Cover of The Bridge That Counted One Too Many
Nettlewick's little stone bridge in the rain

A pictured account

The bridge at Nettlewick was a little bridge, and knew everybody.

Mrs Pindle and seven children beneath one large umbrella

On wet mornings Mrs Pindle took the children over to school.

Seven children crossing while the bridge counts eight creaks

The bridge creaked once for Molly Peat.

And once for each of the others, as it always had.

The empty bridge making an eighth creak

Then, when nobody was upon it, the bridge creaked once more.

“That was eight,” said Molly.

The children and Mrs Pindle pause to consider the extra crossing

Mrs Pindle did not ask what for.

It was raining.

Seven children leaving one careful empty place beneath the umbrella

So they made room beneath the umbrella for whoever had crossed with them.

Seven children in the warm schoolroom with a place left free

There was room at the school peg, and room beside the stove.

Mr Quill and the children count what can be counted

Mr Quill counted seven children. The register required him to explain the bridge.

They counted children, coats, boots, creaks and available places.

Only the bridge remained certain.

One small spare boot left on Nettlewick Bridge

“It ought not cross barefoot,” said Molly, leaving one spare boot at the bridge.

Molly bringing the second boot over the bridge

That evening the bridge counted eight again.

The boot had gone. So they crossed back with the other one.

Eight pairs of boots beside the stove, the new pair muddy inside

In the morning there were eight pairs beside the stove.

The new pair was muddy inside.

A new notice fixed to Nettlewick Bridge

A notice was fixed to the parapet:

Nettlewick Bridge counts correctly.
Persons are requested to do the same.

The parish position

Leave room.

The bridge knows everybody.

The End

A pictured account of Nettlewick Bridge, a wet Tuesday, and the place made for somebody who could not be seen.

Book Two · Nettlewick Potato Printers · Sogmarsh