Page 47 of Strangers in Time

R EVELATIONS

B ACK AT M OLLY’S HOUSE , Charlie told her everything he had found.

She looked mortified. “That was so dangerous, Charlie. What if the man had come back?”

“I know, Miss, but I thought the bloke was tryin’ to hurt Mr. Oliver or make him do somethin’ he didn’t want to do. But now… I don’t know what’s goin’ on.”

Molly looked thoughtful. “A funny-looking typewriter. And the insides of a book that has been cut out? My goodness, that could be a place to hide something!” she suddenly exclaimed.

“What I thought, too.”

“What was the book again?”

“By some man named George somethin’ or other. George Sand , that was it. And it come from The Book Keep. Its name was in it.”

“And the paper you saw was in German?”

“I think so, yeah. And Mr. Oliver’s got this thin’, Albert’s… um, dish or some such. Thin’ is, he says it’s for sendin’ secret messages.”

Molly looked distraught by all these revelations. “I’m not certain what to do, Charlie. It’s not like we have proof of anything.”

“We could call a copper and he could find that funny machine. That could be proof.”

“I suppose so,” said Molly hesitantly. “But you would have to meet with the police and tell them what you saw. But then they would ask you what you were doing inside the man’s room. And they might ask you other questions.”

Charlie had paled as soon as she had noted that he would likely have to meet with the police. He said, “Then… I think we need to wait a bit.”

“There could be a perfectly innocent explanation for all of this,” Molly said slowly, though it didn’t appear she believed her own words.

“Right,” said Charlie absently. He was distracted by envisioning himself being led to the gallows.

That evening they were huddled in the study listening to a program on the wireless, when the door opened and Mrs. Pride poked her head in. “Molly, there’s a gentleman at the front door asking for you.”

Molly looked surprised. “Excuse me? A gentleman?”

Mrs. Pride held out a card. “He gave me this. I don’t like letting strangers in the house. Your parents would surely not approve.” She stared piercingly at Charlie as though to place an exclamation point on this opinion.

Molly looked down at the card. “Oh, it’s Mr. Oliver.”

“Should I tell him you’re busy? He seems an odd sort.”

“No, you can show him in here. I know Mr. Oliver. He’s… a friend.”

Mrs. Pride’s face became pinched as she said, “Are you sure?”

“Quite sure, thank you.”

They heard her reluctant footsteps heading down the hall.

“What do we do?” said a panicked Charlie. “With what we know?”

“We remain calm and… normal ,” replied Molly, though she looked to be neither.

A few moments later, Oliver appeared at the door and then closed it behind him, his hat in one hand and his waterproof shiny with raindrops. “Thank you for seeing me.”

Molly, barely looking at him because she was so nervous, said, “Of course. But I wasn’t aware that you knew where I lived.”

“You were in the telephone book, or at least your father is listed.”

“I would imagine there are many Wakefields,” she said suspiciously.

“I saw his Christian name on the letter from the Beneficial Institute.”

“Ah, of course.”

“And you mentioned he worked at the Ministry of Food. I have a friend there.”

Now that Oliver had mentioned it, perhaps he could inquire with his friend about what had happened to her father, Molly thought. “I hope you didn’t walk here in such weather.”

“A rumble in the rain is actually invigorating.” He glanced at Charlie. “It was a very fine service, Charlie.”

Charlie and Molly both gaped.

Charlie said, “Service?”

“At your grandmother’s funeral.”

“You was at Gran’s burial?”

“I was behind the line of trees. I would never have dreamt of intruding on such a private affair, but I nonetheless wanted to come and offer my respects.”

“But how did you know she had passed away?” asked Molly.

“I went by to see Charlie at his flat. A neighbor told me what had happened. I didn’t know he had come to stay with you though.”

Molly nodded, “So you came to see me then? Since you didn’t know Charlie was here?”

Oliver stood next to the fire, warming his hands there. When he turned to them, his features were clearly troubled.

“Yes, I did, Molly. You see, I worked briefly for the government.”

She and Charlie exchanged glances. “Really? What did you do there?”

“Things I’m afraid I cannot tell you. There is a law, you see. The Official Secrets Act.”

Molly and Charlie exchanged another startled look before resettling their gazes on Oliver.

“Yes, I know that I don’t seem the type, but I guess that’s sort of the point.” He gave her a troubled look. “When I was at the graveyard, I saw two men watching you, Molly. So you were quite right about that.”

Molly glanced sharply at Charlie for a moment. “Do you know who they were?”

Oliver said, “If I had to speculate, I would say government types. Security people. Have you ever heard of MI5, also known as the Security Service?”

They both shook their heads.

“Its existence is not a secret. Basically, its job is to protect England against its enemies, spies and such.”

“Were you part of this MI5 then?” asked Molly.

“I really can’t say.”

“But why would these men be following me? I’ve done nothing.”

“When I spoke to my friend at the Ministry of Food, he told me something interesting.”

“Does he know what has become of my father?” she said eagerly.

“Become of him?” said Oliver. “You said he was just working long hours.”

“Um, well, that was not entirely correct. He actually… went away and has not returned. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before.”

“Well, I also must make a confession. At the graveyard I actually heard you tell Charlie of your father’s absence.”

“Then why did you pretend you didn’t know?” said Molly in an annoyed tone.

“I was just making sure, that is all. It is a difficult world right now and nothing can be taken for granted. When I saw the men and overheard you tell Charlie that your father had vanished, that is when I began making inquiries.”

“I see,” said Molly, her gaze drifting to the floor.

“I was puzzled why you were asking me about your mother and having me read those letters if your father was still at home. Well, I have found out some news of him.”

“What?” Molly exclaimed, looking up.

“That your father has never worked at the Ministry of Food.”

Molly had just then picked up her teacup. She was so startled by Oliver’s words that the cup slipped from her fingers and fell onto the Wilton rug.

Charlie stared down at the few drops of tea leaching into the carpet before raising his amazed gaze to Oliver.

“Your… your friend must be wrong then,” said Molly slowly. “Or perhaps Mrs. Pride misunderstood my father. Yes, that must be it,” she said, brightening and turning to Charlie. “That’s why he wasn’t at the ministry that night. Mrs. Pride just got it wrong.”

“But that letter got the Ministry of Food’s name on it,” Charlie reminded her.

“That’s right, it did,” said Molly, looking confused once more. “So what else do you know about my father, Mr. Oliver?”

Before he could respond, Oliver’s gaze lifted to the ceiling.

Charlie’s eyes darted to the window.

Molly said, “What is it?”

“Air raid siren,” said Oliver. “I’m off duty tonight and don’t even have my gas mask. How very stupid of me.”

“You can use my father’s. And I have mine and Charlie can use my mother’s.”

Oliver took charge. “Follow me. A tube station is the nearest best shelter. Quickly. We haven’t much time before the next siren sounds, and it’s a bit of a walk.”

They hurried to the front door and grabbed the masks off the pegs along with umbrellas.

Molly said, “Wait, where is Mrs. Pride?”

They quickly searched the house, but couldn’t find her.

“She must have gone out,” said Oliver. “She might already be at the shelter.”

The warbly sirens were growing louder and louder.

Oliver’s expression turned grim as he listened to the sirens. “Hurry, children, hurry.”