AN: And continuing on from the previous chapter...

Lillyesque

Lilly's Curious Village Part 2

July 21st 1965

"And, you know, my humanities teacher always said I was rather witty and said I could be a journalist," Lilly recalled, as she sat with her grandmother on a garden table, sewing something rather peculiar.

"Of course you could!" Her Grandmother, Lucille, nodded her head in agreement. "That would be a great job. You'd get to do lots of travelling, too."

"Oh, no. No more travel for me," Lilly shook her head. "I went halfway round the world in the matter of a week only two months ago. I don't think I'll ever want to travel again."

"Travelling with your Father isn't always how travelling is for everyone else, you know, sweet," Lucille chuckled.

"Either way," Lilly shrugged. "But I don't think I can go anywhere outside of London without relating it to an expedition. We've been to so many places... I doubt I could go anywhere without jumping to the conclusion that the place I'm in is full of danger and mystery."

"Well, perhaps not journalism then-"

"Besides, my spelling is awful."

"It will get better with time, dear."

"You've all been saying that since I was seven," Lilly sighed and put her sewing needle down and picked up her cup of coffee and leant back in her chair.

It was a bright and warm July day on the outskirts of London, at Lilly's grandparents house. The garden was much more green and quiet than any areas in London. Very relaxing... And calming. Lilly preferred this to bustling about an unknown and potentially dangerous territory.

"Now, honestly, I don't know how you can drink hot coffee in this weather," Lucille said, gesturing to the hot sun. "There's lemonade in the fridge. Are you sure I can't get you some?"

"No, it's all right. I don't really like lemonade anymore," Lilly shook her head.

"Now, when did you get so grown up, eh?" Lucille laughed. "Now, what's this then?"

"This?" Lilly checked, holding up the soft purple sheet of fabric she seemed to be embroidering. "It's Father's birthday present. You see these here?"

Lilly pulled the sheet tight to show a clear pattern of runes embroidered in a yellow-gold thread.

"I do and I've been wondering what they are all day..." Lucille replied.

"Well, it's the language of the Azran. You know, the trip we went on?" Lilly answered. "Well, Emmy took quite a few pictures on that trip and she gave some to me. These things, the words, were written in stone in the Azran cave. He's impossible to buy for when it comes to birthdays and Christmas, so I tend to make him something. This was the best thing I could think of. To remind him of... The trip. And how important it was."

Lucille smiled. "Well, I think it's a very good idea."

"Thank you," Lilly nodded, with a smile. "I'm just embroidering the edges now. Making it all a bit more... Nice. Then I'll have to sew another sheet onto the back to stop the embroidery thread from coming loose. And I was thinking to stuff it too. Make it but more like a quilt, perhaps. More practical."

"You see, you're awfully good at things like this. You're creative and good with your hands," Lucille began. "Why don't you do this for a career?"

"How on earth could I make enough money to live on by making things?" Lilly asked.

"By selling them, of course, silly!" Lucille exclaimed. "You could open your own business and sell them."

"I can't open my own business. I have nowhere near enough resources..." Lilly shook her head.

"But you could work your way up. You know, make some things and sell them on, save that money and then use it to open your own stall up on the market, and that as that grows you can open up your own shop... It will take time of course, but it's something you enjoy at least!"

"Hmm... Perhaps," Lilly smiled.

The backdoor to the house suddenly opened, and both the Layton's turned round to see Roland step out.

"Are you ladies, all right out here?" He asked with a beam.

"We're lovely, dear. Would you care to join us?" Lucille replied, gesturing to the empty garden seat. They had a spare for visitors.

"Whilst that does indeed sound lovely, I'm here to inform the young Miss Layton here that her Father's on the phone, would she wish to speak to him," Roland answered, nodding his head towards Lilly.

"Now, what do you mean the young Miss Layton, mister?" Lucille teased, as Lilly eagerly stood up to go to the telephone.

"Nothing, dear," Roland replied with a chuckle, as he went to sit down beside his wife. He gave Lilly a wink as they crossed paths, as she made her way into the house, which made her giggle. Entering the clean, bright house, which contrasted with her own, messy and city like house, Lilly crossed through to the hallway and picked up the telephone receiver from where it had been left, sitting on the table, as the call was left on hold.

"Father? Hello, it's Lilly," Lilly said down the reciever.

"Lilly? Hello, dear," the Professor greeted down the reciever.

"Hello! How are you and Luke?" Lilly asked, with a bright smile on her face. It was hard not to be so happy hearing her Father's voice for the first time since he left three days ago. She was still glad she'd chosen to stay behind, but at the same time, she missed him.

"We're very well, thank you. And yourself? I have to say, you do sound rather cheerful," the Professor remarked.

"Well, I have been having a lovely time with Grandma and Pops," Lilly replied. "We've gone on walks in the countryside, I've been making crafts in the sun in the garden. Grandma and Pops are always such great company. But, anyway, what about you and Luke? You're safe, yes?"

