The Norwegian Letter by David Wostenholme

Author:David Wostenholme [Wostenholme, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: N07
Publisher: David Wostenholme
Published: 2015-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

He had no difficulty in finding Grimshaw, Baxter and JJ Elliot on Grays Inn Lane as the directions provided by the hotel had been excellent. Pushing the door open, the overhead bell jangled announcing his arrival. Walking into the shop he carefully placed the stout cardboard box on the counter, and then, smiling, removed his bowler hat and stood with his eyes closed enjoying the orchestra of ticking, clicking and whirring that emanated from the numerous beautiful time pieces that were out on display.

A small man wearing a black suit, well-polished black Oxfords and a starched winged collared shirt walked over, “An exquisite collection of sounds is it not?” he asked.

“Oh yes” said the man turning and looking rather sheepish, “a veritable symphony, I was totally absorbed”

“How may I help you Sir?”

“Well” said the man in his lilting Dublin accent, gently laying his hand on the card board box “if it is not too much trouble, I would like to have a word with Mr Frank Elliot”

The man behind the counter nodded his head slightly, “I am he” he said, “How may I be off assistance”

He extended his hand, “I am so pleased to meet you” he said “my name is Mulligan, would you mind if I just take my time piece out of the box?”

“Please go ahead” said Elliot.

Mulligan put the box on a seat at the side of the counter and opened the top, he then reached in and, very gently, like handling a much loved family pet, lifted a ticking clock out and placed it between them.

“Ah, yes” said Elliot, adjusting his spectacles and leaning forward, “very nice, obviously a mahogany mantle clock, some would call it a ‘Napoleons hat’”, he smiled, “because of its shape, I can see the hand of my father in its manufacture, around 1880?” he raised his eyebrows in question.

“82 actually” said Mulligan looking pleased, “she was actually bought by my father from Mr Elliot senior, as a first wedding anniversary gift for my mother”

“Just so” said Elliot, he took out a jewellers eye piece, fitted it to his spectacles and looked closer, studying the circular silvered clock face and the etched roman numerals, “I feel sure that this piece strikes the hour and the half hour and has Westminster chimes, a very nice example”

Mulligan smiled appreciatively, “Exactly correct” he said placing a hand gently on the deeply coloured polished housing.

“Have you brought it to have the movement cleaned?” asked Elliot.

“Not quite” said Mulligan looking worried, “I have a feeling that it is rather more serious than that, I am afraid the chimes appear not to be working properly and I would like to have them repaired”

Elliot looked across at Mulligan “May I inspect the movement?” he asked.

Mulligan gestured for him to go ahead, “Very well” he said nervously “but please be careful”

Elliot nodded slightly and then slowly eased the back panel open so that he could see the movement, he then opened the dial cover and using his index finger moved the hands to the hour.

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