The chain of coincidences 9/11

Just before the twenty minutes were up, a small shiny vehicle came along the concrete towards her. It was very different from the cars that she'd seen on her previous visit. It was just as quiet but looked very streamlined and had no wheels. It didn't seem to have any propeller like the hovercraft in her own world and she wondered how on earth it managed to move about.

Whatever it was that powered it, made it very fast. Holmwood to the Therdle in twenty minutes was incredible. It settled to the ground as it came to a halt and the whole roof section lifted into the air and slid backwards. Professor Edwards got out and came towards her.

"Well I don't know how you've managed it this time young lady. You're very lucky you knew me, otherwise you could have been in quite serious trouble. What on earth is that contraption?"

Jennifer Jane explained that it was a canoe. No it didn't have an engine. Her father had made it out of wood with a plastic and canvas covering and it was intended to be used for enjoyment.

The professor couldn't understand it at all. “Why on earth work, when a small solar motor would make it go much quicker, it doesn't even have a roof!”

"It doesn't matter if it rains when I'm out, because I get quite wet from the drips off the paddles anyway."

The roof of the hover car was ridged to support luggage. Professor Edwards lifted the canoe and then tried to lock it in place with the magnetic clamps supplied with the vehicle. This was obviously unsuccessful.

He thought for a moment and then took two sheets of metal from the boot of his hover and put them inside Drawrof before trying again. There was a creak from the woodwork inside the canoe but it held firm and he obviously thought it was secure enough for the trip back to Holmwood.

"Hop in and let's be off."

Jennifer Jane 'hopped in' and made herself comfortable. The professor clicked several switches and turned a dial. The roof closed with a hum and she could feel the hover rise a foot or so as the air cushion inflated. The humming noise continued as they moved off and then the windows darkened and lights came on inside.

There was no sensation of movement but about twenty minutes later the windows became transparent again and there they were, just outside the gate to the Research Centre. She was most impressed.

However, the Professor gave her no time to ask questions. He led her straight to his laboratory where his son was waiting for them. Peter looked very different from the last time Jennifer Jane had seen him. He was dressed in similar clothes to her own.

"I intend sending my son back with you to see if your claims are really true. I'll activate the displacement area again in a week's time for his return. I'd like to come myself but I must continue with my work here."

He was working at a computer keyboard as he spoke. The frame at one end of the room began to crackle with energy and the wall slowly disappeared. Peter and Jennifer Jane walked through onto the woodland path and waved to the Professor as he turned off the power. The laboratory disappeared and as far as Jennifer Jane was concerned, things returned to normal.