Chapter six - London

John had since slept for sometime. Simmering down his boiling anger, thinking not so John-like thoughts about Penny from the hotel and thinking about what he was to do tonight. The afternoon stroll in Hyde Park had been pleasant and refreshing, though the squirrels had been a little annoy, "brave little buggers" and the weather had kept relatively nice, a bit of cloud here and there but no rain. The London Bus Top Tour had been worth every penny in John's eyes, as he became accustomed with the large busy city that he was starting to feel fond of. "No brothers, no dad and no Penny".

A quiet little café for a sandwich, relaxed in his trusted faded Levi's; still a little lose around the waist line for his liking and a smart tailored jacket and Shirt, courteous of his little black card. A sigh and smile escaped John's lips at the sight of the greasiest food the menu could conjure up.

A bit more shopping and site seeing later John found himself back at the hotel ready for a shower and drink.

Walking into the one of the finest suites he'd laid eyes on in the past years, His brothers had seen more due to there not so far away jobs and extended shore time they often smuggled, John reached for mini fridge and pulled out a little plastic bottle of Whiskey, smiling at the fact it was a complete rip off for the miniscule thing and thinking how much Scott would have fainted and Alan would have actually spurred John on to break the seal. John laughed out loud at the scenario but stopped suddenly trying to shake the images of his brothers out of head. This was not their time, it was John's and John was gonna Damn well gonna enjoy every second of making himself time without worry about anything that also concerned his brothers.

The phone suddenly rang and John looked over to the noise. He was about to brace himself, his plan of action; to gulp down his mini whiskey from the plastic to take the call but instead opting to walk into another part of the suite. Looking out of the window, John rested his weight on his side as he lent against the wall and rubbed his chin. A quick glance to the phone still ringing and the cold whiskey in his hand had

felt needed and was drank.


"Any word ma'am?"

"No Parker." Penelope shook her head. "He won't answer his com or pick up the phone. By the way? How did you know he was there?"

"That hotel ma'am? Who wouldn't want to stay there? Besides I didn't look into master Tracy's computer if that's what your thinking. No I over heard your, err fiancée talking…"

"Parker!"

"Well just the fact John was in London."

"And?"

"Well I got double conformation."

"How?"

"My niece works at the hotel."

The phone stopped and John looked again over to the receiver.

The urge to contact the reception to trace the call was in mind but when he dialled, he'd changed his mind.

"Good evening Mister Tracy, what can we do for you? Is everything good?" A polite, male and ever so English voice spoke.

"Err, hi there, it's yeah its ok. Mmm, I was just wondering, If any other calls come through to me in the next couple of days, I really don't want to answer them, could you take a message if need be?"

"That's fine mister Tracy, is there anything else?"

John blinked and pursed his lips. "I need you to find me a table at one of the finest restaurants. No need to be trendy, less trendy the better, just somewhere classic and nice, ok?"

"Done as we speak, we'll call you in two minutes."

"Thanks."

John shrugged off the black tailored jacket and stretched. Opting for a longer drink, he opened the fridge trying to make a decision but stopping as the phone rang.

"John?"

"Err, yeah?"

"Hi, it's Penny from downstairs."

"Oh! Hiya Penny you okay?"

"Well I will be in the next twelve minutes…" She laughed. "I clocking off and my feet are screaming to relax."

John laughed pleased to hear her friendly voice.

"Bob who took your call has booked you up at a really nice place, never been before myself but I bet it's wonderful. He's just gone to the loo, possibly and emergency but don't really wanna think about that…" She laughed.

Again John laughed.

"But he told me to pass the message on; he'll give you more info when you come downstairs."

"Thank you very much Penny, it's nice to here a friendly voice."

Although John couldn't see, Penny on the other receiver blushed.

"And you know what, I can help you waste you're…" John looked over at the time. "…ten minutes."

"Really?" Penny smirked about to laugh.

John smiled. "Of course I can, its what any gentleman would do… So I'll keep you talking on the phone.

Penny laughed and John smiled.

"Or…"

Penny raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"I could let you get on with your nine minutes, I'll grab a quick shower and you can join me for dinner if you'd like?"

Penny physically opened her mouth in shock.

