We bounced from Chicago to New York, where we took off for England. We arrived at Heathrow airport, where we exited the plane at 6:00 a.m., local time. “Flight 204 from New York, now exiting.” I heard the intercom say. I peered through the crowd, looking for an old friend. I saw someone flapping his hand around, and went to him.

“Oi, mate. I never expected to see you again. How are you?”

“Hey, Phillip. Just fine. I’d like you to meet my wife, Tracy, and my daughter, Kristin.”

“Whoa, she looks a mite old to be your daughter.”

“Oh, not my real one, I just adopted her a week ago.” I stated.

“Oh, and what a fine wife you have here. Welcome, one and all. I hope you don’t mind staying at my house a night or two. The apartment we have reserved won’t be open for two days.”

“Oh. No trouble at all.” I said, looking at Tracy. She gave me a look like, ‘hey, we’re not really married,’ but she soon shrugged it off. “Come on, Kristin, let’s go see Bracknell.”

“Oh. . .dad. . .,” she stumbled, “Couldn’t we see the bed first, I think I have jet lag!” She said, and she looked it. We went to the car, and got inside. We got on the M4 coming out of London, and went directly to his house in Bracknell on Shepherds Lane. Getting out of the car, Kristin didn’t move. She was out. I picked her up and took her inside.

“Shh. She’s asleep.” I whispered. He showed me inside and to a bed. I took off Kristin’s shoes, placed her in the bed, and put on the covers.

We exited the room; I looked in, before closing the door. “Those two rooms are for you and your daughter. My brother is in the other one,” he said, pointing to the room at the end of the hall. “Belle is in town getting something for lunch.”

“Dear, I think I’ll catch a little sleep too. I’ll see you for lunch.” Tracy said, going in to sleep.

“Women. Can’t take a little jet lag.” I said.

“Awe, they’re just tired. Come on, I’ll show you the house.” He said. He did so until lunch.

At noon, the door was opened by someone who I didn’t see. The reason I didn’t see her is because she was carrying two bags of groceries. I offered to take one, and Phillip took the other. “Whoa, it sure is breezy out there today!” Belle said.

“Belle, I would like you to meet my old friend, Adam.” Phillip introduced us.

“Is he all?! I thought there was going to be two with him.”

“Oh, they’re upstairs, sleeping. You know, they should be getting up to eat about now. I’ll go wake them.” I said. I walked upstairs, opened the door, and entered the room. I went over and woke Tracy up, who in turn, got up and dressed. I then went in and woke up Kristin. She was glad for the rest. I left the girls to get ready, and I went down to lunch. “They’ll be down in a minute.”

“Oh. Phillip said that you are a . . . detective?” Belle said.