Disclaimer : As chapter one
Notes: I think I might have got the timeline a little screwed up here, if I have I apologise.
Also, I'm trying really hard to keep the whole Nigel/Sydney romance down to a minimum, but it keeps creeping back in without my permission. Maybe my subconscious is trying to tell me something.
Anyway, as usual, all reviews are greatly appreciated.
PS. Cristin, if you want it, take it.
CHAPTER SIX
Nigel And Claudia turned around, startled. Sydney had to smile; they looked just like children caught raiding the cookie jar.
Before she cold say anything else, Nigel got up and walked over to her. He brushed her hair away from her face. "Are you okay?" he quietly asked.
Syd cold see the concern in his eyes. She leaned towards him and gently kissed him on the cheek. "I'm fine." She said. "Really." She was pleased to see some of the worry fade from his face.
Claudia, meanwhile, was still sitting at the kitchen table. They seemed to have forgotten all about her. *Okay,* she thought. *Something happened here last night, no matter what Nigel says. Maybe something good has come out of this thing after all. Especially if those two have finally started to realised how they feel about each other.*
Sydney and Nigel were still standing there, just looking at each other. Claudia didn't want to break into the moment, but they still had to decide what to do about the note.
They jumped as Claudia coughed. *I was right! They totally forgot I was even here.* Nigel was blushing furiously and even Syd had gone a bit pink. Claudia was fighting to keep the grin off her face.
Sydney looked over to see Claudia desperately trying not to smile. "Hey Claudia. What are you doing here this early in the morning?"
"Hi Syd. I wanted Nigel's opinion on something, but it's no big deal. It can wait if you two are busy." She had to hide another smile as Sydney went pink again. *Yep,* she thought happily. *Something definitely happened last night.*
Nigel was getting annoyed. "Oh for Gods sake," he snapped. "Claudia, just give Syd the note."
Sydney was confused. "What note?"
Claudia sighed. "This one. I found it yesterday after you left. Someone had pushed it under the door." She passed the note to Sydney.
Syd began to examine the note. In the top right hand corner was a drawing of two foxes and the note said:
DD,
Don't believe everything you're told.
DD.
Sydney went pale and sat down, hard, on one of the kitchen chairs. She was so pale, Claudia thought she was about to pass out.
"Syd, are you alright?" she asked.
Sydney was just sitting at the table, staring at the note in her hand. "he's alive," she whispered.
"He can't be Syd," Nigel said. "his car hit a tree and exploded on impact. Nobody could survive something like that. I know you want to believe he's not dead, but you have to face facts."
"Nigel, you don't understand. This has to be from him. Nobody else knows our pet names for each other."
What pet names?" Claudia asked.
Darling Daughter and Daddy Dearest. DD. I don't think even my mother knew. Wait a minute, how did you know this was meant for me?" she asked suspiciously.
Nigel smiled. "Remember when we were looking fro the Jade Empress? You're father told me about the foxes he always drew on his letters to you and I thought it was sweet, so I told Claudia."
"I don't remember you and Dad spending any time together without me."
"This was when we were on the train and he dragged me away so you and Jenny could talk and get to know each other."
Sydney gasped in shock. "Oh God, Jenny. I completely forgot about her. I have to call her!"
"Calm down Syd," Nigel said. "She's fine. I spoke to her last night when you were in the bath. She was more worried about you than anything. Which brings up another point. If your father's not dead, why would he put the two of you through the pain of thinking he is?"
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Sydney turned to Claudia. "Go back to the office and book me a ticket on the next available flight to London."
"Better make that two tickets. I'm coming as well." Nigel said to Sydney. She smiled at him and nodded.
"So, that's three tickets on the next available flight to London." Claudia said. They both looked at her in surprise. "What?" she asked. "Someone has to look out for you two."
"Besides," she said with a smile as she walked out the door. "I've never been to England. Just think of all the shopping I can do."
TBC