Chapter Three: Tea, Biscuits and Leaving Notes
We soon arrived at the Professor's house, the windows adorned with purple flowers, and a small exquisite garden at the front. The front door had a Neo-Victorian appearance to it, with modern fixtures to adapt to modern life. The Professor walked towards to the door, me following close behind, but then stopped, and then turned to face me.
"Now, before I can let you in," the Professor began, "I wonder if you can solve this puzzle for me, just to show that the you're a fine and bright young woman on the inside, aswell as the outside."
"Oh, really?" I asked, folding my arms and smirking, "Well, go on then, hit me."
"Ronald's mother has four children," the Professor explained, "The first three are called April, May, and June. What is the fourth one called?"
An expression of deep thought clouded over my face.
July, isn't it? No, too obvious, erm. Ronald's mother has. . .oh right!
"Ronald," I answered, "Ronald's mother has four children, Ronald being one of those children, so it's April, May, June and Ronald."
"Very good, Miss Belladonna," the Professor cheered, "Now please, come right this way."
I stepped into the Professors house, and found that the inside was as lovely as the outside. The Neo-Victorian theme continued within the house, that being the furniture, the wallpaper, and even the cutlery. The dark colours of the house left me breathless.
"Professor, you're house, it's beautiful," I exclaimed, "Neo-Victorian if I'm correct."
"That you are, young miss," he said proudly, "The time of the Victorians saw an era of gentlemen more profound than todays society, and so I designed my living space around it. Old-fashioned, yes, but it's my little piece of Heaven."
The Professor then turned and walked into a small kitchen, leaving me in the living-room. I took a seat on the deep red sofa, and slowly exaled, a small smile on my face.
This is amazing. He's better than I thought he was. I can't believe my luck!
A niggling question from earlier came back into my head.
I'll ask him when he comes back in.
The Professor came back into the living room with a bone-china tray, and set it on top of the small wooden table in front of the sofa. Upon it were a nicely decorated tea-pot with cups to match, pots of sugar and milk, and small plate of assorted biscuits.
"Ooh, nice," I smiled, as the Professor took a seat next to me, "A cup of tea, and a biscuit to dip. Nothing can beat that."
"Ha ha, I'm glad you think so," the Professor chuckled, "It feels good to know that a younger generation can apprieciate tea."
"Younger generation? I'm seve-, err, twenty, remember."
My God. Now I know why people shouldn't lie.
"Now, Miss Victoria," the Professor began, "Could you please explain to me why I found you lying in the middle of the street? The streets of London are dangerous, you know, anything could have happened to you."
Well, my Nintendo DS sucked me in so I could come and meet you. Ha ha, I wonder how much of a freak you would think I am if I told you that.
"Well, as far as I can remember," I explained, slowly stirring some sugar into my tea, "I was taking a stroll, you know, just on my own. Then I remember feeling a bit dizzy, and my legs felt weak. And after that, all I remember is waking up in the middle of the street with you leaning over me."
I took a sip of tea, which felt quite nice, the sweetness of the brew gently going down my throat.
"Hmm, you must have been feeling a bit ill, my dear," the Professor said, also taking a sip of his tea, "But never the less, you seem okay now."
I nodded, taking another sip. The next few minutes were spent in silence, me and the Professor enjoying our brews. I took a bourbon biscuit and dipped it into the cup, then munched on it delicately.
"Erm, Professor," I began to ask, "Where is your apprentice? I was under the impression that a young boy by the name of Luke Triton usually helps you when investigating."
The Professor paused.
"And, erm, what about Flora Reinhold?" I continued, "Apparently a young woman also travels with you, a girl with that name."
The Professor took a deep breath, then slowly exaled. There was a hint of worry in his dark eyes.
"Luke and Flora, well, they left this morning," he explained, "I got up this morning and found two notes waiting for me. . ."
He rifled through his coat pocket, and produced two hand written notes. He handed them to me. One of them was from Luke, and read,
"Layton, sorry about the sudden departure, but I'm needed back at home, from Luke."
The other note was from Flora, and read,
"Layton, I'm missing my family, I've gone back to St. Mystere, from Flora."
"Oh. . ." was all I managed to say.
The Professor sighed, then clasped his hands together.
"I'm really not certain about these notes," he said, "They were both written in that same scribbly hand writing, and they both address me as 'Layton', and. ."
". . .and you don't think it was them who wrote it, do you?" I asked.
The Professor slowly shook his head, then stood up. Just then, the telephone began to ring, and the Professor quickly went to answer it.
"Hello," he said, "This is Professor Hershel Layton speaking. . ."
I placed my finished cup of tea on the table and looked out of the window.
Poor Professor. He's really worried about them two. I feel so bad for him.
"Victoria! Come quickly!" the Professor announced, grabbing me by the wrist and pulling me outside."
"Professor, what's wrong?" I asked, concerned, "Where are we going?"
"St. Mystere."