I am in Cambridge when two women from Court arrive at Torchwood. "Miss Smith-White?" A young girl asks, and I look up from my work. Unlike the first London branch, Cambridge quickly agreed to my changes. I've worked at the London branches and Reading since I left and plan to travel south next. I might avoid the north for now, at least until the Battle of Flodden passes. "There are two women from Court here to see you."
"Ah, yes, I was hoping to get a visit from them again, Miss—sorry, what's your name again?"
"Constance, Miss."
"Thank you, Constance. Can you send them in, please?"
"Of course." Constance leaves the room and shuts the door behind her. She quietly pads away, and I stare at the doorway. I'm not expecting any visitors, so who is coming to visit me?

I look down at my work again and glance up when the door closes. "Mum, Mummy!" I cry. I jump up from my seat and hug them. "I was not expecting you here. Is everything all right at Court?"
"The Queen is leading an army north to face the Scots," Mum says, "she will face them any day."
"Then we should hope for a swift victory."
"We will win, won't we?"
I look over, and the door is shut. "Yes, we will. Catalina's troops will see to that."
"That's good to hear," Mummy says.

I show them around Torchwood in Cambridge and explain some of the changes I'm implementing. "The Duke of Norfolk was an idiot for not employing women and hybrids," Mummy says, "from what we can tell, productivity shot through the roof since then. Your reports to Catalina are glowing."
"Everyone is adjusting exceptionally well, and this is only the fourth branch I visited. I'm planning on going south next rather than north. I'd rather avoid going near Scotland right now."
"You won't be saying that when you marry a Scotsman," Mummy says. I feel a smile tug at my lips, and I think of Will. I cannot wait to meet him—I just wish I could hurry through these years so I could see him sooner!
"Oh, it will be before that. I think we go and visit my future husband in 1911."
"Emma, you cheeky girl!" Mummy starts laughing. "You didn't tell us that!"
"So, when do you marry this Scotsman?" Mum asks.
"Thirteenth of April 1912," I instantly reply. "But he dies in the early hours of the fifteenth. We only have one day of marriage"
"One day," Mum breathes. "How did you find out about that?"
"My friends, the future versions of King Henry VIII's wives, told me."
"How many wives does he have?"

I look around, but even if no one was there, it's too open to say anything. Even if I wanted to, I'd probably want to wait until we're back with Catalina before I say anything. Yeah, I'll wait until then. Maybe I can tell them about something else. But what? What else happens in our lives that they'll find interesting? All I can think about is the Titanic, and my parents aren't involved in that event. That, and I don't want to talk about it yet.

Mummy shares a room with me that night. "Why didn't you tell Ruby about the others?" She asks.
"It's not what you would mention in public." We are sitting by the fire in our nightgowns, the two of us too awake to think about going to bed. "If anyone finds out, they could accuse me of witchcraft, which is the last thing we need."
"True." We look at the fire in silence for a few moments. "Court is strange without you. I'm trying my best to fit in, but..." Mummy's voice breaks off as she sobs, and I look at her.
"Honestly, if it weren't for you, I don't think I would be here now. I think we rely on each other far more than we care to admit." Mummy continues crying, and I stand up and pull her up into a hug. Mummy hugs me back, and I feel a little safer. Is it just being with Mummy that does that, or is it something more?

I remember asking myself that when I was younger. Her scent always calmed me, so it could be that. But Mummy always found a way to calm me down and help me keep going, so it could be her being here. No matter, I doubt I'll ever find the answers to my questions. Even if I do, we have a far more critical situation right now. I must focus on the centuries to come and get us safely through the other side. Only then will I have time to find the answers to any questions I have left.

We all stay at Cambridge for a few days, and the three of us are about to leave when a messenger arrives from Court. "Queen Catherine's army destroyed King James IV's of Scotland. The King of Scotland is dead." Everyone starts cheering. Scotland will no longer pose a threat. "Mistress Sarah Jane, Mistress Ruby, Queen Catherine is asking that you return to Court today."

I look at my parents. This is the first time I've seen them in months! I don't want them to leave just yet. I still need them with me. "I'm sorry, Emma," Mummy says, "but we cannot disobey the Queen."
"We'll see each other again soon," Mum adds. "It probably won't be long before the King and Queen call you back." That is true. If everything goes well, I'll be back at Court by the end of the year. That is the best outcome any of us can hope for. We go our separate ways, knowing we will see each other again soon.

I watch them climb on their horses, ride away, and continue standing there even when they are out of sight.