Forty - BF
It was morning on Tracy Island. Time for breakfast. Jeff Tracy was walking down the hallway from his bedroom to the dining room.
As he passed Alan's room he became aware of voices inside.
"You've deliberately put that in my way haven't you!"
"Put what in your way, Gordon?"
"This - this thing..."
Jeff cautiously pushed the door further open and looked inside. His two youngest sons were in there and both were blindfolded. Gordon looked as if he was trying to leave the room via the wardrobe and Alan was standing in the middle with his arms outstretched.
"What are you two doing?" Jeff asked.
They both jumped. "Dad."
"Well?"
"We got to thinking about how proud Scott was about changing his shirt yesterday." Alan said. "I mean it's such a simple task. So we thought we'd give it a go... See how difficult it really is for him."
"Take your blindfolds off." Jeff instructed them gently.
Sheepishly they complied and then burst out laughing. Gordon was wearing odd socks and his shirt was done up with 'too many buttons one side, not enough button holes the other.'
Alan looked down at his own clothing. "Gee, I was sure I was putting on my red jersey and white shirt," he said as he gazed at his clashing bright purple and orange ensemble.
Gordon stepped forward and pulled at the jersey at his brother's throat revealing the label. "Not only that, you've got it on back to front."
Jeff smiled. "If you want to see what Scott's going through, how about doing it properly?"
They gave him their full attention.
"We'll make it an International Rescue training session." Jeff suggested. "Only you'll take it in turns. This way you'll also learn what you need to do to help him."
They nodded in agreement.
"Okay. Alan, you can be blindfolded first." Although he was sure that Gordon would respect the fact that it was a training session, Jeff wanted to ensure that the redhead didn't decide to try any funny business. "You can do this morning's session, including breakfast. You can swap over before lunch and Gordon can do the afternoon shift. We'll discuss your findings over dinner. It'll also give us the opportunity to discover if there are any alterations to the house that we'll need to make before Scott comes home. Are you both happy with this?"
"Sure." Alan said as he removed his purple jersey and replaced it with a cream one. "Blindfold me Gordon."
"Wait a minute." Jeff said. "Do you want to use a cane?"
"A cane?" Alan asked.
"Scott's learning to use one."
"Oh well. If Scott's using one, then we should too." Gordon said. "Do we have one?"
"I'll find you something you can use." Jeff offered. "But first I'll go and tell the others what you're up to. You should be able to make your way to the dining room without too much trouble."
"Okay." Gordon said, grabbed Alan's arm and proceeded to drag him towards the door.
"Hang on Gordon!" Jeff said. "Let Alan take your arm. That's better. And don't go so quickly remember he's new to this... and that it'll be your turn this afternoon."
"Yeah." Alan said. "So watch it. Remember I've got a good memory."
***
It was with more than a little relief at lunchtime, that Alan removed the blindfold and handed it to Gordon. "Hey! No cheating! I couldn't see where everything was at breakfast." He tried to shield his brother's eyes from the dining table.
"Okay, okay." Gordon grumbled and allowed the blindfold to cover his eyes. "Is this as hard as it looked?"
"Harder." Alan said cheerfully.
"Great!" Gordon said flatly.
Alan was examining his shins. "Look at the bruises! I'm sure you steered me into things on purpose."
"No I didn't." Gordon said defensively.
"Yeah, sure." Alan clearly didn't believe him.
Gordon was starting to get worried. "Alan. Honest. I didn't."
Jeff took pity on him. "I'm sure he didn't Alan. I gave Scott several bruises myself when I was leading him around, and I'll guarantee that Virgil's done the same. We've got to learn as much as Scott has. You've got to try to remember that you're seeing for two people, not only yourself."
Gordon was trying to make his sandwich. "Where's the bread?"
"At 10 o-clock." Jeff said automatically.
"Huh?"
Jeff explained. "The butter's at 2 o-clock."
Gordon attempted to butter his sandwich and succeeded in digging a hole through the bread. "Where's the jam."
"Here." Alan held it out to him. "I've got it here at 3 o-clock."
"It'll be 3 o-clock by the time I've got the thing made." Gordon said glumly.
"What's your hurry?" Alan asked chirpily. "You got a hot date or something?"
Gordon managed to get his sandwich made, picked it up to take a bite and then groaned as he felt something land in his lap. "What was that?"
