The next morning dawned warm and the smell of spring was strong in the morning breeze. Jane was up first and downstairs with a cup of coffee once again buried among the journals.
George wandered in and tried to find a spot to curl up and nap but gave up and stalked from the room. Fred unfortunately walked in as George was walking out and yelped in pain as George took his frustration out on Fred’s ankle.
“That cat is determined to kill me,” he muttered noticing Jane was oblivious to the whole situation. “Morning love” he said bending to kiss her and hand her a fresh cup of coffee.
“Huh? Oh, morning. Hey, thanks” Jane said taking the mug of steaming coffee and was once again promptly lost in the lives of the people spread out in front of her.
“I‘ll be home early today. Love you.” With those words Fred disappeared from the office and Jane absentmindedly waved good-bye.
Before her was open the journal of Fred’s and Aunt Liza’s relative, Emma Perkin. Emma was a cousin via marriage to William Perkin. Her journals covered the period of her marriage to Allan Perkin and their lives together. Jane was fascinated by the glimpses of middle class life in Victoria England.
Emma documented every detail of their life together, from the ins and outs of social classes, managing a growing household, and the discovery of William Perkin. Emma wrote down her secret hopes and dreams in her journal, her disagreements with Allan, and her grief when their eldest child died in a carriage accident.
There was so much potential in just Emma’s journal that Jane found herself overwhelmed. There was so much first hand source material here that writing novels featuring Pippa would be much smoother.
Aunt Liza had done the incredible and she had blessed Jane with that gift. Jane set her coffee down on the floor and sprung up. Grabbing her mug, she greeted the arriving workmen and let them get to work for the day. Jane placed a call to the local private college and had her call directed to Gordon Fellstone, the dean of the literature department. Luckily for Jane, he just happened to be an old childhood friend.
“Morning, Gordie it’s Jane Perkin. I need your help.”
Gordie laughed, “Morning Jane, no time for pleasantries I take it?”
“What? Sorry Gordie, how are you? How’s the family?”
“Good, thanks for asking. I know Fred’s good, had lunch with him yesterday. So, how can I help you Jane?”
“Did he tell you about the journals?”
“He mentioned it but then we got onto baseball and well,” he laughed.
Jane laughed, “Yep, I know. Look, can you come over here and help me? I need professional help.”
Gordie laughed, “Haven’t I been saying that since you were a wee child?”
Jane snorted, “I’m serious. I need help making sure these journals are preserved the right way so that they aren’t damaged but can still be used.”
“How’s later this afternoon? I don’t know how much help I can be but I’ll be there around 2.”
“Two is great, thanks Gordie. I’ll see you then, the door will be unlocked just come on in.”
Jane hung up without waiting for his reply. Gordie shook his head and smiled at the dead receiver in his hand. “She hasn’t changed when she is lost in thought I see.”
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