Chapter 2
Professor Layton awoke to the sound of knocking on his front door. Who could want to speak to him at five in the morning? Opening the door to his room, he could see that the noise had woken Flora as well. "Who could that be?" She asked. "Were you expecting anyone, Professor?"
"No, In fact, maybe you should wait in your room, just in case."
"But Professor, I-"
"No buts, Flora. Go to your room."
"Fine." Flora slumped off, but didn't get into her bed, she just hid behind her door, where she had full view of the entrance to the Professor's flat and the mysterious visitor that was about to appear. The Professor opened the door and Flora nearly fainted at the sight she saw.
"Hello, Professor..." Clive said feverishly.
"Hello, Clive. I, well... That is to say-"
"What are you doing here?" Flora cut in to the conversation.
"Flora! Didn't I tell you to wait in your room?" The Professor shouted, angry at her for interrupting him.
"No, It's quite alright Professor," Clive couldn't help but feel all of the old emotions come back as he looked at her, " I didn't break out of prison, if that's what you're implying, Flora." He retorted. Flora was a bit taken aback by this, how dare he? To come back here after... after... all that he had done to her and talk to her in that manner. Ugh He disgusted her, and she made sure he knew it. "Yes, why are you here, Clive?" Layton enquired.
"Well, I'm on parole now and... I had nowhere else to go. I don't know anyone else and... and..." He suddenly crouched down on the hallway floor and hugged his knees. Both of the onlookers could see prison had done no good for his nerves. Flora almost gasped as this, the same man who had made London quake at his feet, was shivering at the doorstep of someone he hardly knew. "Now, My boy," Said the Professor, kneeling down and putting a comforting hand on the boy's back "Don't worry, it's all alright. Come in, Come in." He pulled him up and led him into his house. "It's still early, so I think we should all get some sleep for at least another hour. Let's see, Clive you can sleep on the sofa, if that's alright?"
"That would be perfect, Professor. Thank you, for everything."Flora studied his face. Though aged with time, it still had the childish air about it, especially that lopsided smile which always sent butterflies rampaging around her stomach. He looked so sincere now, a completely different person to the vile brute that had kidnapped her and treated her so badly."Flora," The Professor called, bringing her back to the real world. " Time to go back to bed, hurry along now."
"Yes Professor." Flora said as she turned around and headed to her room. As she climbed into bed she could just hear The Professor and Clive's conversation. "So, how's it been, Clive?"
"Oh, well... As good as prison can be expected to be, I guess"
"Ah, yes. Of course. Have you been in contact with anyone apart from us?"
"No. Like I told you. I don't know anyone else in London. Well, anyone I can trust."
"Well, It's late, we can talk some more tomorrow." The Professor got up to leave, but Clive caught his arm to stop him. "Professor, Is Flora...I mean, Is she still mad at me?" The Professor stared at the young man's face. "Do you want the truth?" The Professor asked.
"Yes."
"...She's scathing mad"
"Oh." Clive sighed. " Well, Goodnight, Professor."
"Goodnight, Clive." The Professor walked towards his bedroom before turning around and watching the boy look at Flora's bedroom. There was so much left unsaid, but it was too late to pry into Clive's feelings, so he opened his bedroom door and turned off all of the lights.
Flora's alarm went off at seven as usually, and she groaned as the loud noise hurt her ears. She got up and went into the sitting room and jumped when she saw Clive curled up in a ball on the sofa. Wow, had last night's events already slipped her mind? She walked over to him and couldn't help noticing how peaceful and innocent he looked when was sleeping. She sat down on the edge of the sofa and started to pull the blanket that was wrapped around his legs up over his shoulders. Just at that moment the door burst open and Luke Triton, the Professor's apprentice, walked in and then froze at the sight he saw. Flora, who had a bit of a thing for, with her arms round another man! He slammed the door behind him and the banging woke Clive up. The sight of his face enraged Luke, so he stormed off to the bathroom and locked the door behind him. Flora looked down at Clive, blushed and then got up and went into the kitchen to start preparing breakfast. Clive watched her leave with slight confusion. Last night she had refused to hear any excuses and now, she was pulling up his blanket. He couldn't understand her. Lying back down again, he closed his eyes and began to drift into a light sleep.
