You’d think I would have thought of Agatha Christie the minute the Three Things Serial became a 1920’s story. She created so many memorable characters. Two of my favorites are not as well known, but they showcase the spirit of the 1920’s for me — Tommy and Tuppence. The first novel in which they appeared was The Secret Adversary.
At any rate, I didn’t think of Tommy and Tuppence until recently, although they could easily have inspired our little story. With a nod to Agatha Christie, today’s Three Things come from the opening of that novel:
“TOMMY, old thing!”
“Tuppence, old bean!”
The two young people greeted each other affectionately, and momentarily blocked the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so.
Now I give you Three Tommy and Tuppence Things.
Old Thing, Bean, Dover Street Tube Exit
Frankie had already caught on to the mischievous twinkle in Countess Bepa’s eyes. Mona would probably faint when she walked in and saw a big cheese like John Ringling — not to mention a for-real countess! He blocked the door for a second so he would get a good look at her face when she saw the occupants of the cabin.
“Frankie, old thing,” she said. “I wondered where you’d gotten to.”
The fireman stepped aside and Mona saw the countess. Even in her disheveled state, right after having been ransomed by dastardly kidnappers, the older woman exuded easy elegance and confidence. Mona’s face registered recognition, and I knew she was thinking of the night at the Nickelodeon Theatre when we all saw the white-haired woman pulled into a car that careened away.
“Aren’t you the…” Mona began, but then she noticed the owner of the yacht, and she simply stopped, open mouthed.
“Hey, Movie Star, did somebody just bean you?” Frankie asked with a lopsided grin.
The countess chuckled, and even the circus magnate, still worried about his recently kidnapped guest, smiled. Introductions were made to the astonishment of Mona the movie star.
“I heard you refer to this charming young man as ‘old thing.’ That’s a term I’ve rarely heard since I arrived in this country,” Countess Babikov told the aspiring actress. “Are you perhaps from England?”
“Oh no,” Mona said with an attractive blush. “But I did go to school in London for a couple of years. It was near Dover Street.”
The countess looked shocked. She turned to Mr. Ringling. “John… I just remembered. That is where I first saw those men. I had just parted company with my Boris at the Dover Street Tube exit. That is where I saw them!”
Teagan's Books 
The Tommy and Tuppence stories are so fun! I also enjoyed the bbc series, even though their hair was very early 80s 😉
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Hi! Thanks for stopping by.
I haven’t seen the series. Maybe I can find it on Netflix. 🙂
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I love the way you brought the Dover Street Tube Exit into the story. The photo fits, too. Great addition to the story this week.
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Thanks Mary. It’s really nice of you to stop by and comment!
I hope everyone [who might be interested in reading it] notices that the link with “The Secret Adversary” goes to the entire book on Project Gutenberg. I know what at first click, it doesn’t really look like that. But it is — the whole book, for free. I love Project Gutenberg.
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Cleverly woven as always.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Why thank you David. I have an idea where the story might go next, BUT that will depend on the next set of “three things.” The things might not take me where I expect.
A friend in Albuquerque sent the next set of three — “Kitten, Fake, and Comfort.” Hummm… we already have a hedgehog. I wonder what a kitten will do to the mix!
I hope you get to spend some time with that gorgeous grand-baby this weekend. 🙂
Hugs,
teagan
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My father named me Penny because he wanted to be able to call me Tuppence. He rarely called me Tuppence, more often he called me worm. To quote Robin Williams ” We’re all worms, but I do believe I’m a glow worm”.
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What a great story! And a real life Tuppence — even if he didn’t call you that very often.
Here’s to glow worms! 🙂
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