Time After Time

Chapter 2

Chapter 2Thoth couldn’t prevent a chuckle at Thomas’s look of incredulity, but it was no joke. I really should think of bringing a wallet and money when I go out, but it isn’t for too much longer. And I have all I want now. Thomas and Alice. I just hope when I tell them their future, they don’t run screaming. But they’ve both been brave so far, I feel certain they’ll do just fine. No matter what Algernon tries to say or do. In fact, I have a chance to see what Alice is made of.

“That’s where you’ll come in, Alice.” Thoth leaned toward the young woman.

“Me? How? What can I do?” she asked, looking from Thoth to Thomas and back again.

“If I’m to…acquire some transport for us, I’ll need a distraction. Thomas will be needed to load it, which leaves you to ensure the cabdriver’s attention is elsewhere while we are otherwise engaged.”

“Then what?” Thomas asked. “What happens to Alice?”

“She, like the good citizen she is, will notice we miscreants are taking the carriage.” Thoth indicated Thomas and himself. “Once she alerts the driver, she will continue her walk and turn the corner. Then, Alice, you will run to the end of the street and we shall pick you up. Don’t worry. I’ll know when to make our move. Timing is essential.”

“Where are we going?” Alice asked. “I mean, you’ve made us get all our things. Are we leaving London?”

Thoth bowed his head once. “We must. Soon, the plague will surge through the city. There will be dead lying in the streets. Time is running out.”

“You sound like you’ve already seen it,” Alice whispered. “But that’s impossible.”

“Yes. Quite impossible.” Thoth injected a tone of authority into his voice. “Now, come. Let’s find a suitable carriage.”

It didn’t take him long. Two cabbies lounged some distance away from their cabs, one vehicle mechanical, the other a horse and trap. Thoth preferred a horse-drawn cab over one of the clockwork varieties. The horse can rest in the fields before being returned to the cabbie. Lord Algernon can say we found the carriage abandoned. He may be considered eccentric, but he’s also rich and respected. No one in his home would dare be deemed a thief.

“Right, off you go, Alice. Thomas, get yourself, your dog, and the bags into the carriage and leave the rest to me.” Thoth didn’t try stealth. After all, a six-foot figure in a plague doctor mask and long black cape was hardly inconspicuous.

The moment Thomas was inside, Thoth swung up into the driver’s seat. After taking out his pocket watch, he rested the device against the carriage for a few seconds, then looked around for Alice. Inside the mask, he smiled to see the way she chatted easily with the driver.

The horse glanced back at him, and Thoth murmured to the animal, instantly quelling its incipient agitation.

“Ready, sir.” Thomas’s muffled voice reached Thoth, and he urged on the horse at a walk to avoid instant notice. Nothing more obvious than a horse careering away at breakneck speed.

To Thoth’s delight, he managed to steer the cab around the corner, flicking his whip to increase the horse’s pace, before a muted shout rang out. Rounding the next corner, Thoth slowed the horse just enough for Thomas to scoop a running Alice into the cab before urging the horse to a full gallop.

Thoth didn’t ease the speed until he’d crossed from the smog-ridden city into the countryside. Then he let the horse slow to a gentle trot. He took a second to glance at his watch. Time was counting down all too quickly. At least I have Thomas and Alice. I get a good feeling from both.

After several minutes, Thomas stuck his head out. “Where are we goin’? Is this the countryside?”

“Yes, it is,” Thoth called over his shoulder. “As to where, if I gave you the address, it wouldn’t mean anything to you. But this house is well away from the plague, and soon the opportunity will come to take us away from all of this entirely.” At least that’s no lie. As for the truth? That will have to wait until it’s too late. But I have confidence in Thomas. He won’t betray me.

“That sounds very good, sir. There’s nothing to keep us here. Nothing to keep us anywhere, for that matter. We’re both orphans. Guess that’s what drew Alice and me together in the first place.”

