Day 30 – Wednesday – The 1897 War of the Worlds

Reunions

30-Jun 00:01 – Wednesday

Wells, back in his own mind, and taking advantage of the free trains running from Waterloo, returns to Woking to be reunited with his wife.

While Toni receives word from her friend (Well’s brother) that he had survived the war in a French refugee camp.

And for those still with us we explore what the future will bring for those who have shared their lives with us during this fictionalised docudrama, starting with the 1900 election and David Lloyd George’s landside victory that resulted in Salisbury’s coalition of Unionists and Conservatives being reduced to a mere rump as the Liberals win 54% of the vote, while the Labour Representation Committee, later to become the Labour Party, wins 25%.

30-Jun 07:00 @HGWells #FreeTrains

Free trains are being run from Waterloo to return people to their homes. The first rush being over Wells gets a compartment to himself. Just outside the terminus the train jolts over temporary rails, and Wells averts his eyes from the blackened ruins lining the track.

30-Jun 07:15 @HGWells #AStrangerInTheirOwnHome

For those such as Wells returning home to Woking, England is a shock, the country appears gaunt and unfamiliar; Wimbledon particularly had suffered. Walton, by virtue of its unburned pine-woods, seems the least hurt of any place along the line to Woking.

Wells writes that “every little stream was a heaped mass of red weed, in appearance between butcher’s meat and pickled cabbage.”

30-Jun 07:30 @ToniWantsToVote

Awoke to news of free trains shipping people back to #London. @LizCadbury says we can stay for a while to sort out our affairs. #relieved #oldies are now back in their own apartments, but we are #family

30-Jun 07:55 @ToniWantsToVote

Will miss everyone here when I leave. @SirJohnTheEngineer says to come over for dinner each week. #WillBeNice #family #friends

30-Jun 07:59 @ToniWantsToVote

Heading to @NUWSS HQ for another meeting this morning. @MilliFawcett says we need to capitalise on the momentum #WeDemandTheVote #WomenInPolitics

30-Jun 08:00 @HGWells #Sappers

Beyond Wimbledon, within sight of the line, is the mound surrounding the 6th cylinder. A number of people are standing about watching some sappers busy in the midst of it. Over it a Union Jack, flaps cheerfully in the morning breeze.

30-Jun 09:00 @HGWells #FullCircle

The line on the London side of Woking station is still under repair, so Wells descends at Byfleet and takes the road to Maybury, past the place where he and the artilleryman had talked to the hussars, and on by the spot where he had first seen the Martian during the storm.

30-Jun 11:00 @HGWells #SheGivesAFaintCry

Well’s house is standing, but hope for his wife fades when he sees the door has been forced. Inside his house hope fades, but then a voice. “It is no use. The house is deserted. No one has been here these ten days. Do not stay here to torment yourself. No one escaped but you.”

Startled he turns to see the French window open behind him. And there, amazed and afraid, even as Wells stood amazed and afraid, were his cousin and his wife — his wife white and tearless. She gives a faint cry.

“I came,” she says, “I knew—knew—” She puts her hand to her throat — sways. Wells makes a step forward, and catches her in his arms.

30-Jun 11:01 @ToniWantsToVote

@RationalDressSociety your #DividedSkirts with #pockets saved my life. I mean it. They saved my life. #RoomForGasMask #CouldMove #NeverWearingANormalSkirtAgain

30-Jun 15:16 @ToniWantsToVote

BEST NEWS EVER @HGWellsBro is ALIVE!!!!!!! Received telegram a few moments ago.

30-Jun 15:17 @ToniWantsToVote

@HGWELLS-BRO HOW DID YOU END UP IN #FRANCE QUERY LIKE SERIOUSLY COMMA YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO #WOKING STOP #SO-HAPPY #YOU-MUST-BECOME-ALLY ENDS

30-Jun 16:17 @ToniWantsToVote

@HG-WELLS-BRO FORGOT STOP YOU OWE ME DINNER STOP KEPT DIARY IN TELEGRAPH STYLE FOR #ENTIRE-MONTH ENDS