The Historians

Chapter 8

Matt was getting used to car riding by now. He remembered that Thomas had said he would teach him to drive. He needed to learn soon. He had some ideas of his own about this case but needed time to think about them, and a little more time to look around Tintagel. He put his hand in his coat pocket and felt the phone that Thomas had given him. Perhaps he could make it work.

Just as he had been shown he woke it up and slid his finger across the screen. Finding the symbol for phone he hit the star for favorites and there was Kitty's name, along with Thomas and Allen Cranbourne. He touched Kitty's name and in a few seconds heard it ringing.

"Hello Matt." It was amazing to hear her voice. How did this thing work? How could someone's voice travel this far? The strange little box in his hand was smooth and weighed barely anything, but it held such mystery.

"We are on our way home now. We're still in the car, but driving back to get the jet. Allen says we'll be back in London in time for supper."

"That's good, we have plans for the evening. Thomas and Jennifer want to show us some of the night life here."

Matt could have made some comments about his own idea of 'night life' but Cranbourne was sitting there so he refrained.

"Did you have a good day?" he asked.

"Yes, I spent some time with Doc and he woke up for a while. I'll tell you later. Hurry home – I miss you."

They made good time and were back in London by late afternoon. The sun set early this time of year and already the sky was glowing red in the west as they landed back at City Airport. As usual, somehow a taxi was waiting to take them into the city, by now dusk was setting in and as they crossed back over Waterloo Bridge the city seemed outlined in lights as offices and buildings were lit up and the street lights were coming on.

Matt needed to get some cash, Cranbourne had been paying for everything up to now, he said that The Agency would reimburse him, but Matt needed a little money in his pocket anyway. Cranbourne had the taxi drop Matt off near the hospital – "There's a cashpoint just around the corner there. Oh," he went on to explain – "I think you call them ATM's or something. I'll phone you in a couple of days and we can talk some more about the case."

Matt went around the block towards the front entrance to the Hospital and found the so-called cashpoint in a wall. Impossible to think that this machine could replace Mr. Bodkin – but it worked just fine, he swiped his card, entered his PIN number and selected £50.00 for the amount. The machine promptly handed him his money. Like Kitty, he had no idea where the money was coming from, but Thomas had told them it was all taken care of, just like when he had been in Dodge. He too had no idea how or where the money came from, but it did.

Kitty was waiting for him when he arrived at the apartment.

They exchanged welcoming kisses and Matt removed his jacket and gun holster and made his way to the couch. Kitty went to the little kitchen area and put the coffee pot on.

"Doc is doing much better," she called out. "He woke up and recognized me this morning. He looked around some but didn't say too much."

"That is good news."

"So how was your day and that jet?"

"You just couldn't imagine Kitty. Flying is a little scary at first – but then it is the most amazing thing. You look down at the ground and see the buildings get smaller and smaller till eventually you are above the clouds and look down on them too. There is no way I can describe it."

"Tonight we are going out to eat with Thomas and Jennifer. They want to show us some of London, so go get cleaned up. I left some clothes for you on the bed."

Taxi riding was becoming quite common place for both of them now. Matt paid off the driver and looked around.

Thomas explained, "This place is called Platform. It is actually in one of the archways under London Bridge Station. The location is old but the restaurant has only been here about a year and is creating quite a stir. They offer a variety of food – if you feel homesick you could try the Longhorn Ribeye, but there are plenty of alternatives. Jennifer and I ate lunch here one day not so long ago, and it was good."

Kitty and Matt were enthralled with the place, the atmosphere and the food were outstanding. He of course had to have the steak, but kitty went for the spinach stuffed saddle of lamb.

After the meal was over and they had finished coffee, the four friends left to walk along the south bank of the river. The cool air and the myriad of lights reflecting on the water made a romantic setting.

Kitty noticed that it wasn't long before their two friends were holding hands, then finally Thomas had his arm around Jennifer's shoulder. Kitty smiled at Matt and then they did the same.

"There's an old pub down here called The Market Porter. In the daytime there is a large fruit and vegetable market right next to it, that's how the pub got its name. There are several old pubs in the area – all with timbers and old wood paneling, you might like to try some of them."

It was about a fifteen-minute walk, but well worth it. Very different from the saloons of Dodge City, or for that matter any other town Matt had seen. The place was crowded, no one was really drunk, just a lot of people socializing in groups. No barroom brawls or gunfights, just folks having a good time.

They found a small table made from a beer barrel in a corner, Thomas brought some drinks over and the two ladies became engrossed in a discussion about clothes. Matt turns to Thomas. "You know you said you would teach me to drive, I need to do that."

"Here in London is not a good idea, but I have a little cottage out in Hertfordshire and I am supposed to be off this weekend, so how about we all go down there. I think Jennifer is working on Saturday but she can join us later."

There was a buzzing sound and Thomas reached in his pocket and excused himself to head outside to take a call. He returned a few minutes later.

"I have to go, someone in A&E – ER in your language," he smiled to Matt and Kitty, almost forgetting that they came from a time before such specialties were thought of. "He got his chest caved in in a traffic accident, I need to go see if I can fix it. Matt can you see that Jennifer gets back alright?" The young couple exchange a brief kiss and he leaves."

Jennifer shakes her head, "Happens to one of us all the time," she says with resignation. "It makes it difficult to get much time together."

"I know what you mean," Kitty laughs looking at Matt. "Go get another round for us."

The three of them sit talking for another hour.

Matt listens vaguely to the women's conversation for a while but his mind drifts back to what he had seen earlier in the day. He wants to return to Cornwall and take a closer look at the Bar D "ranch". Somehow he knows it is involved. To him it seems the obvious solution. He needs to talk some more with Cranbourne. About a week in that little town should uncover a lot of things. Maybe Kitty and he could go down there as honeymooners and not create too much attention. Allen had told him it was a tourist town so they should fit in quite well. He remembered Thomas mentioning a cottage there; he even had the keys, and a car. He had to learn to drive and soon.

TBC