"That was your jam." Alan informed him. "It fell through the hole in your bread."
"Hole? What hole?"
"The one you put in when you were... Oh, never mind. Would you like me to make you a sandwich?" Alan offered.
"Please."
***
By dinnertime Gordon was not in a good mood. "Did you have to take me on a tour of all the hangers, Alan?" He moaned as he ripped off the blindfold and rubbed his eyes.
"Dad said we had to find anywhere Scott could run into difficulties."
"You enjoyed seeing me fall over! I could hear you laughing." Gordon said grumpily. "Dad. There's a killer step leading from Thunderbird Two's hanger..."
"It was Thunderbird One's." Alan told him.
"Well it must have been at least a metre in height."
"You'd be lucky if it was a centimetre."
"Okay. I'll check it out later." Jeff said.
"So what was the worst bit?" Tin-Tin asked.
"The first time Gordon left me alone..."
Jeff frowned at Gordon.
"Well a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do," Gordon shrugged, "and there are limits to brotherly love."
Alan continued on. "It was so disorientating. I wasn't sure where I was and I couldn't hear anything. It's amazing how silent this house can be. It was as if I was the only person left on Earth. I suddenly realised how much I miss Virgil's piano playing."
"For me it was when I went for a swim." Gordon admitted. They stared at him. "Alan guided me to the deep end and I figured I could dive in no problem."
"And..." Grandma Tracy prompted him.
"There was a problem. I surfaced and suddenly realised I didn't know how far I was away from the edge. I had this sudden impression that I was in the middle of the ocean and miles from land. For a moment I just wanted to rip off the blindfold... But I didn't..."
"What stopped you?" Jeff asked.
"Scott doesn't have a blindfold." Gordon said quietly. "It sure must be hard for him..."
***
A day later and the receptionist was looking at the woman before her in awe. "LADY Penelope! Yes, Lady Penelope. Come right this way your ladyship." She practically grovelled her way backwards out from behind her desk. "I'm sure the Tracy gentlemen are in the sunroom."
Lady Penelope examined her surroundings approvingly as she was led down the hallway.
Parker was less impressed. "Don't think much of the staff 'ere." He whispered in his mistress's ear.
She rubbed it delicately. "I'm sure they are all most efficient. Mr Tracy wouldn't have anything but the best for his sons."
They heard the sounds of masculine laughter before they reached the sunroom. The receptionist indicated where they should go and fled. They quietly entered the room.
Scott and Virgil had their backs to the door. They were in hysterics. Then Scott stopped laughing. He sniffed the air.
"I know that perfume! Lady Penelope?"
Virgil looked over his shoulder. "Well I'll be. Penny! Parker! Good to see you." He stood and offered Lady Penelope his seat so that she was able to sit next to Scott. He then managed to get two spare chairs so that he and Parker were able to sit close by and join in the conversation.
"Thank you Virgil." Lady Penelope said graciously. "Ah, how are you both?"
"Getting better every day." Scott said cheerfully. "How was the holiday?"
He seemed so bright and friendly that Lady Penelope was thrown for a moment. "Oh, ah, Parker and I had a most enjoyable time. Most relaxing. Wasn't it Parker?"
"H-except for the last day. Yes M'lady."
"I'm sorry we haven't been to see you sooner," Lady Penelope continued, "but I only spoke to your father the day before yesterday. He was... quite concerned about you." As she looked at Scott she found it hard to believe that the nature of his injuries had been so serious. Apart from the new pink skin from the healed burns on his face, nothing appeared to have changed.
"Yeah. I bet he was." Scott agreed. "It's been a tough few weeks, hasn't it Virg."
She looked at Virgil and noticed he was nodding emphatically. She also noticed his black eye. "What happened to you dear boy? Surely that bruise isn't a result of the, er, accident."
"What this?" He fingered where his eye was still swollen. "No this only happened a couple of days ago." He didn't elaborate.
Scott did. "You want to know how bad it's been up till now? I punched him."
"What?" For a moment Lady Penelope lost her poise.
Parker shifted so he was able to get a better look. "H-impressive. H-I did a bit a sparrin' in me younger days, Mister Scott. But H-I never managed to land a 'it like that one."
"Maybe you'd better teach me a few moves Parker." Virgil said. "So I'll be able to duck next time."
"There's not going to be a next time." Scott said firmly. "That was a mistake. It's not going to happen again."
