The journey through England is long and muddy. Mummy, Katja, and I ride alongside Anna and talk to them in both German and English. Both are coming along in leaps and bounds, but their English is broken, and they sometimes slip back into German if they can't find the right word in English. Thank goodness I brought my old German exercise books with me. Both Anna and Katja study them like they are Bibles.

"What does this say?" Anna points to a phrase in English.
"That is 'I was wondering.'" I look at Anna. "A phrase English sometimes use before asking a question."
"Thank you."
I beam. "You have come so far in four days."
"Really?"
"Yes. I am proud of you."

Mummy looks at me. "Emma? Can I have a word?"
"Sure." I squeeze Anna's hand. "I'll be back soon."
"Okay. Did I use that right?"
"Yes." I leave Anna to her studies and join Mummy by the window. "Is something wrong?"
"The king rejects Anna tomorrow."
I clap my hand to my forehead. I've been so focused on organising Anna for her life in England that I forgot.
"Should we tell her?"
"How can we explain we're from the future? Anna might expect aliens, but time travel?"
Mummy hums. "You're right. It is a bit of a stretch."

We look back at Anna. Instead of reading the exercise book, she's staring directly at us. "Do you think I am stupid?" She rises to her feet and places the exercise book on a side table. "Did you think I would not pick up on the language fast enough?"
"No, and we severely underestimated you," I say, "please forgive us."
"Of course. You two are my only friends who understand this country."
"It was a shock for us too." I smile, thinking about when we first arrived at Court. "Mummy and I come from the future. We were used to vehicles with the power of several horses and devices that could send instant messages."
Anna's brown eyes sparkle. "I hope to see that future."
"You will."

"Excuse me," Mummy whispers. She starts walking towards Katja but stops and turns to me. "You've got this." She walks over to Katja and talks to her in German, explaining the conversation.

Anna joins me by the window and takes my elbow, turning us so we have our backs to the room. "Sarah Jane said King Henry will reject me tomorrow. It true?" I nod. "Tell me."
"He likes dressing up."
"I don't recognise the term."
"Wear other clothes and pretend to be someone else." Anna nods and makes a 'go on' gesture. "Have you seen any of King Henry's portraits?"
"Ja, one."
"He looks nothing like them." I shudder at the image of the obese, ageing king with a leg that oozes a pus that stinks a room out. I explain how he looks to Anna. "You do not recognise him when you first meet. Henry will try to find a way out of the marriage and will start a smear campaign against you when he can't."
"Smear campaign?" Anna tilts her head. "Please explain."
"He will start spreading false rumours about you, that you were not a maid when you married."
"But I am a maid!" Anna starts yelling in German.
"I know, I know." I grasp Anna's hands. "But you have a choice to make. You—" My locket feels hot against my skin. "—Hold on." I let go of Anna's hands and open the locket, making the screen appear before us.

Anna screams. "Witchcraft!"
I shake my head. "Technology, not witchcraft. This can help us make decisions in the future."
An image of Anna appears with her back to us. "Is that me?" The real Anna asks.
I nod. "Yeah."

As we watch, a group of men enter. "That one is the king," I say, pointing him out to Anna. The on-screen Anna whirls to the men, her glare focused directly on the King. Before she can say anything, King Henry grabs her hand and kisses it. Anna says something, and I say something back, miming a curtsey. Anna and the people around us curtsey. "This is what happens in my timeline." The images on the screen fade away.
"Now I know what the King looks like, I will... recognise him." I nod. "What if I do?"
"Great question." I look down at my locket. "What will happen if Anna recognises the King?"

The screen flashes, and the new scenario plays out. Instead of Anna glaring at the King, her gaze softens, and she smiles. King Henry kisses her hand and says something. Anna says something back. Later, the two of them are dancing together. The screen turns red. "What is happening?" Anna asks.
"I don't know."
We watch as the Duke for Norfolk talks to Katheryn. "She's supposed to be your successor."
"So young."
Norfolk slaps Katheryn. Mummy runs over and places herself between Katheryn and Norfolk. Norfolk shouts, his gaze hardening as he draws his dagger. Mummy shouts something, and Katheryn flees. Norfolk stabs Mummy. He pulls the dagger out as blood pools on Mummy's clothes. Mummy presses her hand to her stomach to stop the flow of blood, tears falling down her cheeks. Norfolk turns and walks away as Mummy collapses.

I crash to the ground. "Emma!" Anna grabs me and tries to help me up. My legs are too weak. We both tumble to the ground.

The screen is still playing. Day turns into night. Mummy hasn't moved. "Enough!" Anna shuts the locket, and the screen disappears. "I will not endanger one of my ladies!"
My eyes dart around the room. Where is Mummy? Is she safe? My heart beats faster as my breathing becomes erratic. "Help!" Anna yells.
Mummy runs over and grabs my hand. "It's all right, Emma. You're safe."
I through my arms around Mummy and cling to her like a Koala.
"I think she's more worried about you," Anna says before she explains what we saw. I bury my head in the crook of Mummy's neck and breathe in her scent. Safe. Mummy's safe. A new sound builds in my chest as I cling to her. Mummy's safe. I won't let anything happen to her.

Someone tries to move me away. I growl and clutch Mummy tighter. I won't let anyone take her from me.
"Emma," Mummy whispers, "Please, let go. I'm getting uncomfortable."
I whimper. If I let Mummy go, Norfolk will kill her. I will never let that happen."
"Emma," Mummy says firmly. "Let go."
I slowly loosen my grip. Anna gently untangles me. Katja pulls Mummy away. "No die." I say.
"No," Mummy says. "I will not die." She, Anna, and Katja share a look. Why? "Emma?" Mummy asks. "Are you all right?"
I want to hug Mummy. I want her to remain safe. But how can I do that?

Mummy looks for something in her pockets and finds her phone. She calls someone. "Luke? Yes, it's me. I must talk to Mr Smith."
My eyes grow heavy as my body relaxes. "Rest," Anna says. "Sarah Jane will be here when you wake up." I close my eyes.

"What did he say?" A voice asks.
"To keep an eye on her," Mummy replies. "Mr Smith said Emma already experienced a fair amount of trauma. If this is how she copes, we must assist her."
"Of course," Anna agrees, "but how?"

I fall back asleep before I can hear Mummy's response.