In "Raj returns to Cambridge", part of my "Life without Penny" series, Raj meets Samina and they head off to India to get married. What happens next? Part 4 - over the pond.

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One year later it was time for Samina to attend an international conference. She went, with two of her Ph.D students, to the American Solid State Chemistry conference in Atlanta. At the end of the conference Raj flew to Atlanta to join his wife, they rented a car and drove down to Florida to visit Howard.

At the reunion Raj and Howard were very happy to see each other and Samina was happy to see Howard again.

"Welcome to Florida you two, how was the drive?"

Raj said "it was a bit strange driving on the wrong side of the road again but we got here in good time. How is your mother?"

"Well she has good days and bad days, but she is looking forward to seeing you later whilst you are here. How are you enjoying married life?"

Samina said "wonderful." Raj said "I wish I had done it years ago." Samina then said "How about you Howard, when will we be attending your wedding?"

"Don't hold your breath, with work and looking after mother I don't have time to look for a wife."

Raj said "Even Sheldon found himself a wife, you never know who might be out there."

Howard then said "so how is life in Cambridge, are you enjoying being Professors?"

Samina said "We aren't Professors yet. Raj was promoted to Reader last year and I will become a Reader in the new academic year, Reader is equivalent to assistant Professor this side of the pond."

Raj then said "We should make it to Professor in a few years time. In the mean time we teach our classes, supervise our postgraduate students and try and do some research. How is your work Howard?"

"I am manager of Payload Launch Vehicle Integration, but I am hoping to move onto something more interesting. All I do is check out other peoples satellites and launch vehicles, there is never anything new. The director of Satellite Engineering is going to retire in 12 months time, it might be possible to move upwards or sideways into a more interesting job at Kennedy.

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Two and a half months later Raj and Samina picked up Howard from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and drove him to Cambridge for the weekend. Howard spent Friday night in Grantchester with Raj and Samina. Next morning at breakfast Raj said

"So Howard, how do you fancy a trip into Cambridge, we want to show you a real University town."

"Sure, what time are we leaving?"

Samina said "as soon as we have finished breakfast, its only a couple of miles away, it won't take that long to walk there?"

"Did you say walk?"

"We're not in Pasadena any more Howard, Samina and I normally cycle to work at the University. Anyway Cambridge was not designed for the motor car."

"Don't worry Howard, we can always get a taxi back if necessary, first part of the walk is through Grantchester Meadows, you will love it."

An hour later they had arrived in Cambridge City Centre.

Howard said "So this is Cambridge, where's the University?"

In unison Raj and Samina said "Everywhere!"

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Six hours later Howard was at Samina's favourite Indian restaurant.

"Hello Sunil, table for three please, this is our friend Howard visiting from America."

When they were seated Raj said "So what do you make of Cambridge Howard?"

"Is this all real, are you sure it isn't a giant movie set for a BBC period drama?"

Samina said "It's all real Howard, we live and work here. There has been a University here for over 800 years."

"Fantastic, do you mind if we go back to that bookshop after we have had our food. There are a couple more engineering textbooks I wouldn't mind getting. I need revise some of my engineering knowledge if I want to get this new job at Kennedy."

"No problem Howard, we will get a taxi back so you don't have to carry those books."

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Monday morning

Samina gave Howard a hug before she got on her bike to ride to work.

"Thanks for coming Howard, have you got all those engineering books packed up? Sorry I can't see you off at the airport but I have a meeting this morning."

"Thank you Samina, keep looking after Raj. OK Raj, lets go to Heathrow airport…."