Hiram watched Lyra as she began her tale, paying attention to her words, even as he devoured every expression on her face. He’d known, as soon as he’d seen her at the Depot, that she was special. And picking her up, carrying her, cemented that belief.
Silas hadn’t teased him about it, which was a relief, since his friend knew of his propensity to take care of those less fortunate. Wounded creatures were his weakest cog, and had been since he’d found his first kitten here in the Undercroft. How long ago that had been. And how many little creatures had he helped since then? He’d lost count.
Right at this moment, he had a mama cat in a soft and comfortable bed, nursing her newborn kittens. A thoughtflashed through his head, and for a tiny instant of time, he could see Gen carefully minding them all.
He focussed on Lyra. “So you were raised on the second level?”
“I was. My parents were terribly strict, of course. They weren’t quite as well off as their neighbours, and I think it galled them, especially when there were new carriages or gowns to be shown off at various events. And they wanted me to marry well.” His gaze fell to her hands, restlessly pleating the fabric of her gown. “So they found a man they considered eligible. He seemed...nice. And he had a substantial income, which was all my parents needed to know.”
“So you were married?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “A wedding that fulfilled all my mother’s dreams.”
“I sense that this story does not have a happy ending,” said Hiram quietly.
She shrugged slightly. “In the beginning it was...all right. And I found out I was going to have a child, which pleased my husband and my family.”
“But?”
“But my husband had a secret. He gambled. And by the time I had Gen, he had lost a lot of money, and developed obligations he could not meet.”
“That was...six or seven years ago, though?” encouraged Hiram.
Lyra nodded. “Yes. And when Gen was two, we moved to another house, down on Level Three. Less accommodating, but also less expensive.”
“Let me guess. There was no improvement...”
“Well, for a while there was. For a couple of years he managed to control his addiction—I know now that’s what it was—and Gen grew up mostly seeing her Papa in a positive light.”
Hiram sighed. “But you both are here. So...”
“So that brings us to last year.” She shivered a little and leaned back into the depths of the warm chair. “I knew he was gambling again. It was obvious. The food money shrank, more of our things vanished, only to end up at the local used goods market, and none of it was replaced.”
“I’m sorry,” said Hiram quietly.
She shook her head. “The situation worsened rapidly, to the point where people started coming to our door. It was...it was frightening, Hiram. Very frightening for both Gen and me.” She took a breath. “One night, we could hear people coming, and my husband rushed us out to his carriage. He swore he’d repaired the power supply in it himself, and told us we’d just drive around until they left, then go home.”
Obeying an impulse, Hiram leaned forward and easily reached across the distance between them. He took her hand, finding it ice cold, and folded it into his to warm it.
She couldn’t meet his eyes, but she carried on. “We drove away fast, faster still, and yet they were still behind us, pursuing, shouting...” She shuddered. “The front carriage wheel broke. Smashed to pieces. Threw us all to the ground. I remember little else other than holding onto Gen as tightly as I could. Nobody was going to take her away from me.”
“Easy, dear lady.” The tears were there, but she managed to hold them at bay.
“My husband was dead. My leg shattered. But Gen was unharmed, a miracle given the severity of the crash.” She sighed. “Thanks to the kindness of friends, I had a chance to heal, atleast. I was told by one doctor I’d never walk again, but I swore I’d prove him wrong.”
“And you did. Look at you now.” Hiram shook his head. “You’re an amazing woman, Lyra.”
She managed a weak chuckle. “Not really. Just determined, I suppose. Anyway, they did what they could for me in the hospital, and then Gen and I moved to a different sort of facility. Especially for people with handicaps, like me. And I worked there to earn my and Gen’s keep. It was hard work, but I learned quickly how to clean and do all the things necessary to help the other residents.” She sighed. “Many of them were worse off than me, Hiram. It was a sad place.”
“So why did you come down here?”
“A fair question,” she nodded. “I had reached a point where I was exhausted. Just completely worn out. And I was starting to worry that I couldn’t care for Gen as well as I’d like. So I took a chance and responded to an advertisement for a cleaner/housekeeper position on Level Five. On the way there, Gen and I were separated...” She looked at him, her eyes swimming with tears. “And that’s when our luck changed, and you and Mr Silas rescued us.”
“Miss Thea rescued me, Mama. And Thim too. Don’t forget that.” Gen’s voice drifted through the air.
“That’s quite right, Gen,” chuckled Hiram. “I see you weren’t sleeping as soundly as we thought.”
The little girl yawned, then slid off the couch and ambled over to his chair. “It’s nice and warm here. Made me sleepy.” She leaned against his shoulder and smiled at her mother. “Then I heard you talking, Mr Hiram. And it made me feel good, knowing you’d keep me and Mama safe. Right, Mama?”
