Some cuteness ahead to balance out all the angst. Enjoy this breather.

37.

After we sent the screen shots off, not truly expecting a reply until Monday, the private investigator who was in Edinburgh, Ms. Byrd, called us right away. Rick had been in contact with her previously, when we found out that Wickham had been mistakenly released (Mr. McMichaels when he said he had a local "guy" apparently had just meant "person").. She wasn't aware of a way to trace back the origin of the text but advised us to talk to the police about it and about next steps should George contact me again.

Ms. Bryd explained what we had already gathered "You can't reply to that text, so Mr. Wickham will have to make contact again, some other way. If he wants a reply, he may text you from a revealed number, but that might not get you anywhere as there are services that give you a second number to mask your real number. If he calls you from a phone where he has blocked the caller ID, there are apps that will help you get his number if you have them installed ahead of time. But it is important to find out from the police what they want you to do."

As soon as I got off the phone, I immediately checked the text from the number I didn't know, thinking maybe George has already tried to contact me again. But it wasn't him.

Hi Bill, this is Ava Williams. I have a new number. I hope life is treating you well and sorry for making things so awkward for you last time. I know you were right, but I sure didn't want to hear it then, just wanted an easy solution I guess. But it wasn't fair to put all that on you; I realize that now.

Sorry to bother you, but I need to talk to you about this woman I started designing a website for a couple months back, Caroline Bingley. The things she's been saying about you, well I really hope they aren't true, because they don't sound anything like the Bill Darcy I knew. I really hope, given all that you know that happened to me, that you'd never be that kind of guy. (fingers crossed emoji)

All the memories of the last time I had seen Ava since she had returned from graduating from the Sorbonne in France (about six years ago) came flooding back. I hadn't treated Ava with the kindness that I should have after she had shared her secret with me. I should have called, texted, something after turning her down. It hit me that if we'd kept up some kind of a relationship afterwards that we really could have been good friends and supported one another. I might have even confided in her about what Caroline had done, as we had that in common now, although I didn't doubt that her assault had been way worse than mine. Ava was now showing me the sort of kindness that I should have shown her.

Such a text required a response. I told Rick I was off to bed and hurried back to my room and contemplated Ava's text further. I really couldn't deal with something else right now, but I didn't want to ignore Ava's olive branch. Finally, after much pondering, I tapped out a response.

Thanks for texting, Ava. It is very good to hear from you and I hope life is treating you well. So you design websites now? I may have some work for you.

I'm sorry I didn't handle things with much maturity before, after you confided in me and asked for my help. I regret not being a better friend.

I'm out of the country dealing with a family emergency involving my sister G.G. It is way too complicated to text.

I can imagine what Caroline told you, as you aren't the first. But the truth is quite the opposite of that.

Watch out for her. She's got plenty of money to spend on a website and can please where she chooses but will change her mind a half-dozen times and may blame you that you weren't a mind reader as to what she eventually wants.

Take care dear. I'd love to have a long chat when everything calms down around here.

Finally, that settled, I was ready to see what Elizabeth had texted. I could see that it was lengthy, which pleased me. But first I scrolled back to my last message in case she was replying to it. I had told her just that things were complicated here, I didn't think I could make it back for the domestic violence hearing, recommended an attorney and asked if Jane had told their parents what had happened, as she had originally planned to do. It was good that I did as otherwise Elizabeth's first couple of sentences would have had no context.

Complicated, huh. That doesn't sound good. If you want to share you can, but you don't have to. I'll let Jane know not to expect you back. No, she hasn't told our parents yet, but did give me permission to tell them that Chuck's a bad guy and treated her badly. Understatement of the year.

My mom has it in her head that Chuck cheated on Jane, and thinks things may still be salvaged, because "everyone makes mistakes." I get that in some situations that forgive and forget is a viable option, but I'd never stay with a cheater, or someone who did what Chuck did. I'm glad Chuck is still for now in jail or he might be at my parents' door working on them to help him get Jane back.

I just remembered to check my email and lo and behold there was a reply from you. (smiley face emoji). Going back and forth in texts and emails is complicated.

It sure was. I paused in scrolling to the next paragragh and tried to remember what I had emailed, even though it wasn't too long ago. I remembered telling Elizabeth that I did want to take her on a date and asking if we could video call later. But rather than delay reading her message further to call up my sent email, I scrolled and read on.

Your idea that Jane should tell Mary was a good one. I'm not sure why we didn't think of that, except that it is easy to overlook Mary. I talked to Jane and we invited Mary over; she's coming tonight after work and staying all night. She knows something is up, but doesn't know all the details yet. It might make for the most depressing sleepover ever, but she needs to know.

