It was evening in Falmouth, and many members of the local community had gathered in The Fisherman's Rest to seel refuge from the cold and rain. As the fire crackled and roared, the lights burned brightly, and the band played upon the stage. The room was filled with merriment, laughter, chat, and fine drink and food. Old friends and new were gathered inside to swap stories tall and true, and generally enjoy a nice evening together.
Sunny and her friends were sat around one table, and their parents had gathered around another. Each had a non alcoholic beverage to consume, and it was certainly a nice time spent with friends.
"So, who's looking forward to a quiet weekend?" Zipp asked. "Cause I am."
"Given the things that have happened, that's a good idea," Pipp said. "I can get caught up on songwriting."
"And dad and I were going to give the archives a sort," Sunny said. "They're in slightly strange orders right now."
Over on the other table, the parents were also chatting. Argyle was the first to speak. "I was looking through the newspaper archives a few days ago," he said, "and apparently this year is the 160th anniversary of the opening of the Falmouth Branch to passenger and freight traffic."
Aurora glanced over. She had been on a local music tour and had only recently returned to Falmouth. "So, what's the proposal, Argyle?"
Argyle turned his phone around to reveal a photograph. "This is a lithograph of the first train to arrive. I suggest we recreate it as closely as we can."
Misty overheard this, and decided to chime in. "That might be a problem," she said. "We don't have any engines dating from 1864."
"But we do have one from 1874," Lord Haven pointed out. "Bellerophon."
"Of course!" Isaac said. "We could assemble a vintage train from the old coaches and have that run into town."
"And of course we'd need to wear period clothing," Lady Haven added. "We can cover some of that."
Argyle looked to Goldie. "Any thoughts?"
"If you want me to wear a corset the answer is no," his wife replied. "I'm also not keen on wearing a hoop either."
Argyle pointed out one figure. "There's this figure here, further to the back. Your gown is a close match for the bodice, and the lower neckline could be disguised with a shawl."
"That's better, I suppose," Goldie replied. "Normally I only wear that once a year. And now twice in one week!"
Lady Haven looked over. "Would you be onboard for this plan?"
Misty nodded. "Without anybody to drive Bellerophon your proposal would rather fall apart. I'm in."
Zipp looked at the photo and had an idea. "We don't have enough guys to fill out all the male figures. Perhaps me and Sunny should portray guys?"
"How would that work?" Sunny asked, pointing out her braid. "I have long hair!"
"You tie it back and hide it in your clothes," Zipp replied. "Of course I'd have to flatten mine down, but that can be done."
Hitch glanced over. "I assume I'm the policeman."
The next morning, everybody got to work. Misty set aside her usual clothes and wore the clothing of an 1860s engine driver, then got to work ensuring Bellerophon was spotless. His paintwork and brass gleamed in the morning sun, and special streamers were attached to rigging points on the handrails.
The coaches were similarly magnificent. Although a rather curious hodge podge of Great Western and Southern coaches, it had the vintage look down to a tee. They were soon similarly festooned with streamers and decorations. It all looked very magnificent indeed.
At the station, everybody had gathered in a mixture of historic suits, gowns, and workmen's clothes. Argyle adjusted his top hat and his fur coat. "Handy how the Havens have a lot of this sort of stuff," he said.
"We borrowed some of this from a local dramatics group," Aurora explained, standing in front of a door. "I don't mean to be a bother, but my dress is wider than the door. How do I get through?"
"Press down on the front and the frame will collapse inwards," Pipp explained. Sure enough, Aurora tried it and the fabric seemed to vanish into a black hole.
After stepping through, Pipp helped her puff them back up, and the team assembled on the platform in order. "What time is it?" asked Isaac.
"About 9," Lady Haven replied, checking her watch before hastily removing it. "Bellerophon should be here around 9:30. Ensure you aren't holding any anachronisms in the shot. That includes phones, Pipp."
Pipp popped her phone in a handbag, her dress having no pockets. "I guess I'd have been using one of those in 1864!" she said, pointing to a payphone on the wall.
Zipp facepalmed. "The telephone hadn't been invented in 1864. The first working telephones appeared in 1876!"
Just then, a person walked past and handed Argyle a telegram. "This isn't good," he said, as he read it.
"What's wrong?" Sunny asked.
"Misty's been held up. Points failure at Penrhyn. She won't get here until 10."
And suddenly, there was a knock at the door to the station. "The mayor is here!" Isaac said.
Lady Haven looked over and addressed her daughters. "Can you two distract her?" she asked. "We need to try and get this mess sorted out."
Both of her kids hurried away through the doors. "Mind you don't get stuck!" Zipp said.
"Fitting through doors is easier than you think!" Pipp replied.
Pipp and Zipp stopped outside as the mayor stepped to a stop. "Why am I being greeted by an aristocrat and a navvy?" she asked.
Pipp curtsied as best she could. "Dear Mord Layer," she said. "Our west bishes on this dine fay."
"Pardon?" the mayor said.
"Pipp, that was a bit mixed up," Zipp said.
"Oops!" Pipp replied. "Totes nerves. Nice day, isn't it ma'am?"
The mayor sighed. "I'm being filmed, aren't I? And I refuse to acknowledge that 'totes' is a word."
Just then, a number of the others stepped through a nearby door. "It's nice to get some air!" Lord Haven said, adjusting his top hat.
"It seems we've been joined by Abraham Lincoln and Scarlett O'Hara," the mayor said sarcastically.
Lord Haven looked over. "This is a top hat, not a stovepipe hat."
Suddenly, somebody looked over. "It's ghosts, I tell you! The ghosts of Falmouth's past have returned to reclaim the neighbourhood!"
Posey, who was walking by, took a look at them. "Playing dress up?" she asked.
"We're trying to recreate a photograph of the opening train," Sunny explained. "But it's rather hard to do that when there's no train to photograph."
"It's running late!" Izzy explained. "You know, I wonder if these things really do work as parachutes!"
Hitch adjusted his helmet. "Izzy, this isn't Alice in Wonderland. That wouldn't be published until 1865 so it would be an anachronism anyway."
Izzy pouted. "I'll just have to try it another time!"
Suddenly, there was a loud whistle, and Bellerophon came steaming in from the yard. "Sorry I'm late!" he called. "We had a bit of a problem with the points!"
As the train rolled to a stop, the team assembled next to the engine, and the Mayor was soon to join them at their side. Before long, everything was perfect.
The photographer looked over. "And smile for the camera!"
Everybody smiled, even Bellerophon, and the flash went off, illuminating the scene.
Even if they were a bit behind time, nobody really minded. After all, what is time when you are recreating history?