint explain it to the rest of the crew in his own time. Assuming, of course, that he was ever sober enough to speak again.
'Mr Frogg was so happy to see his daughter. That made me happy too.'
They had taken a diversion via Whitechapel. Frogg had been full of thanks, even offering them lodgings in his private rooms above the bar whenever they were in London. As they had said their farewells and returned towards the heart of the city, Jessica had seen the blackened ruins of the theatre, still smouldering.
'Yes,' she said. 'When we are able to rid the Empire of evil and also do some good into the bargain, that is what makes the job worthwhile.'
The carriage trundled to a stop. Atsu raised the hood of her cape as they alighted from the carriage, falling silent as they walked towards the steps of the Department.
'You have no need to be ashamed,' said Jessica. Atsu didn't reply, walking beneath the statue of the Queen above the entrance.
Jessica stared up at the stone visage of the sovereign. The Queen's face had been sculpted with a grim expression, no doubt intended to portray the iron grip in which she held the Empire and all its subjects.
Jessica sighed and followed the bowed figure of Atsu into the Department of Interior Security.
__________
'An excellent job! My congratulations to you and to your crew.' Appleton sliced off the tip of his cigar with an ornate silver cutter moulded into the shape of a tiger. 'Your success has been noted by my superiors, Jessica.'
'Thank you, Sir Humphrey. It was a dangerous mission.'
'And yet you emerged from it triumphant! The unveiling of the Memorial will be able to go ahead as planned. I'm sure the Queen would be most grateful for your efforts. Not that she'll ever get to hear of them, of course.'
'Of course not,' said Jessica, stirring her tea. 'So, Sir Humphrey, what do you have planned for us next? Demons? Golems?' She paused, trying not to sound too hopeful. 'Dragons?'
'None of those, my dear.' Appleton was surrounded by a wreath of pungent blue cigar smoke. 'Something a little less substantial, but no less important. There is a mansion in the Sussex countryside, Jessica. Priory Manor. Owned by an old army friend of mine, Major Thomas Carruthers, who also happens to be high up in the Foreign Office.'
'And what is troubling Major Carruthers, Sir Humphrey?'
'He informs me that he is being haunted, my dear. Now normally, as you know, that would be a case for the Bell, Book and Candle Division.' Appleton took another puff at his cigar, then frowned. 'But I'm afraid in this instance, things have taken a more sinister turn.'
'How so?'
'The ghost,' said Appleton, 'is of Major Carruthers himself.'
Even Atsu looked up in surprise. 'Is he sure?' said Jessica. 'He has seen this apparition with his own eyes?'
'Indeed he has, my dear. And I have no reason to doubt him. And therefore, of course, neither do you.' He smiled, but there was little humour in his voice.
'Of course not, Sir Humphrey. It is just so... unusual.'
'That is why I have asked for the Black Diamonds to investigate, my dear.'
'When do we leave?'
'First thing in the morning. I told Carruthers you would be with him by lunchtime. He has prepared a space in the grounds for the Zephyr to land and one of his staff will arrange for your navigator to receive directions.' He ignored Atsu as he spoke, still looking at Jessica.
'Very good, sir. Is that all?'
'For now, Jessica. Keep up the good work, eh?'
'We shall do our best, Sir Humphrey.' She stood, helping Atsu on with her cape. 'All of us.'
__________
'Marvellous,' said Cottingley. 'Sussex is so beautiful at this time of year.'
'What do you think is happening?' Tommy was trying not to stare at Flint. 'With the ghost, I mean?'
'I don't know.' Jessica passed the wine to Atsu. 'A doppelganger, perhaps. Maybe even a minor demon.'
'I'm just glad to be getting out of London. I have enough souvenirs to remind me of my visit for quite some time.' Flint adjusted his black-tinted monocle. 'And I see you've been influenced by our visit too, Jessica. Very fetching, if I may be so bold.'
Jessica adjusted the top of her corset. It still felt strange, though she had to admit the crimson leather garment was rather striking.
'I am just glad we all got through another mission,' she said, glancing at Flint. 'Long may that continue to be the case.'
'Hear hear,' said Cottingley, raising his drink. 'To the Empire, and to Queen Victoria the Second!'
'Bugger that,' said Flint, taking a swig straight from the bottle. 'Here's to The Black Diamonds.'
Jessica drained her glass and smiled.
'I hope that also includes me?' said the Zephyr, making an indignant clanking noise.
The sound of her crew's laughter warmed Jessica's spirit more than the wine.
__________
The morning air was cold. As the Zephyr rose from the aerodrome, Jessica pulled the collar of her jacket round her neck and turned the wheel.
'A short trip, at least.' Flint stared down as London sank into the murk of a dirty fog beneath them.
'How are you feeling, William? Really?'
'I'm not sure, to be honest. Time will tell. But that's a worry for another day, Jessica.'
She looked down at the map, adjusting the wheel until the route marker turned white. 'Indeed it is, William. I am glad you are alive.'
'As am I, Jessica. And don't worry, I'll not be breaking into your cabin at night. Not to bite your throat out, at least.'
Jessica clicked her tongue and turned towards the prow as the Zephyr gathered speed. The countryside ahead of them was green, unblemished by the marks of industry.
Flint began to whistle: one of his shanties from the Caribbean.
Jessica stared ahead.
It must be the cold making my eyes sting so much, she thought.
What else could it be?
Lady Jessica: Monster Hunter
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Lady Jessica will return in Episode 2: Troubling Times
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Keith
GOD SAVE THE EMPIRE!
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