Chapter 10 : Crimes! It's All Crimes!
Wendy gasped. She flinched, as she made eye contact with her mother, fully preparing herself for an intense questioning and to be pressed for the answers.
Mrs. Darling didn't say anything. She simply smiled, "Good morning, my dears. I'll leave Nana to it." Then she rather dramatically exited the nursery, head elegantly held high and her skirts swishing as she left. Nana entered, puffed with pride, and began doing the children's beds, sensing they needed time to collect their thoughts.
When the door closed, Wendy turned angrily to John, who ducked at her intense blue eyed glare. "I apologize deeply, Wendy. It was not my intention."
Wendy closed her eyes. She willed herself to be in control, to have patience. She had to be a lady. Wendy just didn't feel like telling him it was okay, because she knew it wasn't. When she opened her eyes, Micheal was hugging her legs. "Wendy, are your emotions hurted?"
Wendy smiled at his childish grammar. She picked him up and hugged him tight. "Oh, Micheal."
John sighed, pushing up his glasses and genuinely looking sorry. "Wendy, please accept my apology…"
Wendy gave him a curt nod. "It's alright John. Let's just hope mother and father don't go mad over this. And this might serve to show that you that teasing me is not going to work in either of our favors."
The last part of the sentence she felt a little bad saying to John. It was a bit harsh, and the way his eyes widened at her unusual comeback, made her sure he was fully repented over his teasing.
But she was not in any way prepared to face her parents.
If not already clear, it was not a pleasant morning. Her mind spun as she sat down at the breakfast table. Served on the table in the proper English manner, was an assortment of bacon, eggs, sausage, black pudding, baked beans, grilled tomato, fried bread and toast, served with jams and marmalades. Mrs Darling prepared the tea and poured some milk for Micheal and John.
Eyeing her mother closely (who was acting as if nothing had happened at all and was doing a very good job at it), Wendy hesitantly sat down on at the table. John and Micheal followed, rather quiet for their usual antics. Then…
"Mary!" Mr Darling nearly spilt his tea, while Nana very politely offered a handkerchief which he absentmindedly took. "The news!"
Wendy placed her cup of tea down on the table. It was considered bad etiquette to look over someone's shoulder so she merely waited despite the urge to jump at the paper. John and Micheal bounced with similar excitement beside her.
Mrs Darling took the newspaper and read the headline out loud, sensing her children's impatience, "The Pirate Ransom hasn't yet been found, but may it be specified that several crimes that seem to be related are going around London… George! This is serious!"
"Crimes! It's all crimes!" George exclaimed making a dramatic gesture. It only served to finally spill his tea, causing him to anger. "My shirt! Spilt! Blasted tea…"
As Mrs Darling helped wipe the tea away, Wendy gave the matter huge thought.
So, the Pirate Ransom was near London and was causing a ruckus. Just as she suspected it had been in the newspaper. The ship must have gone through some sort of portal in order to travel between both worlds.
Wendy needed to talk to Peter.