I do want to have that video call and find out just how much of an understatement "complicated" might be. I am available anytime between three and six pm my time today. If that works out, great. If not, I'll just think the situation is even more complicated than I could have imagined. I found you on FB and sent a friend request. If you have FB Messenger, that's probably the easiest way to video call.

Wish I could give you a big hug. I bet you could use one right about now.

That was it.

"Yes," I said to the phone, "I could use that hug and things are way more complicated now." But imagining that hug was better than nothing.

I did some quick calculations. It should be about 4pm her time. But should I call her? Did I have the strength right then to do it and not seem completely unhinged?

I wanted the reassurance, the comfort of her voice. I wanted to continue to grow whatever tentative relationship we had. But I also feared being judged, for not parenting G.G. better, for what a wreck she was.

I shook my head. Surely I was being overly dramatic right now. "Okay, first things first." I went on FB, accepted Elizabeth's friend request and then went scrolling through her pictures. She was most lovely when caught in motion, mid-laugh, talking animatedly, then when posed with her sisters and friends. Caught in a still frame, it was Jane who was by the world's standards more conventionally beautiful. But it was Elizabeth who caught my eye at every turn.

There was one particular picture that captivated me. It was not the picture of Elizabeth in a swimsuit at the Netherfield pool, although she did have a toned and athletic body. It was not the one of her in a bridesmaid dress beside an older bride. It was the picture of Elizabeth caught with her head half turned over her shoulder, talking with Charlotte. Elizabeth's head was tilted toward her friend, her eyes shining with merryment, her lips forming a teasing word, her eyebrows mid-waggle, her arm mid-gesture, all amusement, life and happiness captured in that still shot. If it wouldn't have been all stalkery, I would have downloaded that shot, cropped Charlotte out and used it as my opening screen ir perhaps made it into a puzzle on my puzzle app.

I forced myself to close Facebook and texted back before I could think the better of it. I accepted your friend request. Things are pretty bad and complicated is an understatement. You've got a lot to deal with as it is with your sister, but if you're up for it, a call would be good. I'm available in 15 minutes and for the rest if the evening.

"Time to get busy living," I reminded myself and hit the send button before I could chicken out. I spent the intervening time using a jigsaw puzzle app on my phone. It wasn't as satisfying as manipulating actual pieces, but at least this one let me rotate the pieces.

About five minutes later, I was interrupted by an alert.

Elizabeth: I'll video call you in 10.

Bill: Great. (thumbs up)

Elizabeth: I was hoping your FB page would have some hunky shots, but no such luck. It's all suits galore.

Bill: Gotta maintain an image as CEO.

Elizabeth: You do look good in them, and in that tux for the charity gala a year back! The woman on your arm in the turquoise dress is pretty, but just a tad too old for you. (winky face, tongue sticking out)

Bill: That's my Aunt Angie, Rick's mom.

Elizabeth: Then there is a decided lack of ex-girlfriends on your page.

Bill: It has been a while. But I wouldn't mind changing that.

Bill: Not to have another ex, but to have a girlfriend. The spot is open, if you want it.

Bill: Not that I want to get ahead of myself.

Elizabeth: We might be heading there, but let's enjoy the ride. Titles like "girlfriend" come with expectations, obligations. If your life is half as complicated as it seems, no need to add to your burden.

Bill: (shrug) Still, it could be nice.

Elizabeth: Let's table that discussion for now. Ready for me to call?

I pondered that for a moment. Should I put on daytime clothes? I was decent enough in my t-shirt (fortunately a plain green one this time) and sweats. But it wasn't a date, just a chat.

Bill: Give me five minutes.

I ran to the bathroom and used the facilities. As I washed my hands, what I saw reflected in the mirror wasn't good: bleery, red eyes, blotchy face and a five o'clock shadow made me look like an alcoholic hobo. But there wasn't time to do anything about that now.

I hurried out to sit on my own hotel sofa, which wasn't quite as bad as Rick's but had a faint mildew smell. I would have liked to make it just an audio call, but I really wanted to see her and how would I explain it if I kept my camera off? I resolved to be brave, to let her see me as I was, broken, sorrowful and hurting. It was honest, right? And isn't honesty at the heart of any relationship?

Then the Facebook Messenger call rang, showing Elizabeth's profile picture. With one last deep breath to calm myself, I swiped to answer it.

A/N: Sorry to cut it off there, but I've got to start my workday. Up next will be the video call which I haven't started writing yet. Anything you particularly want them to say, or topics that should be canvased?