London Pass Part 4
Terry walked into the living room late the next morning, barefoot in her skirt and sweater, her hair hanging damply behind her. She wandered over to the breakfast cart and lifted a lid off one of the trays. The eggs and sausage were cold. She replaced the lid, took off another, and selected a cheese Danish. Casino and Goniff were sprawled on the couch, nursing hangovers from the looks of them. Chief was sitting in one of the chairs with his eyes closed.
"Morning, Love," said Goniff, casually.
"Morning, Goniff," replied Terry. She pulled a chair out from the table and sat down in easy reach of the breakfast cart. "You know what's the best thing about this place?" she asked to nobody in particular. "The hot water. It's so nice to be able to take a long, hot shower."
Casino snorted in amusement, "Hey Babe, you better have left some hot water for His Majesty or you'll never hear the end of it."
"He isn't even up yet, is he?" said Terry without concern.
The sound of running water came from one of the bathrooms. Terry paused in mid bite of Danish.
"You better find someplace to hide," said Chief without opening his eyes.
Terry brushed it off. She hadn't taken all the hot water. At least she didn't think so. It wasn't long after that the sound of water stopped. Casino's chortle of laughter made Terry turn around. A glowering Actor stood in the doorway, hair wet, clad only in a white towel tied around his hips.
"Who used all of the hot water?" he demanded. "I come here, I at least expect to have a nice hot shower."
The other four people in the living room studiously avoided his glare. The big Italian looked around the room and noted Terry's wet hair. He chewed on the inside of his cheek. Terry shot a glance at him and knew she had been found out.
"Sorry, Actor, I didn't think you'd be up much before noon."
With controlled graciousness, Actor smiled, "That is quite all right, Little One. I understand a woman must be indulged when it comes to her bath."
Terry's eyes narrowed. She still wasn't sure she appreciated being called 'Little One' by him and she hated when he became condescending. As Actor turned to go back to the bedrooms, Terry plucked a scone off the breakfast cart and hefted it like a baseball.
"I wouldn't do that if I was you," warned Casino in amusement.
Actor turned back. Terry was buttering a scone, not looking at him. His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, turning and walking away. The men all started laughing.
By the time Actor had gotten himself dressed and groomed, Casino and Goniff had left already to hit the pubs. Terry had no understanding of how the two could spend half the day and all night in a pub and not get bored, or drunk out of their minds. Chief had gone out to walk around the many parks as was his usual habit.
Actor helped himself to a cup of tepid coffee from the server.
"Want me to call room service and get some fresh?" asked Terry.
Actor shook his head. "So what are your plans for the day?"
Terry shrugged, "I think I'll go find a museum to wander through. Any suggestions?"
"There is the Ashmolean in Oxford that is having a showing of some of the lesser works from the National Museum," said Actor.
"I like looking at pictures," said Terry.
Actor gave her a pained look, "Pictures?" He shook his head. "Have you learned nothing from the books I have given you to study? Do you have any knowledge of the great painters?"
"I can tell a Rembrandt from a Van Gogh," said Terry, slightly miffed.
"Would you like me to act as your tour guide?" offered Actor.
Terry looked at him in surprise. "I would like that, but I had all your attention last evening. I can keep myself occupied. You must have other things you would like to be doing."
Actor grinned. "The 'other things' I would like to be doing usually are not available until the evening. I need to make a couple phone calls, then I will be happy to take you to the art museum, if you wish."
Terry nodded. "I will go change."
Terry returned a few minutes later, wearing an afternoon dress and comfortable shoes. Actor was still on the telephone. He looked up and Terry motioned silently she would go back to the bedroom until he was done. He shook his head and motioned her to have a seat. Terry sat on the couch and openly listened to his half of the conversation.
"I have obtained reservations at the Savoy for dinner tonight at 8:30. May I call for you at eight, Elizabeth? . . . Wonderful. I am looking forward to tonight also, Darling." He hung up the phone.
"Elizabeth?"
Actor looked at her. "Yes, Elizabeth." He wondered what she was asking.
Terry looked faintly amused. "What happened to Marilee?"
Actor understood now. "Ah, Marilee is just a pleasant diversion when I am in the mood for something light and frivolous. Elizabeth is old world and old money."
Terry nodded. "Upper class."
"Yes, you could say that."
Terry glanced at the infamous little black book. "And just how many names do you have in there?"
Actor raised an eyebrow with a smile. "A gentleman never divulges that information."
Terry grinned. The man was incorrigible. She changed the subject. "Okay, how are we getting to Oxford and do we have time?"
"We take the tube to Paddington and it is an hour by train from there. That will give us a few hours there."
So it was Terry found herself in an empty first class compartment, alone with Actor. It never ceased to amaze her how he could arrange the things he did. They sat facing each other next to the window. As they left London, Terry became fascinated with the rural scenery.
Actor found himself watching the girl across from him. Thankfully, she was not one of those women who felt the need to chatter all the time. He soon found his eyes growing heavy. He had slept fitfully during the night thanks to his body's needs and his mind working overtime. The gentle swaying of the train and rhythmic clack of the wheels put him to sleep.
Terry glanced at the man and did a double take with an affectionate smile. He had moved to lean against the window. The occasional bump jarred him to not quite wakefulness. Terry rolled up her coat and rose to carefully support Actor's head and place the makeshift pillow between him and the window. He did not awaken, by now used to her touch from her caring for him with the concussion. She allowed him to sleep until the call for 'Oxford - 5 minutes.' Gently, she shook his knee and called his name.
