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The Stump is placed outside the Law Courts at the eastern end of Jackanory Square. Although they’re tiny the Law Courts are housed in a grandiose building. It’s a near perfect replica of the Town Hall at the other end of the square, just smaller. Although it is a faithful copy, with stylish columns, a portico, and a mini clock tower of its own.
From The Stump the gentle incline towards the Town Hall creates a natural amphitheatre where the older kids at the back can easily see over the heads of the smaller ones. The kids can see the clock above the Law Courts and Benet has a perfect view of the Harrison Clock above the Town Hall. Not Mr Harrison’s original, but a modern replica made by Harrison Time Pieces.
TomBaker wheels out a time machine laden tea trolley from his bakery.
AuntSylvie and NurseCathy arrive first with around twenty youngsters, a mix of orphans and their school friends, and predictably dotty Miss Gibson is trying to help, even though she doesn’t like noisy children. The Colonel and Miss Gibson are not related. They met when he left the Sidooryn and moved from Mannin into the retirement home at the Noble Coliseum. Miss Gibson thinks she’s helping out, so they all indulge her whilst the Colonel does his best to referee the match.
Predictably, FullyCharged is at the front of the queue! He’s the first to drop two pennies into the hat and pick up a time machine. He races to the middle of the front row, quickly followed by Hayley.
“Back a few rows please,” says AuntSylvie, “you’re both eight years old now, the tiny tots get the front seats.”
Not that there are any seats! DocDan is doing his best to help seat the right kids in the right place in spite of being assisted by Miss Gibson.
In no time at all, there are about a hundred primary school pupils sitting on the ground, sucking their time machines. Nearly a full house! Rory checks the tea trolly. Not many left over, he might not get a second one this time.
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