Page 21 of Strangers in Time

“Itisquite large, yes,” replied Molly.

“You say it’s yours?” he said.

“Well, it belongs to my father. It’s in the garage behind the house.”

“Well, then there’s no doubt a’tall, is there?”

“About what?” she asked.

“That you’re rich.”

“Well then,” she said. “Take me there and the money is yours.” She suddenly looked at him warily. “But I know London well enough to figure out if you’re taking me to the wrong place.” Her eyes narrowed and her jaw set firm. “And you won’t be able to take the money from me by force, I can assure you. I’m older than you and quite strong.”

“I never would do such a thin’,” said a shocked Charlie.

She replaced the coin in her pocket and eyed him expectantly. “Well then, how can we travel there? I’ve never been on the Underground. How about that as a way?”

Charlie gaped. “What, never on the Underground?”

Molly now looked embarrassed. “My parents preferred the car, you see. And my mother didn’t care for being… down there with so many people.”

“Fact is, most stations close after ’bout nine or so. Last trains leave and folks settle in for the night in case the Germans come. But there’s a bus stop not too far off that goes near where your dad works. It’s a shillin’ each.”

Molly pulled from her other pocket two coins.

“You got money in all them pockets?” said Charlie.

“Shall we?” replied Molly.

A TRIPTAKEN

AS THEY PAID THEIRfare and received their tickets and boarded the double-decker bus, the gray-whiskered uniformed conductor looked suspiciously at the pair.

“Here now, what you two be doin’ out at this hour? Should be home in yer beds, eh? Where yer parents, eh? You think I’m daft and ain’t notice, eh?”

Molly seemed frozen by his aggressive attention. Charlie, though, was not at a loss.

“Our mum’s charrin’ at the Min-stry of Food office. We’re goin’ to help her. Got her dinner in me pocket.” He added, with a sly glance at Molly, “’cause they ain’t got no food at the Min-stry of Food.Eh!”

The conductor snorted at this comment as he poured out a cup of tea from a dented metal thermos. He gazed at the unkempt Charlie and then eyed the properly attired Molly. He said to Charlie, “Nowyoulook you got the char ma, but not her. Think yer having me on, boy? You sure you two even got the same ma?”

“Ain’t think we don’t know our own mum?” said a seemingly outraged Charlie.

“Oi, which one of you’s older, then? Tell me that, you young scamp!”

“We’re ruddy twins,” replied Charlie. “Who got the coins to ride this here bus, right?” This was directed at the young, female driver, who nodded and told her colleague to stand down.

The beaten conductor turned away, took his seat near the front, and quietly sipped his tea as the bus pulled off.

Charlie and Molly sat side by side while tired-looking people sat all around them. However, one young man in a sailor’s uniform and what was likely his girlfriend were energetically kissing. Molly primly looked away.

“How long a ride is it?” she asked.

“A bit,” replied Charlie, scratching his cheek. “Make sure you don’t lose that coin now.”

“I’ve got it right here in my pocket,” she replied firmly.

“So why didn’t your dad come home?”

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