When Izzy Duffy turned the camera on Paul Charm, he smiled. On the outside, he figured he looked plenty happy, but inside…
Things in his head had gone somewhat pear-shaped.
When Paul met Izzy Duffy, a young model with a master degree in psychology who seemed burned out by the rigors of her job, he felt a little concern. She seemed very interested in the work the other Time Travelers were doing on a project called Stop-Gap Housing, and Paul had an idea… He thought she’d be a good fit for the case manager position—someone to work with the people in program to help them move on to permanent places of their own.
Learning that she was going to Paris for #littleempressball2025 a week-long festival, his 1945 self took over. A young woman couldn’t make such a trip without an escort. Plus, he hadn’t seen his home, London, since the end of WW II (which was just about a year before, for him, having skipped from 1945 to 2024).
Paul’s smile was forced for Izzy’s picture due to a phone call he received earlier in the day.
“I was hesitant to call you” It was Rebecca Flint, another Time Traveler born in 1922 who shifted to 2024 in 1952.
“I’m happy you did.”
For a moment, they marvelled over how easy a phone call from NYC to Paris was, compared to half a century before. “But, that’s not why I called. I’m… upset with you.”
Paul was shocked. “I… am sorry for whatever I did.”
“Paul, you ran off with Izzy and gave me hardly a moment’s notice!”
“Ran off?” Paul went on to explain his reasoning and to repeat his surprise she was upset.
“Mr. Charm,” Rebecca replied, “looking at everything we’ve been through together these past few months… all we’ve done together… I’d rather assumed we were keeping company.”
“Keeping company?”
“I suppose I just took it for granted we were going out together.”
“Yes, well…” Paul had been jolted. “Rebecca… Honestly, I didn’t think you’d ever give me the time of day… Keeping company? I’d consider myself beyond lucky!”
“Paul Charm, we have a lot to talk about when you get back.”
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