Yes, it’s under warranty, only two weeks old but how can I make a claim when it simply disappeared?!
Early 2018 the internet was flooded with posts and tweets about the latest jetpacks for those with means and a wicked sense of adventure. The adverts promised a ride like never before with an added mysterious non-specific dimension. I just had to have one.
I’d tried out some jetpacks at an airfield or two. At £2,000 a time the rides were a bargain yet I longed to possess one of my own.
One spring afternoon I found myself in the library with my father. This was my favourite room, all Elizabethan dark wood panelling, four walls of books, all tucked safely away behind glass doors. On one shelf I spotted my beloved and tatty Jane Austen penguin books — a most wonderful writer and I adored her books so much. So very much that one Christmas my parents surprised me with a first edition set of all her sixteen books dating from the start of the eighteenth century. They got it at a very reasonable price, I was told, at just under £200,000.
My father was on the window seat and looked up at me. Even before I said a word he spoke.
‘No, Katy. I told you last night, no way. It is just too much.’
‘Pa,’ I said. He loved it when I called him this and I repeated. ‘Pa, it is just a bit more than my yearly allowance and rumours are you lost this amount just last month. Ma called it pocket change, I heard!’
Admittedly £300,000 was way past pocket change for me even!
There was a hiccup of silence. Yes!
I had him; the famous hiccup tell — he never could work out why he was always losing at the tables.
Father reached over to me, his glittering card stretched to my eager fingers.
‘Take this and just promise me to be careful, bubbles.’
There it was, the reason I would always get what I wanted — bubbles! The nickname made me smile and groan in equal measure. My delight of bubble baths was infamous. The renowned photos of me as a child surrounded by bubbles galore by the world famous photographer Georgias Kerragiannis collectors plastered on our walls … and those of many art galleries. How did he manage to turn such a simple idea into a colourific gaudy prints that took the world by storm? Over and over he merely changed one tiny detail at a time and the buyers kept paying ever more.
Bubbles it was and this bubbles always knew the key to her father’s heart.
My delivery from Amazon arrived promptly the next day; a bemused driver was struck with the image of a jetpack man flying over the mountains on the box. Not subtle and I’d be leaving one of my scathing reviews tomorrow.
Up in my room, I rushed to remove the packaging, sending it flying across the bedroom. I grabbed the jetpack and stepped to my balcony. This couldn’t be difficult, I told myself, convinced the two controllers would be similar to my games. After all, I was an ace at Minecraft and Sims!
The instruction booklet lay tossed on my Egyptian cream sheets, unopened at the front cover of a red brash warning of ‘read before you operate — ignore at your peril’. Blah! Generation X are so molly-coddled! As if I couldn’t fly a simple jetpack.
I stood on the balustrade and pushed the red button, with a shout I stepped off. I was flying! There followed a big dip and near mid-air tumble but I made it just above the manicured lawn below, narrowly missing the ballroom.
Another burst of power and I was up and away, heading straight to the stables about half a mile away. Skimming over the lake, my feet took a quick paddle, the giant puffy mouths of the koi popping up to try and nibble my toes.
Looking at my right controller I noticed a dial by the thumb. I’d never seen this on my previous jetpack rides. I reached over with my left hand and turned it.
Suddenly the usual quiet of the landscape and stables turned to a maelstrom of people and horses, the shouts, chatter and neighing reaching crescendo levels, each trying to outdo the other above the din and clatter of the horse drawn-carriages on the cobblestones. The men wore the strangest costumes; tall black top hats and colourful ornate suits. What was the cause of this hub of activity? Had a film company unit hired it? It looked a set fit to film the next big Jane Austen blockbuster.
I was drifting down and right underneath me a man, my age, early 20s, looked up with a startled expression. He promptly turned white and fell backwards as I stepped into a neat landing next to him.
Suddenly he woke up and grabbed my arm.
‘What are you? A flying ghost?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ I replied. ‘I’m Katy and you are …’
I left the pregnant pause, waiting for an answer as to his identity. His face was set in a priceless expression of utter bewilderment in the silence.
