#ferdiefriday

But firstly, Sebastian has never seen him like that, not even that time in Tanzania, about three years ago, with a young Miss What-Was-Her-Name, who somehow managed to keep Aldrich's attention to herself for the whole two evenings. (And nights, unfortunately. Sebastian's bed was just a wall away, and they were abominably loud and enthusiastic. He feared that the ceiling might collapse on top of him at any moment, and it was impossible to fall asleep. He was forced to contemplate sleeping on a couch in the other room of his suite! Luckily for him, on the third night, she was gone and never mentioned again. Needless to say, from that time on, whenever they traveled together, he booked himself a room across the hallway from Aldrich's—just in case.)

Secondly, and most worryingly, it screams trouble more than anything Aldrich has managed to drag them into before, and that is an accomplishment in itself. It's a wonder that Nakesha doesn’t seem troubled at all. Certainly, if it comes to the worst, they can always plan an untimely demise for the poor girl. It's a shame, though. For all Sebastian knows, she’s an innocent bystander just like any of them, who had the misfortune to be caught in the way of a catastrophic force that is Aldrich. But then, maybe she'll listen to reason and run as far away as possible. Nah. It won't make a difference since it seems that Aldrich has firmly made up his mind. Death it is, then. She'll thank them later.

Or maybe…

"Wait, it's not Clara, is it?"

Clara, who is sitting right next to him, chokes on a scone.

"More tea, miss?" Mrs Boone tops her cup from a fresh pot without batting an eye.

"No! Er- Yes, thank you, Mrs Boone. No, Sebastian! It's not me! Gosh, I hope not… Aldrich?!"

"Calm down, Clara!" Aldrich laughs, finally deciding to grace them with the gift of his company, "of course it's not you. Although I do find you fascinating in your own way and love you almost like a sister—” Nakesha throws a napkin at him, but he simply shakes it off, “Oh, Nakesha, don’t be like that! But no, that woman, she's… " He sighs again, and Sebastian feels dread twirling in his stomach.

"Oh no," he groans, "this time we're all going to die, aren't we?"

Nakesha exchanges pointed looks with Aunt Lily. Yes, fine, he is being overdramatic, perhaps. But Aldrich is dangerously reckless at his best, and now, when he's suddenly head over heels for some mysterious woman…

"Aldrich, my dear, you are pulling Sebastian’s strings mercilessly." Aunt Lily puts her cup on a saucer with a meaningful clank. "And while I agree that most times it is quite entertaining, right now we have all had enough suspense. Who is that woman you are mooning over like a fool?"

"I have no idea!" Aldrich exclaims with manic glee as if it is the most exciting thing in the world. Oh God. It's worse than Sebastian could imagine. They are doomed.

“Well, we are waiting!” Aunt Lily raises her voice a bit and Sebastian notices that nobody drinks their tea anymore. Even Mrs Boone’s unobtrusive presence seems somehow more focused than before. That’s good. At least now they are taking this seriously.

Aldrich laughs again, a bit bashfully, and puts hands in the air in mocking surrender. “Fine, fine, I’ll tell you everything.”

Wait, is he blushing? Sebastian isn’t sure he believes his eyes.

“So, do you remember how last week I failed to obtain the emerald bracelet that was brought from Munich to the National Gallery for a special exhibition?”

At that Clara makes an undignified squeak. No doubt, she has something to say about the attempted theft of a priceless jewelry piece, but that is not the point at the moment. They weren’t even the ones who’ve stolen it, though not for the lack of trying! So, Sebastian is very grateful to Nakesha for a hearty elbow jab that prevented an untimely interruption.

Undisturbed, Aldrich continues: “As you know, my plan was flawless. Everything was going smoothly as a buttered biscuit. The guards were adequately subdued, the alarm system was off, Nakesha was waiting outside in a getaway Porsche. All that remained was to remove the glass and take the bracelet. And that’s exactly what she did! I saw her from the entrance of the hall, but it was already late to intercept. She made a run for it in the opposite direction. Naturally, I ran after her, although it would be easier to shoot her, I suppose. Still, I couldn't risk firing a gun at the museum. I’m not an animal.”

Clara snorts. Aldrich looks offended for a moment, but then sighs in defeat. “Well, long story short, when I got to the next hall, she was already gone. I’ve checked all obvious escape routes, but found nothing. Not a trace. All the CCTV cameras nearby were on a recorded loop thanks to us. And that’s the end of it. I was outplayed.”

He smiles, elated, as if Christmas came early. Sebastian groans internally.

“Well, then,” Aunt Lily says. “Surely you must have found out who this woman is? It’s been a week, as you said. No one can be that good—that we don’t know of.”

“Oh, Aunt Lily, believe me, I tried,” Aldrich chuckles dryly. “I’ve exhausted all the possible means aside from asking any of you for help. Sorry about that, by the way, but as you can see this is a personal matter. I’m sure you understand.”

There’s that ghastly awestruck expression on his face again.

“I’ve only caught a glimpse of her in the twilight. A brief memory. Oh, what a grace. What a beautiful laughter, like a chime in the wind. It’s like she was a ghost. Or some magical creature. I could almost come to think that I imagined her, but the lack of the bracelet in my possession seems to suggest otherwise.”

“So…” Nakesha drawls plaintively, “this girl has laughed at you and you’re not mad at her? You know what, Sebastian, this time you might be right. I believe we should find her, and fast. At the very least she has my birthday present.”

To Clara’s credit, she only rolls her eyes at that. Aldrich beams.

“As a matter of fact, you don’t need to worry about that. I have a plan!”

Aunt Lily sighs theatrically and asks for more tea and scones. Mrs Boone leaves for the kitchen. Clara shifts at her seat uneasily. Nakesha scoffs. Sebastian doesn’t bother with a reaction. It’s Aldrich, after all, of course he has a plan. What’s new? Good thing is he is forced to share it, so they have at least a chance to prevent the most devastating consequences.

Aldrich doesn’t pay them any mind, as usual.

“It’s quite simple, actually, as most good things are. As you might know, the Grand Duchess of Oldenburg is going to attend the Coronation and—” he points up a finger, “wear the twin bracelet to the one we haven’t managed to obtain. Obviously, I was planning to relieve the Grand Duchess of it anyway. They do look much better in a pair. So, all we have to do is wait for my lovely vis-a-vis from last week to reappear and this time be faster than her. Easy as rain.”

“Oh, and to think I was going to skip the Coronation this time,” Aunt Lily says scornfully, “but needs must. Nakesha, darling, could you ring the Palace and tell them we will need the booth they arranged for us after all?”

“Of course, Aunt Lily, right after we finish our tea.”

As if on cue, Mrs Boone appears with a steaming pot and freshly baked scones. Sebastian snatches one from the pile. It smells heavenly. Well then, no point to dwell on it for now.