Earlier, Elsie had been walking through the crew’s quarters with a mind to pay Tilly a visit when she overheard Jack and Professor Goodwin speaking in the hallway. Naturally, she hid in one of the rooms, and listened as carefully as they could. “He’s alive!” Goodwin said. “Are you certain?”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x9bzL3Em6 維尼
Jack’s voice was steady as he spoke. “The paper that Backhaus stole from me had Vandenberg’s signature on it, and it was signed January this year. I’m telling you, Robert, he’s alive, and he’s been jumping from base to base ever since you called it quits on the Corporation.”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUqBYCPd8r 維尼
“I believe you Jack, but as a figure of speech, this news is hard to believe. But if this is the case then we ought to be careful. Vandenberg was my friend once, I knew him very well, and I know exactly how dangerous he can be.”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gxk2YTqnx 維尼
As they spoke, they made their way up stairs. The Rosanne had surfaced, and no doubt they went outside so as to avoid people like Elsie eavesdropping on their conversation. Elsie watched them leave, and once they were gone she stared into the emptiness of the hallway, as if their shadows were still there. From the quiet of one of the rooms came a voice. “Elsie? What are doing there?” It was Tilly.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡObVVuAftId 維尼
Tilly Eveans was indeed a very different person once she was outside of the engine room. For starters, she was a little shorter, and on the occasion that she had just finished washing up, she was a great deal more lady-like. Her face was smooth and flush, spotted here and there with a few freckles, and her hair – which used to be knotty – now fell gracefully around her shoulders. As for her attire, she wore a simple, not too over-the-top blue dress that fitted strangely around her figure, until Elsie realised that the dress much have belonged to Doctor O’Donnell. “Oh, Tilly, hello.” Elsie smiled at her and tried not to act suspicious. “How are you?”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn8BMfwyTD 維尼
Tilly gave her a strange glance, and noticed Mr. Dunstan trot across the hallway and down to the flight-room. A slow grin fell upon her lips. She raised her eyebrows. “You were spying on Riley, weren’t you?”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡkypFYIUZtU 維尼
Elsie sighed and shook her head. “Never mind. I like your dress.”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLBYuy37RE 維尼
Tilly glanced down at in uncomfortably. “Thanks, I can’t remember the last time I dressed up like this. It belongs to Fiona, I didn’t pack anything other than my work clothes so… Oh, you’re still good for games night tonight, right? It’s also my sister’s birthday so Fiona said we can have a little celebration in her room.”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlENREplsf 維尼
“Of course, but do you always celebrate people’s birthdays, even when they’re not around?”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eCvunS9cF 維尼
Tilly rubbed the back of her neck. Her tone became solemn, and soft. “My sister passed away a few years back. It was her birthday when it happened, so now every year I try to do something fun. It helps me get by, and I think it’s what she would have wanted.”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSnnfBefED 維尼
Elsie hardly knew what to say. “Oh, I… I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rq5Na78PI 維尼
“It’s okay.” There was a small window of silence, and then she said, “Well, Fiona said she was going to show me how to put proper makeup on. She keeps telling me that engine grease is bad for my skin. Anyway, I should get going. I’ll see you tonight, okay.”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa89cyz7kg 維尼
Elsie nodded. “Definitely.”8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk1H7coWXt 維尼
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