It had been a week before Angel had been allowed to do anything but sit around at Mary's getting more and more frustrated at having nothing to do.
The guys had been sent on a mission and she had given Craig her word that she would do nothing about the letter until he returned, and she knew that this time he would be less than forgiving
if she ignored his request.
They had been away for five days and she had persuaded Peter to let her go back to her job at the mansion as soon as she heard that they were returning.
He had agreed and so when they had got back she had been waiting for them at the mansion as usual and had the fires burning in their rooms.
It was early morning and as soon as she the guard at the gate rang to tell her they were back she went to the kitchen and started on the coffee and breakfast she knew they would all be ready for.
She smiled as she heard Goniff.
`Hey , Angel's back, I smell breakfast`. He yelled.
He hurried into the kitchen and gave her a hug,
`Glad you're back`, he said, `Bacon and eggs? he asked hopefully.
`Nice to see you too Goniff, and yes `. She said smiling.
`Hey babe , how you doing? Asked Casino beaming at her.
`Just fine thanks, you all okay? She asked.
`Actor fell funny, hurt his wrist, 'es in 'ospital`, said Goniff in between mouthfuls of buttered bread.
`You alright Chief? She asked.
He smiled at her.
`I'm okay`, he said.
`Good . Coffee's ready and breakfast won't be long`, she said. `I'll just take the boss a mug of coffee and then I'll be right back`.
She entered Craig's office a few minutes later and put the coffee on his desk.
`Just what are you doing here? He asked.
`Now don't start`, she said. `I'm fine, Peter said I could come back to work so long as I didn't do too much, you can ring him and check if you don't believe me`, she challenged.
`I believe you , just promise you'll take it easy. `
I give you my word , I'll behave, honest`, she said
`Make sure you do`, he said
`How's Actor? She asked trying to change the subject,` The guys said he was hurt.
`Wrist is badly sprained but he should be able to come home tomorrow, Doc wants to keep him in overnight `, he said
`That's good, now are you joining us for breakfast ?she asked
`Bacon and eggs? he queried.
`What is it with you guys , that's all I ever get to cook these days`, she said smiling at him.
Give me five minutes and I'll be there`, he said laughing
`Okay`, she said.
`Oh and Angel, it really is nice to have you here when we get home, it makes a lot of difference knowing that you're going to be here waiting`, he said
`Yeah I know, for starters you'd all have to do your own cooking now wouldn't you?`, she teased
`Angel`,
I know` , she said` and seriously, I missed being here, but for goodness sake don't tell them that.`
`Promise`, he said.
Angel turned to leave.
`You have four minutes`, she said , `Don't be late.`
`Hey , what happened to the five? He shouted after her.
`You wasted it talking as usual, you're never going to learn are you? she called back.
He smiled to himself, this really was much better than coming back to an empty house , all he had to do now was wait for her to tell him what she had decided to do about Casino, for he was sure of
one thing, it was one subject she had not forgotten .
…
`So , you want to take a walk with me? Angel asked him.
Craig had been waiting since he had woken up for her to broach the subject of the letter.
`Would be nice Honey ,` he said,
They walked to the pond and sat on the bench.
`You still determined to go and see Sylvie? He asked.
Angel nodded.
`I have to see for myself that she's okay,` she said.
`You going to tell him if it's his? He asked her.
`I don't know, it's a hard decision to make, and not really mine, it should really come from her , now shouldn't it? She asked.
`Well if you're determined to go , you'll have to find someone to go with you, you're definitely not going on your own`, he said.
`Don't suppose? She asked looking at him.
`You don't suppose right, I can't leave just now.` he said.
She looked at him.
`Do you think we could trust Actor with this? I mean he's going to be out of commission for at least a week, if I could take him with me it would solve all our problems, now wouldn't it? She asked.
`Shouldn't really involve him, ` he said.
`I could go up to London in the morning and ask him, just say I'm going to stay with a friend for a couple of days, and that Peter doesn't want me to go alone, as Actor's hurt , they should believe he'd
make a good escort`. She said.
`Ok , see what he says, and I'll work on a two day pass for him, I just hope you know what you're doing Angel, this could all blow up in your face you know.`
I have to take that chance don't I? Sylvie's my friend, she means too much for me not to make sure that she's alright, `she said.
She kissed his cheek and rested her head on his shoulder.
`Thanks for understanding,` she said.
`I can't say that I do, but I know that once you've made your mind up, there's not much chance you'll change it`. He said kissing the top of her head.
Angel shivered
`Let's get you back inside, the last thing we need is you going down with pneumonia ` he said.
She smiled at him and linking her arm through his they started back to the mansion.
…..
Angel knocked and entered Actor's room.
He looked up from the book he was reading and smiled when he saw her.
`Angel, so nice to have a visitor this early in the day`. He said.
`Well actually I came to take you home`, she said returning his smile.
`I'm surprised that the Warden let you come alone, are the others away already? He asked.
`No , they're lounging about the mansion, left them stuffing their faces`, she said.
`Ah, now I understand`, he said.
`How soon can you be ready to leave? She asked.
`Almost immediately, if the Dr says it's alright`, he said.
`Release papers are signed, so you're good to go`, she said.
`Then we will leave now, and perhaps on the way home you can tell me what is really bothering you`. He said seriously.
`Don't get much passed you , do I? she asked.
`Are you in trouble? He asked looking worriedly at her.
`Can we just leave please? She asked .
`As you wish`, he said, and picked up what few belongings he had walked to the door and held it open for her.
`After you`, he said.
Angel silently walked passed him and headed outside to the jeep.
…
They had been travelling for almost thirty minutes when Angel stopped and nodded towards the café.
`Buy you a coffee? She asked.
`If you wish`, he said.
She ordered the coffee and then found them a table in the garden.
`I need a favour, ` she said.
`Indeed? He asked.
`There is someone I need to go and see and I need an escort, but , I don't want the others to know.` she said quietly.
`Does the Warden know? Asked Actor.
Angel nodded.
`You should know that things could get complicated, I don't know yet quite what's going to happen, everything may be alright, but`,
She paused.
`On the other hand it might not? he asked.
She nodded.
`You just expect me to go with you , knowing nothing about what you're doing, and not ask any questions , just do what you ask until you decide whether or not to tell me what is going on, is that
about it? He asked.
`Put like that , you're right, I had no right to ask you, I'm sorry , it's just for now I can't tell you anything else.` she said. `Look just forget I asked, it was totally unfair of me , I'll try and find someone
else`, she said as she started to rise from the table.
Actor grabbed her hand to stop her walking away.
`Angel, did you for one minute think that I would not help you? He asked her. It is the least I can do for you after all that you have done for all of us. Can you at least tell me why the others cannot be
involved?
Angel looked at him and shook her head.
`Not right now, no`, she said
`Whatever you need Angel , you only have to ask, and no matter what it is, you can be assured of my discretion`. He reassured her.
Angel stepped forward and kissed his cheek.
`I never doubted that for one second`, she said sincerely.
`Then let's get back shall we. The sooner we get this started the better it will be for all concerned, am I right? He asked.
`As always `, she replied, `And Actor , thank you.`
He nodded , and together they left the table.