With a belching of smoke and a puff of steam, the locomotive ground to a halt at the upper station.

Xandra opened the storeroom door a crack and peered out from where she and Archie were hidden. They had separated from the others in the early hours of the morning, spending their time shifting heavy boxes down to a storeroom on the second level so they would have the room to hide in this one. The work was made more difficult by the need for silence because, although Grimsby had gone, his armadillo accomplices had remained to guard the steam engine.

Xandra and Archie had finished just in time, as workers began to arrive at dawn, followed soon after by the crowds attending the opening. They had been in the storeroom ever since, waiting for the Queen to arrive, and hoping that Tesla and Lex had managed to achieve their objective as well.

Now, with the locomotive here, the station was clear of workers. Xandra scanned the area and spotted Lady Mimsy, tucked away to one side of the platform where the queen would deliver her opening address. She reclined lazily in a chair held aloft on poles by four armadillos, puffing and straining under the weight. She was wrapped in scarves and shawls of blue and red. A diamond necklace glittered around her scrawny neck and a jewel encrusted tiara rested on her head.

The carriage doors hissed open, bringing Xandra’s attention back to where it should be. Two bison in red uniforms with tall fluffy black hats marched out. They carried swords, drawn and held across their chests. They stepped to one side and stood at attention.

‘The royal guards,’ whispered Archie.

Grimsby and a lion emerged next. Dressed in a black suit, the lion had a scar over one closed eye and a monocle in the other. On his head was a simple silver crown, surrounded by the scraggly tufts of his grey-streaked, ginger mane.

‘Prince Albert,’ Archie continued his commentary.

Grimsby and Prince Albert took up positions on either side of the door and waited.

The Queen was carried out. She stood on a circular dais, paws holding the railing that surrounded her. Horizontal poles attached to the top of the railing allowed four uniformed bison, swords on their belts, to hold the dais aloft, a few centimetres from the floor.

Victoria was dressed in an elaborate, floor-length gown of orange and yellow with a red-lined cloak.

Xandra thought she appeared regal and commanding, not at all weak like Grimsby had claimed.

‘She is not actually standing,’ explained Archie. ‘Attached to the platform beneath her dress is a metal support with a seat that she is strapped into.’

‘Wouldn’t an ambulator be better?’ asked Xandra.

‘The Queen refuses to show weakness in public,’ whispered Archie. ‘Most people don’t even know of her … her condition. She prefers to keep it that way. The only reason I know is because Lord Edwin told me.’

‘A disability doesn’t have to be a weakness,’ insisted Xandra, voice rising.

Archie put a hoof to his lips.

Victoria wore a long chiffon scarf on her head, which trailed down her back, and atop that, a gold crown with curved struts that peaked in the centre around a blood-red ruby. Xandra thought it looked weighty, cumbersome and uncomfortable.

Albert took his place to her right, and Grimsby fell into line, two paces behind. The guards followed at a respectful distance. They all walked on a red carpet, leading from the station and along the platform, to the railing that overlooked the crowds gathered below. They all ignored Lady Mimsy, except for Grimsby, who shot her an annoyed glance. Xandra thought he seemed surprised to see her there.

As the royal party moved forward, Xandra and Archie saw two armadillos slip into the locomotive’s engine car. Each of them carried a cudgel.

‘They must be taking control of the train,’ whispered Xandra.

‘What do we do?’ asked Archie.

‘We’ve got to make sure the Queen doesn’t get back on that train.’

As Queen Victoria approached the railing, a cheer went up from the crowd below. She raised a paw and waved. The cheering increased. As she lowered her paw, the crowds hushed.

‘Ladies and Gentlecreatures,’ she began. ‘It is with great …’

She stopped.

The sound of steam and pistons and cogs filled the air.

Victoria turned to Albert. ‘What the devil –’

CLANG!

The first of the barriers slid into place in the top tier of the viewing area, beginning to lock the lions in. The Queen looked shocked.

