Lily Marin - three short steampunk stories. Book 2.

by Paul Kater

over. All the ladies left for their own destinations, and Lily found herself standing outside the large building with Billy, as Selma had disappeared as well, after stating that she was confident that "you two will find your own way".

  "It was nice meeting you again, Lily," Billy said, his face still alight. "Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?"

  "I do," Lily nodded, "I need to go by a store. Something is being repaired for me, and I want to see if it is done already."

  Her mask was in Master Wilfred's workshop, the good man had promised to see if he could do something about making it gas-proof. After her encounter with the ammonia-throwing burglar, that had become a priority.

  "I see. Well, then I wish you a nice day, Lily. I hope we can meet again soon." Politely Billy took off his cap.

  "Have a nice day, William. Billy." Lily flustered as she started walking, and that feeling did not improve as he started walking in the same direction.

  "Were you not going to deliver that?" she bluntly asked, pointing at the box he held under his arm.

  "I am. And for that I need to go this way as well."

  "Oh." Lily felt quite the fool.

  In silence they walked along the rather busy street, while Lily wondered if proper ladies would feel as awkward as she did now, walking next to a man. But what was she thinking, she scolded herself then. Billy and she were just walking in the same direction. Incidentally.

  A few minutes later Billy was still walking next to Lily, occasionally making a comment. She wondered if it would be very impolite to ask when he would turn into another street. They were coming close to Master Wilfred's workshop, and she did not want him to know she was going there.

  Her rescue came when they passed a shop with exquisite dresses and hats. Lily abruptly stopped and started examining the creations in the window, even though she knew they were far over her spending level.

  Billy had already walked on a few steps before he seemed to notice Lily 'missing'.

  "Thank you for walking with me," he said as he retraced his steps. "And I hope you will have an enjoyable afternoon, Lily."

  Lily looked at Billy. He was brought up very well, she had to give him that. For that she found it hard to be blunt again. "Thank you, Billy. Good luck with your delivery. It was... good to see you... as well."

  If he had noticed that she had swallowed the word 'nice' and made a kludge of the rest of her words, he did not reveal it. Billy just nodded and smiled, and then proceeded on his way as Lily feigned interest in the dresses that would most certainly appeal to Corynthia Winterbottom, with their loud and obnoxious colours.

  When Lily finally dared to look towards Master Wilfred's shop, Billy was out of view. Relieved she let out a sigh and walked to the door of the workshop.

  The door swung open, silent as always. Lily entered the space behind it, with its usual dark and gloom, where the familiar smell of metal, oils and faint traces of escaped aether welcomed her. Strange as this place was, she felt at home here. Basically this was the only place, apart from her house, where she could be herself. She did not have many secrets for Master Wilfred.

  The workshop always looked as if someone had broken in and left it in disarray. All kinds of everything lay scattered about, but Lily had discovered that there was a pattern to it all. Slowly she sauntered past the long rows and shelves, and the overloaded tables. Clocks, small steam engines, magnifying glasses, but also heavy leather aprons, goggles, helmets and sturdy gloves and boots, everything was there. And more. But not everyone knew that. Some special items were kept out of view.

  "That is wonderful, Master Wilfred, thank you for your custom." The voice startled Lily. It were not the words, but it was the owner of the voice who brought that about, for the plain and simple reason that it was Billy Masterson.

  Frantically Lily looked about, but there was no way she would be able to either escape outside or hide herself in the shop.

  "Think quickly, Lily," she cautioned herself. Swiftly she moved among some tables and reached for an object when Billy appeared.

  "Lily? What are you doing here?" His voice was one big surprise.

  "Oh, eh, I ehhmmm... was looking at this," Lily stammered as she put her hand on something.

  Billy's eyes became large as he looked. Her hand rested on large screwdriver.

  "That is... interesting," he tried to salvage the situation.

  "What are you doing here?" Lily then asked, more pushy than she had wanted.

  "I had my package to deliver. Master Wilfred is good enough to take it to where it has to go. It is for someone special."

  "A woman?" Lily could kick herself, then and there. You are doing this all wrong, Lily, you should have gone home and locked every door and window.