"You both seemed to be in high spirits when we arrived." Lady Penelope noted.
There was a second's pause and then both Tracy men burst out laughing again.
Scott tried to smother his grin. "Sorry. I'm trying to learn Braille and I haven't quite got the hang of it yet."
"I'm trying to learn it too." Virgil added. "You never know when it might come in handy, and I don't want him having any secrets from us."
"So I typed up a sheet for him to read... You know, 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog' type thing." Scott said.
They burst out laughing again.
Lady Penelope and Parker looked on mystified.
"It's not easy." Scott admitted. "Punching the correct keys so that you get the dot combinations right. I'm still making a lot of mistakes. And Freudian slips."
Virgil decided that no matter how good a friend Lady Penelope was, there were some things that shouldn't be said in front of a gentile lady. "Lets just say that the 'h' and 'j' are too similar."
"Way too similar." Scott agreed and laughed again. "Sorry. I guess when you've had several weeks without much to laugh about, all of a sudden the silliest things become hilarious."
"Are they treating you well here?" Lady Penelope asked.
"They're the best!" Scott stated. "They're understanding, but focussed on getting you adjusted. I've got a great therapist. She's never flustered. No matter what I throw at her. Just as well she's got a well stocked first aid kit." He felt his watch. "Speaking of Dusty... Is the time 1.30, Virgil?"
Virgil looked at his own watch. "Yes it is. I guess we'd better get moving."
"Hang on." Scott reached out his hand and found Lady Penelope's arm. He turned so that he was facing at her. "Penny. Will you do me a favour?"
As she looked into his blue eyes she found it hard to believe that he wasn't seeing her. "Of course Scott."
"Will you take Virgil away from here for a few hours? The next session is something mundane like how to fill and carry a glass of water. He doesn't need to be there and since he's got here he's spent all his time either with me or at the physiotherapist. He needs a break."
Lady Penelope was surprised when Virgil didn't disagree with this statement. "Are you sick of me already?" He asked cheerfully.
"No. But I don't want you getting sick of me. Do you mind Penny? Do you have anything else planned?"
"No. I was hoping to spend some time with you boys."
"How about dinner tonight." Scott suggested. "If you both can stand the sight of me spilling food down my front."
"Remember what Gordon suggested." Virgil reminded him. "Mush up your peas."
"I'm sure that's what the etiquette books say you should do when dining with a titled lady." Scott chuckled. "First find your vegetable, then squash it."
"We should be delighted to dine with you both." Lady Penelope stated. "And do what ever you have to Scott. You know I've never insisted on ceremony with your family."
"That's what we like about you. That and the fact that you're so darn useful to the organisation." For a moment the smile disappeared from Scott's face and they could almost hear him adding the words 'unlike me'. He reached beside his chair and retrieved his cane. When he stood the smile had returned. "If you'll all excuse me, I'd better be going."
It was only when they saw the cane and how Scott had to rely on it, that it hit home to Lady Penelope and Parker, that his life had indeed been irrevocably changed.
Virgil remained seated. "Can you manage okay?"
"Sure. Piece of cake. Catch you tonight."
"Au revoir, Scott." Lady Penelope called after him.
Scott was inadvertently heading towards a cabinet.
"Watch out, Mister Scott." Parker called.
Scott stopped.
Parker realised what he'd said. He turned red. "H-I'm sorry. H-I meant, be careful, sir." He said ashamedly.
"Don't worry about it Parker. You don't have to change the English language on my account." Scott's cane hit the cabinet. "Thanks for the warning." He adjusted his course and exited through the door.
Virgil stood and tiptoed quietly across to the doorway himself. He stood there and watched his brother negotiate his way down the hallway and then turn into a room. Satisfied that Scott was okay he returned to his seat. "Like he said. Piece of cake."
Lady Penelope stood. "You've been told you, er, 'need a break', Virgil. The Rolls Royce is outside. Shall we go for a drive? And then you can tell me how YOU are..."
***
Later that evening, after Lady Penelope had called Jeff Tracy and reassured him that all seemed to be well, she remained sitting at the telephone desk in her hotel.
She took a pen and paper out of the drawer and carefully printed...
'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog'
"Now what were those two letters?" she asked herself. "H and j?"
She crossed out the relevant letters and replaced them. At first it didn't make sense. But then a word caught her eye. She gave a little smile.
Refined she might be. Naïve she wasn't.
