Andy stared at me, waiting for an answer.
"I really don't know what just happened!" I said.
"But you do know something, don't you?" he pressed me.
"If I do, it's meant to be private. I'd treat any private information
about you the same way." I said.
Andy looked at me a minute, then sighed and said, "OK."
"Good. So let's ignore what just happened." I said.
"Fine," Andy said.
"Tell me though. 'Lord Justice' - that means he's some kind of a judge?"
I asked.
"Ordinarily yes, but not in this case. He's an Earl. But because of
some laws he sponsored, the media spoofed his given name, which is
'Justin', calling him Lord 'Justice' Pemberly. It went on until the real
Law Lords got upset!" Andy said, chuckling.
* * *
The twins wanted to get going then, so we continued on our tour, turning
down the hallway that Lord Pemberly had disappeared down. There was a
men's room around the corner. Jacob asked us to stop, as he had to use
the loo. We looked over the tour map as we waited. Three or four
minutes went by, and he still hadn't come out.
"Do you think he's alright?" Elizabeth asked.
John volunteered to go check, as he thought maybe he'd better 'go'
quickly himself. With that, he disappeared into the men's room, with
Scott on his heels. Harry flashed us a grin and followed them. Grandma
chuckled and said she might as well visit the ladies room too. Jacob
still hadn't reappeared, when the twins came back out and said that he
and Harry were talking with a man they'd met.
"Who is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"Lord Pember- something or other," Scott said.
Andy and I looked at each other, as Elizabeth's face drained of its
color, and she swayed slightly for a moment.
"Are you alright Elizabeth?" I asked, grabbing her elbow.
"Yes, fine," she replied, looking wanly at me.
Just then we heard footsteps echoing out the men's room doorway. Jacob
and Harry emerged, followed by Lord Pemberly, who looked extremely
nervous.
"Mum! Guys!" Jacob cried, beaming, "Look who we've met! Mum, this is
Lord Pemberly. Lord Pemberly, this is my mum Elizabeth Wilder."
Elizabeth's and Pemberly's eyes locked onto one another's. There was a
pause, then, Elizabeth smiled faintly and said, "It's good to see you
Jus- Lord Pemberly."
"Likewise," the Earl said quickly, bowing slightly.
Andy raised his eyebrows at me.