‘What is your name?’ I asked clearly.
This time he understood, stood up quickly, wiping his hands on his trousers before reaching out.
‘Darcy at your service, ma’am!’
I laughed out loud. As if! Who had put on this elaborate joke for me? My very own Darcy, even if dressed in worker garb in rough white shirt, leather brown vest and dainty long black socks and shoes with a buckle. A small black hat flopped over his head. Of course, my Darcy would turn out to be a stable hand but his manners were to be applauded.
‘Pleased to meet you, Miss Katy. From whence do you hail?’ He stopped abruptly and realised his question. His hands waved vaguely in the direction of the air, which is in fact where I arrived from and in the process his hands, trying to reach for my arm, touched the dial instead.
That was two weeks ago and since then Darcy has enjoyed his sudden introduction to the end of the twenty-first century once he recovered from his many fainting fits. I had immediately grasped the ‘other’ dimension of the new jetpack — time travel!
How could I not fall for my own Darcy, the genuine article from 1797, so he proclaimed.
There was one small issue; Darcy longed to return home for just a while. He just wouldn’t listen, after all, he was home, here at Streaton Manor with me, just a couple of centuries out. Why was he making all this fuss?
Darcy hadn’t declared his love for me yet; that would come, I was sure. But I just couldn’t take the chance though, could I? These past days he was always on about my flying jacket, wanting to borrow it. How could I risk this most amazing change in my life? Pa already approved of Darcy although Ma muttered he was rather too dishy. For whom, I wondered?
I couldn’t risk it! I just couldn’t. This way was better for us both. A new start.
Standing from behind the jetpack, I reached over and touched the dial before stepping backwards just as the jetpack disappeared.
Whoosh! Not quite the sound rather more of a pfft but the mesmerising disappearance warranted a fanfare, I thought.
Gasping, I laughed and laughed! I’d done it! Sent the jetpack back in time and Darcy and I would be united forever. All I need was some cash for our new life— £300,000 should do it.
Now, where did I put the warranty for the notorious defective disappearing jetpack?
The End
©Annika Perry
Annika Perry 
I could hear the sweet tone of Katy when she said, “Pa!” She knew exactly what she wanted from Pa and how she could get it! What a sweet and smart girl. It’s a brilliant invention of time travel through the modern jetpack to land next to her all-time favorite Mr. Darcy! Imagine having a conversation using different “languages” hundreds of years apart! I enjoyed it so much reading this tale from beginning to end. It’s very entertaining, Annika! 🙂
Miriam, I love that you heard Katy’s ‘Pa’! Just what I wanted to convey and the reader immediately knows he has no chance to say no! Yes, it is almost two languages and I think Darcy’s formal one is rather romantic – as I am sure does Katy! It is wonderful that you enjoyed the story so much, Miriam – thank you so much for your lovely comment!
Yes, I could hear Katy’s “Pa” and her gesture, Annika! Your story is well done! My friends took us to the Jane Austen House when we came to London some years ago. They had all kinds of stationary and large painting of Colin Firth. That’s good enough with me for Carcy!
Sounds wonderful! We were in her house in Bath – very atmospheric but slightly overwhelming with so many visitors in such a small space!
That was where we went. Somehow we didn’t visit the bathhouse. I wish we did!
A really interesting story Annika – funny, inventive and surprising 🙂
Bless, thank you so much, Andrea! Hope you’re having a good weekend!😀
This was such an entertaining story from start to finish, Annika. From the title and reading the first paragraph, I was wondering how the story would unfold. It felt like I was seeing the ordinary and soon enough swept away by the unexpected and extraordinary, from the classic books to the jet pack and then time traveling! That was quite a nice interaction between Katy and Darcy, and meeting Darcy sounded like the last thing on her mind. And the way the story ended, there seemed to be so much optimism and possibility. I hope many more adventures with the jetpack. It is lovely to read you again, Annika. Hope all is well with you and wishing you well 😊
Mabel, it’s lovely to see your comment here and thank you for your lovely thoughts and wishes. I am all well and enjoying being back on WP as well as writing away.
