Once again, we welcome the new year quietly. 1536. Everything is going to change this year, whether it is for better or worse. On the morning of the seventh, I receive a letter from Court. "It's from Catalina," I say. "King Henry is starting to court Jane Seymour."
"At least we know that is going according to history," Mummy says.
I nod and put the letter away. "But we need to stop Henrat before he does something drastic."
"Is that possible?"
I shrug. "Well, most of 1533 and 1534 went out of the window, so I wouldn't be too surprised if other things change."

I go through the letter again and discover she's written part of it in our code. I sit down and begin translating it.

The hybrids are outside the Palace. King Henry is trying to pass it off as nothing of consequence, but it's clearly not. They said King Henry would execute Sarah Jane if you didn't give yourself up, but I talked with him, and he denied it. Someone is moving against us.

I do not know if word has reached you yet, but the King has executed More.

"Mummy, look." I hand her the translation. "Could someone else be working against us?"
"It's possible, but who?" She shakes her head and sighs. "If this is not the King's doing, who would have the power to..." Her voice trails off, and we look at each other.
"Cromwell." We say at the same time.
"I should have realised," I grumble. "After the King, Cromwell is the most powerful man in the land." I have a couple of options. I can either stay here and let history continue, or I can go to Court and try to take control of the situation. But I want to stay with Mummy, and she won't leave the hybrids. "If I could find someone to take care of the hybrids as well as you do, would you consider coming with me?"
"Only consider, nothing more."

The door bursts open and a male hybrid runs in. "Sarah Jane! There is a Qetesh waiting at the gates. She is demanding to speak with whoever is in charge."
"We're coming." We head out of the room and go to the gates.

A woman with blonde hair and brown eyes is waiting for us. "Ah," she says, and I realise she has an American accent. How can a Tudor woman have an American accent? "Are you the woman in charge?"
"I am." Mummy steps forward. "My name is Sarah Jane Smith."
"Esther Drummond. I can't help but notice you are human."
"I am, yes."
Esther looks around, and her gaze falls on me. "Is this your daughter?"
"Yes, this is Emma Smith-White."
Esther smiles at me. "It's nice to meet you."

I pull Mummy back. "She's speaking like us! Could she...?"
"It's possible." Mummy turns back to Esther. "You better come in and tell us why you are here." She leads us back to the room we were in. "Where are you from?"
"I'm from Qetanish."
"The home planet of the Qetesh," I recall. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's okay." Esther smiles again. "I came to Earth in the hopes of finding somewhere I could stay. My species cast me out."
"You're most welcome here," Mummy says.
"You are most kind."

Mummy goes to show Esther around while I consider the letter again. Maybe I should return to Court and put a stop to Cromwell. Before I can think further, the same hybrid comes in. "Sorry, Mistress Smith-White, but the King is here. He wishes to talk to you."
"Thank you, I will—Your Majesty." I stop and curtsey when the King walks in.
"Mistress Emma, thank you for meeting me at short notice. I know how busy you could be." He sits down, and I sit opposite him. The hybrid walks out of the room.

King Henry smiles at me. "How are you?"
"Well, but Mummy and I think Cromwell is working against us. I got a message from Catalina about it."
He nods. "It is worrying, but I will watch him closely."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
He sighs. "I want you and Sarah Jane to return to Court. If you have any friends here, bring them. Court is not the same without you."
"It isn't?"
"No." He closes his eyes. He opens them and looks at me. "I want to hold a joust, and I want you to joust against me."
"When will this be?"
"24th of January."

Something happens on that date. What is it? Oh, now I remember! "Your Majesty, you will be seriously hurt in that accident. Some historians believe that the accident will give you brain damage."
King Henry stands up. "How bad is it?"
"You will get serious leg problems, and historians believe the brain damage will cause a change in your personality."
"Is that possible?"
"Even people in the twenty-first century can get brain damage that changes their personality."

King Henry begins pacing. "Should I still joust?"
"You tell me, Your Majesty."
King Henry laughs. "It keeps with history, correct?" I nod. "Then we shall joust." He places a hand on my shoulder. "And whether you cause the accident or not, I will forgive you."
"I hope so, because you end up unconscious for two hours."

Mummy and Esther walk in and curtsey when they see King Henry. "I see you found another friend," King Henry says after he greets Mummy. "What is your name?"
"Esther Drummond, Your Majesty. I am newly arrived on Earth and seek to find a home in your kingdom."
"You are most welcome here, Mistress Drummond. Now, I want you to answer this question honestly. Are you a Qetesh?"
"I am, yes."

King Henry nods. "Sarah Jane, I want you and Esther to come to Court with your daughter. We are jousting on the twenty-fourth, and I want you there for emotional support."
"Emotional support?" Mummy asks.
"From what I heard, it is due to be life changing."