International Rescue: The Next Phase


Home » The Archives » Chapter 7 » Trouble Under the Hood
Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1815 is a reply to message #1814] Sat, 28 July 2012 14:20 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Lillehafrue is currently offline  Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma:
TB Pilot
Evil Genius
From: Tikatu Sent: 1/11/2006 9:10 PM

Friday, June 22, 2068, 1:00 p.m., Paris, France

"Oh, Lady Penelope!" Tin-Tin gushed. "This has been such a wonderful birthday! The shopping, the fashion shows, the clothes, the dining... did I mention the shopping?"

Penelope laughed. "You did indeed, my dear," she said, smiling, wagging a finger at the younger woman. "Several times. In several stores!"

The two women waited as the sommelier poured their wine, then Tin-Tin lifted her goblet. "To good friends and birthdays!"

"Here, here," the aristocrat replied, tapping her glass to her friend's.

Tin-Tin sipped her wine, then drew in a deep breath and let it out in a contented sigh. "François's latest creations were so... minty. The red frock and that slinky black sheath... I couldn't decide which to get."

"Don't think I didn't see you order them both," Penelope warned good-humoredly. "But I'll tell you a little secret. I ordered that blue silk trouser ensemble for you as my birthday gift."

"Oh, Penelope!" Tin-Tin exclaimed. "You didn't... you shouldn't..."

"I did, and we'll say no more about it," Penny replied firmly. She leaned over. "But I do hope you like it."

"I love it! Father will be so surprised, and Dianne will be so jealous!" Tin-Tin exclaimed, a twinkle in her eye.

"And what will the elusive Mr. Hackenbacker say?" Penny asked slyly, an eyebrow rising. "Don't think for a single moment I haven't heard rumors..." Her hand darted out and she took hold of Tin-Tin's wrist. "And there is this little trinket that I spied the other day. Is it from him?"

Tin-Tin blushed. "Yes, it is. His birthday gift to me." She sighed again happily. "He's so sweet and gentle. I'm just kicking myself for not noticing him sooner. He was so attentive and flirty at the trials for the Skythrust, but I was so wrapped up in Alan that I'm afraid I just teased him along." She looked down at her hands, then back up at Penny, giving her a wistful smile. "We're taking things one day at a time. I've been so disappointed lately... and he's aware of that."

"I think he is a fine man, though a bit on the dotty side," Penny said. She smiled mischievously. "Did I ever tell you about the time I had to extricate him from a psychiatrist's office where he had been sent for... ahem... talking to his watch? He was not at all discomfited by the experience. Just chalked it up to a new adventure. Really, Tin-Tin, you could do worse."

"Like Giles Hightower?" Tin-Tin said with a soft, sour tone.

"Now, now, my girl. We shall not bring that bounder's name up again," Penny admonished her. "He is a cad and we will leave him in your past." She smiled a bit. "Though it felt quite satisfying to put him in his place at that restaurant."

"Are you keeping track of him and his family since Mrs. Matumbo's... visit with them?" Tin-Tin asked.

"Yes, I am. With the help of some of Parker's old friends, and a computer expert I just happen to be acquainted with, I am compiling a dossier on the three of them." She waved a dismissive hand. "But let's forget them for now. Have you decided on what you would like to eat for your last meal in Paris?"

"I think so," Tin-Tin said, perusing her menu. She sighed once more. "Back to Milan tomorrow to pick up my Ladybird, then home. But it has been such a lovely birthday. Thank you for spending it with me."

"You are most certainly welcome, my dear," Penelope said. "Now to order our luncheon."




98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
Luke Morel Rommel in Vest
 
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Next Topic: Feedback - 7
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Thu May 16 22:42:11 EDT 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01272 seconds