Chapter 16 #4
“This is where it began. The vision of Isambard Kingdom Brunel set the standard for train travel,” a man dressed like a train conductor informed them. They continued to browse the exhibits, marveling at the size and scope of the trains and the amenities.
“It must have been quite posh to travel at the time,” Ashley speculated.
“Sure beats a horse and wagon,” Jessica exclaimed.
“Let’s take the tour,” Ashley suggested.
The tour took them through reconstructed environments created with authentic equipment and enhanced by modern audio and video.
They were told that prior to World War I, the workforce exceeded 12,000.
A general store area, considered an “empire within an empire,” supplied Swindon with all their needs.
As the narrative continued, they gained insight into the enormous scale required to build and maintain the railway, producing three locomotives every week during its peak.
The scent of wood filled the air as they passed the carriage body shop.
The machine shop re-created the sights and sounds of drills and workers crafting parts to exacting standards.
The tour ended in the boiler shop, where deafening noise caused many of the workers to lose their hearing by the age of thirty.
“That was quite a look behind the curtain, eh?” Emily said.
“I’m famished. Shall we get a bite at the Platform One Café?” Kathleen said.
“We shall.” The four sauntered to the Platform One Café, which offered coffee, tea, sweets, and sandwiches.
By the time they were finished with their lunch it was past one. Jessica purchased a locomotive ornament for her collection.
“Shall we go back to the hotel? Post office? Suggestions?” Kathleen asked.
“Let’s go back to the post office area. Maybe there’s some shops we can browse,” Jessica suggested. “And no, I’m not looking for another ornament. At this rate, we’re going to need two trees.”
It was nearly two when they parked the car at the hotel. “Should we walk over there now?” Ashley asked.
“Might as well. It’s sunny,” Kathleen said. When they arrived at the post office Kathleen decided to check in with the clerk.
“Sorry, love. Ye just missed him. But I gave him the envelope.”
“How long ago?”
“A few minutes. Maybe five.”
“Thank you!” She dashed outside before the man had a chance to finish his sentence. “He was just here. Maybe five minutes ago!”
The clerk opened the door and called out, “He usually walks the dog to the park around the block.” He pointed in the direction where Henry and Buster went.
Kathleen jumped. “Thank you! Thank you so very much!” She grabbed Emily’s coat sleeve. “Come on!”
The four of them hustled around the corner and toward the park. A man was sitting on a bench, with a German shepherd sitting at attention. A well-worn copy of A Year in The Life of William Shakespeare was placed next to him.
They stopped in their tracks as Henry was opening the envelope.
He scrutinized the writing on the front. It was very familiar. Then he gently lifted the flap and pulled out the note and the two photos. From their position it appeared as if he was staring at the pages in front of him.
Was it a trick? he wondered to himself. He looked in both directions to see if there was a constable waiting to pounce.
As he turned around he spotted four women frozen in place.
He squinted. Frowned. Shook his head and stood to get a better view.
Kathleen ran as fast as she could and flung her arms around him.
He pulled away just enough to look into her eyes.
“Kathleen, is it really you?” He stroked her face. Then her hair.
Kathleen’s eyes flooded with tears. “Yes! Yes!” Emily was immediately upon them. “Pops!” She wrapped her arms around her mother and father. The three clung to each other for a few moments, then the chatter and questions began.
“How did you find me?” he asked. “How are you? And you, my little pumpkin?”
“We’re much better now,” Kathleen said through her tears. “I have a surprise for you,” she said and gestured for Ashley to join them.
“A surprise? What else could there be?” he asked as his voice trailed off at the sight of Ashley.
“Meet Ashley,” Kathleen said and pulled her into the hug. She motioned for Jessica to join.
Henry took Ashley’s face between his hands. “I’ll be gobsmacked, toasted, and fried.”
Kathleen introduced Jessica. “This is Ashley’s mum. Her other mum.”
Buster was looking at the jubilant group; his tail was pounding like the bass drum in a marching band. Henry turned to his pooch. “And this is my BFF, Buster.”
Ashley was the first to greet the pooch, followed by Emily, Jessica, and finally Kathleen. She didn’t want to let go of Henry for fear he would vanish into thin air. “We have a lot to talk about,” Henry said as a matter of fact.
“Let’s go back to the hotel so you can phone Oliver and we can bring you up-to-date.”
“You’ve got room for Buster?” Henry asked.
“Absolutely!” Kathleen replied.
“He can sit on my lap,” Ashley offered.
As they entered the lobby, Henry looked at the clerk. “Service dog.” The clerk didn’t seem to care.
