Only Time Will Tell

Only Time Will Tell is the introductory book of the Clifton Chronicles series written by Jeffrey Archer. The book uses the very real Britain during the period between World War 1 and World War 2 as its setting. The plot revolving around the protagonist Harry Clifton is a simple story dealing with some psychological themes and characters. The story tells us about different types of people; the loyal and the righteous also the cunning and immoral. The use of British institutions and personalities as references with the themes of poverty and struggles faced by women, the book gives a very distinct portrayal of Britain during the early 20^th century.

The story talks about both the early and late years of childhood and adolescence of Harry Clifton tangled in poverty, young love, friendship, loyalty and righteousness. The plot begins with the prelude of Maisie Clifton, Harry’s mother describing a very brief affair she had with a stranger few weeks before her wedding. Years later, we learn about young Harry, being carefree about his academics and life, planning to join the docks like his uncle Stanford Tancock and late father Arthur Clifton ( said to have died in the war ) until he’s enrolled in the Holy Nativity’s choir for his angelic vocals by his mother, headmaster Mr Holcombe and “friendly neighbourhood madman” old Jack who is actually a Victorian cross war hero. Under the influence of his well-wishers, Harry is enlightened with the importance of education and wins a choral scholarship to St Bede’s. There, he meets Giles Barrington and Deakins who later become close friends of Harry. On Giles’s 12^th birthday, we are introduced to the Barrington family led by Hugo Barrington whose distaste for Harry indicates the readers that Hugo might be the stranger who was involved with Maisie. After further information, Hugo reaches to the conclusion that Harry could be his first-born son as both were colour blind.

On the other hand, we see Maisie with many short-lived relationships struggling to enrol her son into the Bristol Grammar School. She eventually buys the coffee shop of her ex employer, Ms Tilly’s. Everything seems to be going good for her until her coffee shop is burnt to ground by a rejected suitor of her, threatening Harry’s education. This leads to Old Jack to use his trump card; Hugo and his mistake of past. Old Jack threatens Hugo with his negligence that caused the death of Arthur Clifton. Fearing the ruination of his reputation, Hugo agrees to Old Jack by paying Harry’s tuition fee. Maisie then starts working for her previous employer with a lower salary. This fuels Hugo’s pursuit of destroying Maisie’s life. He exposes her relationship with an attorney and frames her for insincerity at workplace. She loses her job and then starts working as a bartender in secret. Harry, who later discovers this truth remains silent and respects his mother.

With all this happening, readers are disclosed with the romantic relationship between Harry and Emma Barrington, daughter of Hugo. Harry and Emma decide to get married and are supported by everyone but Hugo. Maisie remains silent not wishing to snatch Harry of his happiness. But on the day of the wedding, Old Jack reveals to the rest of the world that Harry could be the son of Hugo Barrington. The wedding is put a stop. Disheartened, Harry decides to run away to solve all the problems not realising that Emma is pregnant with his child. One fine night of his sea voyage, the ship is struck by some missiles due to the pre-World War II tensions. Everyone dies except Harry and he decides to steal the identity of an American sailor who was on board so that he isn’t sent back home. On reaching USA, he is immediately arrested by the cops for first degree murder which was committed by the American who’s identity he had stolen. The first book of the Clifton Chronicles ends here for the readers.