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Chapter Three – London Calling London calling…engines stop running… 'London Calling' by The Clash

"Aw, c'mon Dad! I'm fine, honest – I'm gonna go crazy if I stay cooped up here any longer"

"And he's gonna drive us all mad too. Dad?"

Jeff sighed and looked over to two of his sons. It had been almost a week since Scott's little jaunt into foreign waters – six days of rest, recuperation and relaxation for his eldest to allow his head to heal and his system to recover. But there was one 'r' that Jeff hadn't encouraged – 'rescues'. There had been two since the Seine incident, both of which Scott had been forced to watch from the sidelines. And he hadn't done it quietly.

"The doctor said you had to cool it for a while – no flying, remember?"

"Yeah, but I'm better. Six days is a while, Dad. And besides, I'm not asking to fly, I'm just asking to tag along"

Jeff snorted. Never, in his entire existence, had Scott Tracy merely 'tagged along'.

"It's not like it's a mission, Dad. And all's quiet here" Virgil was at the piano, but he hadn't played a note in several minutes, having been drawn into the 'discussion'.

Lady Penelope had called the day before with distressing news. The love of her life had fallen apart on one of their many trips across the English countryside, and she was devastated. Could Jeff possibly spare Brains for a few hours to repair her prized possession? After all, FAB 1 wasn't just a car – she was practically a member of the family. Jeff had promised to send Brains out with reinforcements in order to fix the beloved Rolls.

"Please?" Scott wheedled, something that didn't happen all that often. His father caved

"Alright, yes! You can go – but as a co-pilot only. I want Virgil and Brains to do most of the work, and you can lend a hand with FAB 1 if you promise me you won't overdo it"

"When have I ever not been good?" Scott sat up, and on seeing his father's expression quickly added "Never mind"

Virgil grinned as he got up from the piano stool "We'd better think about going then. I'll drag Brains outta the lab and prep the jet. Scott, you grab the tool kits"

"Who put you in charge?" his brother answered good-naturedly, rising from the couch.

"Boys, be careful what you say. Penny said she had guests"

"What sort of guests?" Knowing Penelope, they could range from members of the aristocracy to sightseeing tourists.

"Bunch of kids. Something about hosting a Sports Day"

"Okay"

"Just take it easy" Jeff warned.

"Sure thing, Dad"

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Scott was good as his word. Virgil flew the jet to England without a murmur from his brother, despite Scott itching to take over. They made good time – landing on the airstrip of Creighton-Ward grounds just after midday. Brains directed operations as the brothers lifted all the tools from the jet – he liked to be prepared for any engineering difficulty, especially since FAB 1 was of huge importance to Penelope, in both her roles as stately home-owner and secret agent. They were met by Parker, Lady Penelope's loyal butler and long-time friend.

"I'm afraid 'er Ladyship h'is entertaining, but she will see you h'all when she 'as a moment"

"No p-problem, P-Parker"

"We'll get cracking on the Rolls, if that's okay" Virgil was rolling up his sleeves.

"H'of course, Mr Tracy"

They were taken to the vast garages on the other side of the mansion. In the distance they could hear shouts of laughter and a whistle being blown.

"So what's Lady Penelope doing?"

"A local youth club h'is being renovated, Mr Tracy. 'Er Ladyship h'offered the use of 'er lawns for the kiddies to use while the work's bein' done"

Scott shook his head. Trust Penny to lend a hand. For all her airs and graces she was a big believer in 'giving back to the community'.

"After all," she'd say "one never knows when one may require the community to help one in an hour of need"

   The lady in question graced them briefly with her presence almost thirty minutes later. She greeted them all graciously, and gave elegant thanks for their prompt assistance before excusing herself once more to 'observe the finer points of English football'.

"Soccer" Parker translated for the three Americans when he brought drinks over.

      Brains discovered the source of the problem with the Rolls Royce – but no sooner had he fixed that then the car refused to start. Sending Scott under the vehicle to check for anything unusual, and Virgil under the hood he continued to tinker, muttering odd phrases as he worked.

    They were at it for a good hour when the clatter of small sneaker-encased feet announced a visitor. Virgil looked down to see a boy of around eight or nine watching him with interest.

"Hey there buddy, are you supposed to be here?"

The boy avoided the question, and offered a grin "Hi I'm Mike. What'cha doin'?"

"We're fixing this car"

"Cool! Can I watch?"

"No, you cannot" Lady Penelope's languid tones signalled her approach. "Really dear boy, what are you doing in here? You should be with the others outside – does Miss Anderton know that you're here?"

"Er – well no, Lady Penny. I just…went for a walk?" he added hopefully

"He's not b-bothering us" Brains assured from the drivers seat.

"I'm sure he isn't Brains, but he knows he shouldn't be here. Now come along young man, or Miss Anderton will be most un-amused"

"Too late, she's already 'un-amused'. Where'd you skip off to, you rat?"

Virgil snapped round to check out who the voice belonged to. A woman around his age, dressed in blue soccer shorts and a matching shirt stood with folded arms looking at her runaway.

"Mike, I warned you guys not to disappear on me. Come on, your team's one short"

"But Rachel's cheating"

"Once, and I caught her. Nice try buster, let's go. Sorry" she apologized, her light-brown ponytail swinging.

"I'll remove him h'if you want, Miss" Parker had appeared.

"You sure?"

"Yes do, and then I can introduce you to my other guests. Thank you Parker, if you would be so kind" Lady Penelope smiled as her butler guided his charge back to the playing field, giving a lecture on what football had been like 'in my day'.

"Bye!"

"See ya, Mike" Virgil waved.

"Virgil, I'd like you to meet Alyssa-Joelle Anderton, a good friend of mine. Alyssa-Joelle, this is Virgil Tracy – you remember I've mentioned his father before?"

"I do" She and Virgil shook hands, her green eyes sparkling. "And for the love of all that's holy, call me AJ. Alyssa-Joelle's a real mouthful, and no-one uses that – with the exception of Lady P here"

"It is your given name, and an excellent one at that" Penelope murmured.

"My parents had a sick sense of humour. And sitting in the front seat is…?"

"B-Brains" the engineer stammered, leaning over to take her hand. "P-Pleased to m-meet you, AJ"

"And the feet you see under the Rolls belong to Scott – Virgil's brother"

"Sorry" came the muffled reply "I'll be out in a second"

"Take your time" AJ grinned "Good to see men working"

"We're not just pretty faces – well, 'cept Scott, maybe"

"Hey!"

"Aw, quit complaining. He's lucky to be here at all"

"Oh?" Lady Penelope raised a delicate eyebrow.

"Had an accident last week – didn't Dad tell you?"

"He did mention something vaguely – not a serious one, I trust?"

"Nah, bruised ego more than anything"

"Virgil!"

"What, it's true!"

"Quit telling people that"

"And who had to fly out to France to come and get you, huh?"

"Yeah, yeah" came the grumble.

"Really Scott" Penelope shook her head "One would think you'd never flown before in you life"

"It was an accident! It's not like I planned to crash into the Seine!"

Lady Penelope and AJ exchanged surprised glances.

"You're kidding? The Seine?" AJ sounded incredulous.

"I know" Virgil laughed "Shoulda heard Alan and Gordon – they're still singing 'Captain Crash'. Not to mention the tour-guide Scott hooked up with"

At this, AJ laughed. Penelope attempted not to smile.

"For the last time…" exasperated, Scott rolled out from under the car "…we did not 'hook up'! She…" he stopped when he saw Penelope. Or rather, the girl standing with her. AJ grinned and waved.

"Bonjour, Monsieur"

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