Chapter Text
It was a chilly November evening as Jack made his way around London lighting the lamps on his route. It got darker earlier this time of year so he had to adjust his schedule of tripping the lights. As he was up on his ladder to wipe the glass clean on a particularly dirty street lamp, he caught sight of a couple on an evening stroll in the park. He saw how happy they were and it made his heart ache, remembering what he once had. It was always harder this time of year. He shook his head, trying to get the thought out of his mind and focus on something else.
Several nights later, as they were walking to the pub after finishing their routes, Angus had noticed Jack watching a young couple, newly engaged by the looks of it. He noticed the sad look in his friend’s eye. Angus and Jack had been friends for a long time, and he knew when something was up with his friend.
“Hey mate, do you ever think you can open up that part of you again?” He asked. He was concerned for Jack. Jack was a good man and he deserved to be happy. And quite honestly, could use someone to take care of him. He was very good about taking care of others but himself, not so much.
Jack looked over at Angus, sadness obvious in his big brown eyes. “I would like to, but I don’t know if I can.” He shook his head sadly.
The next morning Jack woke up extra early after a fitful night’s sleep. He was tired and not quite his chipper self, but nonetheless he tried to keep his attitude positive.
He started working on his route, turning down the lamps and enjoying the quiet of the early hour. He felt the wind blow, seemingly out of the blue, and without warning, everything went black.
When he came to, he found himself on the ground on the side of a road. He tried to sit up but he felt a bit dizzy and decided it would be best to stay down. He didn’t recognize where he was or how he had gotten there, only that it was most certainly not London. A car drove a little ways past him and then backed up to where he was laying on the ground.
Jack looked at the vehicle in question, very confused. They had cars in London, but they looked very different. A middle aged woman with silver hair and a kind face got out of the car, walked over to him, and helped him up.
“Are you alright? Are you hurt?” the woman asked.
She looked concerned, taking in the dazed and confused look on the man’s face.
“I think I’m alright,” he replied.
The woman glanced around, not seeing another vehicle or bike, or anything else he could have used for transportation.
She noticed the cockney accent he had, obviously the man was not from around here. His clothing style was also very old fashioned.
“I’m Sandy. I own the Inn just up the road. Can I drive you somewhere?”
Jack just stared at the woman for a moment before responding. “I’m Jack. Honestly I don’t know where I am or how I got here.”
Sandy looked a bit surprised, her concern growing.
“Let me take you to the doctor, make sure you aren’t hurt. If you have amnesia, maybe you could have an internal injury.”
The lamplighter nodded and didn’t protest as Sandy led him to the passenger side of her vehicle.
“What kind of car is this? Looks different from any car I’ve ever seen.”
Sandy looked a bit bemused. “They don’t have Hondas where you are from? Which is where?”
“I’m from London, I’m a lamplighter. And no, I have never seen this kind of contraption there.”
~~~
They reached the urgent care facility and Sandy ushered Jack out of the car and inside the door. It was fairly quiet in the waiting room so they didn’t have to wait long to be seen.
After an examination, the doctor determined that other than the amnesia Jack was in perfect health and to come back if he developed any symptoms indicative of a head injury.
“If you don’t have anywhere to go, I can put you up for the night at the Inn. We have a few unbooked rooms.” Sandy offered. If this man didn’t know where he was or how he got there, it was likely he didn’t have anywhere to stay, or at least couldn’t remember if he did at the moment.
Jack looked over at her. “I don’t. Thank you muchly.”
~~~
After the short drive to the Inn, Sandy escorted him inside. The large open room was pretty quiet, save for a few guests mingling around on the couches. Jessica, a young brunette, was behind the front desk.
“Bringing in strays again Sandy?” She teased when she caught sight of Jack.
“Oh hush, you.” Sandy gave Jessica a look as she walked behind the desk to get a room key. She motioned for Jack to follow her and she ushered him up the stairs to the free room.
“Here we are. Feel free to make yourself at home. I’ll be downstairs at the front desk if you need anything. Might be a good idea for you to get some rest.”
Jack took the key that was offered and unlocked the door. “Thank you once again Miss, you’re very kind.” He said, tipping his cap and giving her a smile.
“Glad to help.” And with that, Sandy left, leaving Jack alone in the room. He was a bit perplexed as to the rectangular shaped device that was on the dresser across from the bed. He sat down, still feeling a bit dizzy, his brain a bit foggy. In the doctor’s office he had noticed a calendar on the wall, and the year was 2020. That couldn’t be right, could it?
He absentmindedly shoved his hands in his pockets and felt something he didn’t recall having been in there before. It was a folded piece of paper.
Jack,
If you are reading this now I assume you have some questions. I will return at noon on Christmas Eve. If you wish to go home at that time I will bring you back. Until then, enjoy your time. And do try to blend in and not draw too much attention to yourself
~Mary Poppins
In typical Mary fashion she hadn’t really explained herself, but knowing she had something to do with this whole situation somehow relaxed him. He still had no idea why she would send him here but he would make the best out of this very odd circumstance he found himself in.
Even though it wasn’t nearly late enough to go to bed, he didn’t know anyone and had nothing to do so he just decided to curl up and go to sleep. He hoped his head would feel a little less fuzzy in the morning.