“There has to be a ‘but’ coming…” She looked at the intense faces surrounding her.
“There is,” replied Giles. “I remember Old Harry well. A once brilliant man who had turned his back on his world and enjoyed the tranquillity of the country for his remaining years.”
“All right. But what does this have to do with our flood?”
“Giles mentioned he was brilliant? Well, he was. The river was very near his property, and of course during rainy times like these, the water rose. So Old Harry dug himself a run-off channel.” Daniel sipped tea. “It took a few years, but he was in no hurry, I suppose, and whether he used it or not, none of us can recall.”
Giles concurred. “I wish I could. But I know it’s there, so we should definitely see if there’s the tiniest chance it could help, before the water rises any more.”
Adalyn approved. “Any possibilities must be considered.” She drank her tea, knowing it might be the only cup she would enjoy for most of the day. “It rains still?”
Jeremy nodded. “Not as heavy as yesterday, but it has not stopped.”
“And the flooding? Giles, you said the river has flooded?”
“Yes. One of the tenants brought me the news before dawn. The bridge is holding for now, but the water is washing over the surface, so I know it’s at the foundations in the bank.”
“Close the road,” declared Adalyn. “We cannot wait until the bridge either starts to crumble or fails completely.”
“Agreed,” said Giles. “It’s first on our list.”
“Then we’ll go and see what Old Harry might be able to offer?” She patted her mouth with her napkin.
“Yes.”
They all rose with Adalyn, the four of them, resolute and focused. She looked at each strong face, confident they would all work together to do their best against this potential disaster.
“Let us be off. And pray God smiles upon our efforts.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Although the rain had slackened to a thick drizzle, the going was difficult as the Wolfbridge party set out for their first destination—the bridge.
Adalyn and Giles were in the carriage, with Jeremy on the box and Evan and Daniel riding behind them. The lanes were mud, which sucked at the wheels and slowed their progress, and the trees did not provide much in the way of shelter, since their wet leaves rained big droplets on those unlucky enough to pass beneath.
As they approached the river, Adalyn sucked in a breath. Where there had been a field yesterday, there was now a lake. And it washed right up to the doorstep of one of the houses they’d emptied only hours before.
“Dear God,” she whispered, pulling down the glass window despite the drizzle. “Can we even reach the bridge?”
“I don’t know yet.” Giles leaned over and looked as well.
The carriage drew to a halt and Jeremy jumped down. “I don’t think it’s safe to go any further,” he called, looking out toward the river.
The others rode up beside him and dismounted, joining Giles and Adalyn as they got out of the carriage.
All four stood aghast at the water in front of them.
The bridge remained, but only fish would be using it, since the first few feet on either side were submerged. Ripples showed that the river itself was still moving; in fact every now and again branches could be seen in the centre, swept along by the current that flowed strongly beneath the surface.
Some snagged under the bridge, but were eventually passed on downstream. Adalyn could clearly see their worries were valid, and turned to the men. “I don’t believe we need put up a warning sign,” she looked back at the flooded area. “It speaks for itself. We should make all haste to Old Harry’s place and see if that runoff or whatever it is will work.”
“Anything to stop it from getting worse,” added Evan, his eyes wide. “It’s never ever looked like this.”
“Right then. Let’s go.” Giles turned and hurried back to the carriage, and everyone took that as their cue to move onward.
“You’ve heard of no injuries yet?” Adalyn shot Giles a worried look as she clambered up beside him.
“The worst hit just after dawn,” he replied. “As far as I can determine, last night the road was still passable.” Leaning back he sighed and stared out at the bleak prospect. “Obviously nobody will be able to get near the bridge today, so that worry has been lifted, thank God. And I’m hoping word will spread so that nobody comes this way after dark either. It’s always a risk, but most people are sensible about such things. And the news is probably making the rounds as we speak.”
