“Why … why, the wreck, of course. But then you would not know about that. You were waiting. You were not with me then.”
The conductor snapped shut the watch and moved heavily up the car, muttering, “He’ll make it.”
“The wreck?” said Bellamy.
“Yes. This is August the sixteenth, isn’t it? Certainly it must be, otherwise we would not be out. August the sixteenth is the date, don’t you see? Ten years ago tonight. I hate it but there is nothing I can do. Wait, dearest. Wait. Perhaps you can stop it. If anyone does, then it will be over.”
Bellamy felt his mind grow leaden again. But he stood up, pressing her back into the seat. His eyes were staring and his jaw was set. He knew that somehow this was all wrong, that this couldn’t be happening. But it was.
“In ten minutes, they’ll come aboard
