Chapter 7

Lewis and Hobson walked across the pub and found an empty table. "Robbie," Laura chided "Did you come here to keep an eye on James?"

"What?" asked Robbie, obviously confused.

"He is across the room with his American friend. And they are looking quite friendly. You didn't really feel the need to spy on them, did you?"

"I swear, Laura, I had no idea they were here. He did tell me they were meeting for a pint, but he never mentioned where. He and I have obviously been spending too much time together—we're starting to think alike."

"So do you think we should leave? Or are you going to take advantage of this coincidence?"

Robbie considered for a moment. "It's a big pub, there's plenty of room for everyone. We'll not bother them. They do look quite chummy, don't they?"

Laura turned and watched the pair for a moment. "That adoring look in her eyes when she looks at him —like he's her knight in shining armor. Perhaps it will lead to a happily ever after ending."

"I never knew you were such a romantic," Robbie chuckled.

"I'm not usually. It's just something about the way the two of them are looking at each other. I know he knew her at Cambridge, but what is the rest of the story between the two of them?"

"He called her the one that got away. Maybe this is his second chance."

Across the room, James groaned as he saw Lewis and Hobson enter the pub. Of all the pubs in Oxford, why did they have to choose this one? They didn't seem like they were going to come over and interrupt, though, so maybe he could try to pretend he wasn't being watched. Penny was asking him what happened to his plans for the priesthood.

"I did try," said James, "but when it came right down to it, I couldn't make the commitment, so I did the next best thing and became a policeman."

"Men! " said Penny in an exasperated voice, "If you can't even make a commitment to God, what hope do the rest of us have?"

"For starters," said James, "I am quite certain that you do exist, which gives you a leg up on God." He tried to change the subject. "I take it that commitment problems also played a role in your marriage? What happened to Russell?"

"He thought he loved me, but he really only loved who he wanted me to become. When I had other ideas, it all fell apart. He's already remarried, presumably to someone who meets his expectations." Penny took a deep breath before continuing. "I thought about leaving Oxford right away, but I wanted to get myself back on my feet again before I went running off home to America." She looked up at James. "Now I'm glad I stayed. Although you could have found a better way of running into me." Her eyes welled up as she thought of the scene she had witnessed the day before.

James moved around the table and put his arm around her while Robbie and Laura pretended they weren't watching him.