Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Back inside the island’s hall, Pippa was doing her best not to dwell on her awkward run-in with Sebastian, because right now something far more important was about to happen.
She’d never thought this moment would come – actually being in the same room as a man she’d been obsessed with since she was a little girl.
Other people had boy-band posters Blu Tacked above their beds, but she’d had magazine clippings of Walter and Horace Vale and their most famous timepieces.
Nerdy? Absolutely. But she didn’t care. To her, Horace was basically Beyoncé with a stopwatch.
She had half a mind to plonk herself right at the front, but the last thing she wanted was to distract Theo when this was his moment.
Instead, she slid into a seat halfway down the room, close enough to see every expression on Horace’s face, but far enough back that she wouldn’t throw Theo off his game.
The room had been utterly transformed. The floor space was now filled with even more folding chairs, and the air buzzed with the sort of anticipation usually reserved for Taylor Swift’s latest album release.
On stage, two wingback chairs were angled invitingly towards one another with a small table in between, with a jug of water and glasses.
Behind them, a banner stretched across the stage, proudly announcing: Horace Vale: A Lifetime of Timekeeping.
Pippa’s pulse quickened. This wasn’t just her childhood hero about to appear; this was Theo’s, too.
This was something they should have bonded over at university instead of constantly butting heads.
She spotted Theo hovering by the side of the stage, clutching his notes like a man about to sit his A-levels all over again.
She knew he was concentrating, because of that familiar crease between his brows, the one she used to spot across the lecture hall when he was deep in thought.
She could see it plain as day: he was nervous.
A small cluster of local journalists had gathered at the back of the room, phones balanced on tripods ready to record. Beside them stood two enormous cameras, each stamped with bold BBC lettering.
Miriam was among the journalists, clutching her lanyard and looking towards the stage.
‘Yes, of course, it’s a huge coup for Puffin Island,’ Miriam was saying brightly to the cluster of journalists.
‘Horace hasn’t set foot on the island for decades and now here he is, back where it all began, after building a reputation as one of the world’s finest clockmakers.
And of course, Walter Vale and his wife Agatha were such a huge part of this community for so many years, so naturally there’s a lot of excitement about his brother returning.
’ She gave a firm little nod before adding, with the air of a schoolteacher laying down rules, ‘Yes, I’m sure Mr Vale will be very approachable, though please don’t ask him for a selfie.
This is a horology festival, not Glastonbury. ’
The journalists nodded, fingers twitching over their record buttons like they were about to cover a head of state rather than an elderly man who designed and made watches.
Pippa smiled, then turned her attention back to her phone.
She had it open, ready to record the interview, as she didn’t want to miss a word of it.
Right at that second, she became aware of movement beside her, and she turned to see that Sebastian had slipped into the empty chair next to hers.
She felt herself bristle as he arranged himself in the seat as though he owned not just the chair, but the whole room.
His legs stretched comfortably into her space, knees angled far too close to hers.
Sebastian leaned ever so slightly towards her, his voice pitched low. ‘Quite the turnout, isn’t it? You’d think we were waiting for the Rolling Stones.’
Pippa didn’t want to make conversation, but she pasted on her brightest smile to be polite. ‘In my book, Horace Vale is more important than the Rolling Stones.’
Unperturbed, Sebastian draped his arm casually along the back of her chair as though they were on a date.
The worst part was that, to anyone glancing their way, they probably looked like they were together.
Her stomach was already doing somersaults waiting for the interview to begin, and Sebastian’s proximity wasn’t helping.
Thankfully, as soon as Dr Miriam Bowes stepped up to the microphone, the chatter in the hall instantly melted away.
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ she began, her voice carrying over the rows of packed chairs, ‘I know the weather is somewhat dreary out there, but thank you for joining us for what promises to be not only the most anticipated moment of the Puffin Island Horology Convention, but perhaps the most exciting afternoon the horology world has seen in decades.’
A ripple of excitement buzzed through the room. Chairs creaked as people leaned forward, programmes fluttered, and someone let out a squeak of anticipation.
Miriam let the pause linger for effect. ‘We’re all here today to welcome home Horace Vale – master craftsman, visionary, and one half of the remarkable Vale Brothers, whose work still ticks away in homes across the world and right here on Puffin Island.
But before we do, it is my great pleasure to introduce the man who will be leading this very special conversation and needs little introduction in the world of horology.
He studied at Cambridge, where his research on early escapement mechanisms earned international recognition.
Since then, he has obtained his PhD and become a leading voice in the field, a lecturer and speaker who has shared his passion everywhere from New York to Tokyo.
Starting next month, he’ll be travelling the globe to inspire the next generation, proving, once and for all, that clockmaking is not only important …
it’s actually very cool.’ A light ripple of laughter moved through the audience.
‘I’m sure we all wish him every success on that adventure. ’
Miriam waited for the applause to die down before she continued. ‘His publications are considered essential reading for anyone serious about timekeeping, and there is truly no one better qualified to sit opposite Horace Vale this afternoon.’
Pippa felt something unexpected tighten in her chest: pride.
She knew once upon a time they hadn’t seen eye to eye, but it was a well-deserved introduction for Theo and she felt emotional as she swallowed a lump in her throat.
She stole a sideways glance at Sebastian, finding that his lips were tight and eyes narrowed ever so slightly, clearly not enjoying the chorus of admiration directed at Theo.
‘Please join me in welcoming Doctor Theo Blake to the stage.’
The room again erupted into applause as Theo strolled towards Miriam, who switched off the microphone and placed it back in the stand. Pippa noticed that Theo had a small microphone attached to his jacket.
Theo smiled towards the audience and waited for the applause to die down. He looked very at ease in front of the crowd. ‘Thank you, Doctor Bowes, and thank you all for coming.’ He took a breath as Miriam left the stage.
