It is Andith Fest 2016! Instead of starting a new story, I decided to try to get another chapter posted 's a bit short but I hope you like it! I'll try to be quicker with the next chapter.
By the way, I read an interview done with Robert Bathurst recently. In it he comments that he wasn't leading man material with his build. And he says at times he thinks himself chunky. My jaw dropped! Chunky? The man is gorgeous! I volunteer to let him be my leading man anytime!
It took a week but Katie was finally able to finish Locksley. She thought about creating Anthony's neighboring estate, Downton, but decided it was unlikely he would wish to visit. Her next challenge was to get a message to Anthony. After more thought, she decided that she would post a letter through the game. Opening the game, she quickly typed the message and then place it in the post box in the village. Soon it was on its way to Anthony's cottage.
Katie watched as Kathleen opened the door to the postman. She looked happy. Glancing down, Kathleen read the name on the envelope and carried it into the library, where Anthony sat at a desk. He opened and read the note and smiled. "Locksley is ready for us, my dear."
"That's wonderful," Kathleen replied. "When should we go?"
I see no need to linger here," he said excited"
"That's wonderful," Kathleen replied. "When should we go?"
I see no need to linger here," he said excitedly. "Let's plan to leave at the end of the week, shall we?"
Kathleen nodded her agreement, leaning down to kiss him on his cheek. "I'm looking forward to seeing your home," she said.
"Our home," he corrected.
Katie left them to their planning.
A month passed. Katie checked on Anthony and Kathleen periodically after they'd moved to Locksley. The couple had settled in and Kathleen was busy making the house her home. Anthony worked on the estate, bringing production up and planning for their future.
One evening, soon after Katie had arrived home from her job, there was a knock at her door. Opening it, she was surprised to see Anthony standing there; or at least, it looked like Anthony. Too stunned to speak, she simply stared at the man.
Consequently, he spoke first. "I apologize for simply appearing but I haven't been able to think of another way," he said. "I... I think you recognize me... or more to the point, you are reminded of my great-grandfather, Sir Anthony Strallan."
"Wh...what?" Katie stuttered.
"I'd like to explain, if I may. And also explain why I am here."
Still bewildered, Katie invited him into her home. Pleasantries were exchanged as she offered coffee to her guest and he declined. Her mind in a swirl, she offered him a seat in her den, all the while thinking she could use a drink, something a great deal stronger than coffee.
Once they were settled in chairs, both were silent and they simply stared at one another. Katie was trying to absorb that the great-grandson on a character in her game was actually sitting in her house. Her guest simply seemed to be waiting. Finally she asked, "how?"
He blinked. "That's a complicated question. I don't believe my great-grandfather ever understood. I never met him but my great-granny, I remember her from when I was very small. She lived to be one hundred three. I only have vague memories of her though. My grandfather, Sir Phillip, seemed to know the story and told me pieces of it. He died last year and he made me promise that I would visit you. It was his father's last request of him, you see..." The man who shouldn't be paused. "I have a letter for you, from my great-grandfather. He wanted to explain to you what happened. But first, I want to tell you how grateful our family is for your creation. I don't understand it at all, but your game made our lives possible."
"I... I built this computer game," Katie stuttered. "There was a program on the telly and I didn't like the way the ended one of the pairings, so I made the game to try to fix it. But the characters took on lives of their own and I soon lost control of them. So I decided to make the program large enough that they could live out their lives but something happened. They... they appeared right here, in my den... a little over a month ago. I... I still can't explain it. And then Anthony, your great-grandfather somehow took them back into the game. And when last I checked on them, Anthony and Kathleen, they were happy at Locksley."
"Yes. Kathleen was my great grandmother," the man said. " She gave a letter to my granfather to give to you and stipulated it should be on this day. Those were my great-grandfather's instructions." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick envelope. "So, I'm following his instructions, you see." He handed the envelope to Katie, the paper old and crisp.
Katie took the envelope and looked up into the very familiar eyes of the Anthony look alike. "I... I'm sorry but I didn't get your name?"
"My name?" he grinned. "One you're familiar with. I'm Anthony Strallan. I was named for the original and inherited his title as well, though I seldom use it.
Katie smiled. "Hello, Sir Anthony Strallan. I'm Katherine Edith Crawley. My middle name is for my great- great aunt, Lady Edith Crawley. " She watched for signs of recognition in Anthony's face.
He looked perplexed. "Isn't that the woman that my grandfather, I mean to say great grandfather left at the altar?"
"It is. And then that horrible writer did the series about the family, only he picked all the worst things to put in the series. And I felt so bad for Lady Edith... That's why I decided to create the game."
"Yes, well... I'm sure the original Anthony explains it all in his letter. Shall I leave or would you prefer I stay?"
Katie looked down at the envelope again and too a deep breath. "Please stay. I might have questions, after I read it."
"As you wish," he replied and settled comfortably in his chair as she began to open the envelope.
