Journey to the Heart of Luna - Andy Frankham-Allen [3]
No, I must stop, before whoever is knocking at my door bursts forth. Confound it! I do so hate having my ruminations disturbed. I hope I do not make bad company for William, but the incessant pounding on the door has now unsettled my mood.
I shall return.
2.
“IF YOU want things to happen in this world, Professor, you have to make them happen. Did I ever tell you how, at the age of only fourteen years, I managed to get my apprenticeship at the Royal Plymouth Dockyard?”
Nathanial shook his head and smiled indulgently. Certainly William Henry White, Director of Naval Construction and Assistant Controller of Her Majesty’s Navy, had indeed told Nathanial of his ingenious method of meeting the height requirements for the entrance examination. Nathanial was happy to hear the story once more. William liked to tell his stories; he had collected so many of them in his forty-three years. For his own part Nathanial had very few such entertaining stories. His short career thus far paled greatly when compared to that of his illustrious benefactor. He listened intently as William told him of how he increased his height by folding pages of blotting paper into his shoes.
“Of course they soon discovered my deceit, but they applauded my initiative and I was put to work at the dockyard, for the princely sum of three shillings a week, and assisted work on converting HMS St. George to steam. Which rather brings me back to my point, Nathanial. My current position is only so because I have made it happen. And so must you.”
As always Nathanial deeply appreciated William’s counsel, but he found himself in the position of wondering as to the source of this new piece of advice.
They sat in the drawing room of Commissioner’s House, while the servants prepared the meal in the kitchens; William’s wife was away visiting relatives, so it was just the two of them. Nathanial had spent much time in the House since he’d been summoned to Chatham Dockyard just five months ago, and it was most unusual to not have Mrs. White fussing him. Nonetheless, while she was away it afforded him the opportunity to speak frankly with William.
“As always I appreciate the hospitality you have shown me, but I fail to understand the source of such advice. I am here, am I not? Would I be here if I had not always sought to take hold of every opportunity afforded me?”
For a moment William regarded him, the let out a bellow of a laugh. “Well put, Professor, well put indeed.” He took a sip of his port. “I hope you bear that in mind when you receive the telegram I have to give you. It arrived this morning from the Admiralty, which I’m certain you will agree, means it cannot be rebuffed.”
“Orders from the Admiralty? But, William, I am not a part of Her Majesty’s Navy and therefore not under the command of the Admiralty.”
“Be that as it may, Nathanial, you are on secondment to the Director of Naval Construction, and your assistance is required.” William held his hand aloft to keep at bay any more objections. “Pray, read this and then we shall discuss your agreement.”
Nathanial removed himself from his chair and walked the length of the room, taking the slip of paper from William. He did not like the emphasis William had put on “discuss.” He deeply appreciated William’s faith in him, and the opportunity he had been given to advance the efficiency of the aether propeller, but if William thought that meant Nathanial was now subject to the orders of a faceless board of commissioners then William was gravely mistaken.
3.
THE THREE and a half hour journey from Chatham to Dover was spent in more luxury than Nathanial was used to. He sat in a First Class carriage, surrounded by three gentlemen and their wives, all very agreeable souls quite willing to discuss a plethora of interesting topics. But Nathanial found himself tiring of their conversation quickly; there was only so much he could stand about how bad things were getting on Mars before he turned to Lloyd’s News.
He had been quite