After checking her texts which were mainly of the delete type, Jean Innocent was happily surprised to see a few texts from some of the people she used to oversee in Oxford. DI Hathaway noted that he was driving up by himself to catch-up with Dr. Hobson who was due to be in Innocent's jurisdiction that day assessing pathology best practices. Innocent had also gotten a few texts from Dr. Hobson, who noted that she and Lewis ended up making the trip to Innocent's jurisdiction, but had completed their intended tasks prior to being able to meet with Innocent. Then there was an additional text from Dr. Hobson inviting Innocent to join them at a pub along the way, that Hobson and Lewis planned to stop at on the way back to Oxford.
Innocent sent her reply to Dr. Hobson. At that point, DI Hathaway was walking into Innocent's office.
Hathaway and Innocent exchanged greetings. Innocent informed Hathaway that Hobson and Lewis had been there earlier in the day, completed their business and were on their way home. But that they still might be able to meet up with them at a pub that Hobson had texted her about for a meet up. Posing the question to Hathaway, that she was pretty certain she knew the answer to "Shall we make it official business to track down the good doctor and her traveling companion? " Hathaway smiled and said "Yes." He'd driven a long way, seemingly for nothing, but this bit of an adventure, to get all four of them back in one pub at the same time, was a worthy quest. Hathaway and Innocent took their individual cars and headed for the pub that Hobson had noted, with Innocent in the lead. Hathaway figured it was best to let her lead, since Innocent outranked him.
Meanwhile, Robbie and Laura were enjoying one another's company in the backseat of the vehicle. They were parked along the road, set back a bit, but within view of the pub that Hobson had suggested to Innocent. Laura was having a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon with Robbie, secreted away along the side of a country road, in their own car. There was nothing wrong with it, but it felt risky and rebellious, yet it was quite innocent by modern standards.
Laura enjoyed being snuggled into Robbie's arms. Robbie's tie and blazer were neatly folded and placed on the front seat of the car. Laura had just taken off and tossed her sweater on to the front seat to get more comfortable with Robbie in the backseat. After a time, Laura decided she should check for incoming calls and texts. Robbie watched her as she reached for her phone, at first he shook his head "No." He didn't what their quiet afternoon invaded by technology any more than it had to be. He acquiesced, Laura was just monitoring things. He watched her face as she read through her calls and texts, then suddenly she seemed to be more intent on focusing upon what she was reading.
"Looks as if Hathaway has driven up to Innocent's office and they are both headed here to try and meet up with us." Laura mentioned to Robbie in a very calm voice.
Robbie asked Laura "How did they know where we are?"
"Robbie, I sent her a text suggesting that she might want to meet us here since we missed her back at the station. It's not that far from her office. " Laura noted to Robbie.
Laura could see the wheels starting to turn in Robbie's head "How long ago did she send that text to you? The one saying that she and Hathaway were on their way, here?" Robbie asked.
Laura checked the time of the text, "About 30 minutes ago."
Robbie said "Then they should be here at any minute, right"
"Yes." Laura responded. "Robbie, let's enjoy a few more moments alone, before we go over to the pub. "
"I can agree to that Laura." Robbie replied while Laura resumed her position of lying in Robbie's embrace.
While Robbie and Laura were talking, two cars passed their vehicle. Robbie and Laura were focusing on each other. Innocent drove by but Hathaway recognized the car as belonging to Robbie and Laura and hit the brakes and backed up to observe the car. Innocent realized that Hathaway was no longer behind her, so she turned her car around and retraced her path until she found Hathaway and his car, which did not take long.
Given Robbie and Laura's entwined and reclined position in the back seat of their car, it was not easily noticed that there was anyone in the car, except for the fact that Hathaway could hear some of Robbie's favorite classical music emanating from the car. Hathaway could not help himself, he simply could not. He pulled his car further into the pull off area and so did Innocent. Innocent remained behind the wheel of her car, trying to figure out what exactly Hathaway was going to do. She knew that Hathaway loved teasing Robbie, and Robbie usually took it very well. However, Robbie did often give as good as he gets, so she was hoping that whatever Hathaway was going to do, that he'd keep it humorous and reasonably polite.
Robbie held Laura tighter, and said "I hear a car, close". He sat up and looked out the window and saw Hathaway headed their way. Robbie and Laura were both fully dressed and pretty much all zipped up and buttoned up, so Robbie went ahead and got out of the backseat, holding his hand out for Laura so he could guide her out of the car, as well.
"Hathaway, good to see you." Robbie greeted and nodded towards Innocent who was still in her car.
Robbie and Laura were not holding hands but were standing fairly close, so Robbie reached out and put an arm around her shoulders. Hathaway walked up to Robbie and Laura and asked "So what have you two been up to?", directing his question at Robbie.
"We've been waiting for you two to get here, so we could go get something to eat. Laura got the text from Innocent letting us know that you two were coming to join us." Robbie informed Hathaway with an exaggerated grin. Robbie continued "How about if you and Innocent go ahead over to the pub, and Laura and I will meet you over there?"
Hathaway nodded, knowing that Robbie and Laura had been enjoying some well deserved couples time. "See you two there, soon." Hatchway nodded and pointed towards the pub, so that Innocent knew to proceed there, with Hathaway getting into his car and following Innocent over to the pub's parking lot.
Meanwhile, Robbie and Laura got in the front seat of their car, laughing and giggling, knowing very well that if they had not gotten out of the car when they did, that Hathaway was probably going to knock on the car window and make fun of them for having a romantic interlude in the backseat of their own car. As they drove over to the pub from where they had been parked, Robbie said to Laura "I just hope that James finds someone he loves at least half as much as I love you. He'd be a fortunate man, to have that."