Epilogue

Ismay’s House in Kinspit

 

A few days later John was able to bring himself and Laurence home. Neither of them had seen the place for some time, and they were happy to find that Owen and Celia had, at least temporarily, cleared up the whole rift in the space-time continuum mess. They had left a little note and it said:

‘Everything fairly ship shape. Do NOT go anywhere near the Vault. We’ll be in touch about sorting it out properly soon. The Twins have told us a bit about your adventures. Want to hear more. Best, C&O

John fished out his post, both overt and covert, and settled down to read it in his study. Hardacre hovered nearby.

John looked up.

‘Have I forgotten something, Laurence?’

‘Yes, you have sir, and I think you should do it before you “forget” permanently’

John looked perplexed. Hardacre assumed a look of infinite patience.

‘We had a bet, sir’ he explained

John attempted an uncomprehending look, but abandoned it almost immediately – he could see the edges of Hardacre’s lips beginning to curl downwards.

‘You want it now?’ asked John, ‘I’ve just started on the post’

‘Yes, now sir’ insisted Hardacre, ‘I will have to take it to the tailors in the morning’

John put down the letters and reluctantly rose. He had got halfway out of his study when there was a sharp rap on the door. Hardacre narrowed his eyes and hurried off.

He could see immediately who was there. He opened the door. It was raining again and they were shaking their coats to shed the accumulated water.

‘Mr Ridgeway, Captain Eistedd, what a pleasant surprise’ he said, wondering how they had known that they were back so quickly.

‘We heard that you were both back from a long trip’ blustered Ridgeway, ‘and we thought we’d just drop in with a snifter of Rydale port’

Ridgeway held up a large bottle and shook it in the air excitedly.   

 ‘Won’t that disturb the sediment, sir?’ enquired Hardacre.

Glynn smiled at him from behind Ridgeway’s back. Hardacre allowed himself a surreptitious smile back. He was glad to be home.

‘Are you going to let us in out of this damn rain’ asked Ridgeway.

‘Of course sir’

Hardacre let them bn, taking in the smell of the wet streets of Kinspit and wondering how overgrown his garden had become. Then he thought of the Proconsul and remembered the beauty of her garden and wondered when he would see it again. She probably would have to employ some more gardeners; she’d have so little time to tend to it herself now.

Hardacre hung up their hats and coats and then gestured towards John’s study.

‘Please feel free to make your way to Mr Ismay’s study’ he said, ‘I’ll come to see if you need anything a bit later. I have some chores to attend to’

Ridgeway and Glynn were happy to leave Hardacre in the hall and rush off to interrogate John. Hardacre sighed – he could clear up any problems later.

He made his way to the laundry room and inspected the state of the clothes. There was dirty washing everywhere. Simkins had clearly not been anywhere near this room. He’d have to have words.

Hardacre looked at the piles of clothes and formed a plan. He’d start on the socks.