“You’re both brave, resourceful, and intelligent. Remember that and don’t allow anyone to tell you different, Thomas.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Thoth heard the catch in the young man’s voice and wished he could offer more assurances. “Now, sit back and enjoy the ride. I’m sure Alice would prefer you spent the time with her with your head inside the cab.”

“Yes, sir.”

* * * *

When the countryside grew familiar, Thoth allowed himself to relax. All I have to do now is persuade Lord Algernon that his own high-maintenance travelling companions need fewer items to take with them. Some have trunks piled high from floor to ceiling. We need to be as light as possible. Essentials only. And Thomas and Alice are far more essential than trunks of clothes that will be impossible to wear, or furniture that’s unnecessary.

My strength isn’t inexhaustible and there will be so much to do. Thoth sighed. But I already know there will be trunks of clothing, jewellery, and favourite family silver and China. I can’t stop it all. But if I can limit them at least. There will be utensils and furniture there already, and maintenance will do them until they have skilled labour. Algernon has the books they’ll need for moving on. My sympathies lie with the servants on whose shoulders so much will fall.

As Thoth approached the gated walls surrounding the house, he held up his watch. The gates swung slowly open, then closed behind them. He stopped the carriage at the front of the house, at the bottom of the wide staircase.

After jumping to the ground, Thoth opened the carriage door to allow Thomas and Alice to get out.

“Welcome back, Master Thoth.” An elderly man in full uniform of white linen shirt, black trousers, high-buttoned black waistcoat, and a black swallow-tail coat came down the stairs. “His lordship will be pleased. He got quite tetchy to find you’d left without telling him.”

“Yes, Adam, I’m sure he did. But I found the couple I told you about.” Thoth indicated Thomas and Alice. “I have a few jobs for you, Adam.”

“Whatever you wish, Master Thoth.”

“Baths, new clothes, and a good meal for Thomas and Alice. They are an engaged couple, and their presence will prove invaluable in times to come. Make sure no one attempts to…persuade them to leave. Then there is this.” Thoth pointed to the cab. “I…borrowed it. If you could ensure the horse is rested and tended, then contact the local constable and say you found it outside. It’s been dry for a few days. The tracks will be barely visible.”

“I’m sure the stableboy would like to take care of the horse, sir. If Master Thomas and Miss Alice would care to follow me, you’ll find his lordship in the laboratory, Master Thoth.”

“Thank you, Adam.” Thoth turned to Thomas and Alice. “You are here because you are needed. I need you. Your presence is vital to me and to future successes. I know you both to be up to the task. Trust me. Please.”

“We do, sir.” Thomas spoke instantly, then looked at Alice, who nodded.

“If Thomas trusts you, then I do too, sir.”

“Thank you. Be brave, be confident, and if anyone asks, you are my personal assistants, and without your contribution, Lord Algernon’s ship will never set sail. After that, say nothing. Understand?”

They both nodded, even though Thoth knew they couldn’t possibly understand, but that they trusted him was enough.

“Excellent. I’ll leave you in Adam’s care. He’s a good man and one of the few that I trust.”

“We understand, sir.” Thomas flashed a grin. “We won’t let you down.”

“Follow me, Master Thomas, Miss Alice. Ah, there’s Billy.” Adam nodded to a small boy running forward.

“I thought I ‘eard a carriage, but I knew there wasn’t one due.” Billy looked wide-eyed at Thoth, but Adam gripped his shoulder.

“Tend the horse and move that cab. I’ll come and speak to you later. Master Thoth.” Adam bowed, leading away Thomas and Alice, and Billy was already cooing softly to the horse.

“And I shall deal with Lord Algernon.” Thoth sighed. He liked the man, but not his son. And the son will take over. Greedy, indolent, and with his own self-interest at heart. The colony could be the making of him, but it’s more likely to suffer because of him. I only hope he doesn’t pervert it too greatly. A couple of hundred years is a long time. Especially for those who must live them.