Football Queens & Kings

I leave the deserted office, walk to the North British Railway Train Station and board the train. I've dispatched word of my impending arrival to the Edinburgh office.I disembark at Waverley Station and find John Falcon on the platform. There are no words spoken, only a brotherly embrace by two people who survived colossal trauma … Continue reading Chapter 217 – Organisations Require Balance →

I reopen the headquarters, head to my office, punch ten countries into the Triskelion to reveal the vault below. I run down the stairs, throw myself into the chair, light a candle and open my journal. Parking the grief to one side and the rage to the other, I review my organisation’s precarious position.I picture … Continue reading Chapter 216 – Times of Trouble →

I lock up the office and sit on the front step outside the building. The sun shines brightly on Hope Street, buzzing with people, carriages and carts when suddenly the light is blocked out by a carriage pulled by four horses. The two coachmen are wearing gold buttoned black jackets, black top hats with gold … Continue reading Chapter 215 – Four Horse Epoch →

I walk into Thompson headquarters and ask Anne, my Receptionist, “Please gather everyone into the main drawing hall.”Anne nods without comment. My skeleton tram team gather at the front with Margaret Scott’s Dean of Guild Team slotting in behind, confronting me with a sea of fearful faces. I remember Emelia’s advice for these situations, ’put … Continue reading Chapter 214 – Day of Mourning →

I sit at my breakfast table, staring into my swirling cup of tea, transfixed by the motion. My brain commands movement; however, my body resists. Agnes hands me today’s North British Daily Mail.“2nd August 1872, Agnes. Where does the time go?”The twenty-five-year-old Galloway girl never holds back on such subjects, “Death is part of everyday … Continue reading Chapter 213 – World’s Largest Workshop →

I walk through Glasgow's Necropolis, pondering life and death. Hugh Hudson featured in my life for a short time, but without his intervention, I would be buried here, along with my family.The thought stabs my heart with brutal force. Our burial plot was for my family; however, it's fitting to bury Hugh here, with panoramic … Continue reading Chapter 208 – Glasgow’s Patron Saint →

The Glasgow Fever House Attendant extends his hand. I put out my hand, and as both hands clasped together, the Attendant says considerately, "My deepest condolences, Hugh Hudson passed away two hours ago."My grasp tightens, with shock and disbelief, "Hugh was fit and healthy three days ago." A lump sticks in my throat when referring … Continue reading Chapter 207 – Bridge of Sighs →

I board the carriage with only one single command to David Mackintosh, “The Fever House, please.”David’s key feature as a coachman is to interpret the nature of the destination and determine whether there is a requirement to exercise speed or meander at a gentle pace. My distraught face tells him everything, and he cracks the … Continue reading Chapter 206 – Miss Nightingale’s Principles →

The walk to Berkeley Street provides a break to contemplate life. I walk through the City's father's impressive footprint of streets, roads, crescents, and terraces, slowly filling with new housing, shops, and life. I walk up North Street and stop at Elmbank Crescent, where I walk around the elliptical grove of trees standing in front … Continue reading Chapter 205 – Wake Up Call →

I turn around, walk over and congratulate Mary, "This is what I wanted."Mary never condones complements and pulls out the finalised tramline map, "Remember how you explained to Robert, using the reverse side of the map would fill the profit gap?"Yes, lots of Glaswegians will see it.""I did as you asked and went to Stobcross … Continue reading Chapter 204 – Thinking Lateral Works →