CLANG!

The second barrier was in place. There were roars of surprise and alarm from the gathered lions. And from below, gasps and confused mutterings from the crowd.

CLANG!

The third barrier. The lions were now getting to their feet. Below them, the tigers swiftly left the platform. And further down, the sounds of unrest increased.

CLANG! CLUNK! CRASH!

As it slid down, the final barrier hit an obstruction of steel struts concealed under the curtains. Diverted off its railings, it crashed at an awkward angle, failing to block the doors in the back wall. Xandra let out a sigh of relief. Lex and Tesla had been successful. With one of the barriers diverted, the way was clear for the lions to escape. She saw them begin to make their way off the viewing platform.

But the sound of steam and machinery increased, pistons and cogs straining to burst from their casing. The hissing steam seemed to come from all around. The building shuddered.

That’s not good, thought Xandra.

‘Do you feel that?’ asked Archie.

Xandra could see Grimsby attempting to lead Queen Victoria and Prince Albert back to the locomotive. But at the Queen’s command, the bison kept her dais where it was. She looked out across the divide for the lions in the viewing area, which was filling with steam and smoke. The uproar and tumult of the crowd filtered up from the ground level.

Grimsby appeared shaken, probably concerned that the lions had escaped his trap. He glared at Lady Mimsy, as if he expected her to do something. But she ignored him, taking out an umbrella that had been tucked at the back of her chair. She unfolded it and held it over herself.

Lex and Tesla came running up the service stairs at the far corner of the station. Xandra and Archie broke cover and ran to join them.

‘Grimsby’s got control of the train,’ hissed Xandra. ‘Instead of meeting the Queen there, we need to stop her from getting on.’

‘We have more problems,’ gasped Tesla. ‘The pipes. They are interwoven through the entire structure.’

Xandra gazed around at the copper piping she had noticed earlier. It was threaded through support struts, along the metal framework and across all the railings. She reached out and touched the nearest pipe, pulling her hand back quickly. ‘It’s hot.’

CRACK!

Xandra saw fractures appearing the glass roof. ‘Is Grimsby trying to destroy the whole building?’

‘I don’t think so,’ answered Tesla. ‘I’ve examined the structure. Just the viewing area will collapse. The rest of it is just for show. To cause panic, I assume.’

SMASH!

One of the glass panels shattered, dropping shards down onto the station.

CRACK! SMASH!

Another broken panel rained glass down onto the crowds below. Panic took hold. Screams filled the air as animals began to stampede.

CRACK! SMASH! CRACK!

More glass.

‘But there’s something else,’ said Tesla. ‘While examining the pipes and structure, I discovered an enormous furnace in one of the display areas.’

‘So?’ Xandra couldn’t see the significance.

‘It’s linked to a series of boilers and mechanics in the adjoining areas.’ Tesla seemed concerned. ‘I did not have the time to work out what it is all for … but that furnace is large enough to produce extraordinary amounts of power. A team of armadillos have been stoking it since early this morning.’

‘You think Grimsby has something else planned?’ asked Lex.

‘It is possible,’ said Tesla.

CRASH!

With an ear-splitting screech of metal, the entire viewing area began to collapse. Through all the dust and debris they could barely see what was happening. What Xandra could see was Grimsby leading the royal couple to the locomotive.

‘We’ve got to stop them.’ Xandra ran forward, pulling off her balaclava. The others followed, removing their face coverings as well, the need for stealth gone. The guards moved into position ahead of their Queen, swords extended.

Xandra noticed Queen Victoria’s mouth drop open as she saw two human beings running towards her, accompanied by a llama and a coypu.

‘We are astonished,’ she said, as they came to a stop before her and the royal party.

‘Your Majesty,’ said Archie and Tesla together, both dropping to one knee.

‘Get out of the way,’ growled Grimsby. ‘We need to get Her Highness out of here before the whole place collapses. The architect shall pay dearly for his incompetence.’

