Dear Ma –

I'm in London and I'm off the Leviathan. Sorry for not writing but I've been sodding busy. And sorry for cursing just now. It's tricky not to. Middies are supposed to swear so I've got used to it.

My secret's safe, don't worry. I'm Dr. Barlow's personal assistant now. She's a lady boffin and the head keeper of the London Zoo. And she's a Darwin! She knows the truth about me and thinks it's brilliant. Probably because she's a sneaky-beak herself.

But Ma that's not the most important thing. I have to tell you about Alek. That's Prince Aleksandar, the archduke's son. He works for Dr. Barlow too now. If the papers at home are like the ones in New York I'm sure you've seen him. Don't believe any of their blether, though – those bum-rag reporters always get it wrong.

Alek's dead amazing, Ma, and he loves me. Dr. Barlow says she'll have everything here sorted in a month or so, and then Alek and I can come to Glasgow so you can meet him. That sodding Count Volger will have to come too but it's worth it. Alek's worth everything.

I know you thought it was going to be a barking disaster, me joining the Air Service, but it was the best ever.

Love,
Deryn

"Who's that from, Janet love?"

Mrs. Sharp absently wipes the tear away from her cheek and gives her sister a wide smile. "It's Deryn. You'll never guess what my girl's got herself into now."