When I started the story I had no idea of its direction but I enjoyed creating the wild and unexpected scenarios. It’s great you enjoyed the contrast from the normal(ish) world of Katy to time travelling and the interaction between Katy & Darcy. One hopes for a more balanced relationship for the two of them in the future. Haha! As for the jet packs – I reckon the company better take them off the market before they are sued by someone! 😂
The jetpacks were something unexpected in what felt like a classic story. I was actually hoping the jet packs would get improved and see what they can do next 😀
Great you enjoyed writing while you were away. It really is good to see you back, Annika 😊❤
Your best story YET! And that’s saying a lot. What F U N!! Bubbles/bubble baths, Austen/Darcy and time travel. And a wicked female character. This was so much fun to read, Annika. Well done. I think we’d like to hear more from Katy/Bubbles. 🙂
Pam, what a terrific start to the weekend with your wonderful and bubbly comment! Thank you SO much, this means so much to me and I’m loving how my story has caught your imagination. I feel humbled and honoured with your words! I had such fun writing it I would love to continue their tale! Xx
I got a chuckle at the end of the tale, which I enjoyed right from the start. Thank you, Annika!
Resa, thank you so much and that’s great! 😀 Just the reaction I was hoping for with this one!
Yay! Sorry for the tardy reply. I’ve been on my other blog which is linked to a separate email.
It was great to read. Thank you!
Sweet story! Love the little hints of Niffeneggar in this theme ☺️
Thank you and I hadn’t realised but yes, there are some slight similar elements to the Time Traveler’s Wife.
What a wonderful story! I enjoyed it from the first word to the last💙
Luisa, thank you so much and love that it captured your imagination! 😀
You’re more than welcome, Annika 💐
Annika, that was a wonderful story. I couldn’t stop smiling.
Jennie, that’s great and so happy you’re enjoying my story! 😀
😍
Hijacked! Poor Darcy didn’t stand a chance, lol. I laughed when ‘Bubbles’ received her package from Amazon 🙂
Fun story, Annika.
Haha! 😀 I thought the Amazon parcel delivery is something we can all relate to! Who knows, they might be offering jetpacks on their website sometime (just double-checked and so far only inflatable toy ones!)😀 Jacquie, I love that you enjoyed my story and I know, Darcy really hadn’t got a chance … so far! I am hoping he is a quick learner about Katy and the 21st Century!
What a delightful and engaging read, Annika! I was grinning widely as I read your story. 😀 I imagine you had so much fun writing it. Thank you for the adventure. xx
Khaya, you’re spot on! 😀 I had a great time writing this and surprising myself by the story’s direction – it is one of the best feelings! I love that you enjoyed it so much and it gave you a smile! Thank you so much, Khaya! Xx
Hi Annika, I was initially curious about the “Jane Austen” category at the top of your post. And then, ha…ha…I see how finances flow freely in your family. 😊 What an imaginative, entertaining, and engaging story! I often think time travel goes ‘back in time’ yet of course, it can also go forward. Time is such a blur for me lately. I sometimes wonder how I got from then (4 decades ago) to now…possibly also a form of time travel.✨ I suspect you may have vivid dreams, Annika, and remember most of them? Thank you for transporting me, once again. I leave with a smile. 💕 Erica
Erica, it is great that you enjoyed my story so much and I let my imagination run riot with this one! 😀 I’m not even sure where the jet pack idea came from and then fun to enter Jane Austen’s world! As young I devoured time-travel books so enjoyable to try my hand at incorporating this into a short story. I like your reflections of our lives as a form of time-travel and can relate. This year my husband and I celebrate our silver wedding anniversary and seriously, where did that time go!! Haha! Yes, my dreams are very vivid and often very dark and at times apocalyptic- so they don’t make it into my writing often! Thanks for your lovely comment and wishing you a good week ahead, my friend! Xx ❤️
Congratulations, Annika, to you and your husband’s silver wedding anniversary! Have a great week of love…every week for us… xx 💗🌸🌷
Annika, this is an incredibly good read. I am totally absorbed and wish that somehow it would stetch and become a book.
your charachters are so strong and fascinating; i feel as if i am meeting them.
