The Magpie’s shop sat on the edge of polite Persephone society, in a street where the rest of the establishments catered to the more fleshy of personal pursuits. Nestled in between Madam Lau Cheng’s Palace of Mystery , and Carmichael’s Cat House , the more sedate sign declared it to be Maguire Repairs . Not that it stopped drunken potential patrons staggering in, dropping their pants and asking with a leer whether she could repair this . After a dozen or so had been taken to the nearest hospital with very private injuries, a second sign was added, beneath the first, stating ‘This is not a working girl concern’. It didn’t stop all the intrusions, but Magpie finally managed to learn restraint.

“Magpie inherited it from her father, and he from his. They were here long ‘fore the others,” Kaylee said gaily as they walked up the street. “She’s a genius when it comes to electronics. Kinda like me, ‘cept I’m more with engines.”

Jayne glanced at the women hanging out of the top windows of Schmidt’s Emporium , and even more out of the dresses they had obviously barely managed to get into in the first place. He swallowed hard. Several of them were calling him by name, and he could feel River sniggering in his mind.

Maybe I should have come with you , he heard. Kept you out of temptation’s way.

Aw, Riv, you know I ain’t interested. But I can’t help it if they recognise me. I ain’t exactly easy to miss.

Perhaps you should have gone in disguise. I imagine you kept several of these places in business.

He squirmed mentally. Moonbrain …

Yes?

He was saved from having to beg her to stop by Kaylee opening the door to the shop. “Here we are.”

“Lovely neighbourhood,” Freya commented, having to push Mal slightly so he’d follow his mechanic. “I’m sure your friend feels right at home.”

Mal gave her a withering look but forbore to respond. Instead he strode after Kaylee inside.

“You shouldn’t wind him up so much,” Zoe murmured.

Freya rais