‘But he was following your orders,’ Lex shouted, stabbing a finger at Grimsby.

‘Your Majesty,’ pleaded Xandra. It seemed inconceivable to her that a queen would take the word of some ordinary kid over that of her High Chancellor … but she had to try. ‘Don’t get on that train. It is under Lord Grimsby’s control. He intends to steal your throne and feed you to Lady Mimsy.’

‘We are confused,’ said Queen Victoria, looking to Prince Albert.

The Prince squinted though his monocle. ‘I say, are these creatures real, or is this some sort of play-acting for the Exposition?’

‘Yes,’ shouted Grimsby. ‘Just play-acting! Now we must get to the locomotive before this whole place collapses!’

As if to add weight to his statement, more sections of ceiling shattered, glass cascading into the building. Screams echoed through the Crystalline Palace as spectators strove to escape the destruction.

‘No,’ said Tesla, springing to her feet. ‘This building will not collapse. The glass will shatter but the steel structure is sound. The only part designed to be destroyed is the viewing area.’

‘But why?’ asked Prince Albert.

‘It is a plot to overthrow the monarchy,’ explained Xandra. ‘Grimsby wants tigers to replace lions on the throne.’

Victoria and Albert turned their royal gazes on the High Chancellor.

Lady Mimsy chose this moment to join the royal party.

‘These are all such fanciful accusations,’ she declared, as her armadillos brought her chair over. She still held her umbrella up to shield herself from falling glass.

‘Are they?’ asked Tesla. ‘Listen. The steam has stopped. The shaking has stopped. Nothing else is collapsing.’

‘Your Majesty,’ panted Lord Edwin, as he came running from the stairway. He dropped to his knees before his beloved Queen. ‘I am your humble servant and I bring you news that the lions in the viewing area have all survived and are currently rounding up Grimsby’s tigers.’ He got to his feet and positioned himself between Grimsby and the Queen. ‘As for myself and the other noble animals – we would rather die than accept this pretender.’

‘This is all ridiculous,’ insisted Lady Mimsy. ‘There is no proof of anything.’

Xandra could see the Queen was baffled by all the accusations and assurances. There was a real danger Victoria might still get on the train with Grimbsy. She had to do something. And that’s when she remembered.

‘Actually, there is proof,’ said Xandra. Reaching into her dress, she pulled out the notebook she had found at Shelltonne Estate. She curtsied and held it out to the Queen, open to the most damning page. ‘Your Majesty. This is the proposed menu for Grimsby’s coronation dinner.’ At a nod from Victoria, the guards allowed Xandra to hand it to her.

The Queen read the menu, her eyes widening in horror. ‘We are not amused!’

‘The jig is up,’ declared Grimsby, as he ran for the locomotive.

Steam and smoke poured over the station as the locomotive lurched into motion.

‘Stop those traitors!’ called Queen Victoria.

The two guards bolted for the engine car, while Lord Edwin lumbered to the royal carriage.

Throwing her umbrella to one side, Lady Mimsy retrieved a glass orb from inside her shell and threw it to the ground. As the orb shattered it released a cloud of smoke.

‘To the Gargantuon!’ screeched the tortoise.

‘Stop her!’ shouted Xandra.

But when the smoke had cleared, Lady Mimsy and her armadillos were gone.

At least the locomotive had stopped, the guards emerging with the armadillos from the engine car. Then Grimsby was shoved from the carriage by Lord Edwin.

Grimsby stood before his sovereign, head hung low.

‘Lord High Chancellor,’ the Queen addressed him. ‘You have a lot of explaining to do.’

ROOOOOOAAAWRRRRRRR!

The building shook.

More glass panels shattered.

Screams from the last of the spectators echoed from below.

Everything shuddered and swayed as the sound of grinding gears and rending metal filled the air. A wave of smoke erupted from the main area of the building and washed over the platform and station.

Everyone gaped as a mechanical monstrosity, belching flames, reared up from the wreckage of the viewing platform.