Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children

“I’m not entirely sure about that,” Emma said.

“Only kidding!” said Horace. “It’s to buy clothes, of course.”

We were about to board the train when the conductor stopped us. “Let’s see your tickets!” he said, and he was reaching for the stack in Horace’s hand when he noticed Bronwyn stuffing something into her coat. “What’s that you’ve got there?” the conductor said, rounding on her suspiciously.

“What’s what I’ve got where?” Bronwyn replied, trying to seem casual while holding her coat closed over a wriggling lump.

“In your coat there!” the conductor said. “Don’t toy with me, girl.”

“It’s, ahhh …” Bronwyn tried to think fast and failed. “A bird?”

Emma’s head fell. Enoch put a hand over his eyes and groaned.

“No pets on the train!” the conductor barked.

“But you don’t understand,” said Bronwyn. “I’ve had her ever since I was a child … and we must get on this train … and we paid so much for our tickets!”

“Rules are rules!” the conductor said, his patience fraying.

“Do not toy with me!”

Emma’s head bopped up, her face brightening. “A toy!” she said.

“Excuse me?” said the conductor.

“It isn’t a real bird, conductor sir. We’d never dream of breaking the rules like that. It’s my sister’s favorite toy, you see, and she thinks you mean to take it away from her.” She clasped her hands pitifully, imploring. “You wouldn’t take away a child’s favorite toy, would you?”

The conductor studied Bronwyn doubtfully. “She looks too old for toys, wouldn’t you say?”

Emma leaned in and whispered, “She’s a bit delayed, you see …”

Bronwyn frowned at this but had no choice but to play along. The conductor stepped toward her. “Let’s see this toy, then.”

Moment of truth. We held our breath as Bronwyn opened her coat, reached inside, and slowly withdrew Miss Peregrine. When I saw the bird, I thought for one terrible moment that she had died. Miss Peregrine had gone completely stiff, and lay in Bronwyn’s hand with her eyes closed and legs sticking out rigidly. Then I realized she was just playing along.

“See?” Bronwyn said. “Birdy ain’t real. She’s stuffed.”