– I see. For the record, you can trust me with whatever it is. You know that, right?
– Of course, Meg. It’s just… It’s been a long evening.
How rude of me to keep secrets from my one and only intimate friend, but freaking her out with all the details of the cafe fight would be even worse.
– I’ll prepare a berth for you. There is this brand new sofa Peter and I purchased a while ago. Such a comfy sleeping place.
– That would be great, Meg. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay you.
– Don’t mention it. Aren’t best friends designed to help each other out?
– No arguing.
As soon as the beds were ready, and the two friends had some herbal tea to make their sleep deeper, Katherine decided to finally check out her inbox being extremely agitated. Maggie was already having a deep sleep.
Meg is that rare kind of person who sleeps like a baby. These days it’s something of a superpower.
Katherine felt her hands trembling when opening the laptop. An agitating thought was endeavouring her mind as fast as a lightning during a thunderstorm.
It’s from dad. Goodness gracious, we haven’t seen each other for ages. I realise our relationship has been far from excellent, but let’s hope father hasn’t got himself into all sorts of trouble.
When opening the message Katherine was stroke by the very first lines that got into her sight:
My dearest Kitty, if you’re reading this letter, then I’m afraid I got myself into real trouble, that only you are currently able to get me out of. I’ve been tracked down and spied for the last few days. I’ve made a groundbreaking discovery that might change the British history, and the history of the Tudors precisely, forever!
Oh, father! You’ll never change. Even being in grave danger, you keep using those pretentious phrases…
And this discovery is the very reason I’ve been followed recently. These are dangerous people that will stop at nothing when it comes to treasure. All the information I’ve collected concerning this treasure I have cautiously submitted to one of my most loyal friends (I don’t want any harm coming to you because of this data). Unfortunately, now you’re the only one to solve this mystery. In case you get into trouble, don’t hesitate to contact Daniel Lawrence. He’s one of my best students. You can trust him. He’ll take care of you.
Oh, father… What could possibly happen to you? If only I could rewind everything like those old video tapes I used to watch as a child, things could have been different. I shouldn’t have let those insulting words out of my mouth the last time we saw each other…
Katherine nearly bursted out crying, pulling herself together at the last moment when realising there was Maggie sleeping next door. A tear of despair ran down her cheek.
P.S. My beloved daughter, I’ve messed up. Forgive me all the rude words I happend to tell you in the course of our last meeting. I want you to know, I didn’t mean any of it. It might be my last letter, so please, don’t hold it against me. You and your mother are and will remain the only people I hold dear in this world.
Katherine spent the remainder of the night sobbing into her pillow. That was too much to withstand…
Chapter 4 A Friendly Chat
When getting up the next morning Katherine went straight to the bathroom, to spare her friend the worry about her restless ‘weeping all night long’ looks.
I’ve already made her agitated enough, when turning up at her treshold out of the blue. Actually, my face doesn’t look that bad. No, it does… At least I have to try.
Having washed her face to make it look as normal as possible, Katherine went straight to the kitchen, wearing as calm expression as possible. Maggie was in the middle of cooking breakfast.
– Maggie, I’m so grateful for letting me stay overnight! Forgive me for appearing on your treshold out of the blue. -Katherine thanked her best friend.
– Oh, please, don’t mention it! We discussed it early on, didn’t we? Are we not friends after all? – Maggie comforted her friend. – By the way, you haven’t told me yet, about what happened last night? When turning up at my door you seemed confused, frightened and messed up? Is there anything I should know? -Katherine’s friend enquired.
Should I let her know, or keep it all secret? She might get into a big trouble after hearing what I got myself involved into… I should probably keep quite about my father’s email and all this British legacy and Tudors stuff. Probably, my encountering Daniel would be enough to feed her curiosity, and keeping away from all sorts of problems that might arise.
– So, let’s hear it? – Maggie taking a pose of one of those “Good Morning Britain”[1] hosts ready to delve into their guest’s story.
– Well, I met someone last night, under extraordinary circumstances. He…
– Heeeeeeee! – Maggie cut her off cheerfully. – Christ, you finally met someone!!! The world’s turned upside down!!!
– Stop making fun of me, Maggie! You know it’s something I’m really sensitive about. Love is not something to make quick decisions about. – Katherine smirked.
– Oh, come on! Don’t be too hard on me. Honestly, I’m happy there’s finally someone who managed to make an impression on you. -Maggie noted, hugging her friend tightly.
– I know you are. Forgive me my rudeness. There’s been a lot of stress lately. If not for Daniel… Oh, God! – Katherine couldn’t finish the phrase hiding her head in her hands.
– So, Daniel. That’s quite the name I should say. Is he handsome? Witty? -Maggie enquired trying to calm Katherine down.
I have to be honest, she does know how to cheer people up.
– I’m sorry for being so annoyingly nervous, it’s just – Katherine gasped. – I’ve never been assaulted before…
– Jesus Christ! Assaulted? Are you serious? -Maggie exclaimed leaping up from the chair getting a glass to pour some water. -Who would do such a thing? – she handed the glass to Katherine.
– If only I knew – Katherine sighed eagerly drinking water, emptying the glass at a draught, tears running down her cheeks.
– Ok, just stay calm, don’t worry! Whatever happened, it’s over now. Come. – Maggie embraced her friend directing her to the sofa nearby.
Having seated comfortably, Katherine proceeded – There were two of them, American enforcers trying to make me follow them…
– Well, I’m not surprised at all. Having watched all sorts of American action films, I know exactly how they act. -Maggie frowned.
It’s not an action film, though! It was shockingly real…
– Then, suddenly, Daniel appeared behind them. I wish you could see the way he beat them up. – a light smile crossing Katherine’s face finally calming her down.
– Wow, is he some kind of ‘James Bond’[2]