**
Jack Finds Mr. Lowsley
You will be gobsmacked many times.
–Harry Finkle
Jack began walking around Finkleton in search of Mr. Lowsley. He noticed the cold rain had slowed, and then stopped. Lizzy and Robert must have fixed the problem with the hourglasses, he thought.
Jack passed Mr. Sweetly’s shop and the Baker’s bakery. Everything smelled wonderful. But further down the cobblestone path his nose picked up a burnt smell. The smoky odor led him to Miss Caroline’s home, which was in ruins. It would need to be entirely rebuilt.
Jack kept walking. He soon found Mr. Lowsley standing outside the Hogs Nest Pub with his two companions, Peter and Paul. Jack ducked behind some feed sacks to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“My father told me there were secrets in Finkleton, mysteries he couldn’t explain,” Jack heard Mr. Lowsley say. “He made me promise to purchase land here to get to the bottom of them. I used to think he was a bit crazy. But now I believe there’s something very odd going on in that shop. And I’m not going to stop until I find out exactly what it is!”
Oh no, Jack thought. I can’t let them find out about the lever and the hourglasses. Greedy people in control of the weather could be very dangerous. I must find out what they’re planning.
Just then the men started talking in lower tones, however, and Jack could no longer hear what they were saying.
Jack decided to not tell Lizzy and Robert what Mr. Lowsley had said. It would only frighten them and make them worry, he thought. I’ll figure something out on my own. Right now I need to get back to them.
Jack slipped out from behind the feed sacks and began to walk home. When he passed Miss Caroline’s property again, he heard a young lady giggle. He looked around and saw Miss Ginifer.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t alone. She was walking with Thomas Appleton. They were talking and laughing together, enjoying each other’s company without a worry in the world.
Jack shoved his hands into the pockets of his trousers, lowered his head and continued to walk as if he didn’t see them. It’s better this way, he thought. No need to interrupt them just to say hello. That would be stupid.
Finally Jack arrived back at his family’s shop. Lizzy and Robert were anxiously waiting for him to return.
“What happened?” Lizzy asked.
“Did you find Mr. Lowsley?” Robert asked.
“The rain stopped. I assume you repaired the hourglasses?” Jack cocked an eyebrow, purposely ignoring their questions.
“Jack!” Lizzy yelled. “Tell us about Mr. Lowsley!”
“I didn’t find him,” Jack lied. I don’t want them to worry, he thought. But I’ll need to keep an extra careful eye on Mr. Lowsley and watch his every move.
“Robert, that was a silly thing you did! Mr. Lowsley could very easily start snooping around and it’ll be entirely your fault!” Lizzy huffed.
“Don’t be so hard on him, Lizzy. It was a simple mistake,” Jack said in a hushed tone.
“His simple mistake could ruin everything!” Lizzy exclaimed. “What’s going to happen if Mr. Lowsley discovers the power of the hourglasses? What then?”
Jack didn’t say anything. What could he say? He had to keep Mr. Lowsley from finding out about the hourglasses. That was his only plan.
“If I could take it back, I would! If I could make Father better, I would! But I can’t!” Robert screamed, and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Lizzy asked.
Robert didn’t answer. He just ran out, slamming the shop door behind him.
“Now you’ve done it, Lizzy,” Jack said.