Mirum watches the sea while Odea relaxes with a book, The Marvellous Land of Snergs.
The radio crackles. Odea and Mirum leap to grab the microphone.
Mirum won.
"Greetings this is the West Clan, anyone there?"
"This is Jennifer and Molly is by my side, we have little time but we wanted to offer our support."
"This is Mirum and Odea is by my side."
"With me is Olga, Fiona and this is Alaya. I know it precious time. Just tell us, girls, how are you all holding up?"
Odea whispers to Mirum, "Tell them."
"This is Mirum. Um, I have not been taking care of myself. Odea snapped me into adulthood. I am sorry I made you all worry."
Odea whisper louder, "Tell them."
"Um, I lost weight, my color left my face and according to Odea I looked as if I was dying."
Silence
"Um, I am better now. I have made some adjustment along with Charlene who will assist in my position. I am sorry."
"Mirum," Alaya speaks as the oldest Silurian and the temporary leader of this growing clan. "Do not hesitate to contact us if you need aid. We are grateful for Miss Dither's friendship. We are fearful that she felt compelled to communicate to us; we are truly worried. Are you telling us not to worry?"
"Yes, I am telling everyone not to worry."
"Good. Now, what is this plan of yours April?"
"Hiya! This is April and Kay is nearby. We have been talking. We wanted to remind everyone that Trinity is a boarding school that accepts children starting at five years old."
"Are they a burden, do you need assistance?" Fiona quickly checks before she loses the girls to the future.
"No, no, no. This is about the war. The military is more active. They are sending troops north and west. We see them often stopping for tea in Tebay. We thought it might be best if we get our precious cargo away."
"They are too young." Fiona remarks quickly.
"They won't be alone."
"Catherine is too old."
"I will go with them."
"Who said that?" Fiona almost climbs into the radio.
"Me, Kate."
"It will years! Many years before you come home. Besides, it takes two of you to do the work on the farm."
"I am going to move to the farm."
"Who said that?" Fiona is frustrated, "This contraption makes everyone sound the same."
Everyone with Silurian ears holds their tongue as it would be not the time to tease about human hearing.
"I will go to the farm, it is me, Odea."
"Have you all discussed without informing us?"
"Not really it just kind of worked itself out," says Jennifer. "Molly and I have important work here, MIrum & Charlene have their work. Odea is the only person who can take April's place."
"What about Catherine?"
"Catherine will return to watch over you lot." Jokes April
"We don't need watching over!" Fiona snapped in frustration.
"Yes, you do." April becomes serious, "You have three businesses to run and three people to manage. I am doing my part of the family business with the translations and managing the farm. Jennifer and Molly have their dual positions. Mirum is doing us proud watching the seas and with the assistance of Charlene, she will manage her health. This farm and animals take two individuals, no less to manage. It is a good plan."
"Mother, this is Jennifer, it is a good plan," Jennifer adds while holding Molly's hand.
"This is Odea. I felt that being in London I have too much spare time. The businesses keep me busy but then it ends like clockwork and instantly I am utterly alone. I want this." Odea pauses, "They are sending many women to farms. I want this to be my choice."
"What about your skills with the morgue?"
"I will inquire around," Kay said with laughter. "Besides you are qualified to be a country physician. I am sure Mrs. Theobald will not hesitate to advert your services for a five percent commission. "
"Odea, it sounds like you made up your mind and you have thought it over. You know what is best for yourself." Alaya grabs her wife's hand. "Which frees up Kate to go with the girls. I will make arrangements and will contact with further instructions."
"Have you told the girls?" Fiona asks meekly
"Not yet. We want final arrangements before we say anything. A few of them are not fond of changes."
"We must go. Miss you all. Truly. Odea are you stopping by before you head to the farm?" Molly asks.
"I will be leaving here within a fortnight. I will come by and stay with you to assist in the bookshop. I am quite curious. Do you have sleeping arrangements for me?"
"We do."
