‘Well, what did the Doctor say?’ Thornton asked.
‘He said you have to stay in bed and rest while they run some tests.’
‘Oh, in that case I’d better be getting back to my flat.’
‘Don’t be silly, you’re staying here and that’s final,’ stated Cobb.
‘That’s very kind of you my boy, but in that case I’ll be needing a favour.’
‘What’s that?’ Cobb asked him.
‘Someone is turning up at my bookshop tomorrow expecting to pick up a parcel. Could I ask you to get the parcel out of my safe and give it to the man when he arrives? It’s very important.’
‘Sure, what time?’
‘Tomorrow at 9 o’clock.’
Right you’ve got it. Now you get some sleep and I’ll be in tomorrow to get all the details. Sleep now.’
‘Night Thornton’ said Adele.
‘Night to you both,’ he replied.
***
Next morning Cobb stood in Thornton’s bookshop waiting for a visitor. It was empty as it didn’t get regular trade, because this particular shop only dealt in rare, antique books, not the sort of shop for the everyday book buyer.
Cobb worried as he waited. When he had been in to see Thornton that morning, he hadn’t seemed to be any better. He was hoping that a good night’s sleep would have perked him up but it didn’t seem to make any difference.
He was lost in thought so looked up startled when the doorbell tinkled. A well-dressed man came in. He looked carefully around the shop and then approached Cobb, at the counter.
‘Do you have Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen,’ asked the man.
‘No but we have Dried and Desiccated by Bill Boston,’ replied Cobb.
‘Fine, I’ll take one of those.’
‘I’m sorry but they only come in pairs.’
The man looked around once again to make sure they couldn’t be overheard, then said carefully, ‘You won’t find much hair on a duck egg, but there’s plenty of hair on an ape.’
Cobb replied, ‘And it’s only the hairs on a gooseberry, that stops it from being a grape!’
‘Good,’ said the man. ‘That’s the recognition codes out of the way. Do you have the package?’
Cobb took it from under the counter and slid it across.
‘I was expecting Mr. Wells to be here,’ said the man.
‘Ah well, you’d best let your people know, he is very ill. I’m taking care of him at my place. I don’t think he’ll be doing any … bookselling … for quite awhile.’
‘I’m really sorry to hear that, he’s a good man. And who shall I tell them told me?’
‘They’ll know,’ said Cobb.
***
Cobb was still puzzling over Captain James’ attitude, so when he left the shop he thought he would go around to James’ place again and give it one more try.
When he got to number forty-seven and knocked on the door, the landlord recognised him and just waved him straight in. Cobb walked up the stairs and knocked on the door of room five.
He heard something from behind the door but couldn’t make out what it was, so he chose to interpret it as ‘Come in’. He turned the handle and marched into the room.
Obviously what Cobb had heard wasn’t ‘Come in’ as Captain James was standing there in just his nightshirt. He grabbed a chair and pulled it in front of him to cover his disability and to balance himself. Cobb looked around the room and could see the wooden leg over by the window.
‘What do you mean barging in here like this?’ James demanded. ‘You’ve no right!’
‘Sorry, my apologies,’ said Cobb. ‘I thought I heard you say come in.’
‘Well, what do you want?’ said James. He stood there on his right leg and leaned the stump of his left leg on the chair for support.
‘I thought I’d just give it one more try to see if you will speak to my clients about what you witnessed.’
‘I said I wouldn’t testify.’
‘But you admit that you were there?’
‘I’m saying nothing, now please leave.’
Cobb stood there looking at him, hoping he’d change his mind but he seemed adamant. ‘Okay, sorry to have bothered you. You won’t hear from me again.’ He left the room, closing the door behind him.
Out on the street again, Cobb walked slowly along the pavement. Something was scratching at the inside of his skull and he couldn’t figure out what it was. He turned and headed back towards number forty-seven but stopped outside, as he wasn’t quite sure why he’d come back. Something wasn’t quite right, something had happened or he’d seen something that didn’t quite figure and his subconscious mind kept nudging him gently in the ribs.
