The Hands of Time

by Irina Shapiro

  “Alec, what are you saying?” I demanded, feeling suddenly very confused. “How could you know how to drive a car without seeing one?” I was almost screaming by now and he smiled, trying to calm me down.

  “Do not get upset. You told me a secret, and now I can tell you one too, except that I did not really know it was a secret until five minutes ago. It was the clock you described that made me remember.” Alec sat up, crossing his long legs and throwing the coverlet over his exposed middle not to distract me from his story. No amount of nudity could have drawn my attention away from his face as he began.

  “When I was a little boy, I used to have trouble sleeping. I was always keeping my nanny up, begging her to tell me stories. She was not a very imaginative woman and would eventually get angry with me and tell me to go to sleep. I was afraid of the dark and refused to go to sleep, seeking company. My parents would not let me into their bed, and anyway, my mother was often with child. There were other children that didn’t live, you know. Eventually, I found my way to my grandmother’s room, begging her to tell me a story to help me fall asleep. You know how grandmothers are. She couldn’t turn me way, so it became our secret. I would wait for the nanny to fall asleep and run to grandma.”

  “Alec, get to the point,” I screamed in frustration. He smiled indulgently and went on.

  “My grandmother told me about the future, but she said it was our secret. She told me about cars and airplanes, telephones, and that television thing. I did not believe her of course. I just thought she had this wonderful imagination and made it all up. The stories were pure magic. She drew a picture of a car for me and told me about the wheel, and the brake, and the gas pedal, and I used to sit on a fallen log pretending I was driving. She died when I was seven and Finn had been only three, so he didn’t hear any of the stories. She was wonderful, my grandmother.”

  He sighed and I nearly kicked him. “How did she get here? Did she ever tell you?”

  “It was the clock. She was a student at the time, studying in England. I think it was 1981. I cannot remember exactly. It was a long time ago. Her real name was Erzsebet and she was from Budapest. She said it wasn’t a very nice place in 1981. There was no freedom, much like here. She wandered into a shop one day and saw the same clock you described. That is what reminded me, the fat cupid sitting on the clock. The clock was working, but set to the wrong time, and she did exactly what you did. She turned the hands of the clock winding up in 1543.

  My grandfather had recently received the castle as a gift from Henry VIII, and he had taken up residence, retired from fighting and ready to seek a wife. My grandmother was beautiful and exotic. Finn inherited her green eyes. She told my grandfather the truth of what happened to her, and he told her to change her name to Elizabeth and never speak of it to anyone, for fear that people would accuse her of being a witch and try to burn her. He married her, and they had a good life together. She never told her sons where she came from. I was the only person who knew, after my grandfather died. I think she just needed to tell someone, to feel as if it had been real, and not just a dream. I loved her stories.”

  “So you believe me then?” I asked, sighing with relief.

  “Yes, I believe you. Now tell me about this divorce.” I gave him the abridged version of my life story, and he listened attentively until I finished.

  “I am glad your husband was not able to get you with child, because then you would have never come to England. It was your destiny to find us and give Finn a child to carry on his legacy. Now you can give me one too.” He pushed me down on the bed, attempting to get me with child right there and then. I hoped it didn’t work. I wasn’t ready to have another child just yet, but I knew that I wanted to give Alec as many children as he desired. He loved little Finn as his own son, but I knew he longed for a child of his own, and I intended to give him one.

  Chapter 51

  Telling Alec about my past brought me immense relief, and now I felt I didn’t need to be so guarded anymore. It was as if a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders. We spent hours talking about the future, Alec hungry for every detail of modern life. I drew him sketches of cars, airplanes, and modern cruise ships, to give him a clearer idea; then threw them on the fire for fear of someone coming across them unexpectedly. I knew that sometimes he felt a little wistful that he would never get to see these things for himself. He was full of wonder as I described a GPS or an iPod. The notion of the Web nearly drove him mad. The idea that you could look up any information with a few keystrokes was way beyond his understanding.

  The stories of modern technology and medicine intrigued him, but what really interested him was the concept of democracy. The idea that a leader could be chosen by popular vote based on merit, rather than an accident of birth was mind-boggling. He couldn’t believe that a black man was a President of the United States in my time. He’d met a few negros in his travels, and was amazed that people who were treated as second-class citizens had come so far. He thought it was wondrous.

  I also described to him the concept of religious freedom, and he listened attentively as I listed the religions of the day that I was familiar with. The idea that Catholics, Protestant, Jews, Muslims and Hindus could all be in the same room without trying to kill each other, was beyond his realm of understanding. He wished he could see this brave new world.

  I told him that our world had its share of problems, describing the terrible wars that killed millions, and acts of terror so common in my day. I even tried to fill him in on the history of Communism in the Eastern Block, so he could understand the political climate his grandmother had fled from. I knew that some things were difficult for him to understand fully, but it was nice to be able to talk freely with him, and share details of the life I had come from.

  We were walking by the river one day, when Alec suddenly turned to me. “Is this the place where the shop was?” I nodded.

  “Valerie, if you had a chance to go back right now, would you do it? Would you leave?” I could see the anxiety in his eyes and linked my arm through his, holding him close.