Everyone takes turns to say goodbye to Jennifer and Molly.
"I guess Jennifer explained to Molly our situation. Their love must be progressing well."
Fiona quickly interjects, "Jennifer is taking it slowly. She is giving Molly the gift of a courtship." "How wonderful for Molly," Fiona whispers as she leans on her wife's shoulder. The coolness is a comfort.
"The girls will love Trinity."
"No devices and all those books."
"What will April do while the girls are in class?"
"That is something she'll need to investigate."
"Possibly take classes at NNYU?"
"Oh, what kind of classes?" Kay in all her excitement pulls the microphone close to her body, "Tell us what NNYU was like."
"First it was six years. Most of the time I was alone, by choice and by paranoia." Alaya talked about her time NNYU, the friends she made during graduate school, her running, the internship and the things she did while she was on summer break.
All were listening they knew the girls and Kay were in for an adventure.
Spring 1927
London
It was dark, very dark.
Kate, Jenny and Fiona are in their hiding spots watching over the home that looked humble on the outside with every modern convenience inside.
Jenny is located across the road in the attic looking down at the back porch. She was surprised how easy it was to negotiate the price for renting the attic it seems the neighbors are just as suspicious. The wife remarked, "Him always moving at night. Nuthin during the day but at night 'is always moving that one." So now Jenny sits and waits as the family below talking about their day over bread and potatoes.
Fiona is hiding under the bush, flat on the ground. She is glad she wore trousers, a dress would have been cold and the bugs going up her skirt would have been quite annoying. From her vantage point, she doesn't have to move to see Jenny or Kate.
Kate had decided to huddle under the small back porch so that she can take notes if there are conversations. She is well hidden and wore a bleak black dress to be well camouflaged.
According to Alaya, the bus should be here any moment, shortly after dusk.
Soon a Metropolitan Stage Carriage plate No 2635 comes around back. The driver gets out, opens the back door of the bus, goes up the back steps, knock on the door and shortly he is inside. The back door is left open.
One at a time large bags, like potato sacks, are taken to the back of the bus. They are laid out on the floor and benches. They are secured with a rope around the midsection and bottom.
Jenny counted 81 bodies, her heart sank. She watches and hopes for one of the small bags would stir, wake and run. The back door slammed and brought her back to the moment. She scurried out to the roof and waits.
Both men enter the front of the bus.
The driver starts of the engine.
Jenny waits.
The driver moves the gear and begins his journey to the front of the house.
The perfectly placed logs are driven over by the bus's front wheel and Jenny leaps as the back wheels go over the logs. She lands on the floor and grabs hold of the back rail as she attempts to balance herself. The bus turns and she allows herself to drop to the floor instead of trying to balance herself on the top tier of the bus. Jenny quickly stands and waves to Fiona and Kate, who have remained in the locations until the bus was out of view.
Jenny watches as Kate and Fiona run down the road. She knows they are headed to the car. They will not follow the bus but hope to unrun it and meet up with Vastra and Alaya, not before they stop off at the telegraph office to warn the arrival.
Jenny takes off her backpack, pulls out a few things, relatches the pack and place it on the floor behind the last seat. She puts on the large cape, pulls up the hood and hides. From inside her cape, she pulls out a small torch, a pencil and journal. She notes the time and makes notes. She laughs to herself knowing this will absolutely boring reading in the future. The bus went over a bump, she reevaluated her situation and hopes it was absolutely boring reading as she puts one tally mark on the page.
When the bus finally stops after the long journey Jenny hears her wife being a common drunk. She gathers her things and waits for distracting sounds.
Vastra argues with the driver, "I need you to take me to … Fredrick's I need to see Fredrick," and bangs on the truck until she sees Jenny standing on the other side of the street. She stumbles away mumbling about Fredrick. She turns the corner and instantly sobers up. Moments later she is hugging her cold wife, "You are chilled as a Silurian," and purrs at the coolness.
