inspired by my grandfather clock

This old grandfather clock came with us when we moved here. My parents had bought it to celebrate their silver wedding. It wasn't until they came to live with us that we realised it was Scottish - made by James Ivory of Dundee. We cannot be sure of the date because James Ivory Junior also made clocks. He ended his life in London, so perhaps this clock travelled south with him. He died in 1842 but the clock, if made by his father, could date from the latter half of the 18th century.

So, here it is, back in England again. For a couple of weeks, the empty carcass leaned against the wall, its mechanism wrapped in a box marked 'fragile' and the pendulum strapped to an old broom handle. Then local clock repairers, Mr Wightman and Son came to put it together again. The chimes were checked and Mr Wightman listened intently until the tick was just right. We felt as if the house was breathing once again.