The Time Hunters and the Box of Eternity (The Time Hunters Saga Book 2)
Page 21
‘Where are we?’ Becky asked, struggling to keep up with his long strides.
‘Bristol,’ Uncle Percy replied.
It was when they emerged from the alleyway, however, that Becky’s eyes widened with surprise. The adjacent building made Bowen Hall look like a garden shed. Elegantly designed in silvery-white Portland Stone, it had a copper roof, a succession of towering spires and a lengthy marble portico that provided covered entrances to its hundreds of doors.
‘What is this place?’ Becky gasped.
Uncle Percy pointed to a large sign on his right. ‘See for yourself…’
The Hugh Livesy Hospital and residential home for injured Seafarers,
Established 1721
‘I – I don’t understand,’ Becky stammered.
A wide smile formed on Uncle Percy’s face. ‘Isn’t it amazing? Apparently, the Black Head’s crew, along with Battle-Axe Beattie and Stinky Mo shared Blackbeard’s treasure equally, but it was so much they didn’t know what to do with it. In the end, they barely spent any of it on themselves. They returned to England, and set up a charity in the name of their absent friend, Blind Hugh Livesy. They employed the finest architects of the day and built a number of magnificent hospitals for injured sailors across Great Britain and Europe. In short, they made sure that Blackbeard’s treasure would forever be used for good.’
‘That is brilliant,’ Becky said.
‘Cool,’ Joe said. ‘Isn’t it, Will?’
‘Indeed.’
Becky was about to laugh, when she heard a familiar voice. ‘And I can certainly recommend the medical care. There’s a lovely lady nurse called Poppy that can skin my hump anytime …’ Bruce limped round the corner, gripping a walking cane and wearing a leather biker’s jacket over his blue and white checked pajamas.
‘BRRUUCCEEE!’ Becky and Joe shouted simultaneously, racing over to him and giving him a gentle hug.
‘So, Perce, are you gonna show ‘em where you’ve buried Pandora’s Box? That’s the best bit.’
Uncle Percy smiled. ‘Of course, Bruce. Are you coming?’
‘No,’ Bruce said, leaning into Uncle Percy and whispering, ‘I think I’ll go and find nurse Poppy. I could do with another bed bath.’
‘Ah,’ Uncle Percy nodded awkwardly. ‘Very well. Everyone, follow me.’ He turned a sharp right and proceeded down a footpath. Soon, they were all trudging across well-maintained lawns, passing dozens of patients, some sitting on benches, others in wheelchairs, all of whom were enjoying the morning sun.
‘Where are we going?’ Becky asked, ‘and why exactly did you bury Pandora’s Box here, at a hospital?’
‘You’ll see,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘And strictly speaking, I didn’t bury it at the hospital.’
A short while later, Becky received something of a shock. They had exited the hospital grounds and were walking along a narrow tree-lined road to a sprawling cemetery, which they entered through a rusted iron gate; headstones, old and new, peppered the landscape. And still Uncle Percy showed no sign of stopping. For a further few minutes, they walked the length of the cemetery until Uncle Percy finally came to a halt at the top of a hill. ‘And that’s where I’ve buried Pandora’s Box …’ he said, pointing ahead.
Becky’s mouth fell open.
At the far edge of the cemetery, dwarfing the horizon, stood a gigantic marble statue of The Black Head, about a third of the size of the real thing, but resplendent in its detail.
‘Isn’t she wonderful?’ Uncle Percy said to a stunned silence.
‘I-I don’t get it,’ Joe said, confused.
‘It’s a Mausoleum, Joe. The Black Head’s crew are buried beneath her. One Toe Tom, Hairy Harry, Jedidiah Quint, Windy Pete … all of them. In fact, there are only two crew members not with them.’
‘Blind Hugh and Jim,’ Becky offered.
‘That’s right. They’re buried in their family plot in Edinburgh. Would you believe it, Blind Hugh married Hilary and they legally adopted Jim. Together, as close any family could be, they lived long and very, very happy lives.’
Becky felt her eyes well with tears. ‘That’s good,’ she said quietly.
‘Let’s have a closer look, shall we?’ Uncle Percy said.
Uncle Percy led them over to the Mausoleum. With each step, Becky didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It was the most remarkable, lasting monument to friendship she had ever seen. Reaching the base of the statue, she saw a silver plaque that read:
‘Aye we’re the crew of the grand Black Head
And proud ter be now we be dead …’
Becky read it again and again. Then she found herself laughing. ‘That is so cool.’
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Uncle Percy replied.
‘And Pandora’s Box?’ Joe asked.
‘ - Is buried way, way down beneath her, far away from Emerson Drake’s clutches, and protected for all time by the bravest crew of pirates to have ever sailed the seas.’
‘Awesome,’ Joe said simply. ‘What do you think Will?’
Will smiled back at him. ‘Awesome, indeed.’
‘Anyway,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘I think it’s time we returned to Bowen Hall. I think we’ve all earned a jolly nice rest, don’t you?’
‘Maybe,’ Joe said. ‘Or maybe we start looking for the other Eden Relics?’
‘Yeah,’ Becky agreed. ‘Actually, I’ve had some thoughts on that.’
Uncle Percy couldn’t help but smile. ‘I’m sure you have, young lady.’ He glanced at Will and the two of them rolled their eyes. ‘I’m sure you have...’ He curled his arms round Joe’s shoulders, as Becky linked arms with Will, and together, the four of them walked back to the time machine.
And just then, Becky could understand why the Black Head’s crew had remained together in life and beyond. Friendship. Family. A sense of belonging. These were the things that mattered. Not money. She glanced over at Uncle Percy, Will and finally Joe and knew deep down that spending time with them, sharing adventures, making sure they were all safe - these things meant more to her than all the riches in the world. Of course, she also knew she would never tell them that, particularly Joe. After all, Christmas was just around the corner and she really did want a new pair of trainers.
If you enjoyed this book PLEASE write an Amazon review.
ALSO BY CARL ASHMORE
UK:
The Time Hunters (Book 1) - amazon.co.uk
The Time Hunters and the Spear of Fate (Book 3)
The Time Hunters and the Sword of Ages (Book 4)
The Time Hunters and the Lost city (Book 5)
Bernard and the Bibble - amazon.co.uk
The Night they Nicked Saint Nick - amazon.co.uk
USA:
The Time Hunters (book 1) - amazon.com
The Time Hunters and the Spear of Fate (Book 3)
The Time Hunters and the Sword of Ages (Book 4)
The Time Hunters and the Lost City (Book 5)
Bernard and the Bibble - amazon.com
The Night they Nicked Saint Nick - amazon.com
Carl Ashmore
Carl is a writer from Crewe, England. He has written seven books for children - ‘The Time Hunters,’ ‘The Time Hunters and the Box of Eternity,’ ‘The Time Hunters and the Spear of Fate’, ‘The Time Hunters and the Sword of Ages,’ ‘The Time Hunters and the Lost City,’ ‘The Night They Nicked Saint Nick,’ and ‘Bernard and the Bibble.’
He is currently working on a new series for children - ‘Zak Fisher and the Angel Prophecy.’
He can be contacted at carlashmore@mailcity.com.
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