"Oi! I just sat on that bus," Jenny opens her journal. "Going over, painfully I might add, 261 bumps or holes. I would appreciate …"
"Sorry," Alaya tugs and hugs her mother Jenny. "We have a time limit."
Jenny looks to Vastra, "Later!"
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"It is a five-minute walk on the path. You lot will have to walk the hedge, so will take it slow and remain hidden." Alaya ignores the sexual tension her parents seem to bring to every adventure. She looks at her wife and offers a smile. Fiona smiles back perplexed. "We need to split up." Alaya pulls herself together, pulls out a crude map drawing and points to sections as she talks.
Before the team splits up, "One last thing."
The team turns to Alaya, Vastra looks at her daughter almost annoyed.
"Do not go inside. The floor plan shows that there are very few connecting rooms. Stay out, unless there is no other solution."
They all nod in understanding.
The three groups are Vastra and Jenny, Fiona and Kate and Alaya as she will be taking a long way around to the back. Her running speed will be an asset and alone she is much faster.
Fiona and Kate head to their assign location, along to the tree line north. They find a spot closest to the wall which hides them with an overgrown area. The lay the blanket down and get out their tools. Kate will be describing those walking from the parking area while Fiona will be taking notes.
The sun is setting and the shadows are now dark and to their liking. The two are secure and wait.
Kate taps Fiona shoulder and whispers, "Roof."
Fiona takes the binoculars and notices Vastra and Jenny getting settled in their location on the roof. She watches as their shadow blends in so well she is unable to see them and returns binoculars to Kate.
They don't see the truck nor the children. She assumes that her wife, Vastra or Jenny have a more overview of the situation. Their jobs are to watch who enter the grounds and make detailed notes of anything and everyone.
A full set of staff exit the old stables ready to valet arrivals.
The sun is fully set and automobiles begin to enter the abbey grounds.
Kate has the binoculars and with whispers registration mark of a vehicle, description of individuals being dropped off as they are escorted into the Abbey.
Fiona writes diligently. She looks up as Kate goes silent.
"What is it?"
Kate hands Fiona the binoculars and whispers, "The woman wearing that brown cloak. Please tell me I am wrong."
Fiona looks and keeps her composure. She hands back the binoculars to Kate, "We must keep going. Please."
Kate nods and returns to her designated duty.
One after another until there was none.
Kate and Fiona pack up their things and crawl until they are safely in the shadows. They sneak to White Horse Inn. They wait.
"What is the weather like?"
"You know this, we talked about this before. You have seen the pictures."
Kay opens her closet and flips through her clothing, "This will not do." She looks at her body and sees herself in the mirror. She tries not to evaluate her face too much. "When will the police box arrive?"
April looks at her watch, "Soon."
"You know you will be buying clothing there."
Kay holds up a flowery summer dress, "What do you think?"
April smiles, "That is perfect. It would be considered ultra-retro." She pulls her wife up close, "You are beautiful. You will be missed." She kisses her wife on the nose, "I will miss your wonderful face."
"Even this nose?"
"You will miss my scales?"
"Your scales are beautiful." Kay plays with the scales on April's arm. "I shall miss your coolness, the soft scales on my skin."
"As your nose." April kisses her wife's nose again, "I will miss your face, all of it. We must get to the barn. We don't want to be late."
As soon as Kay and April open the barn doors they see the blue police box with Alaya standing in front wearing a pair of shorts, sneakers and linen shirt. "You both ready?"
April look at her mother, "That still fits you? Hard to believe."
"Hey!" Alaya taps her stomach, "I keep fit and run. Nice dress Kay. It is very retro."
Kay smiles, "Ultra retro is what April has commented."
Alaya looks at her daughter in knee length skirt and short-sleeve button-down shirt, tucked with every button buttoned, "You don't have to be so conservative." She smiles at her daughter and unbuttons the top button. "There."
April grabs Kay hand. "Mother we are ready."
The three walk into the blue box and disappear.