The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 24 -- London Bridge

Chapter 24 – London Bridge

Sam and Mrs. Steers found their way to the River Thames.  Its muddy waters flowed towards the south, rolling and splashing against the river's stone walls.  Garbage lined its banks. Docked boats of various types and sizes rocked up and down along the banks.  Sam and Mrs. Steers watched barges chug through the murky waters.  While Sam enjoyed the scene, Mrs. Steers consulted her map.

"Look, Sam. It's London Bridge."  Mrs. Steers pointed at a granite arched bridge up river. "Let's go see it." 

A few moments later, they stood near the bridge, amazed at the sight of it.  People moved like an ant colony, scurrying in both directions.   Sam was reminded of the thoroughfare in Whitechapel. 

Shoppers carried baskets of vegetables and fruits.   Horses pulled wagons filled with crates and barrels.   Others raced to where every they were going.

"Why are there always so many people?" said Sam.  "And the noise!  And that smell!  I had hoped not to deal with more nasty smells anytime soon.  What is it?"

"Probably the river," said Mrs. Steers.  "Between the trash, fish, and maybe a dead body or two..."

"Yuck!" said Sam.  “Let’s see how well I can dodge people.”  Out into traffic they went.

The traffic on the center of the bridge moved faster those strolling along the edges. Further across the bridge, sounds of fast-moving hooves echoed above the traffic's clamor.  The crowd parted for the passage of the black shiny carriage, pulled by four brown horses.  Without looking, Mrs. Steers stepped out into its path.

"Mrs. Steers!  Look out!" shouted Sam, but it was too late. Mrs. Steers disappeared and in a moment she reappeared unscathed as the carriage speed away.

"What? Did you say something, Sam?" Mrs. Steers walked back to him.  Mrs. Steers acted like she had no idea the coach had just passed through her.  "I'm sorry I didn't hear you.  That lady over there reminded me of someone I knew and I wanted a closer look."

"I was trying to warn you about that carriage," said Sam.

"Oh, I didn't notice."  Mrs. Steers said peering both ways down the bridge. "I'm accustomed to those kinds of things happening." 

Sam wondered if he would ever adjust to time-travel and its oddities.  Ghosts passing through me…   Being able to touch some stuff, but not other stuff…

Sam spotted a familiar face in the crowd.  Xavier Graff wasn't blending with the crowd. His bright blue jacket, yellow bow tie, and dark blue and yellow stripped pants didn't hide him. Sam was able to see Graff's yellow pork-pie hat among the men's dark hats.

I know that guy, thought Sam.  He's was talking to Mrs. Steers on the front porch.  He was also in the back parlor on Halloween night.  He tried not to stare at Graff who was on the opposite side of the bridge. Reading aloud from her guidebook about the bridge, Mrs. Steers sounded like a tour guide.

"Listen to this.   The bridge is 928 feet long and 54 feet wide… Oh, and this is interesting.  The lamp posts are made from the metal of a French cannon captured in the Peninsular War…"

Sam was impressed by her ability to read aloud and dodge people.  He bobbed back and forth barely missing them, while trying to watch Graff.  It has to be him.

"…London Bridge is the divider for "upper London" and "lower London…" 

Sam pretended to listen by nodding, but was more interested in Graff.

"...And if you look south, you can see the Port of London..."

Without looking either direction, Graff stepped into traffic, walking through anyone in his path.

It is him.  I was right!  Why's he here?   He must be another time-traveler just like Mrs. Steers? 

Sam's curiosity swelled, wanting to ask her about him, wanting to point him out to her now. 

A short distance in front of them, Graff now was walking in front of them. He stopped and peered over the side of the bridge.

"Mrs. Steers...," started Sam, but before he could ask her about Graff, they walked past him.  Sam didn't understand why she hadn't acknowledged him.  Glancing over his shoulder, Sam could see Graff still looking down at the river.  Still dodging the crowd, Mrs. Steers stopped reading and studied her map.

Sam lost sight of him.  Mrs. Steers moved swiftly through the crowd, with Sam trying to keep up. Heading to the other side of the bridge, they eventually found a clear spot to stop.  Graff appeared, passing through unsuspecting strangers and bee-lining towards them. His eyes were fixed on something ahead of them.  Before Sam knew it, Graff passed Mrs. Steers on her right, just missing her by a few inches.

Sam gasped. "Uh, Mrs. Steers...," said Sam.  "I have a question."  Mrs. Steers concentrated on her map and didn't acknowledge him.

 Hey!  He just slipped something into her bag.  It looked like a slip of paper.  Now Sam was convinced Mrs. Steers and Xavier Graff were involved in something.   His curiosity welled to an exploding point.   Graff disappeared into the crowd.

Sam's imagination raced.   What's going on?  It has to be a secret group.  Maybe they're spies?  Mrs. Steers has to know about the note.  Like a flash, Sam had a brilliant thought. We came this way for a reason.  This was their meeting place.

Sam and Mrs. Steers reached the other side of the bridge and found a secluded place with a stone bench away from the crowd.   Sam watched Mrs. Steers sit down on the stone.

"Mrs. Steers, how can you sit on that bench?  I thought we couldn't touch anything."

"Remember from our earlier conversation.  Solid stone is one thing we can touch.  I have no idea how."  Sam sat next to her.   The stone felt cold.  "All I know is we can feel solid stone and with all the walking we've done so far...  I wish I had an answer for you.  Albert tried to explain, but I would end up shaking my head, more confused than ever…"

"Mrs. Steers, I have a question.  Are there others?  You know, time travelers?"

"Yes, I suppose there are," said Mrs. Steers opening up her guide book again.  "Now let me see, where to next?"

That did it.  Sam's thoughts raced.  She didn't really answer my question.  She doesn't want me to know about that guy.  She is involved with something.  Maybe a spy ring.