THE BANBURY INN
BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND
NOVEMBER 2001
“I’m glad I tracked you down.”
Nicola waddled out from her office and to the breakfast table where Annie was piling minicroissants onto her plate.
“Track me down?” Annie scooped up three pieces of cantaloupe. “I’m staying right upstairs.”
“Yes, but you seem to flit and flitter all over the place,” Nicola said, dancing her hands in demonstration. A passerby ducked to avoid getting socked in the face. “Like a hummingbird.”
“I’m generally not one for flitting.”
“Further, your mum said you were leaving for the States the day after tomorrow. I couldn’t risk not seeing you.”
“Excuse me?” Annie said, the plate at once too heavy for her hand. “Leaving? She told you we’re leaving? In two days?”
But what about the sightseeing? The promised trips to London and to Blenheim? Not to mention all of the things remaining in Banbury, the pieces of Win’s puzzle—and of Laurel’s—Annie still had to connect. Laurel said that she was “done” but never mentioned how fast she wanted to get out of town.
“That’s what she told me,” Nicola said in a clipped tone. “You rushed out of here so briskly on my bike I didn’t have the chance to tell you.”
“Nicola.” Annie winced. “I’m sorry. I assumed it was fine.”
“S’okay.”
Nicola went back to her desk and disappeared beneath it. She remained submerged for so long Annie worried she might’ve capsized.
“Nicola?” She stretched across the top of the counter. “You still down there?”
“Ope! Here it is!” Nicola popped back up, face reddened and eyes slightly crossed. “Whoa, nelly.” She shook her head. “Someone left this for you.”
She passed Annie a manila envelope.
“Someone?”
“That older gentleman from the other day? The one with the brother?”
“Oh right.” Annie took the envelope. “Gus.”
“Is that his name? Well, no matter. His brother is the important one.” She wiggled her brows. “That man, easy on the eyes. I’ve had a crush on him for donkey’s years.”
“You know Gus’s family?” Annie asked. “How well?”
It was worth a shot. Maybe if Nicola knew Gus and his brother, she’d have a string to tie some corner of the story together. Gus insisted he wasn’t involved in the tale, that he was an outsider, on the periphery. But outside was still a place. It was part of something too.
“I didn’t know him particularly well,” Nicola said and pulled at her blouse. “He’s much older. But I had a wicked crush on him as a girl. Anyhoo, off I go. I’m leading a band of tourists to Blenheim Castle for the day. Are you familiar?”
“I’ve heard of it, yes.”
“You should check it out. Beyond fabulous,” Nicola said. “Did you know the Germans planned to destroy it during the war but Hitler called them off? Fancied he’d assume residence when the Krauts took over the world. It’s nice to dream big, I suppose. Well, ta-ta! Enjoy your day! Cheers!”
Nicola spun around and toddled off, leaving Annie amused—another Hitler story for the duchess—as well as alone. Alone with a package from Gus.