From Time to Time (2009) Plot Summary Explained

Tolly discovers that Green Knowe itself acts as a portal between the present (World War II era) and the early 19th century. The old manor house allows him to slip between the two time periods. Some people in the past can see and speak to him while others remain unaware of his presence.

• time travel
• Green Knowe
• portal
• Tolly

Susan is the blind daughter of Lord Thomas Oldknow from the early 1800s. She is a ghost who lingers at Green Knowe and can see and speak to Tolly across both time periods. Unlike most people in the past who cannot perceive him, Susan serves as his guide through the family secrets of both eras.

Foreshadowing: Mrs. Oldknow confirms on Tolly's first night that Susan, the blind daughter of Lord Thomas Oldknow, has appeared to previous generations.

• Susan
• ghost
• blind girl
• Oldknow family

Susan confirms that John Caxton (the butler in the past) was responsible for the fire at Green Knowe. The servant's arson threatens the estate during the 1800s, contributing to the family's financial troubles and the buried secrets that Tolly uncovers.

Foreshadowing: Caxton warns about Jacob early on, hinting at his suspicious nature and potential for causing harm.

• fire
• John Caxton
• arson
• servant

With Susan's help, Tolly discovers a lost treasure hidden at Green Knowe. This treasure reveals the long-hidden family secret that has slept for generations, providing the key to understanding the Oldknow family's troubled past and the source of their financial difficulties.

Foreshadowing: Mrs. Oldknow mentions Mariah van Raymer's gambling and extravagant spending that nearly ruined the family.

• treasure
• hidden treasure
• family secret
• jewels

Tolly's father David, a soldier reported missing in action, is confirmed to have died during World War II. The news arrives after Green Knowe is saved, casting a somber tone over the family's victory. However, Tolly finds comfort when his father's ghost appears to reassure him that everything will be all right.

Foreshadowing: At the beginning, Tolly learns his father is missing in action, not confirmed dead, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• David
• father
• death
• war
• ghost

Jacob is an African boy brought to Green Knowe by Captain Oldknow. Butler Caxton warns about Jacob's presence, suggesting it reminds the household of complicated past dealings and hidden tensions related to the family's history with servants and colonialism.

Foreshadowing: Caxton's wariness about Jacob foreshadows therevealed tensions and secrets surrounding the household's past.

• Jacob
• Captain Oldknow
• servant
• African boy

While climbing a tree on the estate grounds, Tolly finds an old spur hidden in a hollow. His grandmother identifies it as belonging to Sefton, the eldest child of Thomas and Mariah. This discovery links the present directly to the house's haunted past and helps establish the connection between the two eras.

Foreshadowing: Mrs. Oldknow recounts Thomas and Mariah's marriage and their eldest son Sefton before Tolly finds the spur.

• spur
• Sefton
• Thomas
• Mariah
• relic

Susan guides Tolly through several buried family secrets spanning generations: the truth about the devastating fire, the tale of stolen jewels, and the threat that servant Fred might be sold into a press gang. These revelations connect the financial troubles of the present to events from the 1800s.

Foreshadowing: Mrs. Oldknow mentions a regretful letter accusing Thomas's wife of being a commoner, hinting at buried family conflicts.

• family secrets
• jewels
• press gang
• fire
• Fred

Yes, Green Knowe is saved. The lost treasure discovered by Tolly and Susan helps resolve the family's financial crisis and prevents the estate from being sold to cover debts. However, the victory comes at a cost, Tolly's father has died in the war.

Foreshadowing: Mrs. Oldknow confesses early on that she may be forced to sell Green Knowe due to financial difficulties.

• Green Knowe
• saved
• estate
• debts
• sold

After learning of David's death and the resolution of Green Knowe's financial troubles, Mrs. Oldknow welcomes Tolly's mother back into the family. This reconciliation represents the healing of old wounds and a renewed sense of unity, as the grandmother acknowledges the changed circumstances and opens the family home to Tolly's mother.

• Mrs. Oldknow
• mother
• reconciliation
• family
• welcome