Lilly heard her Father chuckle through the reciever.

"Of course we are, Lilly," the Professor replied. "This expedition has been much more safer than previous ones. However, we were chased by a ferris wheel at one point, but that is all over now."

"You mean to say that you've solved the case?"

Lilly chose not to comment on the ferris wheel. However, the idea did indeed seem rather ridiculous and she briefly wondered whether it was a joke.

"We have indeed and-"

The Professor was suddenly interrupted by Luke. Lilly could faintly hear him saying "are you going to tell Lilly about Flora, Professor?"

"Flora? Who's that?" Lilly questioned.

"Well, having solved the case we... Well, let's just say this will all be much easier if we explain when we get back, but... A young lady, not much younger than you, will be coming to live with us. I thought I should warn you, so as not to shock you, you know?"

"Yes, of course, but I... I don't understand. Who and why?" Lilly queried.

"I'll explain soon, dear. And we're leaving tomorrow. We'll all be home by tomorrow evening, I'd say."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it."

"Me, too. But, please, Flora, the young lady coming back to London to stay with us, she's been through a lot. You'll be welcoming, won't you?"

"I'm offended that you think I wouldn't be, but... I'm awfully confused."

"Not to worry. All will be explained soon enough, dear."

"Right, okay. So, I'll see you tomorrow then," Lilly began. "Oh, no, wait I have something to ask."

"What is it? Everything's all right, isn't it?" The Professor asked, with a hint of concern, which Lilly couldn't help but roll her eyes at. He was always worried.

"Yes, but... I was just speaking to Grandma, and was... I was wondering... You know the scarfs and blankets and cushions... All those things I've made. Do you think they would... Sell well? In business terms, I mean. You see, I was thinking that maybe I could start a business selling them..."

"Lilly, that sounds like a wonderful idea," the Professor said; Lilly could practically hear his smile in his voice.

She couldn't help but grin widely.

"Thank you, now... I suppose you must get ready to come back, yes?" Lilly said.

"We should, yes, but I'll see you tomorrow," the Professor replied. "Oh, and would you mind doing me a favour before we get back?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"Could you set up the spare bedroom? Flor Flora," the Professor requested.

"Sure," Lilly paused for a second. She stared at the wall, as she reflected on her response and decided it would be better to add: "Of course I can. I shall go home after breakfast and do so. No problem at all."

"Thank you. I appreciate that," the Professor thanked.

"But... Umm, Father, I don't understand. I know you said that you'll explain tomorrow, but, Flora... Who is she? Why's she staying with us?" Lilly began to quiz. "Is it like how Aurora stayed with us for a couple of nights before we travelled?"

"Well, Flora's stay with us will be a bit... Less temporary."

Lilly could hear nervousness in her Father's voice. It was rare that anything would ever happen to get her angry, but when something did happen, she had a horribly short temper. Thinking back, Lilly realised the angry tone she'd been using and then she realised why she was becoming upset. She sighed in reluctance; she didn't want to seem any ruder than she already had been, for she really did hate confrontation with her Father, but she was desperate to know the answer.

"Do you mean that Flora is moving in with us?" Lilly asked, slowly, so that she could carefully choose her words and tone, however it seemed to have the opposite effect. Now, she found that she was seeming impatient and even ruder.

"Yes... If that is what she wants, then, yes. Really, after the past few days, it's my job to be her guardian," the Professor explained. Lilly could tell it was as if he were trying to justify himself to her."

"You're just..." Lilly put an arm down by her side and sighed slightly. "You've just confused me even more. Never mind, you can explain tomorrow."

"Of course I will," the Professor replied. "Besides, I think you'll rather like Flora. You're very close in age."

"I'm- I'm sure I will," Lilly forced a smile, even though her Father couldn't see her.

"Now, I best be going and you best be getting back to your Grandparents," the Professor said. "Send them my love, won't you?"

"Of course," Lilly replied. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodbye, dear."

Lilly hung the phone back up and then sighed, leaning back on the hallway wall. Biting her lip, she began to think. She was just being silly, wasn't she? Of course. There was no possibility whatsoever of Emmy, or even herself, being replaced. Right?

AN: So, this was part two... I decided to make it three parts instead of two, because this and the next chapter seeed a bit too long to scrunch together.

In response to a guest's review on the previous chapter:

First of all, thank you very much sweet-pea for your kind review and I am very glad indeed to hear that you are enjoying it.

In regards to your question about Alfendi: Yes, he is adopted. I will post a oneshot after the final part of Curious Village onto Lillyesque explaining how Alfendi came into their lives. But, if you really would like to know, my fic "Safe To Smile" explains the same theory! However, that oneshot doesn't include Lilly.

Anyhow, thanks for all your lovely reviews, people! Remember, if you have any ideas as well, feel free to tell me about them, for me to include!

Nikki~