Chapter 9- Deliveries

Aziraphale sent Raph to Muriel with a note, rightfully thinking that a trip to Earth would seal his loyalty. He suggested that Muriel take Raph on a bus tour of London, and he returned with stories about the city – "amazing", the people – "fascinating", and Muriel "a hoot!".

The note also asked for his favorite teacup, the Shakespeare Folios, and his AAA road atlas of Great Britain. (which he had trained to show him where the Bentley was at all times).

"Please pack it all in the leather valise that sits underneath my desk. Thank you,

AZFell.

P.S. if there is a box of almond biscuits, send those along as well."

Crowley walked in as Muriel was packing the valise. He recognized it as the one that held the books in the 1941 bombing. She asked, "Are these the biscuits Mr. Fell wanted? He has a variety."

Crowley peered at the box. "No, those are his second best, he wants the green box. Are you taking that up to him?"

"Yes. Exciting, isn't it? I've never been to THE Head Office before…."

Crowley knew this was the moment "Wait here!" He ran to the Bentley and got the hat. Back in the bookshop, he sat it on the desk and wrote on the back of the Press Badge and returned it to the hatband and placed the hat in the valise. "Remember to tell no one you've seen me, unless Mr. Fell asks when the two of you are alone".

"Only Mr. Fell. Got it! Anything else I should tell him?"

"Yes. To meet me at the Music Box."

"Music Box?"

"He'll know. Call me when you return. Ciao."

"Ciao, Mr. C."

Muriel arrived at the Head Office and was disappointed that it looked like the rest of Heaven, except for the part Aziraphale had made look like the bookshop.

"Thank you for bringing this up. I was feeling a little homesick and I thought a few comforts from home would help", Aziraphale opened the bag. He was puzzled by the hat, but set it to aside and took the biscuits, teacup, atlas, and Folio and placed them on the desk. He picked the hat back up and the badge fell off- on the back, were 4 words in C's handwriting, "I've discovered a Clue". "Why the hat?"

"Mr. Crowley put it in- I thought you told him you wanted it. He said if you had any questions, to meet him at the music box. I looked all over the shop – I couldn't find a music box." Muriel was afraid she had let him down.

"Not a problem, I know where he's talking about." Aziraphale could barely hear Muriel, the pounding in his chest had become so loud. Crowley wanted to meet! He was so afraid their last meeting had been THE last meeting. The Clue was secondary- Aziraphale would get to see his friend. He made himself focus on Muriel's words.

"He comes by to see if I've heard from you and to help me 'fit in'". Muriel's habit of putting air quotes and Capitalization on words that made humans assume she was blood relation to Aziraphale, "although I'm sure I am small enough to 'fit into' any neighborhood, not just SoHo." Muriel's air quotes let you know she was taking an idiom literally, thus not getting its meaning. "With your permission, I'm staying in the room your assistant was using until Maggie's flat is ready. And Nina is letting me smell the coffee." She still wasn't drinking anything but enjoyed looking at 'cupperties' and smelling the hot beverages like a bouquet.

"I'm glad you're getting comfortable. Has Mr. Crowley or anyone else dropped by?"

"Mr. Crowley comes by once a week to check on things, although he mostly drinks and stares at the desk, and he gave me a phone to call him if I hear from you. And the Metatron has been there three times to ask if you and Mr. Crowley have been there."

"What do you tell him?" Aziraphale was worried. Crowley drinking was not a problem (perhaps a symptom), but the Metatron's snooping was worrisome.

"I tell him no. You AND Mr. Crowley have not been there since your promotion." Muriel smiled, "I know about loopholes, Mr. Fell."

Aziraphale looked relieved. "Clever angel. You're catching on quickly. You should go back now. Please tell Nina and Maggie that I appreciate their help. And I'm very proud of how you're adjusting to Earth, if I'm allowed to be proud." He handed her the valise to take back.

Muriel blushed, "thank you Mr. Fell. Ciao." and she left the office.

Aziraphale looked at the Atlas to see the Bentley was parked at Crowley's flat. He then put the Atlas and Folio back in his desk, the cup and biscuits on the tea trolley, then sat and picked up the hat. "a meeting! Maybe I can explain." He put the card in his pocket and the hat on his head and hummed happily as he put his desk in order.