He came awake in an instant, surprised at the pillow and the scenery outside. He recognized they were coming into Oxford. "Teresa . . ."
"It's okay," she said unperturbed. "If you're tired, we don't have to stay long."
"I am quite refreshed," the con man said cheerfully. "I'm afraid I was not much of a travel companion, though."
Terry shook her head, "I was too busy looking out the window." She didn't mention half of that time she had been studying him while he slept. She took back the coat he shook out for her and followed his frowning gaze out the window.
The countryside was pockmarked with craters and damaged buildings.
Quietly in confusion she remarked, "I thought they said Oxford hadn't been bombed?"
"That is what they have been saying," agreed Actor. "Obviously they lied." He hoped the ages old architecture remained undamaged.
He obtained a taxi for them and watched Terry in amusement as she was glued to the window while they were driven through the historic town. He identified the various buildings for her.
"Is there any place you haven't been?" she asked with a delighted laugh.
"Montana," he replied readily.
"Well, you'll just have to come visit us after the war," she said.
"I would like that."
Terry allowed Actor to lead her through the museum. He was a wealth of information. She learned more from him in the couple hours they were at the museum than she had learned from the books she had studied in school. For his part, Actor was again pleasantly surprised at his companion. She soaked up the information like a sponge and asked pertinent questions.
They entered another wing of the museum and Actor spotted a painting that was very familiar. He guided Terry over to it. She watched him study the painting closely, more closely than any of the others so far.
"What?" she asked in a whisper. "A forgery?"
Actor glanced casually around and waited until some other people had moved away. He whispered down to her, "No. About eight years ago, I acquired that painting and sold it to a very wealthy man in Nice. I wonder how it ended up here."
Terry shot a startled look up at him and whispered back, "You stole that painting from the museum?"
"I did not steal it," he whispered indignantly. "A man in Paris had it in his private collection. The gentleman in Nice wanted it. I was merely the middleman in the exchange."
"For a very handsome profit, I am sure," said Terry.
"Of course. That is how it is done, Cara." Terry chuckled in amusement. "What is funny?" asked Actor curiously.
"I was just thinking I am definitely not in Montana anymore," said Terry. "And am I ever getting an education."
"There is nothing wrong with learning about the finer things in life," said Actor.
"And how to acquire them," added Terry.
Actor looked at her and the corner of his mouth lifted in a grin.
All too soon for Terry's taste it was time to return to London. This time, Actor stayed awake and regaled her with a history and some anecdotal stories of Oxford.
Terry watched Actor finish getting ready to go out. He almost felt bad for leaving the girl alone. Almost.
"Where are you going for dinner tonight?" he asked, trying to feel her out.
"I'm supposed to meet Goniff and Casino at the Mucky Duck. We're having pub food tonight," she grinned.
Actor frowned, "You must be very careful going into the Mucky Duck. If they aren't there, you get out of there immediately. There is a strong possibility they will not be there."
"If they aren't, I'll just come back and eat in the restaurant downstairs or call room service."
"Are you going to be all right by yourself?"
Terry was amused, "Of course. I will have the suite to myself. I will get a glass of wine, my book, and a long, uninterrupted bubble bath."
Actor pulled a roll of money out of his pocket and peeled off a couple bills, holding them out to her. "Here, you might need this for dinner."
Terry shook her head. "I have money. I'm fine. Besides, if you are taking Elizabeth to the Savoy, you will probably need that."
"I have more than enough." He took her hand and put the money in it. She shook her head and accepted it rather than argue with him.
"How do I look?" he asked.
"Caro, if you looked any better, I might not let you out of here," she said teasingly. He raised an eyebrow at her. She smiled affectionately, "Really, you look very handsome and aristocratic, Count Mancini. Now don't keep the woman waiting. And have fun."
He paused at the door, "Oh, I intend to." His eyes twinkled, "If only all my countesses were so understanding of their husbands."
"Oh, get out of here you rake," laughed Terry.
After the door closed behind him, she looked at the money in her hand and choked. He had given her a hundred pounds. She wondered what it was he thought she was going to eat.
Christine showed up at the door a few minutes after the Italian had left. Terry let her sister in and nodded approval at the black dress she was wearing.
"So where were you all afternoon?" Chris asked, draping her coat over the back of a chair.
"Oxford."
"Oxford?" Chris looked at her older sister skeptically. "What on earth were you doing in Oxford?"
"Actor took me to a museum," replied Terry matter-of-factly.
"Oh did he now?" teased Chris.
"Yes, he did."
"I saw him on his way out in the tux," the younger girl said meaningfully. "He was looking very pleased about something."
"Ah yes," said Terry with an exaggerated sigh. "Elizabeth."
"Elizabeth?" Chris looked at her sister with a frown.
"Elizabeth," replied Terry dramatically. "Dinner at the Savoy and a very long dessert."
"Meaning?" asked Chris to be sure.
Terry looked at her with exasperation. In a whisper she said, "He went out to get laid. Which is a tad better than Casino's saying 'to get his itch scratched'."
"Terry, that is disgusting!"
"What? The act or what Casino said?"
Chris gave her sister a dirty look.
Chief emerged from the bedroom he shared with the topic of the girls' conversation. He was wearing the same suit as the night before. His presence and the approving look he gave to Christine, successfully put a stop to the girls' line of conversation
Terry ushered them on their merry way and went in her bedroom to change into a skirt and sweater. She had to shake her head in amusement. Boy, from escargot to a pint of ale. Coming to London with the guys was giving her a wide range of experiences.