They made their way up to Kathleen and Jessica’s room. The first thing was for Henry to phone Oliver. “Hello, mate. You’ll never guess who I ran into today at the park,” Henry joked.
“Hello yerself, you old geezer,” Oliver said. “I think we’re going to be able to wrap this up for good and send you home.”
Henry wanted to be sure this was good and true. “He’s a bona fide solicitor, correct?” Henry asked.
“Highly reputable. Teaches at Cambridge.”
“Tell me, what do we do now?”
“Collect your things, for one. Then notify your landlord you’ll be leaving. Get a room where Kathleeen and the girls are staying for tonight. Once I reach Kirkland, he’ll let me know when you can meet.”
“Oliver, how did all of this come about?” Henry had resigned himself to be on the lam for the rest of his life and never seeing his family again. It seemed impossible that things were about to change.
“When the bugger judge got tossed in the nick, I asked a friend to check the fingerprints. One from the gun was unidentified, but I figured with Gilmore now in the slammer, his fingerprints would be on record. And Bob’s your uncle.”
“This is stunning,” Henry said. “How did you get someone to help you?”
“I promised a swanky dinner,” Oliver said happily.
“Glad to see you’re becoming social again.”
“It’s time for you to do the same, mate,” Oliver retorted. “So, how’d you like meeting Ashley?”
“I am gobsmacked. By all of it,” Henry said and smiled at his family.
“I’m going to ring the professor and get back to you ASAP.
I’ll be back in touch.” Oliver hung up and immediately phoned Kirkland.
They planned to go over the details and meet in Cambridge two days from now.
Meanwhile, Kirkland would put in a request for a hearing on New Year’s Eve day, hoping someone was about.
Oliver phoned Henry back and repeated the conversation to him. Henry turned to the group. “Alright. We have a plan.”
The room was silent for a moment. Then Ashley let out a hoot. “Has everyone forgotten? It’s Christmas Eve tonight! We have all received the best present ever!”
Laughter and sounds of joy bounced among the group. “I guess we should ask the front desk if they have another room,” Jessica suggested.
Rather than call down to the front desk, Jessica decided it was better to ask face-to-face. Sometimes when you’re personable, people will tend to try to accommodate you more, rather than speaking to a disembodied voice.
“I’ll come with,” Ashley offered.
Emily joined in. “Me too.” It was time to give her mother and father a few minutes to themselves.
Ashley approached the young woman who had helped them earlier that morning. “Hello. I’m sorry to ask, but we need another favor.” She paused. “Do you happen to have another room available for tonight?”
The clerk looked down at the large book in front of her. “We only have a small suite. It’s really just a bed with a small sitting room.”
“We’ll take it,” Ashley said joyfully. “Can you add it to my credit card?”
“Of course, miss.” She opened a drawer and handed Ashley a key. “Room 312.”
“Thanks ever so much,” Emily said and smiled.
Jessica opened her purse and handed the woman another fifty quid. “Happy Christmas.”
The young woman thought she might cry. “Thanks so much. I am just about to get off my shift and will pick up a few more gifts for the family. Much appreciated.”
“Our pleasure,” Jessica said and smiled.
When they got back to the room, Henry and Kathleen were sitting on the bed, with Kathleen’s head resting on Henry’s shoulder. Buster was lying in a sphinx position on the floor near their feet.
Emily dangled the key. “Here you go, you lovebirds.”
Kathleen put her arm around her husband’s waist. “I’m afraid if I move all of this will disappear.”
“Doubtful,” Jessica said reassuringly. “Now scram, you two. You need some alone time.” She turned to Emily and Ashley. “And I need a cocktail.”
“Splendid idea,” Emily said. “We’ll see you for dinner? Say six?”
Kathleen checked her watch. It was nearly three. That should be enough time to start to get to know each other again. “Perfect.”
“Right-o.” Emily turned to Buster. “Come on, fella.” He sat up and looked at Henry for permission.
“It’s okay, boy. She’s yer sister.”
The three went to the lobby as Kathleen and Henry went to the floor above. When they arrived at the pub there was a sign:
Only well-behaved dogs & well-behaved owners allowed.
“I think we’re good for now.” Jessica cackled.
Jessica ordered a Manhattan, and the twins ordered pints. They gabbed and marveled at the recent turn of events. “I believe it’s all about having faith,” Ashley said.
“And a vision,” Emily added.
“Plus a positive attitude, and people to help.” Jessica raised her glass. “To family.”
“To family!”
At six, Kathleen appeared, wearing fresh clothes and her hair pulled up in a clip. Henry looked as if he’d had a shower but was still wearing the same clothes.