Chapter 14 #3
The four women donned their coats, gloves, scarves, and hats and proceeded down the street toward the pub.
The place was packed with people stopping off from work, on their way home.
The festive atmosphere was heightened by the garland and lights strung from one side of the pub to the other.
Christmas music was barely audible over the rumpus from the crowd.
They wormed their way through the throng and wiggled themselves into a booth, with arms flailing as they attempted to remove their jackets, scarves, and gloves.
Emily accidentally hit Ashley in the face with a sleeve.
“Sibling rivalry.” Jessica raised her eyebrows and laughed.
The server knew Kathleen and Emily by name, but when she saw Ashley she did a double take. All four women acted as if this was a rather normal course of events. The waitress looked at Emily and then at Ashley. “If I didn’t just have me eyes checked I’d think I was seeing double.”
Kathleen looked at both of her daughters. “What do you mean, Tilly?”
Tilly leaned in. She wagged a finger toward Ashley and then at Emily. “If ye haven’t noticed, these two are the spitting image of each other.”
Emily was the first to answer. “We get that all the time.” She pulled the laminated menu up to her face.
Tilly placed both hands on her hips. “Now yer not gonna get away without doing some explainin’,” Tilly growled as Kathleen stifled a grin. She looked at Jessica. “Yer new around here. Maybe you know something about these two?” Again, she pointed at the two look-alikes.
Jessica went along with the gaslighting. “Whatever do you mean?”
“If any of you want something to drink or eat, yer better tell me what it is.” Tilly was befuddled.
Kathleen finally spilled the obvious beans. “This is my other daughter, Ashley.”
Tilly’s mouth went agape. “Yer tellin’ me you have another daughter?”
Ashley broke in. “I’ve been in the States for several years.”
“And yer just comin’ around now?” Tilly knew she was missing some crucial pieces of information. As much as she wanted to, she resisted the urge to pry.
“It’s the holidays,” Ashley said as a matter of fact, and introduced herself.
“I’m Ashley.” Did she have to explain who the other woman was?
Ashley’s eyes flitted toward Jessica whose smiling eyes encouraged her to go along with the gag.
“I’ve been studying across the pond. Life gets busy, you know?
I meant to come back sooner, but this was the first time we were able to coordinate our schedules. ”
Tilly shook her head, a mixture of surprise and understanding. Some explanation was better than none. Finally satisfied with the minimum amount of details, Tilly asked, “So what can I get ya?”
Emily was the first to speak. “I’ll have a pint and Mum probably needs something a wee bit stronger. Have you The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Reserve Number 7?”
Tilly puffed up her chest. “Ah, celebratin’ I see. Let me check with Rufus. He keeps the good stuff hidden.” She turned to Ashley and Jessica. And for you?”
“I think I’ll have what she’s having.” Jessica nodded toward Kathleen.
“Make that three,” Ashley chimed in.
“If Rufus doesn’t have it, I’ll ask him for a good substitute.” She winked and stealthily moved through the crowd.
Ashley took a deep breath. “I suppose we’re going to get a lot of that.”
“I think we’ll be able to manage.” Emily nudged her sister again.
They were about to engage in more conversation when Emily’s phone vibrated in her pocket.
“It’s Blair.” Tilly returned with their drinks as Emily crouched down toward the underside of the table so she could have a reasonable exchange.
It would have been too much of an acrobatic act to leave the table, get through the crowd and onto the street. Tilly rolled her eyes. “Enjoy.”
“Hi ya.” She cupped the phone with her hand. “Sorry about the ruckus.”
“You are the ruckus,” Blair teased. He could hear the rowdy throng in the background.
Their bantering was becoming commonplace. “I think yer enjoying every minute of my ruckusness. Is that a word?”
“For you, yes,” Blair answered. “Professor Kirkland said he’d like to see the report. Then he’ll be able to make a recommendation. I told him I’d be willing to be his clerk. I need the hours.”
“You are the best.” Emily was glowing from the company, the whisky, and the man she was beginning to fall for. “I’ll give Oliver a ring and let him know. Can you text me where he should send the paperwork?”
“Will do.” He paused. “About New Year’s Eve …”
Emily thought she might hurl. Here it comes.
“I think it would be lovely if you invited Ashley to attend the party with us,” Blair suggested. “There will be loads of people. Some even go to Oxford.”
Emily was all atwitter. She couldn’t discern which of the situations was the most exciting. All of it, she decided. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”
“Get me the information and we’ll get this sorted, Emily.” Blair sounded quite convincing. “It’s a matter of putting the pieces together, starting with locating your father. He will have to appear before a magistrate with legal counsel.”
“Understood. As soon as you send me the professor’s contact information, I’ll ask Oliver to send it to you.”
“Brilliant. Talk soon.”
Emily sat up to share the news. “Blair is going to send me Professor Kirkland’s information for me to pass along to Oliver. Meanwhile, we’re going to have to find Pops.”
“When we get back to the flat we can make plans to go to Swindon. I’ll drive,” Kathleen offered. “Should take a smidge under two hours.”
Emily’s phone vibrated again. It was the professor’s email address, as well as Blair’s. Emily quickly forwarded it to Oliver. Please send files. Many thanks!
Kathleen turned to Emily. “We’re going to need more information from Oliver.”
“Yes, but meanwhile let’s enjoy our dinner.” Emily watched Tilly emerge from the kitchen balancing a large tray of delicious comfort food. Tilly nodded, indicating their order would be next.
Oliver was clearing the empty pizza box and the plates when his phone buzzed. It was the contact information for Professor Kirkland and Blair Wallace. “Ah, here’s the info for the lawyer. He’s going to review the files.”
“I’m gonna need another hour, at least, but you can upload this one.” Helen pulled up the file with the matching prints and sent it to the external hard drive. “Do you have a copy of Henry’s arrest warrant? They’re going to need that too.”