Octavia watched strawberry tart dribble down her brother’s chin like venom. Herbert made a mess of everything he could get his hands on since Father had died. One of these days, she was going to clean it all up and send him back to the sooty, ink-stained desk where he belonged.

“Octavia, I’m going to help you.” Claudia came up beside her.

“You are?” Octavia looked up in surprise, had her face betrayed her thoughts?

“With your hair, everyone can see the top of your head.” Claudia hooked her arm through Octavia’s elbow and they skirted around the crowd to an alcove.

“Come to the race with me.” Claudia whispered as she fussed with the dark curls.

“Skip the race and come flying with me instead.” Octavia faced the crowd, searching for someone to stand in her best friend’s place and usurp Hubert.

“I’m being serious, why don’t you come?” Claudia insisted. From behind she had missed the earnestness in Octavia’s eyes. “You deserve to be there after all the work we’ve put into this ship.”

“It is your airship, Claude. I was only too glad to help. I wouldn’t be able to stand it, staring up at the sky as you fly away. Its better I don’t go at all. I’ve been looking at the schedule. The race starts at eight. You’re allowed on the field to light the fire at six, what time will you be getting up?”

“At five,” she answered. When Octavia’s laughter died down Claudia added “I’ve been practicing a month.”

“I know, but you won’t be able to sleep for nerves. If the telegraph office was open, I’d wish you good luck at four thirty.”

“You won’t be up at four thirty.” Claudia poked her with a hairpin to tease.

“How do you think I can possibly sleep?” Octavia exclaimed “You’re going to master the whole race. You’ll win a swarm of wooing sponsors. Next year, your ship will be even better.” Octavia exclaimed in excitement and Claudia practically squealed.

“Can’t you come to the finish line at least?” Claudia begged leaning her head over the short woman’s shoulder.

“I doubt it. Herbert is going to be a bear this week, I can already tell.”

“How? Can’t he decide which hand to hold his drink in?” Claudia asked shifting beside her to look through the crowd but catching Octavia’s wrist and pulling it away from her hair. “Herbert is not the one picking at his scalp. Is something bothering you?”

“I still have a bit of a headache from polishing all your brasswork. I’m going to talk to a few more people before I disappear for the night. But good luck, I know you’re going to fly beautifully!” Octavia hugged Claudia and squeezed her extra tight for a few moments. Would she ever be allowed to help with Claud’s airship again after this week?

“I promise not to crash,” Claudia whispered lifting her nose out of the way of Octavia’s head. When she pulled away and looked down at her friend “I’ll think of you at four thirty in the morning.” They parted laughing.