***
It was morning on Tracy Island. Time for breakfast. Jeff Tracy was walking down the hallway from his bedroom to the dining room.
As he passed Alan's room he became aware of voices inside.
"You've deliberately put that in my way haven't you!"
"Put what in your way, Gordon?"
"This - this thing..."
Jeff cautiously pushed the door further open and looked inside. His two youngest sons were in there and both were blindfolded. Gordon looked as if he was trying to leave the room via the wardrobe and Alan was standing in the middle with his arms outstretched.
"What are you two doing?" Jeff asked.
They both jumped. "Dad."
"Well?"
"We got to thinking about how proud Scott was about changing his shirt yesterday." Alan said. "I mean it's such a simple task. So we thought we'd give it a go... See how difficult it really is for him."
"Take your blindfolds off." Jeff instructed them gently.
Sheepishly they complied and then burst out laughing. Gordon was wearing odd socks and his shirt was done up with 'too many buttons one side, not enough button holes the other.'
Alan looked down at his own clothing. "Gee, I was sure I was putting on my red jersey and white shirt," he said as he gazed at his clashing bright purple and orange ensemble.
Gordon stepped forward and pulled at the jersey at his brother's throat revealing the label. "Not only that, you've got it on back to front."
Jeff smiled. "If you want to see what Scott's going through, how about doing it properly?"
They gave him their full attention.
"We'll make it an International Rescue training session." Jeff suggested. "Only you'll take it in turns. This way you'll also learn what you need to do to help him."
They nodded in agreement.
"Okay. Alan, you can be blindfolded first." Although he was sure that Gordon would respect the fact that it was a training session, Jeff wanted to ensure that the redhead didn't decide to try any funny business. "You can do this morning's session, including breakfast. You can swap over before lunch and Gordon can do the afternoon shift. We'll discuss your findings over dinner. It'll also give us the opportunity to discover if there are any alterations to the house that we'll need to make before Scott comes home. Are you both happy with this?"
"Sure." Alan said as he removed his purple jersey and replaced it with a cream one. "Blindfold me Gordon."
"Wait a minute." Jeff said. "Do you want to use a cane?"
"A cane?" Alan asked.
"Scott's learning to use one."
"Oh well. If Scott's using one, then we should too." Gordon said. "Do we have one?"
"I'll find you something you can use." Jeff offered. "But first I'll go and tell the others what you're up to. You should be able to make your way to the dining room without too much trouble."
"Okay." Gordon said, grabbed Alan's arm and proceeded to drag him towards the door.
"Hang on Gordon!" Jeff said. "Let Alan take your arm. That's better. And don't go so quickly remember he's new to this... and that it'll be your turn this afternoon."
"Yeah." Alan said. "So watch it. Remember I've got a good memory."
***
It was with more than a little relief at lunchtime, that Alan removed the blindfold and handed it to Gordon. "Hey! No cheating! I couldn't see where everything was at breakfast." He tried to shield his brother's eyes from the dining table.
"Okay, okay." Gordon grumbled and allowed the blindfold to cover his eyes. "Is this as hard as it looked?"
"Harder." Alan said cheerfully.
"Great!" Gordon said flatly.
Alan was examining his shins. "Look at the bruises! I'm sure you steered me into things on purpose."
"No I didn't." Gordon said defensively.
"Yeah, sure." Alan clearly didn't believe him.
Gordon was starting to get worried. "Alan. Honest. I didn't."
Jeff took pity on him. "I'm sure he didn't Alan. I gave Scott several bruises myself when I was leading him around, and I'll guarantee that Virgil's done the same. We've got to learn as much as Scott has. You've got to try to remember that you're seeing for two people, not only yourself."
Gordon was trying to make his sandwich. "Where's the bread?"
"At 10 o-clock." Jeff said automatically.
"Huh?"
Jeff explained. "The butter's at 2 o-clock."
Gordon attempted to butter his sandwich and succeeded in digging a hole through the bread. "Where's the jam."
"Here." Alan held it out to him. "I've got it here at 3 o-clock."
"It'll be 3 o-clock by the time I've got the thing made." Gordon said glumly.
"What's your hurry?" Alan asked chirpily. "You got a hot date or something?"
Gordon managed to get his sandwich made, picked it up to take a bite and then groaned as he felt something land in his lap. "What was that?"
"That was your jam." Alan informed him. "It fell through the hole in your bread."
