Acme Time Travel Incorporated - Volume 2

The Gazette Office – Frinton

Barney and Gabriel got back from a solemn and quiet lunch. Barney had bought Gabriel a cheese and pickle sarnie and a coffee. Gabriel had said he wasn’t in the mood for alcohol, so they had just sat there watching the world go by.

It looked as though life had been sucked out of him.

Back at the office, Barney stopped trying to make conversation, and decided to let Gabriel mull over whatever it was that he didn’t want to talk about. It was obvious to Barney what it would be, but if the lad didn’t want to discuss it, then there was no point in trying. Sooner or later he would mention it, and then, well, maybe Barney could offer some sort of advice.

Or just consolation, if that was all that was left.

At 5:30 pm Barney said he was done for the day. “Whatever you’ve got left to do today, I’m sure it will keep until tomorrow,” he said, in as jocular a tone as he could muster.

Gabriel flipped down the lid of his laptop, then stood up and picked up his jacket and rucksack.

They both made their way down the stairs, Barney first, opening the door that faced onto the High Street. He ushered Gabriel out, locking the door behind him.

As Barney turned to go, Gabriel muttered “Oh bugger ... forgot my bike,” but as Gabriel fumbled for his own set of office keys and turned to go back up to the office, he saw Ginny standing on the pavement, facing him.

Barney saw the young woman standing directly in front of Gabriel. She was looking upset, and Gabriel was looking flustered.

“Well, I’d better get going,” Barney said, but then he leaned over and whispered into the young woman’s ear, “he’s a good lad, and I wouldn’t like to see him upset.”

As Barney made his way off down the street, Ginny turned to watch him go.

“What did he say to you?” Gabriel asked.

“I think he likes you,” Ginny replied.

“I guess so,” Gabriel replied.

“Who is Vicky, Gabriel?” Ginny asked. “Does she work with you?”

Gabriel looked more confused than ever.

“I spoke to John on Saturday. He said that Vicky has probably told you everything, and that it might have alarmed you.”

She could see the glimmer of comprehension in Gabriel’s face.

“Oh, and John said to say that he is feeling alright at the moment, so you shouldn’t worry.”

Gabriel nodded in understanding.

“So why should he be telling me these things, Gabriel? And who is Vicky?”

Gabriel stood silently, wondering what he could possibly tell her.

“Also, he said it’s all right for you to tell me about the watch, whatever that means,” Ginny said.

“Well ...,” Gabriel said.

“Oh, and something else, he said,” continued Ginny. “He said that you should trust someone.”

Gabriel felt a sense of relief.

“Let’s go and find somewhere to sit down,” Gabriel said. “I need to explain some things to you.”

Ginny looked unsure.

“That’s if you want to,” he mumbled.

Gabriel turned and set off slowly walking down the High Street. He wasn’t sure whether Ginny was going to come with him or not. He looked furtively to his side, and saw Ginny turning to catch him up. Gabriel had put his hands into the pockets of his jacket, but then Ginny caught up with him and he felt her pushing her hand into his jacket pocket. Her felt her small fingers squeezing into the pocket alongside his own. He stopped walking and turned to face her. She looked as though she had been crying all day, and Gabriel felt his heart go out to her.

“Gabriel,” she murmured, looking unsure as to what his reaction might be.

“Ginny ... I’m very sorry if ... well ... I know you got scared. I’ve been thinking about you, worrying about you for, well ... for all of the week-end. I know that we don’t know each other very well, but I wanted you to know that I would never ever hurt you.”

“I’ve been thinking about you as well,” Ginny replied.

“Well, I think that we need to talk about it,” continued Gabriel, “and now that you have spoken to John, well ...”

Her eyes were glistening, and she looked like she might start to cry at any moment.

Gabriel reached out and put his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

Ginny leaned forward and nestled against his chest, wrapping her own arms around him.

A passer-by looking over smiled at them as they cuddled on the pavement. He noticed Gabriel’s face light up, unaware that it was Gabriel’s first smile of the day.