Chapter 11 #2
“I appreciate it,” Blair said as the nurse handed a bottle to him and then to Emily.
Emily smiled and offered her thanks as well.
Jessica looked around the Nottingham train station. “This is impressive.”
“It’s not the original station. The first was built in the 1840s, but it was knocked down and rebuilt in 1904. It was designed by a local architect named Albert Edward Lambert who designed Albert Hall here in Nottingham, and a number of Methodist churches in the early 1900s.”
“No wonder you’re going to Oxford. You know a lot of British history,” Jessica said.
“Yeah, I’ve been reading a lot about the history of the country,” Ashley agreed. “It’s funny, I really am interested in everything about England. It’s like I can’t get enough information.”
The pair walked toward the exit of the station and were about to step into the queue for a taxi, when Ashley suddenly stopped.
“What is it, dear?” Jessica asked.
“Huh. I don’t know. I just got one of those woo-woo vibes. Like there is something in the ethers.” She shrugged and kept moving.
Emily was finally steady and was anxious to keep moving.
Blair helped her up but insisted she keep her arm linked with his, which didn’t take much convincing.
They thanked the nurse and walked out to the main terminal.
Just at that moment, Emily gasped. Blair thought she was going to fall down when she yanked her arm from his.
“I see her! There she is!” Emily said in a loud, raspy whisper.
She flung her hand, practically smacking Blair in the nose.
“There! Look!” She pointed out the window.
She was almost at a gallop when Blair tugged on her jacket.
“Careful,” he said, hoping to slow her down as she rapidly moved toward the station exit.
As soon as they were outside, she saw Ashley and the other woman get into a cab.
Emily was about to take off again and chase the taxi, but Blair stopped her.
“Hold on. You wait here. I’ll talk to the dispatcher and find out where they’re going.
” He walked toward the man with the cap and clipboard.
“Terribly sorry to interrupt,” Blair addressed the man and the people who were next in line, “but my girlfriend was supposed to meet her sister and we’re a bit late.
” Blair pointed to Emily, who was five people away.
Emily waved and smiled, hoping the man would tell Blair where the women were headed.
A few more words were exchanged and the man looked at Emily again.
He admitted the two young women looked alike; they just had different hairstyles.
Everything seemed like it was on the up-and-up.
The couple appeared to be neatly dressed, not like some of the tossers who come around once in a while.
Plus, Blair had an air of dignity about him without being overbearing.
Feeling that there was no foul play involved, he gave Blair the information about where the two women were headed.
Blair returned to where Emily was waiting anxiously. “They are on their way to Hart’s Hotel.”
The line moved quickly and the two were next in the queue. Emily thanked the dispatcher. “It’s a family reunion. We haven’t seen each other in a bit.” Blair opened the passenger door and Emily hopped in the cab. She waved as they pulled away from the curb, and shouted out a huge “Thank you!”
Blair gave the driver the address, and Emily politely asked if he could put a buzz on because she had to catch up with her sister.
“I’ll do me best to stay out of the nick.” He nodded and moved easily through the streets.
Jessica and Ashley arrived at the hotel knowing their rooms weren’t going to be ready for a couple of hours. They asked to check their luggage with the front desk, and then for directions to Lenton Road. “Going on a tour, are ye?” the petite clerk asked.
“Yes, we are,” Ashley replied. “I suppose it’s rather common.”
“It is indeed,” the woman responded. “And it’s only a few blocks from here.
Less than ten minutes.” She scribbled something on a sheet of paper.
“If ye have a bit of time, you should stop at The Lion. The pub’s named after Richard the Lionheart, or so they say.
” She chuckled. “Food is hearty. You might need it. We’re expecting a bit of a chill this afternoon. ”
“More shepherd’s pie,” Jessica said wistfully.
“Aye. They make some of the best.” She leaned in. “It’s against the law not to.” She chuckled.
“I thought that was for fish and chips.” Jessica grinned.
“Aye, them too! Don’t forget to grab a pint. Goes well with the food. But save a little room for another at Ye Old Trip.”
“Yes, that’s part of the tour,” Jessica said. “I was never much of a beer drinker until we arrived here in England.”
“That too is the law,” the woman hooted.
Jessica wrapped one of her new scarves around her neck and slipped the matching gloves from her pockets.