  "Uhm, no?" The man looked very confused for a moment. "It is a package for an inventor. Very secret and uhm, secret, you know. Can't tell you more."

  Lily nodded and presumed that he just did not know more. "I understand. Trust me, I shan't tell anyone, Billy."

  "Thank you, Lily. Well, I wish you a nice day, and..." again he looked at her hand that held the screwdriver, "enjoy your... screwdriver. I thought you were here for another replica of that ray-gun in your living room."

  Lily was glad that the shop was dark. There was little chance he saw her red cheeks. "Thank you, Billy. Have a nice day yourself, and regards to-" keep your mouth shut, silly woman! "-your uncle and aunt."

  Billy smiled and left, and with a clang Lily dumped the heavy screwdriver back on the table.

  Replica of the ray-gun. That would work. It was quite the relief for the singer.

  "Miss Lily!" Master Wilfred came walking to her. As always he was severely hindered by his thick apron. The man seemed to live in it. "How nice to see you. Do you know young mister Masterson? His uncle sometimes makes some specialised crystalline tools and other apparatuses for a special client. A very special client. Come, come."

  "Yes, I know him," Lily mumbled as she followed the man, after looking back at the door that had just closed behind Billy.

  "Nice young man, good family," Master Wilfred babbled on. "You will be pleased to hear that I was able to make some alterations to your mask. I take it that young mister Masterson is not aware of your other life, Miss Lily. I fitted a few small filters in a breathing piece that I attached to your mask. We may have to see if it is comfortable for you. Yes, mister Masterson's uncle is a good mechanic, he has made more parts for the doctor."

  The short man, his grey hair protruding from his head as if he had been near Tesla coils far too often, always rambled all things in one go. The last word however made Lily shiver.

  "Doctor, you said, Master Wilfred?" Please, dear heavens, do not let it be Doctor Drosselmeyer...

  "Yes, Miss Lily. A fascinating man, you would like him I am sure." Master Wilfred handed her the mask that now had an extra part at the bottom. The breathing piece. "Yes, he is- Oh, we will have to change this somewhat, it will pull at your chin. If you have a moment..."

  Lily had plenty of moments, which was good as she had to try the mask on a few more times. In that time she tried to find out the name of this mysterious doctor, but Master Wilfred did not let it slip. It annoyed her a bit, but at the same time it told her once again that her secret was safe with this man as well.

  As she was ready to leave, her improved mask in her handbag, a man entered the shop. He looked the paramount of a working man. Sturdy shoes, double woven grey workman's pants, a faded blue shirt beneath a brown jacket that had seen many better days, and a hat that did not fit his face at all.

  "Oh, I'm sorry, miss," the man politely said as he almost ran into her. With remarkable elegance he moved around her. "Do you know if the Master is in?"

  "Yes, he is here," Lily said, wondering who this man was, whose clothes smelled like they were washed in the waste water of a metal factory. She could not help making a face and step away from the newcomer.

  "Oh, hello Ben," the voice of Master Wilfred came from around the
corner where he was rummaging around for something he tried to find, for Lily to take along. "You are early today."

  "I know, Master Wilfred, Doctor Calgori seems to be in a hurry for the new part. Did it arrive already? He sent me running especially for that."

  "As a matter of fact... Oh, here it is! Now, where is that box?"

  Lily smiled. The man was incorrigible. And now she knew a name. Calgori. Not the name she dreaded to hear.

  Master Wilfred appeared with the box that Billy had carried in earlier that day, and a small pouch. He handed the box to Ben and the pouch to Lily.

  "I am sure you will have a good place for it, Miss Lily," he smiled. "Now off you go, and good luck."

  Slightly surprised Lily nodded a goodbye and walked out of the shop. She was not used to being brushed off like that by this strange but incredible and reliable man. The box had to contain something fascinating.

  That very thought was the reason that Lily lingered outside the shop, taking her position with the dress store again, until Ben came out, the box under his arm.

  Ben turned right and walked down the street as if he had not a care in the world. And why would he? He was so