  “I wouldn’t leave you for all the tea in China,” I said with a smile.

  “What does that have to do with it?”

  “It’s just an expression, but I wouldn’t leave you for anything, even if I could take Finn with me. My life is here now, with you, and you are all the home I'll ever need.” I think he believed me.

  Chapter 52

  I entered the drawing room quietly so as not to disturb Alec. He was sprawled in the chair in front of the hearth fast asleep, his hand hanging almost down to the floor; the letter still clutched in his fingers. I could see the empty glass on the table next to him, and correctly ascertained that this was more bad news. Bending down slowly so as not to wake him, I pulled the letter from his relaxed hand, giving it a quick perusal.

  The letter was from his Uncle Thomas and it must have come in on the Lady Violet, which docked a few days ago. It was dated back in April.

  April 23, 1606

  Rosewood Manor

  Virginia, North America

  Dearest Nephew,

  I hope this letter finds you in good health. I was very distressed to receive your letter informing me of Finlay’s untimely death. He was always an impulsive boy, and was bound to be led astray by his passions, but I would never expect him to involve himself in anything as vile as the attempt on the King’s life. May God rest his soul and grant him mercy. My heart went out to you and Finlay’s poor wife. It is a wonder she did not lose the child under the circumstances.

  I am also very concerned to see that the Morning Star came in half-empty. Your fortunes are not about to change any time soon, and something must be done to rectify the situation. As it happens, I have been considering putting a proposal to you. I am sorry to say that my health has not been what it once was, and the running of this plantation is becoming too much for me. Charles is, of course, too young. Should you wish it, you can leave England and come to Virginia to take o
ver the running of the estate. There is a brisk trade to be done with the West Indies, and your ships could be put to much better use than traipsing across the Atlantic with scarcely enough goods to fill the cargo holds.

  Please think of what I said, and give me your thoughts. My best wishes to you and Finlay’s wife. Send word whether she had a boy.

  P.S. Charles would like to add a few lines.

  Here the writing changed and there were a few hasty lines scribbled by the hand of a young boy.

  Alec, please come soon. Uncle Thomas is forcing me to learn Latin and Greek, and I am simply hopeless. I want to be a sailor, and go with you to the Indies to wrestle crocodiles and trade with the savages. You can bring Finn’s baby with you. We will leave him with the nanny, and when he gets older, he can learn Latin instead of me.

  Your brother Charles.

  I put the letter on the table next to the empty glass, and sat down to watch Alec sleep. I could almost hear Charles’ voice, and I wondered what he looked like. The portrait in my room was of Alec’s mother with Charlie not long before she died, but Charles would be eleven now and obviously ready for adventure.

  My thoughts turned to the letter. I wondered what Alec thought of this proposition. Judging by the empty glass and his afternoon nap, he probably took it seriously, knowing that our situation was not about to improve. I wasn’t sure how I felt about crossing the Atlantic with a baby, on a wooden boat full of sailors for hire, but I would go anywhere Alec went. There was no life for me without him. I heard Finn’s squeal as Bridget carried him down after his nap, and went to feed the baby before he woke up Alec.

  Chapter 53

  Present Day

  Louisa kissed Doug as he dropped her off at JFK International Airport. He was still confused about why she was going back to England, but she had to follow her hunch. She would never be able to rest if she had the chance to find out the truth and didn’t. She would fly into London, then take a train to Plymouth and a car to Newton Ferrers. Mrs. Bradford was already saving a room for her, glad to have her back for a few days. Business wasn’t what it used to be, and having a paying guest was always a boon.

  Luisa boarded the plane, and watched Long Island disappear from view as the plane soared into the aquamarine sky. She didn’t know what the clock meant, or what the numbers represented, but she knew that it was a clue, and she had to follow it to the shop. At best, she would find something out and at worst, spend a few days in England, reliving Valerie’s disappearance exactly a year after it happened. At this time last year, they were flying to England together, Valerie heartbroken and quiet. If the paintings could be believed, she didn’t stay heartbroken for long, and was able to conceive with that traitor she married.

  Louisa thought of Michael, and couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction. Kimberly had given birth to a baby girl six months after the wedding, and Michael had been overjoyed until he saw the baby. The baby’s skin was several shades darker than either him or Kimberly, and Michael began to grow suspicious. After many arguments and tears, a paternity test had been ordered, and the results proved Michael correct. The baby was not his. Kimberly had been seeing a co-worker from Algiers when she began an affair with Michael, and the baby proved to be his.

  Michael filed for divorce, and Kimberly was now playing house with the baby’s father. He was head over heels in love with his daughter, and willing to overlook the fact that Kimberly never mentioned her pregnancy to him, hoping to snag Michael instead. Serves them all right, thought Louisa. She felt no pity for Michael, who deserted Valerie for Kimberly, who was a piece of work to begin with. She refused the meal offered by the flight attendant and tried to sleep. It would take her a while to get to her destination and she meant to be alert when she got there.