"Hole? What hole?"
"The one you put in when you were... Oh, never mind. Would you like me to make you a sandwich?" Alan offered.
"Please."
***
By dinnertime Gordon was not in a good mood. "Did you have to take me on a tour of all the hangers, Alan?" He moaned as he ripped off the blindfold and rubbed his eyes.
"Dad said we had to find anywhere Scott could run into difficulties."
"You enjoyed seeing me fall over! I could hear you laughing." Gordon said grumpily. "Dad. There's a killer step leading from Thunderbird Two's hanger..."
"It was Thunderbird One's." Alan told him.
"Well it must have been at least a metre in height."
"You'd be lucky if it was a centimetre."
"Okay. I'll check it out later." Jeff said.
"So what was the worst bit?" Tin-Tin asked.
"The first time Gordon left me alone..."
Jeff frowned at Gordon.
"Well a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do," Gordon shrugged, "and there are limits to brotherly love."
Alan continued on. "It was so disorientating. I wasn't sure where I was and I couldn't hear anything. It's amazing how silent this house can be. It was as if I was the only person left on Earth. I suddenly realised how much I miss Virgil's piano playing."
"For me it was when I went for a swim." Gordon admitted. They stared at him. "Alan guided me to the deep end and I figured I could dive in no problem."
"And..." Grandma Tracy prompted him.
"There was a problem. I surfaced and suddenly realised I didn't know how far I was away from the edge. I had this sudden impression that I was in the middle of the ocean and miles from land. For a moment I just wanted to rip off the blindfold... But I didn't..."
"What stopped you?" Jeff asked.
"Scott doesn't have a blindfold." Gordon said quietly. "It sure must be hard for him..."
***
A day later and the receptionist was looking at the woman before her in awe. "LADY Penelope! Yes, Lady Penelope. Come right this way your ladyship." She practically grovelled her way backwards out from behind her desk. "I'm sure the Tracy gentlemen are in the sunroom."
Lady Penelope examined her surroundings approvingly as she was led down the hallway.
Parker was less impressed. "Don't think much of the staff 'ere." He whispered in his mistress's ear.
She rubbed it delicately. "I'm sure they are all most efficient. Mr Tracy wouldn't have anything but the best for his sons."
They heard the sounds of masculine laughter before they reached the sunroom. The receptionist indicated where they should go and fled. They quietly entered the room.
Scott and Virgil had their backs to the door. They were in hysterics. Then Scott stopped laughing. He sniffed the air.
"I know that perfume! Lady Penelope?"
Virgil looked over his shoulder. "Well I'll be. Penny! Parker! Good to see you." He stood and offered Lady Penelope his seat so that she was able to sit next to Scott. He then managed to get two spare chairs so that he and Parker were able to sit close by and join in the conversation.
"Thank you Virgil." Lady Penelope said graciously. "Ah, how are you both?"
"Getting better every day." Scott said cheerfully. "How was the holiday?"
He seemed so bright and friendly that Lady Penelope was thrown for a moment. "Oh, ah, Parker and I had a most enjoyable time. Most relaxing. Wasn't it Parker?"
"H-except for the last day. Yes M'lady."
"I'm sorry we haven't been to see you sooner," Lady Penelope continued, "but I only spoke to your father the day before yesterday. He was... quite concerned about you." As she looked at Scott she found it hard to believe that the nature of his injuries had been so serious. Apart from the new pink skin from the healed burns on his face, nothing appeared to have changed.
"Yeah. I bet he was." Scott agreed. "It's been a tough few weeks, hasn't it Virg."
She looked at Virgil and noticed he was nodding emphatically. She also noticed his black eye. "What happened to you dear boy? Surely that bruise isn't a result of the, er, accident."
"What this?" He fingered where his eye was still swollen. "No this only happened a couple of days ago." He didn't elaborate.
Scott did. "You want to know how bad it's been up till now? I punched him."
"What?" For a moment Lady Penelope lost her poise.
Parker shifted so he was able to get a better look. "H-impressive. H-I did a bit a sparrin' in me younger days, Mister Scott. But H-I never managed to land a 'it like that one."
"Maybe you'd better teach me a few moves Parker." Virgil said. "So I'll be able to duck next time."
"There's not going to be a next time." Scott said firmly. "That was a mistake. It's not going to happen again."
