31. Epilogue

London, July 1859

H ugh looked up and up and up. One hand was wrapped around the top of the cane he leaned a little heavily on these days. The other hand was wrapped in both of his dear Clara’s. In a few seconds that large, black piece of gun metal was going to shift and point straight up to the sky. Then the bells would chime across London, telling everyone it was exactly 12 o’clock noon.

“It looks amazing, Father.” The supportive hand of Hugh’s oldest landed on his shoulder and gave it a strong squeeze. “You made a beautiful clock.”

“You both made four beautiful clocks.” Clara beamed at them before turning her face up to the sky again.

“It’s only one clock,” Hugh said gruffly. “It has four faces.”

Her grip on his hand tightened. “We’re here to celebrate today. I refuse to have an argument with you.”

He let his gaze leave the clock so he could smile at the love of his life. “But it makes life ever so much more interesting.”

She chuckled and bumped his shoulder with hers before nodding toward the clock that deserved his attention.

Seven long years it had taken them to build the Great Clock. Hugh and his two boys, Denton and Edward. The clock company he’d founded all those years ago had indeed grown into London’s finest. They’d been at the forefront of new designs for clocks, chronometers, and watches, but being selected to build the clock for the tower of the brand-new parliament building was a crowning achievement.

They’d expanded the company until there were three shops in London. One run by Hugh and the other two by his sons. He’d never stop thanking God that they’d inherited his love for timepieces. Their wives and children were gathered around as well, though chasing the littlest ones and convincing them not to jump into the Thames was occupying some of their attention.

Finally, the hand on the clock face shifted to point straight up. The sun sparkled off the surrounding opal glass and the golden spires of the tower. The rich sound of the newly cast Big Ben bell rang down through Westminster.

The twelve deep tones mingled with the cries of triumph and joy from his family. Those squeals and laughs were more precious to him than any contract he’d even been granted.

To think he’d almost given this up all those years ago. Yes, it had taken him a little longer to get there than it might have had he been alone, but he could never have built a better life.

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Clara said softly.

“Then you’ve never looked in a mirror, because frankly, my dear Clara, there isn’t a clock in existence more beautiful than you.” Hugh’s gaze roamed over her face, and his eyes burned with unshed tears. “I love you.”

She smiled and rose on her toes to give him a light kiss. “Well. I don’t suppose I can argue with that.”

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