  Chapter 54

  July 1606

  I pulled what felt like a millionth weed from Finlay’s grave and threw it aside, looking down at my progress. There were still a few more to go, but it was definitely looking better. Alec sat on a blanket a few feet away holding little Finn, trying to rock him to sleep. He wanted to bring Finn to his father’s grave, although the baby was too young to understand any of it. We’d been talking about going to America for a few weeks, but no decision had been made. There were days when it seemed like a good solution, and other days when leaving England seemed like a mistake. To be honest, I had no idea what I wanted. I’d been born and grew up in the States, but the America of the seventeenth century was a wild and harsh place. England was modern and civilized by comparison. On the other hand, things had only gotten worse over the past few weeks, the cargo that came in on the Misty Dawn still sitting in the warehouse on the wharf -- unsold and undesired. Deep down, I knew what we had to do, but it still scared me.

  I wondered what would happen to the castle. I knew that it had become a sad old ruin, and Mrs. Bradford had mentioned that no one had lived there since the seventeenth century. Were we the last inhabitants of the castle? Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs would live in their cottage, and the Higgins’ would remain at their farm. The only person who would be left without a home if we left would be Bridget. We hadn’t said anything to her, but she could sense that something was brewing. She seemed to be singing sadder songs, and spending more time in the kitchen with Mrs. Dobbs, no doubt seeking comfort.

  Betty came by from time to time. She was nearing her time, and asked Bridget if she would deliver the baby. Toby could not afford Dr. Marsh, not that the pompous, old ass would come to the birth of a peasant. I worried about Bridget. Her earnings had enabled her to help her family, and she had blossomed since coming to the castle. What would happen to her if we left? She was friendly with Betty, but Betty couldn’t afford to hire help.

  Alec finally got the baby to sleep and came over to help me. He crouched by the grave and pulled a few weeds out, looking at my face.

  “Who will pull the weeds after we’ve gone?” I asked, throwing another weed away furiously. “He will be left all alone.”

  “Finn would want us to do what is best for us and his son. He would understand.”

  “I know,” I said sadly. “He would.” It seemed as if a decision had been made.

  Chapter 55

  Present Day

  Louisa sat on her bed feeling strangely nervous. The trip to Newton Ferrers had been uneventful, and she arrived last evening; checking into the inn and having a meal with Mrs. Bradford. She couldn’t bear the thought of returning to the Dolphin Inn, haunted by memories of the day Valerie disappeared. It was now time to do what she came to do, and she was terrified. She didn’t even know what to say to the man, but sitting in her room was not going to get her anywhere, so she got up, forcing herself to leave the room.

  The walk to Main Street took no more than ten minutes, and Louisa stopped in front of the shop, bracing herself for the confrontation. She pushed open the door, hearing the bell ring as she walked into the deserted shop. The man she remembered from before emerged from the back, his smile of welcome fading as he saw her.

  “Welcome back, Ms. Jamison. What brings you back to our village?” He seemed anxious and Louisa knew that her hunch to come back had been correct.

  “I’m doing some more work at the manor, and thought I’d stop in to see if you got in anything interesting.” She pretended to walk around the shop, until she spotted the clock sitting on the top shelf above the same chipped shepherdess. Louisa reached up and took down the clock, carrying it back to the front. She stood directly in front of Mr. Taylor and raised the clock high above her head.

  “I will smash this clock to pieces if you don’t tell me what happened to my sister. I know it has something to do with you, and I’m not leaving until I find out what I came for.” Mr. Taylor’s eyes grew large behind his horn-rimmed glasses, but he seemed in no rush to stop Louisa from smashing the clock on the floor.

  “Mrs. Jamison, put down the clock. It’s quite heavy. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes you do, and you’re going to tell me. I�
��m not leaving here until I find out what happened to Valerie. Was she the first person to travel to the past, or were there others before her, like Erzsebet?” She saw that she hit a nerve, and continued.

  “I came across a portrait of my sister from 1608. How did she get there? How does this clock work?”

  “All right, Louisa. Put the clock down and I’ll tell you. I see you already know most of it, so I might as well fill in the blanks. Sit down, it’s a long story.” He motioned Louisa to an antique armchair, and sat across from her after locking the shop door.

  Chapter 56

  August 1606

  I stood on the deck of the Morning Star holding on for dear life. Alec said that I would get my sea legs in a few days, but right now, the rolling of the deck beneath my feet left me feeling as if I was reeling drunk and unable to stay on my feet. Bridget did not seem to have this problem. She’d grown up around boats, and had no difficulty maintaining her balance and holding a squirming Finn at the same time, his teething ring slimy with saliva. I was very surprised when she asked if she might accompany us to America. After all, her young daughters were still in Ireland, missing their mother, but Bridget was adamant. Finding work in England would be more difficult than ever after what happened with Finlay, and going back to Ireland was out of the question. There was nothing for her there, and she could serve her children better by earning a steady income and sending the money home. She dreamed of bringing her daughters to Virginia to live with her at some point. I was glad to have her along, both for company, and for her practical knowledge. For all my modern upbringing, I knew very little about babies, and Bridget was a walking encyclopedia on teething, diaper rash treatments, and causes of fevers and tummy aches. I prayed that Finn would not get sick during the journey, as there was no doctor aboard the ship.