Page 41 of Strangers in Time

Molly had read that these weapons could heave twenty-eight-pound shells eight miles into the sky. Although the guns were notvery accurate, the hope was that in skies crowded with German aircraft they would at least hit something, or drive the Luftwaffe fleets to ever higher altitudes, where their bombing accuracy would be sharply diminished.

Molly looked over at the paved walkways and remembered when vendors would be there selling every flavorful delicacy one wanted, like plump muffins and moist tea cakes and ice lollies. And back then there were comfortable sling chairs set around the park, where one could putter away the afternoon sunning one’s face or napping in serene contentment.

Now there were ugly holes in the earth and battered fountains and felled trees, and large guns instead of flowers.

Molly was startled when a man across a section of lawn pointed a camera at her and took a picture, the camera bulb heating up and then cooling down within the length of a breath.

She rose. “Excuse me, what are you doing?”

Charlie turned to look at the man. “What’s wrong?”

“He took my picture.”

As Molly headed over to him the man hurried off and soon disappeared among a crowd of folks walking along.

Charlie said, “Maybe he was taking a photo of that statue.”

“Maybe, but—”

“But what?”

“Oh, I don’t know. It will probably sound quite mad to you, but I think someone is following me. Watching my house, that sort of thing. And now this man with the camera.”

“But why would they do that?”

“That’s just it, Charlie, I don’t know why.” Molly shook her head. “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it now.” She glanced up and said, “It looks like it might rain.”

Charlie played with a corner of the picnic blanket. “So, you went to see Mr. Oliver?”

“Yes, I needed your address.”

“Why?”

She took out the half crown. “Because I mean to give you this.”

Before last night Charlie would have taken the coin. But now, the sight of the money made him think of the dead copper. And Eddie. The large truck rolling over his small head. Lonzo’s threats. He made no move to take the offered payment.

She said, “I promised this to you in return for services rendered. You performed those services. Hence, you deserve to be paid. It’s only fair.”

“I don’t deserve nothin’,” said Charlie, his eyes starting to tear up.

“Charlie, what is it? What’s wrong?”

He wiped his eyes dry. “We best get on. You can get a taxi over there.”

“I can walk. It’s not so very far from here. And I can nip into Harrods on the way. I haven’t been there since I went to the country.”

“But not with the rain comin’. And a taxi’s better what with your basket and all.”

“But what about you?”

He shrugged. “I’m wet mor’n I’m dry. And I don’t mind walkin’ long ways. I do it every day.”

“Is your school that far from your home?”

“It’s… no, it’s not that far. But I walk other places,afterschool.”

They picked up their things and put them back in the hamper. At the taxi stand next to the park, Molly said, “I would like to meet your mum.”

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