‘But we already kind of knew that, didn’t we?’ Tilly said. ‘Why did they come here? What do they want from me?’
‘Well,’ said Grandma, ‘they wanted you to go with them to the Underlibrary to see what they’re working on, with one of us. That’s obviously out of the question.’
‘So we say no,’ Tilly said. ‘That’s not so scary. What can they do if I don’t go?’
‘Stop us bookwandering,’ said Grandad.
‘But they already have,’ Tilly pointed out.
‘Temporarily,’ Grandad said. ‘And, if that was the whole price, then we would pay it – while we worked out what to do next. But that’s not what they’re threatening.’
‘If we don’t help,’ Grandma explained, with a grim look on her face, ‘then they’re going to stop all children from bookwandering – forever.’
ll children?’ said Tilly
‘Yes,’ Grandad said. ‘They were very specific.’
‘Well, I have to go then,’ Tilly said, trying to sound brave, even though her stomach had just turned inside out. She steeled herself. This was what her favourite heroines would do: sacrifice themselves for the greater good. She’d be just like … just like … Tilly found that she couldn’t quite put her finger on the name, but this is what they would want. She was almost sure of it.
‘No,’ Bea said firmly. ‘Absolutely not.’
‘It’s not an option, Tilly,’ Grandad said, and Tilly couldn’t deny the huge wave of relief that washed over her. ‘Both on a personal level, because we love you and it’s our job to keep you safe, and on principle, because we do not give in to people like this.’
‘But how could they stop just children bookwandering?’ Bea questioned. ‘If you bind a Source Edition, you bind it. For everyone.’
‘Well, they seem to be requiring people to swear loyalty to the new regime, and then they’re finding a way to sneak them into bound books – or at least dangling that prospect in front of them, as they just did to us, as if it might sway our allegiance. But I’m not at all sure that they’ve actually worked out a way to do it. I think it’s just something to string people along while they plot their next move.’
‘But what exactly do they want me to do?’ Tilly asked.
‘We don’t know,’ said Grandma. ‘But it can’t be good, whatever it is.’ She and Grandad shared a glance.
‘We have to go and find the Archivists,’ Tilly said firmly. ‘There’s nothing else to do – you have to see that now?’
‘No!’ Grandad snapped. ‘Tilly, I need you to stop talking about them and stay put in the real world.’
‘Why won’t you believe me?’ Tilly said, struggling to fight back tears.
‘Because there’s no evidence that the Archivists are real, and I will not have us going on a wild goose chase around the world based on one scribbled note.’
‘Dad …’ Bea started.
‘Not you too,’ Grandad said, his head in his hands. ‘You have to trust me on this.’
‘I just don’t understand how you can believe in bookwandering – in actual magic – and not understand that the Archivists are real,’ Tilly persisted, carefully ignoring Grandma’s warning glance.
‘Because I have been bookwandering!’ Grandad said. ‘Because I have seen and experienced the evidence. Bookwandering is not some old wives’ tale, rumour or gossip – unlike the existence of the Archivists. I love you, Tilly, but a pile of miscellaneous objects you were given or found in books does not constitute a reason to go hunting for a fairy tale.’
‘Fairy tales are real!’ Tilly said in frustration.
‘That’s not the point,’ Grandad said.
‘Well then, I don’t know what the point is!’ said Tilly.
‘The point is that we’re in a bit of a bind,’ Grandma sighed. ‘But this family is a team and together we’ll come up with a plan. Archie, why don’t you go and call Amelia and get her take on this new development.’
Grandad nodded. ‘I’m sorry I snapped at you, Tilly,’ he said, standing up. ‘I just … I just want to keep you safe. I want to keep you all safe.’
‘We’ll keep each other safe,’ Grandma said firmly.
‘If we just sit here, trying to stay safe, they’re going to keep coming back until something awful happens,’ said Tilly. ‘It’s not enough to hide at home – we have to go and find some answers.’
After Grandad had gone back out to the empty bookshop to phone Amelia Whisper, who had been the Head Librarian before Melville had forced her out, Grandma let out a huge sigh.
‘What a to-do,’ she said. ‘What times we’re living through.’
‘Why do the Head Librarians even have so much power?’ Tilly asked. ‘No one should be allowed to stop bookwandering.’
‘You’re right,’ Grandma said. ‘But there has to be someone in charge, and what we’re learning now is that the system isn’t best set up for when someone abuses that position. People are scared and so they believe the lies that the Underwoods are spewing about progress, or whatever they’re dressing up their power grab as. And, of course, there are others who have always shared their opinions, but have previously – and rightfully – been too embarrassed to publicly say so until now.’
Bea had stayed quiet throughout the conversation, seemingly lost in thought, occasionally looking at Tilly without saying anything.
‘Have you got plans to see Oskar soon?’ she said eventually.
‘He’s supposed to be coming round tomorrow,’ said Tilly. ‘Why?’
‘I was just wondering … It’d be nice to see him. I might just give Mary a quick ring and … see what her plans are,’ she finished vaguely as she stood up and left the room to make the call.
Then it was just Tilly and her grandma, who stretched out her hands across the table and grasped Tilly’s tightly.
‘It will work itself out,’ she said. ‘I promise. Don’t be scared.’
‘I’m not,’ said Tilly, although she wasn’t sure if that were true. ‘But I don’t want bookwandering to end for children forever because of me. If I could stop it, surely I should try? We could at least go and see what they want.’
Grandma didn’t say anything, but a look of uncertainty crossed her face.
‘Did they already say what they want?’ Tilly said quietly.
Grandma shrugged helplessly. ‘Your grandad doesn’t want you to be scared,’ she said.
‘I can deal with it,’ Tilly said. ‘And I don’t think it’s fair to keep it from me.’
‘I know, I know,’ Grandma said, clearly conflicted. ‘Anyway, I’m sure you can imagine. You know what they wanted when they lured you to the fairytale book. They think your blood, or something to do with your very nature, is the key to permanently being able to steal the true immortality of stories. It’s just not worth the risk – we don’t know what they’re capable of.’