Timepiece

<i>&quot;Of all, clockmakers and morticians should bear the keenest sense of priority-their lives daily spent in observance of the unflagging procession of time... and the end thereof.&quot;</i> <br>-DAVID PARKIN'S DIARY. JANUARY 3, 1901 <p> So begins <i>Timepiece</i>, the unforgettable story of hope and the source of the wisdom MaryAnne Parkin shared with Richard in <i>The Christmas Box</i>. With the help of David Parkin's diary, Richard discovers the mystery of the timepiece and the significance of MaryAnne's request. </p><p> <i>Nineteen years previous, only eleven days before her death, MaryAnne Parkin had bequeathed a beautiful rose-gold timepiece to my keeping. </i></p><p><i> &quot;The day before you give Jenna away,&quot; she had said, her voice trembling as she handed me the heirloom, &quot;give this to her for the gift.&quot; </i></p><p><i> I was puzzled by her choice of words. </i></p><p><i> &quot;Her wedding gift?&quot; I asked. </i></p><p><i> She looked at me sadly, then forced a fragile smile. </i></p><p><i> &quot;You will know what I mean.&quot;</i></p>