Cheeky Katy/ Bubbles with energy and fantasy to fly several Jetpacks. Not so clever to forget reading what the buttons do. Oohps, time travel.
Poor, polite Darcy who has no idea what is going on but continues to be a
gentleman.
Everything comes alive. You do know how to write a story, that is for sure.
Must say that she goes a bit far by losing her Jetpack, she cant take Darcy on
on more adventures………or is she afraid of losing him?
Thank you for this story and I am waiting for more (:) x
Miriam, thank you so much for your wonderful comment and I love how my story has captured your imagination! 😀 Oh, it would be fun to write a book with these characters- I think I would need quieter sections away from Katy’s full-on energy! Darcy was just too good for her to risk losing him to his own time … there are infinite possibilities for their future! 😀 Haha! I’m smiling that you picked up on her dislike of instruction manuals – they’re my pet hate too and I just took the consequences of avoid reading them to the extreme here. It was fun!
You have a great weave for writing good story
Thank you both very much for your lovely comment! 😀
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful adventure, Annika, and your creativity and imagination are beyond dazzling! What a talent you have for storytelling! xoxo
Awww … Lauren, your wonderful comment has me smiling away and means so much to me – heartfelt thanks! 🙏 I do like storytelling and it was fun to let my imagination run wild here! 😀
LOL. I LOVE this story. That was a fabulous read, Annika. Katy’s voice was wonderfully distinct and full of attitude and privilege. What a clever girl. I could read a whole book of her adventures. I smiled throughout, completely engaged, and had to laugh out loud at “once he recovered from his many fainting fits.” Ha ha ha. Her perspective was delightful, the details perfect, and the ending totally in character. Well done!
Wow! Diana, your comment reads like a mini-review and I just love how you see all this in the story and how Katy has captured your imagination. She has a great zest for life, that’s for sure and goes all out to get things her way! 😀 I always feel the details make a book or a story, a seemingly throwaway line can say so much and I try to incorporate this in my writing – at times having to remind myself! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment and it means so very much to me. Xx
The story was review-worthy, Annika. I can’t tell you how much I loved it. Just delightful. I hope it ends up in a collection of your stories someday. (If you don’t turn it into a book!)
Wow, what an adventure with the jetpack 😅 Your creativity and storytelling skills truly shine through in this tale.
Reading your story surely got me thinking about the endless possibilities that technology and imagination can unlock. Thanks for sharing such a fun and imaginative story.
Ritish, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and words about my story! I have always loved time-travelling and science fiction books so glad I finally wrote a tale including some of these elements. It is great how you see beyond the story to the possibilities of technology – and joined with imagination and creativity soon maybe anything will be possible (for better or worse!). So glad you enjoyed my post and many thanks again. 😀
Annika, this was excellent! You have one heck of an imagination because that was unlike ANY story I have ever read. It was fun and suspenseful and I can’t even believe you thought of it. Thank goodness you did. I feel terrible for Darcy. There better be a sequel because I need to know what happens next. I think you have a series in the making, my friend. Thanks for sharing; I loved all of it! 😀
Wow! Tanya, your wonderful comment has me beaming away and I feel the force of your words! I really better get my thinking creative cap on and work on a sequel! 😀 I must say I surprised myself with the way the story was going and had so much fun as my imagination just went wilder than I ever expected! From my initial thought of a map-functioning jetpack (no idea why I wanted to write about a jetpack!!) I ended up sending it into the past! I know, Darcy seems such a great guy and he hasn’t got a clue about the real Katy and her devious nature – I just hope he catches on and gets his revenge – or at least a chance to return to his own time! The energy of your comment ensures I will try to write more! Thank you so much, my friend. hugs xx❤️
I’m excited to read the next part of the story, Annika! No pressure or anything 😂 Big hugs right back ❤️
I really enjoyed this, Annika! All the more so because I’m a fan of Jane Austen!
