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CHAPTER ONE the unexpected reunion.
•••
THERE were three things Ella learned from her investigation with her parents' former employee, Luke Baker. One, you wouldn't always get the closure or the explanation you hoped for. Two, things could actually get worse even when you thought they couldn't. Three, she really missed London.
The investigation had led them out of London, to the southwest of England. It was Ella's first time leaving the city, and she couldn't say she enjoyed it, given the circumstances. She couldn't say how many times she had wanted to call it quits and just go back to Portland Row, to her home, but her curiosity, her need for answers, had kept her from doing so. And now that she had got her answer, there were these mixed feelings about what to expect at home.
What if they didn't want her anymore? They already had the perfect replacement for her. Lucy Carlyle, the extraordinary Listener. Yeah, she heard him say that on national television. Don't get her wrong, she was happy that they were doing well, that the business was doing well and they finally got the publicity they deserved, it was just that she couldn't help but wish she was still a part of them.
What if there was no place for her anymore? Or worse, what if she'd just ruin everything by coming back? She remembered when George had first joined them, she and Lockwood had basically known each other their whole lives, and sometimes George couldn't help but feel like an outsider when he was with them. Lockwood could be a bit oblivious about it, so she was the one who had to make sure George always felt involved. It took them a while to make it work as a team, and she was sure it took them a while to make it work with Lucy too. But her coming back would feel like she was trying to take her place back from Lucy, and there was no guarantee that it would work again with her on the team after what she had done.
She was aware that she was just overthinking it, the whole thing. Knowing Lockwood, he was probably just glad that she was back, and George probably just wanted to know where she had been all this time. She could tell them the truth, that was the least she could do to make up for it. But then they would be disappointed, they'd think she didn't trust them enough to let them in. And that was why instead of looking for a cab as soon as she exited the train station, she decided to walk. She wasn't ready to see their disappointed faces yet.
•••
Lockwood, George, and Lucy stood in front of the tall gates of Happyventures Park with one hand on the hilt of their swords as they waited patiently for the security to open the lock. All three of them carried heavy leather duffel bags—old, worn, and spotted with ectoplasm burnsㅡfilled with the equipment of their trade; salt-bombs, lavender, iron filings, silver Seals and chains. It was clear they weren't there for the rides.
"The coaster's at the back," the security said as he swung the gates open. He was an old man in his early fifties, who had that bored look like he was so done with everything. "I trust you kids can find it yourselves?"