He walked back to the end of the street again and stood there for a while watching the traffic go by, trying to dredge it up into his conscious mind but with no luck. Eventually he gave up and did what he always did in situations like this, when faced with a temporarily unfathomable mystery.
He figuratively took it down to the basement in his mind and locked it away in a room. Then he forgot all about it.
He knew from past experience that his subconscious would keep going down to that locked room and worrying away at the puzzle until it worked out a solution. Then one day, when Cobb had forgotten about the mystery and was thinking about something completely different, the memory would kick open the door, swagger through with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a gun in the other and shout, ‘Hello boys … IIIIIIII’m back!’
Satisfied that that was all he could do for the moment, Cobb went home.
***
Next morning as Cobb and Adele were finishing breakfast they heard the doorbell ring. Cobb knew that Won Lungh was in the kitchen so he got up to answer the door himself. As he opened the dining room door though, he saw Won Lungh answering the door. Damn it! How does he do that, wondered Cobb. No matter where he was in the house, he always managed to beat Cobb to the door.
Won Lungh opened the door and two gentlemen were standing there. ‘Tell your Master we’ve come to see him,’ and handed him their cards.
Cobb, back in the dining room looked at the cards and then gave them to Adele.
‘Show them into my office, Won Lungh. We’ll be there in a moment.’
‘Who are … ?’asked Adele.
‘Sir Robert Emmersley or “Emm” as he is known, is reputed to be the head of the Albion Secret Service,’ he explained. ‘Sir Willoughby Potts only happens to be the king’s personal physician. Let’s go see what they want.’
Cobb led the way into the office and made the introductions.
‘How can I help you?’ he asked.
‘As you may or may not know Mr. Cobb, I’m an old friend of Thornton’s. I heard on the grapevine that he was ill so I’ve brought along Sir Willoughby Potts to take a look at him, if that’s all right.’
‘But you’re the king’s own personal doctor’ Cobb said to Sir Willoughby. ‘If you don’t mind me asking, why are you here?’
Sir Robert answered, ‘Over the years, Thornton has been of service to his country on more than one occasion. I aim to see to it that he gets the best of care.’
‘May I see the patient?’ asked Sir Willoughby.
‘Certainly … Adele, would you mind?’
‘Of course not. Right this way Sir Willoughby.’ They left the room, Adele filling him in on the way about Dr. Bromley’s diagnosis.
Cobb arranged for Won Lungh to bring them tea and they made small talk while Sir Willoughby examined Thornton, although Cobb was dying to ask Sir Robert about Thornton’s connections to the Secret Service. But he knew he’d be as tight-lipped about it as Thornton was.
Finally Sir Willoughby and Adele came back downstairs and joined them in the office.
‘I’m afraid it’s rather bad. Dr. Bromley hit the nail on the head by correctly identifying the malaria but there’s more to it than that. From what I understand of Mr. Wells’ history, he has been around most countries of the wor
ld and caught diseases in a fair few of them, he had cholera at one point. Not to mention wounds … did you know he’d had a sabre wound right through his lung? And that he’s been shot a couple of times?’
Everyone said no.
‘So with that scar tissue on his lungs, when you get a cough, which is more likely a touch of pneumonia than a cough, it doesn’t sit too well, I’m afraid. The prognosis is bad. I guess that his life has finally caught up with him.’
‘What, you mean it’s … it’s fatal?’ asked Adele, taking Cobb’s hand.
‘Alas, I fear it will be,’ confirmed Sir Willoughby Potts.
‘Well, how long does he have?’ asked Cobb.
‘Hard to say, he’s a tough old bird. It could be days or weeks, who knows?’
They all sat down gloomily, except for Sir Willoughby who was accustomed to death and helped himself to the tea and biscuits quite happily.
‘Is there anything I can do,’ Sir Robert asked Cobb. ‘Would you like to transfer him to a private hospital? At my expense of course.’
‘Certainly not,’ said Adele indignantly. ‘He’s family. He will be staying here and I will look after him.’