Haha! 😀 I couldn’t resist a bit of Jane Austen and fun to add Darcy to my story here. Lovely that you enjoyed it so much, thank you!
Such a fun story! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Linda, thank you so much and I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😀
I’m smiling. What a wonderful story, imaginative and charming. Thanks for sharing it here.
Awww … Ally, that’s great knowing you’re smiling away at my story and find so much in it! Thank you! ❤️
What a charming story of time travel, though Poor man Darcy I think got whisked into the future, I feel was just little kidnapped.. By manipulating Katy, who was just too used to getting what she wanted..
Excellent story telling Annika…
Much love your way xx ❤
Sue, it’s wonderful to see how caught up your were with my story! 😀 Katy is beyond spoilt, isn’t she?! I am hoping that Darcy will find his inner strength one day and that Bubbles’ bubble of insulation from the real world will burst and face her comeuppance! I’ve always relished time travelling stories and books and it was fun to write one myself! hugs xx ❤️
Maybe a sequel is in the offering soon lol 😆 🤗💜
Love it, very amusing. You would do well at flash fiction competitions especially with that jetpack!
Georgina, it’s great you enjoyed the story and thank you about your words about flash fiction! I do enjoy writing short stories, although flash fiction is usually shorter at around 200 – 500 words which is really tricky! I might give them a go soon though. I appreciate you encouragement.
You should try Cafe Lit for short stories which is part of Bridge House Publishing.
Many thanks for the tip and I’ll definitely take a look!
Hi, Annika – This story was so much fun. Thank you! Just what I needed tonight.
Donna, that’s lovely to hear and glad it brightened up your evening! hugs xx
Were she alive, Jane Austen would applaud you!
Oh, wow! Neil, that’s a lovely comment – thank you! 😀🙏
Wow that was the wildest ride ever. I am so glad there are no time traveling jetpacks, because that was too wild. It was a fun story.
Haha! 😀 I know, thankfully they don’t exist – yet!😀 I’m not sure I would even have a go on a non-time-travelling jetpack – they seem rather erratic! Thanks for your lovely comment, Thomas.
That was fun, Annika. Well done.
So happy you enjoyed it, Anneli! Many thanks!😀
🙂 Thanks for this, Annika. Hugs.
A joy to share here, Teagan! Thank you! hugs xx
Whoa. There’s spoiled–and then there’s this girl. A fun romp of a story! I enjoyed it.
Liz, I love your comment and calling this a romp of a story – just so! Thank you so much! 😀
You’re welcome, Annika!
Wonderful story
Many thanks, Lynn Rose!🙏😀
I LOVE this. Well done! Anything Jane Austen-ish appeals to me. What an incredible imagination you have, Annika.
Darlene, wow! Thank you so much and your words mean a lot to me!
As a Jane Austen fan have you ever had a chance to visit her house in Bath and its surroundings? It’s truly like stepping back in time.
I haven’t been to Bath but I visited her cottage in Chawton and loved it. I touched the table where she wrote many of her stories. I also visited her grave in Winchester Cathedral.
Oh, that magic moment of touching a much revered writer’s desk!😀
What a fabulous idea and a fun read. Maggie
Maggie, thank you so much and I have no idea where this came from – the notion of a jetpack popped into my head and my imagination was unleashed! 😀
What a fun story, Annika! I loved the light hearted bubbles and adventures through your amazingly creative lens, Annika💕
Cindy, thank you so much for your beautiful comment – I love the thought of ‘creative lens’! Lovely! It means a lot that you enjoyed the story and its light touch. hugs, xx❤️
Poor Darcy. What a minx you are!
Haha! 😀 I didn’t know I had it in me! 😀
It’s all coming out now.
What a fun read. Kept me engaged the whole time. Great job, Annika.