"You both seemed to be in high spirits when we arrived." Lady Penelope noted.
There was a second's pause and then both Tracy men burst out laughing again.
Scott tried to smother his grin. "Sorry. I'm trying to learn Braille and I haven't quite got the hang of it yet."
"I'm trying to learn it too." Virgil added. "You never know when it might come in handy, and I don't want him having any secrets from us."
"So I typed up a sheet for him to read... You know, 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog' type thing." Scott said.
They burst out laughing again.
Lady Penelope and Parker looked on mystified.
"It's not easy." Scott admitted. "Punching the correct keys so that you get the dot combinations right. I'm still making a lot of mistakes. And Freudian slips."
Virgil decided that no matter how good a friend Lady Penelope was, there were some things that shouldn't be said in front of a gentile lady. "Lets just say that the 'h' and 'j' are too similar."
"Way too similar." Scott agreed and laughed again. "Sorry. I guess when you've had several weeks without much to laugh about, all of a sudden the silliest things become hilarious."
"Are they treating you well here?" Lady Penelope asked.
"They're the best!" Scott stated. "They're understanding, but focussed on getting you adjusted. I've got a great therapist. She's never flustered. No matter what I throw at her. Just as well she's got a well stocked first aid kit." He felt his watch. "Speaking of Dusty... Is the time 1.30, Virgil?"
Virgil looked at his own watch. "Yes it is. I guess we'd better get moving."
"Hang on." Scott reached out his hand and found Lady Penelope's arm. He turned so that he was facing at her. "Penny. Will you do me a favour?"
As she looked into his blue eyes she found it hard to believe that he wasn't seeing her. "Of course Scott."
"Will you take Virgil away from here for a few hours? The next session is something mundane like how to fill and carry a glass of water. He doesn't need to be there and since he's got here he's spent all his time either with me or at the physiotherapist. He needs a break."
Lady Penelope was surprised when Virgil didn't disagree with this statement. "Are you sick of me already?" He asked cheerfully.
"No. But I don't want you getting sick of me. Do you mind Penny? Do you have anything else planned?"
"No. I was hoping to spend some time with you boys."
"How about dinner tonight." Scott suggested. "If you both can stand the sight of me spilling food down my front."
"Remember what Gordon suggested." Virgil reminded him. "Mush up your peas."
"I'm sure that's what the etiquette books say you should do when dining with a titled lady." Scott chuckled. "First find your vegetable, then squash it."
"We should be delighted to dine with you both." Lady Penelope stated. "And do what ever you have to Scott. You know I've never insisted on ceremony with your family."
"That's what we like about you. That and the fact that you're so darn useful to the organisation." For a moment the smile disappeared from Scott's face and they could almost hear him adding the words 'unlike me'. He reached beside his chair and retrieved his cane. When he stood the smile had returned. "If you'll all excuse me, I'd better be going."
It was only when they saw the cane and how Scott had to rely on it, that it hit home to Lady Penelope and Parker, that his life had indeed been irrevocably changed.
Virgil remained seated. "Can you manage okay?"
"Sure. Piece of cake. Catch you tonight."
"Au revoir, Scott." Lady Penelope called after him.
Scott was inadvertently heading towards a cabinet.
"Watch out, Mister Scott." Parker called.
Scott stopped.
Parker realised what he'd said. He turned red. "H-I'm sorry. H-I meant, be careful, sir." He said ashamedly.
"Don't worry about it Parker. You don't have to change the English language on my account." Scott's cane hit the cabinet. "Thanks for the warning." He adjusted his course and exited through the door.
Virgil stood and tiptoed quietly across to the doorway himself. He stood there and watched his brother negotiate his way down the hallway and then turn into a room. Satisfied that Scott was okay he returned to his seat. "Like he said. Piece of cake."
Lady Penelope stood. "You've been told you, er, 'need a break', Virgil. The Rolls Royce is outside. Shall we go for a drive? And then you can tell me how YOU are..."
***
Later that evening, after Lady Penelope had called Jeff Tracy and reassured him that all seemed to be well, she remained sitting at the telephone desk in her hotel.
She took a pen and paper out of the drawer and carefully printed...
'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog'
"Now what were those two letters?" she asked herself. "H and j?"
She crossed out the relevant letters and replaced them. At first it didn't make sense. But then a word caught her eye. She gave a little smile.
Refined she might be. Naïve she wasn't.
***