Pippa felt her heartbeat quicken. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for.
‘It is a singular honour to introduce a man whose contributions to the field of timekeeping span more than seventy years. He is a master craftsman, an inventor, a mentor, and … if I may be so bold, a bit of a legend. Please welcome to the stage … Doctor Horace Vale.’
There was a pause and then, slowly, from the left of the stage, came the man himself.
Horace Vale. Every last person rose to their feet, clapping and cheering.
Everyone, that is, except Sebastian, Pippa noticed with a tiny flicker of disdain.
She cast him a look. Why wasn’t he up on his feet? What exactly was his problem?
Horace walked with careful, deliberate steps.
He leaned on a carved wooden cane, its handle polished from years of use.
His grey waistcoat was crisply pressed, a silver pocket-watch chain glinting where it looped through a buttonhole.
He wore thick spectacles and had a stoop to his shoulders, but his presence was commanding nonetheless.
Time had not diminished him; it had simply weathered him into something rarer.
He waved, nodded, smiled faintly. When he reached Theo, Theo extended his hand, ready for a handshake, but Horace surprised everyone by pulling him into a one-armed hug.
All around there was warm applause. Pippa was stunned.
She hadn’t expected such a public display of affection, certainly not from a man as traditionally reserved as Vale, but Theo didn’t seem fazed.
He waited until Horace had taken a seat before sitting in the chair opposite him and waiting for the applause to fade.
‘Before we begin, Doctor Blake,’ Horace said, ‘I would like to share a story.’
Theo nodded graciously. ‘Of course.’
Horace turned to the audience, surveying the hall with his unusual blend of authority and warmth.
‘Many years ago,’ he began, ‘our company, the Vale Brothers, took on an apprentice. A young man who showed promise beyond his years. He had a mind like a metronome – precise, inquisitive, and endlessly patient – and he threw himself into the work with a dedication that made him unforgettable.’ Horace paused.
‘Life, of course, has a way of testing even the most talented, and this young man faced an accident in the workshop, a small but terrible mishap with one of our machines. His finger was severed – an injury that could have ended his career. Many would have given up, but not him. He was someone who refused to be defined by circumstance. He inspired everyone around him, apprentices and masters alike.’
The audience was silent, utterly still. Even the journalists at the back had stopped fidgeting. Horace scanned the room, his eyes sparkling. ‘That young man…’ He let the suspense linger. ‘…Was Arthur Blake, Doctor Theo Blake’s grandfather.’
A collective gasp swept the hall like a gust of wind.
Pippa’s jaw literally dropped. Arthur Blake.
Theo’s grandfather. Pippa had of course come across Arthur Blake’s name in a couple of her father’s magazines when she was growing up, but no one had ever talked about the apprentices much; all the attention had gone to the Vale Brothers themselves, their names in headlines, their faces in documentaries.
The apprentices had just been employees.
Background faces. Even when they were mentioned in articles years ago, it had been buried in the small print.
So she’d never joined the dots. Why would she have?
‘My gosh, he never told any of us,’ Pippa mumbled in awe.
Theo could have fuelled his own ego and career over the years with this bit of information, but he’d decided not to ride on the coattails of his grandfather, and that impressed her.
‘Can you believe that?’ she asked as she turned towards Sebastian.
His posture had stiffened, his jaw tightening, and by the look on his face he was getting angrier by the second, though why exactly, Pippa had no idea.
‘Theo, I believe your love of clocks may have come from him. And to be clear, your grandfather was more than an apprentice; it was an honour to call him my friend.’
Theo nodded.
‘I’m sure he is so proud of what you’ve achieved,’ Horace added, with a faint tremor to his voice.
Theo cleared his throat. ‘I grew up surrounded by cogs and springs and half-disassembled mantel clocks. And you’re right, I think my love of clocks came from both my grandfather and father. Grandad built them, Dad broke them, and I just … kept trying to put the pieces back together.’
A soft wave of laughter rolled through the hall.
Beside Pippa, Sebastian gave a dramatic sigh. ‘Milking it for all he’s worth.’
She ignored him. Her heart was firmly elsewhere, ticking in rhythm with the man who hadn’t just studied time … but had also carried its legacy in his bones. And not once had he ever said a word about the stock he’d come from.
Horace’s eyes gleamed. ‘I knew the love of clocks had been passed on when I read one of your papers about escapement evolution in the twentieth century.’
‘The connection is not something I’ve shared publicly before,’ admitted Theo. ‘I didn’t want to trade on my grandfather’s history. I wanted to earn respect on my own merits.’
‘And you have.’
The warmth that glowed between them was almost tangible.
Beside her, Pippa felt Sebastian shift.
‘He never used it,’ she murmured, almost to herself.
‘What?’ Sebastian said under his breath.
‘Theo,’ she said, eyes locked on the stage. ‘He never used the fact that his grandfather was Horace’s apprentice.’
Sebastian scoffed. ‘That wasn’t noble; it was idiotic.’
‘What is up with you?’ she whispered. ‘Why are you so angry? This is a moment in history. Enjoy it.’
Someone shushed them from behind and Pippa quickly apologised, but Sebastian leaned in, his voice pitched low, meant only for her ears.
‘Theo might think this is some fairytale reunion,’ he said, ‘but I know different. I know what happened and the only reason I’m here is to make sure Horace Vale tells the truth before it’s too late.’
Pete, whom she’d met in the bookshop, was sitting a row behind her and touched Pippa on her shoulder. ‘Is everything okay?’
She nodded before turning back towards Sebastian.
‘What the hell are you talking about?’ Pippa whispered irritably.
Sebastian didn’t answer, he just looked straight ahead, and the ticking excitement of the afternoon turned into a countdown she feared was ending soon.