That’s great, Lori! So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much. 🙏
I love this totally imaginative and original story. Now if Darcy will adjust to remaining in this time zone…
It means a lot that my story caught your imagination, Pat! I’m beginning to think that Darcy might manage very well in due course and that Katy better watch out!
He seems like an accommodating lad. Hope Katy treats him well and he does not learn how she sabotaged his chances to return to his own time.
Quite! He would be crushed if he found out the truth – although I hope with time he learns to stand up for himself and maybe she will have to learn to be less head-strong! Thank you for reading and being part of the conversation!
That is a fabulous time travel story, Annika. I now want to know more about this brash young lady and poor Darcy. 🙂
Thank you so much, Jan! 😀🙏 It is tempting to extend the story and I feel that Katy ‘Bubbles’ is due her comeuppance … and that Darcy will flourish in the 21st century!
What a delightful story and adventure Annika. I had a fun time traveling along with Bubbles. Like others, I could see this as a series or movie. 🙂
Brad, it’s wonderful you’re caught up with my story and Bubbles is quite a character! It feels amazing that you and so many others can imagine it as a mini-series or such – that would be the dream! 😀
Maybe keep writing and see what unfolds?
Had such a good time reading this entertaining tale! Love the twists and charm of this story. ❤
Bless! Thank you so much, Layla. 🙏 I’m glad you enjoyed reading the story and its twists. The latter have to come naturally to me … I find if I try to think of them exclusively they are never quite right!
Well done, Annika! Poor Darcy, stuck in the wrong century with that impulsive and devious young woman. Who will rescue him?
Now, I hadn’t thought about anyone coming to his rescue! Now, that’s quite an idea, Audrey and my mind is spinning with more madcap ideas! 😀
That’s great! 😀
Such a whimsical and engaging story! Lots of interesting threads in this one. Poor Darcy, though!
Lynette, I love that you find my story whimsical, that’s lovely, thank you! 🙏 At one point I tried to edit down the threads in it but put them back as they were all relevant in their own way. Haha! 😀Darcy has a lot to learn … but I’m hopeful for him and that he will find a way back sometime! 😀
I never expected that ending. I wonder how angry Darcy will be???
Jacqui, just what I like to hear – a totally unexpected ending! Ha! I reckon Darcy will be furious and that anger will be the making of him! 😀
A time-traveling jet pack! Great idea and a wonderful story!
Thank you so much, Ernie! The idea seemed to run away with me! 😀
I stepped back in time while lying in bed before getting up. What a trip! Fun!
I bet Darcy wished he was back in his bed! 😀 Anne, I’m glad you enjoyed my story this morning.
You are a marvelous writer.
Oh dear, poor Darcy. Thanks for an engaging story, Annika.
I know! You’ve got to feel for the poor chap – time-travelling kidnapping in effect! Lovely that you enjoyed the story, Robbie!
A superb story, Annika, I loved it 😊
Clive, thank you so much – it’s great you enjoyed my story! 🙏😀
Love this Annika. You should develop it into a pitch for a movie. It would make a great romcom.
Bernadette, I can actually see this too – what about for Netflix! Perhaps I’ve been watching too much Bridgeton!😃 I’m happy you liked the story!
Perfect for Netflix
Golly—what a delight to read this. How expertly you weaved in all those smart details. Intriguing
I loved it. Thanks so very much. Do it again. Xoxo
Selma, I’ll try to do this again! 😃 Thank you so much for your lovely comment and it means a lot to know how much you liked it!
Annika,
Your tale weaves humor and whimsy into an imaginative journey, blending modern luxury with historical intrigue. The twist of time travel via a jetpack is brilliantly creative, and your portrayal of Darcy adds a charming touch. A truly unique adventure!
Mike
Wow! Mike, thank you so much for your wonderful comment and summing up the story so brilliantly! My imagination had fun with all the elements of it and it was such a lot of fun to write. Oh, one does have to feel for poor Darcy and the only one with any real human emotion, I feel! Haha! I wouldn’t want an adventure like this! 😃