She pulled out a matching bobble hat and plopped it on her head.
Ashley chuckled. “You are looking quite the part, Mum!” They waved at the clerk and walked in the direction of Lenton Road and came upon the recommended pub.
“I smell the fish and chips.” She opened the door and let her mother enter first.
Emily and Blair walked into the hotel lobby. “Good afternoon, ma’am,” Emily said to the woman who did a double take. “Yes, my sister. We were supposed to meet up earlier and we keep missing each other.” Emily was getting very comfortable with her half-baked story.
“Americans?” she asked quizzically.
Emily hadn’t thought about their accent. “Yes. We’ve been separated for several years.”
“Ah. Right,” the woman replied. I believe they are on their way to Lenton Road. Fer one of the tours.” The woman smiled broadly.
“Is it far?” Blair asked politely.
“Ye can walk to it from here. If you hurry you might catch up with them. They only left a few minutes ago.”
“Thank you very much,” Emily offered calmly, but she was itching to dash.
Blair nodded his thanks. “Ta.”
As soon as they left the hotel Emily grabbed Blair’s arm and bolted down the street.
Ashley and Jessica snuggled near the stone fireplace in the back of the pub. “We have plenty of time to relax and enjoy another bit of English fare,” Jessica said as she glanced around the room. “So many places seem as if they’ve been frozen in time.”
“It’s almost refreshing. Culture, history, architecture, and food are highly regarded and respected.”
“We do seem like Neanderthals, don’t we?” Jessica said.
“Speak for yourself, Mother,” Ashley remarked as she perused the menu.
“I wasn’t referring to us, per se. But our culture seems to have devolved into narcissistic wannabes. Influencers, Tik-Tok. And few people read anymore. It’s all sound bites and memes.”
“You are preaching to the choir.” Ashley set her menu down.
Jessica sighed. “I know. Well, I think we should enjoy every drop of this trip. Now let’s eat. What’s tickling your fancy, my dear?”
“Chicken potpie is one of today’s specials. I think I’ll give it a whirl.”
An hour later they were satiated. “We still have a little time before the tour starts. Shall we take a leisurely stroll through the town square?”
“Absolutely! I must add to my collection!” Jessica replied.
The town square in Nottingham is known as Old Market Square.
Dotted with elegant stone benches, grand historic buildings surround the square.
Like most of the town squares, it’s a gathering place for people to relax and enjoy seasonal flower displays and street performers.
The Council House stands on one side of the square.
Its iconic dome lends a sense of grandeur and tradition.
Cafés, shops, and historic pubs line the edges, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll with its unique blend of history and modern city life.
The square was in full swing with the Winter Wonderland Christmas Market, considered one of the best in all of Europe.
Jessica and Ashley were dazzled once again.
“It’s wonderful to see such festivities.
” Jessica marveled at the displays of decorations, stalls, and activities, including an ice slide.
“You want to give it a go?” Ashley teased her mother.
“As much as I want to ride a Ferris wheel, I’d much rather go shopping!” She chuckled as they made their way through the crowd to one of the many stalls that sold ornaments.
“Don’t load up too much, Mother. We still have the tour. Speaking of which, we should make our way over there,” Ashley said. “We can come back this way when we’re done.”
Emily and Blair searched Lenton Street for Ashley and who they suspected was her adoptive mother. Emily walked back and forth, peering at everyone with the same hair color. “Maybe they’re already on their way. We should ask that gentleman dressed like one of Robin Hood’s Merry Men.”
Blair looked around. There were dozens of men in costume milling about. He decided to start with the one who looked like Will Scarlet.
“Pardon me. But do you conduct tours?” he asked politely.
“Aye, but I’m all booked. It’s the time o’ year.”
“Would you consider adding two more?”
“Sorry, mate. We’re only allowed to traipse a certain amount through town. The locals get concerned about too many folks mucking up the streets.”
Blair could argue that there are always too many people, but he wasn’t about to challenge the gent.
In order to ramble around with tourists, the local guides were expected to have official accreditation from ITG (Institute of Tourist Guiding).
Blair wasn’t about to ask the man to put his livelihood in jeopardy.
“Is there another tour? Or was there another one?”
“Me mate, Friar Tuck, might have some space. Shall I give him a jingle?”