Luke sat in the bathroom, sulking. How dare the Professor let that madman into his house? He could burst out with a machine gun and start terrorising Flora any minute now! Well, He was going to have to put an end to that. Unlocking the door, he came out and started to walk towards the sofa where Clive was sleeping, planning to have a word with him and get him to leave. He was nearly there when the Professor came out of his bedroom , wearing his striped pyjamas and his ever present top hat. "Ah, Luke, my boy, you're already here!" Luke looked up. "Professor, what is he doing here?" He asked, Gesturing towards Clive's sleeping body. "Ah. Yes, you weren't here were you? No, of course you weren't... Well, the long and short of it is that Clive is out of prison and had nowhere else to go, so I said he could stay here ." Luke Gasped in horror. "But, Professor! Don't you remember what he tried to do?" The Professor just smiled. "I believe that he has changed, Luke. Forgive and forget, eh?" He Chuckled as he left to go and get dressed. Clive stirred and woke for the second time that morning. "Ugh... Oh! Luke... Hey." Luke looked down at him. "Hm." He said, and left. Clive sighed. He knew that Luke would never forgive him. Suddenly a shout came from the kitchen. "Breakfast!" It was Flora, would had obviously been cooking the entire time. Clive wrapped the blanket around himself to keep warm walked into the kitchen. The Professor was already there, a tea cup in his hand, and so was Luke, Who scowled the minute he saw Clive. "Sit down, my Boy. You must be hungry; best get some food down you." The Professor said warmly. Clive looked down at the table. It was evident Flora's cooking skills had improved, as the table was filled with Bacon and Eggs which all smelled delicious. Clive took a seat next to the Professor, who then offered him a plate which he filled with all the food he could fit on it. Flora sat down next to him and stared in disbelief at how fast Clive was shovelling down the food. "It's not going anywhere, you know!" Clive looked at her, confused. "You're eating really fast!" She said in answer to his silent question. "Oh. Sorry, but this is the best meal I've had in a long time! You're a good cook!" He said between mouthfuls of bacon. Flora blushed. "Thank you..." Clive didn't notice her blushing, as he was so involved in his food, but Luke did. He scowled across at Clive until The Professor Nudged him. "Eat up, Luke, My boy! You'll need your energy for today! You didn't forget, did you?" He laughed. Luke looked at him in confusion "Forget what?" He asked. The Professor gasped. "Luke! A Gentleman always remembers important engagements! You're coming to the University with me today, to view my lecture!" Luke slapped his forehead "Of course! How could I forget! I'm sorry, Professor! I'll go and get changed!" With this he charged off and was out of the apartment in seconds. "Professor, if you and Luke are going to the University, What about me? The school's still having refurbishments and I don't want to be home alone!" Flora asked. "But Flora, You won't be alone. Clive will be here." The Professor said before taking a sip of his second cup of tea. Flora looked over at Clive, who was just mopping his mouth with a serviette. He smiled and she turned away. "But, Professor," "No buts Flora, everything's set up now, there's no way the schedule can be changed. Anyway, I must go collect my notes from my room. Can you two wash up?" "Sure, Professor..." Flora said, obviously annoyed at the Professor's decision. It was then that Luke burst through the door. "Ready, Professor!" He asked. "Yes, My Boy! Just coming" The Professor called as he came out of his room. "Well, you two, see you tonight!" Then he left, locking the door behind him.
"See you , Professor..." Flora called half-heartedly from the kitchen. She picked up another plate and began to scrub it. Clive glanced at her and she scowled back. He quickly looked away and picked up a tea cup and began drying it. He could tell that today would not be easy.
