Fiona leaves Paternoster Row and heads to Hayes Park. She sits underneath her favorite tree and immediately begins to study. Hours pass quickly and it is her stomach growling that keeps her from starving. To Fiona, the mild grumbling in her stomach is a nuisance. She gets frustrated at her physical limitations with constant biological interruptions. She quickly eats and then returns to her books until a few hours later another interruption draws attention away from her studies.
She leaps up as the bells ring five o'clock and she packs everything onto her bicycle. She weaves in and out of pedestrian traffic until she finally reaches her destination. Her heart skips as a blue ribbon dangles from the door knocker.
She pauses a moment, brushing the grass off her dress, takes a deep breath and rings the bell.
Fiona senses motion inside the home, the first door opens and shortly the outer door.
Alaya's mother answers wearing an ankle length skirt, white button down shirt, black waistcoat and silk indigo blue tie. With a smile and an outstretched hand she delivers Fiona a sealed envelope, "Fiona, this is for you."
Fiona's eyes contract, but she remains poised. "Thank you, thank you very much for Alaya's response. No words can express. I hope this isn't too much ... "
"Aren't you the dramatic one?"
"I ...This makes me happy, please excuse me."
"Nothing to forgive. But I do have a request."
"Anything," as Fiona mentally prepares for the worst.
"I find, at least for the moment, you are an agreeable friend. If this will be your continued from of communication, take on the challenge to pass your correspondence without my mediation."
"I have considered using Royal Mail. I am mindful of my budget and privacy. I will find the best resolution. Thank you Mistress ..."
"Vastra Flint, Missus Jenny Vastra Flint"
"Missus Vastra Flint, Thank you."
"I would like to know how you cleaned the handkerchief?"
"Oh,"Fiona tugs up her glasses and stands a little taller, "That is my mother's mixture of cleaning solution. We have ruined over fifty stockings until she came up with the right combination. It is a blend containing sodium hypochlorite. Would you like a sample?"
"If you could spare some, It takes me forever to remove blo... the more difficult stains."
"I will make you a small batch." and begins to leave. Fiona quickly turns around to snatch the envelope out of Jenny's hand. "Thank you again. I will have a chemical sample with my next letter." She spins back around trips forward almost landing in the street.
Jenny smiling, "You alright?"
"Yes, Mrs. Vastra Flint" as Fiona's face blushes as someone familiar laugh from behind the open doors. Fiona smiles and she hops on her bike and starts to whistle as she leaves Paternoster Row.
Jenny closes the door, grabs Vastra's arm as they head towards the dining room.
Alaya is apprehensive, she has been down this road before trying to make human friends, it has never ended well. The lovely letter has caused tiny stomach spasms with each sentence and wants to know more about Fiona before further emotional investments. Alaya quickly speaks up, "Mother Vastra." Vastra and Jenny both look to their daughter, "I believe I need to build my London detective skills back up; can we focus on my tracking ability tonight?"