Page 101 of Right Place, Right Time
After my discussions with Harriet and Luca, I thought long and hard about whether to tell Barney or not. And I decided for the time being, it was best not to, even though it didn’t sit well with me. Barney was happy here in Clockmaker Court – he’d told me that. Knowing his true story would surely only upset him and cause the sort of trauma that Luca is now wrestling with. So, for now, I’ve decided to keep quiet about it.
‘I will miss you all when I go,’ Ben says, looking around at the buildings and all the people waiting to see him off. ‘But I know I’ll be leaving Clockmaker Court in safe hands. It’s time to pass this secret on to the next generation to keep it safe and secure. Just as our predecessors have been doing for thousands of years before us.’
I’m trying to be as brave as Ben is appearing, but I’m failing badly. ‘I’m worried about you, Ben,’ I say anxiously.
‘Why, my lovely girl? I’ll be absolutely fine.’
‘I know you think you will. But the truth is, you’re not getting any younger. How will you cope back then? It’s not like it is now.’
Ben smiles. ‘No, I know it isn’t. But don’t you worry, I’ll be just fine. Our friend Luca has given me a good start with this wonderful attire,’ he says, gesturing to his outfit. He looks like a fine Victorian dandy in his long black tailcoat, pinstripe trousers, burgundy-red cravat, and, tofinish it all off, a shiny black top hat. He’s also carrying a cane and some gloves, and tucked into his waistcoat, he has a gold pocket watch on a chain. ‘I look just the part of an elderly man who hasn’t quite left the Victorian era behind yet. I’ll fit right in.’
‘But what will you do for money?’
‘Eve,’ he says. ‘I’ve been running a shop for over fifty years that sells antique maps, coins and notes.’ He opens one side of his jacket and I can see a bundle of large banknotes tucked away in his inside pocket. ‘And there’s plenty more where that came from,’ he says, lifting up a large brown suitcase. ‘I’ll be able to buy whatever I want with the amount of money I’ve got tucked away. Enough to live comfortably on, anyway.’
‘Good, at least that’s something. But you will be careful, won’t you? I mean, is there any way you could let us know you’re all right? Could you send a letter or something, and have it arrive next week?’
‘How would I do that?’
‘You could give it to a solicitors’ office and ask them to keep it until the year 2024 and then have them deliver it?’
‘Is this something you’ve once again seen in a movie, by any chance?’ Ben asks, raising his eyebrows.
‘Yes … but I think I might have read it in a book as well. It’s a good idea.’
‘Eve, this is real life – it’s not as simple as some of those stories make out. There’s far more complexities and things we don’t know about.’
‘Please?’ I ask. ‘Can you at least try?’
Ben nods. ‘I’ll see what I can do. No promises, though.’
‘Thank you.’ The sun is moving ever closer to the building, but more worryingly, there are now several large clouds drifting slowly across the sky as well. I’mpraying they don’t cover the sun just at the moment we need it to shine fully on the building.
‘Can we talk about you for a moment,’ Ben says. ‘There’s some things I need to tell you.’
‘Of course, but we don’t have a lot of time before the sun hits the building.’
Ben glances at where the sun currently is. Happy, he continues. ‘Now you and Adam are the new timekeepers – I know you don’t like that word, but that’s what you are – it’s down to you to both protect the portal and decide how it’s used in the future.’
‘What do you mean, how it’s used? Once we get you back safely and any others that might want to return after you, that’s it, as far as I’m concerned. We’ll seal it all up again and keep it safe.’
Ben smiles. ‘That would be the simplest plan. But remember, we sealed the building up when we couldn’t control the portal. Now you and Adam know how, the temptation will always be there to go back to try to change things. I’m certain you’ve learnt from all your movies that the one rule of time travel is you mustn’t change the past.’
‘Of course, I know that.’
‘But youwillbe tempted. Both of you. Especially with both your histories. There are things you don’t know yet. Our tale is only one chapter of a much bigger story.’
‘OK,’ I reply, looking behind me. I am listening to Ben, but one of the clouds has just parked itself in front of the sun. I hear a sharp intake of breath from those behind us as the sun’s rays are immediately blocked.
‘I mean it, Eve,’ Ben says sternly. ‘It’s only natural to want to right wrongs – especially if they’re personal to you. But you must remember the portal is there for much greater reasons than we understand.’
‘Ben, I get it, all right. Don’t mess with time or it will mess with you.’ I’m smiling again now, because the cloud above us has moved on quickly to allow the sun to shine once more.
‘I’m serious, Eve. You and Adam have great power now, and with great power—’
‘Comes great responsibility? Yes, I know that one. Are you the one quoting movies now?’
‘Comic books, actually.’ Ben visibly relaxes and I’m pleased to see him smile. ‘That phrase is often attributed to one of my favourite comic-book stories. But it’s been said many more times before that, by a great many people. Winston Churchill said something similar and I believe you will find it in the Bible too.’ He thinks. ‘Yes, Luke 12:48 – look it up sometime.’
