Une Nouvelle Ère [Book 2]

VI

After the wonderful and rather romantic movie in the theatre, the two then bike their way to Ripon, where there was a fair happening in the heart of the village.

"I didn't know there was a fair in here!" Jo said as they chained their bikes by a large tree nearby.

"Well, now you know" Alex smiles at her, "And besides I just knew about it yesterday."

"Last minute planning, then?"

"More of a surprise, really. I mean...you didn't know about it until now."

Jo laughs softly, and rolls his eyes "For once, a stupid idiot like you made a fair point."

"Hey!" Alex raised an eyebrow at her "I did make some fair points before!"

"No, you didn't."

"Yes, I did."

"No, you didn't!"

"Yes, I did!"

They both looked at one another with raised eyebrows and a challenging stare...all before breaking into laughter.

"Last one to the carnival is a weak noodle!!" Jo then said, quickly sprinting off right after.

"Hey! Not fair!!" Alex shouted, almost stumbling down the snowy road as he tries to catch up with her.

***

Meanwhile, back at House, Thomas Barrow was walking down the path, where he saw Lady Mary and Lady Hexham walking back with Mister Branson, Miss Smith, and Lord Hexham.

"A telephone call for you, miladies." the butler then said to Mary.

"Who is it?"

"It's Lady Grantham, ma'am."

The sisters shared a knowing looks at one another, grinning happily.

"Thank you, Barrow" Mary smiled at him and followed the butler ahead inside, while the rest of the group continued on walking down the path.

"Is it something important?" Bertie then inquired his wife.

"Nothing much, really" Edith replied, "Just Mama and Papa possibly arriving safely at the Grantham House."

"I just find it funny on how you and your siblings all make fun of Papa and his driving skills."

"It is quite funny," Tom then said "He knew how to drive already, long before I came here, but ever since I married into this family, he clearly took the opportunity to refresh his skills."

"Was he a fast learner?" Lucy asks.

"On his first time, not much." Tom smiles, recalling some memories of his father-in-law almost cursing every time he doesn't get a thing or two right immediately "He was rather impatient at first, but slowly calms down as days passed by. But on his refresher, he seemed to handle the new gears of the new car models pretty well."

Edith chuckles softly "Perhaps he was driving well now rather than yesterday with Alex," she said "Or he is just trying to impress Mama by driving as slow as possible."

***

At the Ripon Winter Fair, Jo arrived first, followed shortly by Alex. They were amazed at the view in front of them: small booths, fun games, and even a large carousel at the center of it all.

"These are amazing!" they both said in unison as they started looking around, starting with the booths. From food to jewelries and toys, they all sell them at the bazaar.