I frown. This isn’t the arrangement I expected. I try to catch Tony’s eye but he’s studiously avoiding me.
‘Little Jing,’ Big Wang says, ‘let me show you to your room.’
My room is much the same as Gigi’s, but instead yellow silk walls, mine are soft blue. In a corner by the bed, my suitcase sits forlorn.
Once we’ve had the tour of the carriages, we return to the lounge. ‘You should be very comfortable for the duration of the trip,’ Big Wang says. ‘If you need anything, ask the kitchen crew in the last carriage. The train will arrive in Paris in one week.’
A long and loud whistle signals our departure. From the lounge windows, we wave to Bullhead, Horsey and Big Wang until we cross the Veil and everything outside is swallowed by a thick grey.
Gigi stands from her chair. ‘I’m going to go unpack. I hate wrinkled clothes.’
‘Petal, would you like some company or help?’ Ah Lang says.
I gag in my mouth, but it’s mostly for show. I’ve gotten used to those two lovebirds and their sappy talk. Sometimes, when they’re away in the Celestial lands, I even miss it, a little.
Gigi rolls her eyes at me. ‘Talk about fifty steps laughing at a hundred steps. You and Tony are no better when you’re making doe eyes at each other.’
At this, Tony smiles at me, his gaze soft and gooey. I slap my hand over his eyes so he can’t prove her point.
‘Mmhmmm.’ Her lips are pressed together and mirth dances over her smug face. She tosses her hair, then turns to Ah Lang. ‘I like to organise my things just so, darling. It won’t be any funfor you. The lounge carriage has a fully stocked bar. Why don’t you make us some cocktails to toast the start of our journey? You know the ones I like.’
‘What a good idea, Petal.’
‘I’ll unpack my things, too,’ I say, ‘and join you when I’m done.’
‘I’ll get me and Lord Aengus sorted, then I’ll come find you, Jing,’ Tony says.
I give him the stink eye, since I’m miffed he decided without speaking to me that he would share a room with Lord Aengus. But I don’t tell him no.
It doesn’t take me long to unpack. Clothes in the wardrobe, hairpins on the dresser, and my suitcase slides neatly under the bed. I bring out my sketchbook and watercolours for later. There’s a soft knock at the door.
Tony comes in, his hands behind his back. He seems down.
‘Lady Jing,’ he says. ‘I should have given this to you yesterday.’
He hesitates, as if unsure, but then holds out a box. It looks much like the one Ah Lang gave me, but the box is simpler, the silk courser.
‘A present? For me?’ I grab it, greedy and delighted. But then I remember my manners. ‘Um, abundant gratitude,’ I say belatedly.
Given my frequent breaches of decorum, I sometimes worry he’ll think I’m too uncouth, but he chuckles, and I get a brief flash of his dimples before the smile fades.
‘Open it,’ he says, but without much enthusiasm.
Inside is a jade pendant. It’s a simple round disc on a gold chain. The jade is a bright imperial feicui – a deep emerald green, one shade away from blue.
‘It’s beautiful, Tony.’
‘I’m sorry it’s not as fine as Brother Zhu’s jade bangle.’
The way he says it makes me turn to look at him. It takes me a moment to pinpoint the emotion. ‘Are you jealous?’
‘You seem so taken with Brother Zhu’s gift.’ His voice is low and forlorn. My heart pinches in response.
‘I can count on one hand the gifts I’ve received, so I don’t take them for granted. I appreciate each and every one. But a gift will never make me like someone more than you.’ I squeeze his hand. ‘Did you know that you gave me my first ever gift?’ I pull a beaded purse filled with Tootsie Rolls and salted caramels from my pocket. ‘I always carry it with me because it reminds me of you.’
At the sight of the purse, bulging with sweets, his expression lightens. ‘May I?’ He gestures to the necklace.
I nod. He sweeps my hair back and puts it on for me.
