Fianna Kelly Versus the Jeebees: A Collection of Steampunk Stories by Harry Dodgson Page B

they attack, but will be
occupied watching the spectacle while they steal the invention. So Cedric gets
himself shot, which the jeebees could care less about. They get what they want
and live happily ever after. Fianna ends up doubly embarrassed by Cedric's
actions and the theft happening under her nose, as the saying goes."
    I
finished, "Would you buy that for five pence?"
    "It
is really far-fetched isn't it?"
    "'Tis
unbelievable. You should keep thinking thoughts of a better world and I will
deal with making sure we're around to see it." I addressed Bradan,
"Let's take a walk around the tents and ensure 'tis safe for everyone
now."
    When
we returned, Felix was looking guilty about something. He said, "I have
something to tell you."
    "That
you and Mary are expecting your first child?"
    "Why
is that the first thing people always think? No, God has not blessed us
yet."
    "What
do you have to tell me then?"
    "I
coerced you into coming to the convention with me because I had run out of
ideas for new inventions. I now have a few so you won't need to attend next
year."
    "That's
nice. I may come anyway just to keep new devices away from the jeebees."
    "In
case you do, I'm thinking of making a wagon that is easier for Bradan to get
into and out of. The front seats will swing out of the way and there will be a
ramp on each end for him to use."
    "That
would be useful for people with livestock as well. When you build the first
one, I want to see it."
    He
paused for a moment, then asked me, "Do you think the jeebees will try
again next year?"
    I
lowered my head and said, "I thought we had scared them away in London. I
was mistaken. They likely will be around until we get rid of them all."
    I
looked up at Felix "I believe it's time for Bradan and I to leave. We've
been in enough trouble for one day. Do you mind leaving early?"
    He
said, "I also believe we have done all the damage we can do this
afternoon. It would be better to quietly sneak out than be followed by an angry
mob."
     I
added, "But there is one exhibitor I need to visit first."
    We
walked to the centre of the tent where a couple were demonstrating new wind-up
toys. The man proclaimed that due to his special process, the springs would run
them for twice as long as before. While Felix watched the little animals run
around, I talked with the woman. She had metal wind-up valentine hearts about
the size of my palm for sale. She said they were made especially for women to
relieve anxiety and that they had a calming effect. Bevin had mentioned her to
me yesterday and I figured that right now I could use something to help me
relax.
    Felix
looked over at it, but didn't say anything, as I bought it. If nothing else, it
was pretty. It made a soft hum and shook a little as the spring wound down. A
minute later, it was resting quietly in the bottom of my bag. I had another
thought and pulled my pocket watch out of my bag. I showed it to the man.
    "I
know what you are going to ask," he said.
    I
started, "Right now, I need to wind it every morning when I get
up..."
    "and
you would like to sleep in on the weekends without needing to reset the time,"
he finished.
    I
smiled. "That would be nice."
    "I
can see the mainspring in your watch and am pleased to say I have one with me
just the right size to replace it. You'd just need a watchmaker or someone with
steady hands to put it in."
    I
glanced over at Felix and gave him my best helpless expression. He sighed and
admitted he could install it given several hours of not being disturbed. I
smiled and thanked him after paying the man for the spring.
    We
were both quiet on the way home. I guess he had run out of things to say or was
just tired of talking. I knew that I didn't have much energy left in me for
conversation. He and Mary had a house just a short distance away from where I
lived so it was no problem for him to let us out on his way home again. Bradan
and I went to our normal spots; me in my bedroom and he outside my