Published August 25, 2012
London was different than Peter remembered. It still had a river and a giant clock, but many buildings were gone, while some stood half-demolished.
"What happened to London?" Peter asked, though he doubted Jane would understand what he meant.
"The Blitz happened," Jane answered. "We're at war with Germany. German planes drop bombs on the city."
Peter knew what bombs were; he remembered all too well Hook's attempt to kill him with a bomb disguised as a present.
"I want to see Kensington Gardens," he said. Jane knew where that was; her parents used to take her and Danny on walks there. Wendy had plenty of stories about fairies and animals that lived there. And fortunately most of the park was still intact.
"Did you know I used to live there?" Peter said conversationally. "I still do sometimes."
"Really?"
"I lived with the birds for a while; they're the ones who taught me how to fly." Peter pulled out his famed instrument, the pan pipes he had made himself. He blew one low note, then quickly a high note and one in the middle; two swans let him put one foot on each of their backs, and swam with him balancing on them. Jane laughed a little, watching them.