‘Very well,’ said Sir Willoughby. ‘Continue Dr. Bromley’s treatment and I will check back every few days and consult with Bromley.’
Sir Robert rose to his feet and everyone else followed suit.
‘Well, I’ll just pop up and say hello while you’re getting your hat and coat.’
Cobb took Sir Willoughby out into the hall where Won Lungh was waiting, holding their hats. They chatted idly while they waited for Sir Robert.
Sir Robert finally came down the stairs, looking glum. He said to Cobb, ‘If he takes a turn for the worse, if it looks like he … you know … here’s my card. Send a runner or a telegram to me any time, day or night, and I will come straight over.’
Cobb shook their hands and they left.
After the door closed behind them, Adele threw her arms around Cobb and buried her head in his chest. She said, ‘Oh Cobb, what are we going to do? It seems so … so serious.’
He stroked her back to comfort her but he was lost for an answer. All he could manage to say was, ‘I don’t know Adele … I just don’t know.’
The Physics of Jumping
Next morning Mrs. Amanda Stiverley called round to visit Thornton. Cobb and Adele were well acquainted with her, they had been out on the town with her and Thornton a few times. Thornton had a few lady friends dotted around Londum but Amanda was the only one they’d ever met. Until today.
After Amanda had been with Thornton for an hour or so, Won Lungh came into the drawing room where Adele was working, with an embarrassed look on his face.
‘Missee Adele? We got problem.’
‘What is it Won Lungh?’
‘Missus Stiverley still upstairs with Missa Wells?’
‘Yes she is. Why?’
‘There is another woman here to visit him.’
‘Oh dear. I’d better have a word with her. Show her in, would you?’
Won Lungh went out into the hall and returned a moment later with a lady in her forties. He showed her in and then waited by the door to see what would happen next.
‘Good day, my name is Miss Julia Welch, I’m here to see Thornton. How is he?’
‘Good morning Miss Welch, I’m Miss Adele Curran. Thornton is still quite sick, I’m afraid.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that. Could I see him, even if only for a short while? We’re good friends.’
Adele looked at Won Lungh who looked back desperately. She racked her brain for a likely excuse to make. ‘Unfortunately the doctor is examining him at the moment,’ said Adele. ‘If you’d care to wait?’
‘Yes, thank you, that would nice.’
‘Won Lungh, could we have some tea please? Please Miss Welch, have a seat.’
As Miss Welch settled herself on the sofa, Adele excused herself and followed Won Lungh into the kitchen. ‘If Mr. Cobb comes home tell him to go into his office and wait. We don’t want him blundering into the drawing room and giving the game away while she’s here.’ She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. ‘I’ll go up and get rid of Mrs. Stiverley.
She followed him back to the drawing room with the tea and poured a cup for Miss Welch. ‘I’m sure the doctor won’t be long; he’s been here quite a while now. I’ll just go and see how they’re doing,’ she excused herself again and went up to Thornton’s room. Knocking gently she let herself in.
‘Ah, Thornton, Amanda, how are things?’
‘Fine thanks,’ Amanda Stiverley replied. ‘He seems to be coming along well.’
‘I’ll be up and about in no time,’ said Thornton.
‘Well, we’re expecting the doctor to arrive soon to check in on him, so we don’t want to give him too much excitement in one day, do we?’ persisted Adele.
‘You’re right I suppose,’ said Amanda. ‘I could always come back later perhaps?’
‘Perhaps he should get some rest. How about you come back tomorrow instead?’ Thornton frowned at her but Adele continued, ‘Those are the doctor’s orders, plenty of rest.’
Amanda looked a bit put out at that but replied, ‘Of course. If you think that’s best. You’ll let me know if there are any changes to his condition?’
‘Of course I will.’ She waited patiently while Amanda put on her hat and coat and collected her handbag, then she showed her down the stairs and out the front door.
Then she went back up to brief Thornton on his other visitor supping tea in the drawing room.
‘Oh right, I see now why you bundled Amanda out of here so quickly. Thanks very much. You can show Julia up now.’