Where the confidence had come from John didn't know, but he was beginning to like it. "I love London!"

"You're a very lucky man John Tracy. Not only am I free tonight but you'll have good company, I've been reading a mini joke book that was found by one of the maids, not for the kids you'll realise."

"Oh, well I look forward to a joke and your company. Will I just see you in the bar?"

"Err, Is it okay if I see you at the restaurant? Only I would like to change and it's kinda frowned upon if…ooh Bob's coming back, gotta go, Bye!"

John heard the line go dead and frowned a little before shrugging and walking to the bathroom. Quick stop at the telly to flick through the channels before deciding to run a bath for himself. Undoing the top button of his Levi's and undoing the fly before the phone quickly rang again.

"Hi."

"Err Hi Dave so were all set for tonight, erm I'll see you there for nine instead of eight, ok?"

"Err Penny Is that you? Err that's okay erm?"

"So have you got that Dave? Nine instead of eight, everything has been arranged. Can't talk for too long 'cus unluckily Bob is here and ear wigging as usual. So I'll see you there Darling. Love you loads."

John heard the line go dead and held the receiver from him. Dave? Who the hell was Dave and why did John think this meal was A) suspicious? and B) dangerous?

It was times like this that John wondered if the 'Tracy' name had anything to do with his kind of behaviour. It was to be expected but John had really hoped that Penny didn't have a boyfriend, but then who cared if she did? London wasn't his home, he didn't know Penny and it wasn't bad to have meal with a civilised adult was it?


"A drink milady? Coffee Tea, something of a stronger nature?"

"Well, erm no better not Parker, just run my bath, I'm expecting a call from Scott any minute."

"Yes milady." Parker walked to the door, his gloved hand touching the handle before he turned around, seeking conformation to speak again. The look on Penelope's face of that of a sad nature was all he needed.

"It's none of my business 'Ma'am, but would you like me to, err see my niece? Check she's okay, if you know what I mean."

Penny looked immensely happy and only her eyes showed it, her smile stayed put as her own telephone rang.

Fifty seven minutes and a good soak and scrub up later, John emerged from the his suite, nodding to a Japanese couple who possibly recognised him or just wanted to make friendly to someone who they assumed would have money if they were staying in the suite next door.

The lift down stairs seemed quicker than normal and John received more nods when he reached the reception. A few patrons at the bar looked his way trying to figure out if he was a big shot or not.

"Ahh Mr Tracy good evening again."

"Bob I presume?"

"That's right Sir, taxi won't be a moment."

"Thank you Bob."

John lent on the reception desk and folded his arms.

"So Bob, where can I go for a good night then?"

Bob looked up slowly his eye brows high before he frowned miserably. "Well Sir that depends on where you want to go…errm, there's a lot of clubs, but I don't really, err."

"Listen, its okay" John quickly interrupted seeming to have caused more confusion with the man.

A doorman came in through the gold rimmed glass doors, his top hat and tails, immaculate.

"Taxi Sir?"


Entering the marble reception area John marvelled at all the pictures of the famous, hung on uber modern walls, the lighting dim and classy. A jazz band could be heard downstairs in the open plan restaurant. John let himself smile at the choice of restaurant.

Before the lady on the reception could ask John about reservations, John noticed the flash of dark hair from within the black cab outside. He quickly rushed to the door, even though a man was trying to get there first.

"No please allow me." John's polite up bringing was taking full form.

The man simply smiled in confusion at the American man, not having time to notice the blush that crept on the lady's cheeks.

John went to the cab's window and handed him a nice crisp note and winked at the driver leaving to open the door for his company.

John smiled when Penny stepped out, her height making them equal in her sapphire coloured stilettos.

"You look, wonderful…." John mentioned, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.

"Thanks, you scrub up well too." She laughed.

Penny wiped her palm I her nervous state down the satin blue dress, nothing too, fancy or shabby, worrying of the creases of look-a-like fashionable dress.

The couple walked in and John nodded. "Mr Tracy."

"Mr John Tracy." The woman on reception nodded at another woman as she took Penny's black coat. Both women looked at each other when they realised that this was one of the sons of the Jeff Tracy; multi billionaire.

"Anything you want please don't hesitate to ask, Mr Tracy. Would you like a drink in the bar or would you like to go straight to the table?"

