While at the pub, the four colleagues and friends fixed all the problems of the world, their workforce and their lives for each other. It was a time of communal nourishment of the body, soul and humor.
Jean excused herself from the table to review a text. She came back to the table with a very serious look on her face that caused the other three people at the table to become quiet. Jean told Robbie to check his phone for a high level message. Robbie read the message that Jean had just read and then understood her sudden serious demeanor, as he adopted a similar demeanor to Jean's.
Laura and James looked at their phones for the message that Jean and Robbie had just reviewed, but they found nothing. Jean helped them to understand the situation by explaining in a matter of fact tone "The internal message that Robbie and I just received is only sent to Chief Superintendents and above."
Robbie looked at Jean, focusing on her and seeking counsel from her. "Mum, what should we do about this alert? Help out here, or return to Oxford to await request for assistance, if it's needed?"
Laura and James sat quietly, as least externally. Internally, both Laura and James were at some level of turmoil. Laura wanted to administer chloroform to Robbie so he'd be rendered unconscious so she could drag him to their car and she could take him home and handcuff him to the bed to keep him safe from pursuing a duty that would place him in danger.
James just wanted to go outside and have a few dozen cigarettes.
They all wanted some kind of answers, and now.
Jean Innocent was going to have to supply those answers for all three of the people who were her friends and colleagues, and were staring at her intently for answers and leadership.