‘So much for what the doctor said about resting,’ replied Adele
***
‘So there it is, Thornton. Columbine wants me to go to this other Universe and save that Harlequin chap, so of course I told her no,’ Cobb said.
‘Why?’ asked Thornton.
‘Well, isn’t it obvious? If it’s the sort of place that they banish people to for their punishment, then it’s far too dangerous a place for me to want to go there.’
‘And you’re the only one who can do this?’
‘I suppose so.’
‘Cobb, once long ago, when we’d had rather a lot to drink, you told me why you joined the police force in the first place. Remember?’
‘Well … er … vaguely,’ he said uncomfortably, not sure where this was heading.
‘You told me that you believed it was the duty of the strong to protect the weak. That’s why you’d joined, to help those who couldn’t help themselves.’
‘Maybe I said that but so what? What are you getting at?’
‘Well, this Columbine needs your help because in this instance she can’t help herself.’
‘So you’re saying that I should go?’ asked Cobb.
‘No Cobb, I’m saying … do what you think is right.’
Cobb didn’t reply. He idly picked up a bottle of Thornton’s medicine from the bedside table. It had some horrible, milky-white substance in it. ‘It looks awful, how does it taste.’
‘It doesn’t taste anywhere near as bad as the suppositories,’ Thornton joked. ‘I must ask for them in mint flavour next time.’
***
Adele asked Cobb to accompany her to the local market while Won Lungh kept an eye on Thornton. As they walked down the street a big dog came out of an alley and started barking at them.
Cobb stepped forward to put himself between the dog and Adele, but she grabbed his arm to stop him. Then she waved her hand across the dogs face and said, ‘Sleep.’
Amazingly, the dog eyes got heavy and it slid down into a lying position and rolled over on its side as it fell asleep.
‘That was incredible, I knew you could control animals but I’ve never seen anything like that before,’ Cobb said. Then a frown creased his forehead. ‘Wait a minute, you never do that to me, do you?’
‘Occasionally …
it saves me having to feign a headache.’
‘You what?’
‘Relax, I’m only kidding. I’d never do it to you.’
‘You’re sure?’
‘Sure. I’d never do it to you.’
They carried on walking and a few streets later they arrived at the market. Adele made her way to the fruit stall.
Adele was looking at the apples when she noticed the prices. ‘Two shillings for a dozen apples? That’s a bit steep isn’t it?’ she asked the stall-holder.
‘Well they don’t grow on trees, you know’ he replied.
Cobb and Adele looked at each other.
‘Er … well, actually they do,’ replied Adele.
‘But they’re from Gaul, they’re “Pommes”, that means they grow in the ground,’ insisted the stallholder.
‘No, actually it’s potatoes you are thinking of, “Pommes de Terre”, literally “Apples of the Earth” ‘. Adele corrected him. ‘These are just apples, they grow on trees,’
‘But still, they’re from Gaul!’ he insisted.
‘But two bob for a dozen apples, that’s daylight robbery!’ said Cobb.
‘Oh well, take it or leave it,’ replied the stallholder.
(For those of you raised on worlds where they can’t count above the fingers on both hands and had to invent the Metric system, I’d better explain the Imperial system that is used in Albion.
Take the money for example. Pounds (£), shillings (s) and pence (written as “d”). There are four farthings in a penny. Six pence is a “tanner”. Twelve pence is a shilling or a “bob”. A two-shilling piece is a “florin”. Two shillings and sixpence is “half a crown”. Five shillings is a “crown” and ten shillings is “ten bob”. Twenty shillings equals a pound and so do two hundred and forty pence. Twenty-one shillings is a “guinea”. There you are, all perfectly straightforward and understandable. Who needs the Decimal system?
So for example, if you wanted to convert £15 17s 6d to Decimal money you would take away thirty-two, divide by nine and then multiply it by five. No, wait, that’s Fahrenheit to Centigrade isn’t it?
The Londum Omnibus Volume One (The Londum Series Book 4) Page 52
