Page 47 of Right Place, Right Time
Adam takes a quick look through all the books again. ‘Yep, they are all published before 1960; the latest one is the Agatha Christie in 1940. The editions we have here are all dated before 1960, too.’
‘Even though the comics began in the forties, some of these references are from much later,’ Barney says. ‘Earth was not referred to as 616 until the eighties.’
I know Barney is an expert on comic books, but I had no idea how much of an expert until today. He knows every fact and hasn’t looked anything up on the internet.
‘So we’re thinking that the original notes were written in and hidden in the books before the sixties, and the doodles were added post-eighties, then?’ I ask.
Barney nods. ‘It seems likely.’
‘It certainly seems to narrow it down to those dates,’ Ben says.
‘If only we could figure out what the missing book is,’ I say. ‘I feel like there’s going to be something really relevant within its pages.’
‘The elusive book number eleven,’ Adam says, sighing. ‘Knowing our luck, that one will likely hold all our answers.’
Ben yawns. ‘Excuse me,’ he says, stretching in his chair. ‘I’m not used to being in company for this long since my illness. Perhaps I had better go.’
‘I’m sorry we’ve kept you, Ben,’ I say. ‘You’ve been incredibly helpful, though.’
‘I wish you all every success with your endeavours.’ Ben leans on his cane as he slowly rises to his feet. ‘It’s a conundrum that I have a feeling you might be close to solving. Perhaps there’s other branches you could explore than just the books? That might help you find what’s between your two shops.’
‘I guess,’ I say. ‘But the books are all we have right now.’
‘In my experience, taking a break and standing back from the problem sometimes allows the brain to think new thoughts, and the eyes to see new solutions.’ He begins to walk towards the door of the shop. ‘Nice clock,’ he says, passing the grandfather clock. ‘Is that the time already?’
‘No, it’s …’ I glance at my watch. ‘Ten past one. The hands have been stuck at half past two since I got it.’
Ben nods. ‘What a shame. It’s a fine-looking clock.’
‘Yes, I might be able to sell it if it actually worked.’
‘Perfection is rarely interesting, Eve. Sometimes, it’s the fault in something that makes it that extra bit special.’
After a bit more discussion, Adam eventually goes back to his shop, and Barney and I go about our business in Rainy Day Antiques. It started to rain a little while ago, so the shop immediately became busier while people found shelter, but now the rain has set in, the flow of customers is rapidly diminishing.
‘He’s all right, Adam, isn’t he?’ Barney says as we decide where to hang some new paintings on the wall. We recently sold a couple of large watercolours, so we are trying to fill those gaps without having to move too many of the other paintings.
‘I suppose, yes.’
‘You clearly like him.’
‘Do I? What makes you say that?’
‘I’ve known you long enough by now, Eve, to tell when youlikesomeone.’
I look down from the little wooden trestle ladder I use for reaching things down from high shelves and hanging paintings on the wall, at Barney’s grinning face.
‘You can talk,’ I say, not answering his question. ‘I know when youlikesomeone too.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Orla?’ I climb down the ladder with a watercolour painting of a riverbank in my hand.
Barney’s neck immediately begins to flush again.
‘See? Two can play that game. I noticed you get all flustered when she was here earlier and it’s not the first time.’
‘Orla is very pretty,’ Barney says shyly.
