Page 30 of Strangers in Time

Charlie started to answer, but then thought for a moment. “The Honorable Charles E. Matters, Miss.”

Her eyebrows knitted and then proceeded to hike up her long forehead like a building lift in motion. “And where did you get the book, Mr. Matters?”

“Didn’t nick it, if that’s what you’re thinkin’. Someone give it to me.”

She ran her monocle over his unkempt appearance. “You’re certain? Because I will absolutely not entertain the purchase of stolen goods.”

Charlie never broke eye contact. “It was given me,” he said.

“By whom?”

“Why’s that matter?”

“Things like that simply do.”

“Ignatius Oliver, who owns The Book Keep over by St. Saviour’s School. He was the bloke what give it to me.”

She gazed at him wide-eyed. “You most assuredly do not attend St. Saviour’s?”

“I most ’ssuredly does not, Miss.”

For a moment Charlie thought her twitching lips might lift into a smile, but they didn’t quite manage it.

“And why would he give you the book?”

Charlie shrugged. “He… he said his wife used to write down… thin’s in hers. And he supposed I might like to do that, too.”

“Then why are you here attempting to sell it?”

“’Cause I could use the money more than I can the writin’ down what I’m thinkin’ and such. I doubt it’s worth the bother.”

She gazed uncomfortably over his tattered clothes and thin frame. “How much, then?”

Charlie bit his lip. “I was thinkin’ five quid, but for you I’ll let it go for only two.”

“And why give me such abargain?” she asked with suspicion.

He decided to simply tell the truth. “’Cause we been havin’ a nice talk and all. It’s warm in here,” he added. “And this chair’s the softest I ever sat in. These thin’s count with me, Miss.”

She placed her hands in front of her, but did not look unduly put off by the stated amount. “All right. But two pounds is still quite a lot of money.”

“Well, it won’t all go to me.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, the bloke across the street told me about you, so I figures he deserves a tanner. He helped take care ’a the bombs till his legs got blown off down East Ham way. And Gran needs a hat and specs. Then some of it would go for some shoes and a coat for me, if I can find ’em at the right price, or if I can find ’em a’tall. Anythin’ left over, well, my gran, she likes a puddin’ sometimes.”

“Your ‘gran’? Do you live with her?”

Charlie nodded.

“And your parents?”

Charlie shrugged. “Just got me gran.”

She cleared her throat and without looking at him said, “I thinkfivepounds is the going rate for a book such as this. Itisquite a large amount of paper. Let me just nip off and see to it.”

As she rose, Virginia Woodley dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief pulled from her cuff. As she started to pass by him Charlie said firmly, “There’s no need for pity, Miss. Lots of folks worse off’n me. I got Gran, and a roof.”

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