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Blinking in the sudden glare, she swung her plump legs over the side of the bunk and slipped her feet into the fuzzy pink slippers that were her favourite. They were a little worse for wear after the stint in the pirates’ custody and the escape from Windcity, but they were still serviceable. Wrapping her pink dressing gown around her chubby body, she stepped out the door.
    The corridor was deserted. All the children were sleeping in their bunks, snug and warm. Mrs. Francis had made sure of that, soothing and whispering reassurances to frightened toddlers. She loved them all as if they were her own children. She dreaded the thought of anything happening to any one of them. Taking special care to make no noise, she crept down the corridor, pausing at each open hatch to look in and make sure each child was asleep.
    After the last cabin was checked, she stepped into thegalley 20 to find Mr. Kipling slumped at the table, a cold cup of tea at his elbow and his chin resting on his fist. He snored softly. Mrs. Francis went to him and kissed him gently on the forehead. He opened his eyes and smiled at her.
    â€œJust resting my eyes.”
    â€œOf course, dear.” She wrapped her little arms around his bony shoulders and squeezed.
    He winced. “Ribs are still a little tender, dear.”
    â€œSorry.” She released him.
    â€œNot at all.” He looked at his watch. “Why are you prowling about at this hour? Are the children all right?”
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong. The children are fine. I just couldn’t sleep. My mind won’t stop. I’m so worried about Hamish X. And the children. And … Oh I’m just worried about everything!” She raised her hands to her face and began to sob.
    Mr. Kipling took her hand and squeezed it in his own. “You mustn’t cry, dear. It makes me extremely anxious. We all need you to be strong.” He offered her a handkerchief. She took it and blew her nose loudly.
    â€œI know. I just get so worried sometimes.”
    â€œI understand. I do too. But things will be all right. You’ll see.”
    â€œWhere are Parveen and Mimi?”
    â€œOutside keeping a watch.”
    â€œI’ll make some fresh tea.”
    â€œLovely, dear.” Kipling smiled a rare smile. “Excellent idea.”

    MIMI AND PARVEEN sat on the ramp in the cool evening air. The moon was a sliver in the sky, casting only a faint light. Mimi stared up into the sky while Parveen read the airship’s engine manual with the aid of a small flashlight, making notes in the margin with his pencil.
    â€œNever seen so many stars.”
    Parveen glanced up for a second. “Less smog. Higher altitude. Lack of light pollution.”
    â€œWhatever. It’s just nice is all.” Mimi was quiet for a moment. “What if nobody comes?”
    Parveen didn’t look up from his reading. “They’ll come.”
    â€œYeah, but what if they doesn’t? What’ll we do then? We ain’t got nowhere to go.”
    Parveen lowered his book and turned the flashlight on Mimi’s face. She blinked and blocked the beam with her outstretched hand.
    â€œMimi, we’ll deal with that when the time comes. The world is extremely large. We will find somewhere to hide. Why don’t you find something to do and let me read this manual?”
    He turned the beam back onto his book, put the pencil back behind his ear, and continued to read. Mimi frowned. “That ain’t what you do with a flashlight on a dark night when yer campin’.” She suddenly reached out and grabbed the flashlight and held it below her chin. Her face was outlined eerily. “It’s time for a ghost story.”
    â€œGive me back my flashlight, please.”
    â€œC’mon, Mr. Bookworm. Just one scary story.”
    Parveen sighed and crossed his arms. “Fine. Although I must tell you, I do not believe in ghosts or the supernatural. I believe all