Unexpected: Day 2

Word Count: 18,007

Summary of Events:

Meinwen told her sister about the Dr. Stiles situation — all the way to the news report — and was relieved when her sister proved to also believe her account. Hilton went to work and immediately started researching Dr. Stiles and his itinerary, learning he was going ahead with his lecture that evening. After her sister, Meinwen told her grandmum about Dr. Stiles, and was encouraged to go to the police, but only after she'd had a bit of a rest. Hilton came to the house before Meinwen could go to the police to ask if she wanted to talk to Dr. Stiles personally by attending his lecture, and Meinwen agreed that might be an idea as well, and so went with Hilton. Following the lecture — which both of them found dreadfully boring — there were refreshments and the opportunity to talk to Dr. Stiles, who actually approached them and ended up mortifying Meinwen by going on about her beauty and leaving her without the chance to tell him what she wanted to. Afterwards Hilton drove her home, suggesting that Meinwen join him in Ireland to try again, as Dublin was Dr. Stiles' next stop on Friday . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

“I couldn’t impose on you like that,” Meinwen said. “It’s supposed to be your holiday after all.”

“It wouldn’t be any trouble,” Hilton said. “I’m inviting you, you’re not inviting yourself.”
Hilton glanced at Meinwen, suspecting she was still conjuring up excuses. She seemed determined not to go along, and he felt worried about why that might be so.

“Please, my grandmum may not be frail, but she would still be upset, and I would rather not upset her,” Meinwen said. “As I do have qualms about upsetting my relations, and I do hope that they feel likewise.”

“As you should,” Hilton said. “Your relatives actually like you. But at the same time, I don’t think you’re helping your grandmum any by staying close by. I think she needs to restore her courage, which would only be helped by you and your siblings travelling further afield and coming back safely. Besides, it wouldn’t be that long, and if there should be any storms, I would ensure you aren’t anywhere that might allow you to get hurt or killed.”

“I don’t have vacation time either,” Meinwen said. “I only work summers, and the money is necessary to pay for my college. I don’t even like to think about the possibility of missing one day of work compromising my finances.”

“Do you work weekends?” Hilton asked, shutting off the engine, as they’d reached Meinwen’s house.

“No,” Meinwen replied.

“Then you could just come for the weekend,” Hilton replied. “You wouldn’t be missing any work, and we’d have the chance to do some sightseeing after we’ve warned Dr. Stiles, as I would trust you’ve not been to Ireland any more than I have if you’re not supposed to stray far from Cardiff.”

Meinwen shifted her jaw. Finally, she seemed to be considering it.

“I promise the money is no bother,” Hilton said. “I have more than enough where it comes from.”

“Well,” Meinwen said. “Since there are a few days to Friday, I will think about it, and I’ll let you know.”

It wasn’t quite the ‘yes’ Hilton had been looking for, but it was better than an outright ‘no’.

“Of course,” Hilton said.

He got out of the car and went around to open the door before escorting her to the front door.

“Good night Mr. Sheahan-Carrington,” she said, having set her hand on the door handle.

“Good night Miss Lewis,” Hilton replied.

Her fingers slid softly off his arm and she slipped through the door, closing it quietly behind her, leaving Hilton alone on the doorstep.

He gazed at the door for a moment, then turned away and headed back to his car. He was still disappointed at her lack of an affirmative answer, but he was grateful that she was willing to consider the matter, and probably talk it over with her grandmum.

Climbing into the car, Hilton looked at the house through the passenger window for a moment before starting the engine and driving off to return to his hotel. He hoped that Meinwen’s answer would be the one he wanted.