"Penny?"

Penny looked in shock to John as he had included her. Well he certainly had a lot of manners and charm knocked into him at a young age!

"Shall we just go to the table?"

John smiled and nodded.

The coat woman smiled and led them downstairs to a grand area, at least a hundred tables a couple with magnificent food displays, mainly of fruit, ice and fish.

"Wow." Penny muttered under her breath as she looked around.

John pulled out a chair and guided Penny to sit. This caused another blush.

"Thank you John." She smiled weakly.

"Can I get you some drinks Mr Tracy?" A waitress asked seemingly to have appeared from nowhere.

John looked at Penny.

"Anything you fancy?"

Penny looked at the elaborate drink list, cocktails and wines galore, blinking twice when she saw the price.

"A coke will, err actually maybe just water?"

John frowned lightly. "Are you sure?" He looked at Penny and noticed her eyes creeping across the drink prices. "Listen penny, my treat honestly, have what you want."

"Erm?"

"How about I chose for us both? Ma'am could we please have two kir royales, and then just bring the bottle of champagne to the table, something special yeah?"

The waitress simply smiled and walked away, a few of the bar tenders looking in her direction.

"John, err thank you, thank you very much."

"No problem."

There was a brief silence between them and John frowned slightly.

"Is everything okay?"

"Well? I'm just a little overwhelmed that's all."

"It's pretty nice huh, fantastic choice."

"I'm not talking about the restaurant John."

John looked at her, his frown gone.

"I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be having dinner or a kir r- what ever you call that thing with you. With John Tracy…Jeff Tracy's son!"

John didn't know who to take the comment. One way seemingly would put a damper on the evening; the fact that Penny maybe using him for a free night out, curiosity of Jeff Tracy. On the other hand...?

"And to put it bluntly John, I can't afford to go halfers on a meal that costs this much… and I feel obliged to pay something…I suppose you get a lot of people taking you for granted with money and stuff…"

No not really, not when you're stuck in space, you don't get pushed over…

"… And I don't want to seem like one of those, honest. So, well, I'd much prefer it if we go grab a burger or kebab, then I don't even mind paying the whole thing. The hotel maybe lush but the wage isn't…I'm really sorry, but I feel I have to justify myself in front of you."

John frowned saddened slightly.

Penny sighed/ "Bet it's a real damper to find out your company doesn't have any class, well not when she ain't got no dosh and lives in a shit hole." Penny quickly put a hand to her mouth at the realisation of her language.

John couldn't help but smirk, he was really starting to like this girl. Yes she wasn't in Scott or Alan's league but he wasn't thinking abut them. She felt it right to justify herself about her money situation – that was polite, at least he knew she wasn't taking him for a ride. What did Josie always say to all the Tracy siblings "Honesty is the best policy."

"You know, that actually sounds interesting about what you said before, about the food." John smirked.

Penny didn't know whether he was being sarcastic or not until, John got the attention of someone.

Before she knew it, they'd left the restaurant to a crowd of puzzled and angry staff to the chill of the London air.

Walking along a busy main road, Penny walked up to a bus shelter and looked for her bus. John starred, hands in pockets, wishing the temperature was a little warmer or that he had a coat.

"Should be one soon, hopefully." Penny muttered.

"How far are we going?"

"Far, would cost a bloody fortune in a cab." Penny mumbled.

John frowned and Penny sheepishly smiled. "Got the cab from just round the corner, he he."

"Thought it was cheap…and I gave him ten pounds and told him to keep the change."

Both laughed at John's attempt in joking.

Penny shivered and John noticed.

"Penny? How about we go back to the hotel?"

She was about to open her mouth, but John was too quick.

"Listen, I know it seems sudden and I know the hotel frown upon staff with clients but it's quicker than waiting around here."

In John's eyes she looked stubborn to answer but she gave in. "I'll have to buy you our over changed hot peanuts."

John smirked and rolled his eyes, really starting to like this woman.


Warm lighting was bathing the area of the lobby and in high spirits, John and Penny entered the golden rimmed glass doors, still laughing from one joke or story after another.

They stopped in their tracks simultaneously as they saw the figure standing before them.

"Parker?"

"Uncle Al?"