Lockwood & Co. ~THE LEDGE

Ch 2: Portland Row

**I write the chapters slightly rushed, and they may not be any good right now as I haven't written in a long time and am out of practice. But they will get better as they go hopefully 🤞 I will also go back and edit them probably. Hope you enjoy, and I love reading comments so drop them if you wish. I am also open to suggestions regarding Phoebe's haunting, storyline, or character :)**

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Lockwood and Phoebe made their way down the building, and into the busy streets of London. The sun hadn't set yet, but the sky was beginning to grow an early shade of purple.

They walked in silence through the buildings and agencies of downtown.

He broke the quiet between them first, "I own an agency, actually."

"You? An agency? Sure you might work for one but aren't you a little young to own one?" She asked, picking up her pace to keep up with his long strides. He was only taller than her by a few inches but he seemed to walk with a permanent urgency or determination.

"Ever the doubter, are you?" He reached an arm out to stop her as they came to an intersection and he looked both ways to ensure no one was coming.

"Well, excuse me, but it's just a little hard to believe. So then, are you gifted as well?"

"As a matter of fact, I am. So is my partner George. I am a seer, and he does the research and paperwork for all of our cases. He's also an expert at mythology and indulges in deep studies of The Problem."

"Sounds like he does all the work then."

He side-eyed her.

"So do you plan on looking into my case since you're an agent or are you really just going to put the kettle on as an apology for ruining my suicide?" She asked bluntly.

"Makes me sound like a prick when you put it that way. But naturally, I'm interested in your ghost, so yes I probably will look into it."

Lockwood turned them down a street and headed toward the first house on the right. It had a plaque beside the door with LOCKWOOD & CO. engraved in the metal.

"Lockwood and co. Sophisticated. Or narcissistic. Why isn't your partner's name in the company?" Phoebe asked, pausing to study the plaque as Lockwood scrounged his pockets for a key and began to unlock the front door.

"I started the agency before he joined on. " He held the door open and motioned for her to come in.

She stepped across the threshold into a hall that housed coats and shoes and smelled of dust, tea, and stale biscuits. But she liked the smell. It seemed familiar and was comforting in a sense.

"George! Put the kettle on! We have a guest!" Lockwood yelled as he took off his coat and offered to hang hers up as well.

She grabbed his arm and quietly asked, "You won't tell your partner about the whole ledge thing will you?"

He met her eyes.

"Of course not. I'll refrain from mentioning anything that isn't relevant to business if it'll make you feel better."

She nodded and then followed Lockwood down into his kitchen where George had presumably already made the tea.

"George this is Phoebe, erm..." He looked at her in question of a last name. She had never given him one earlier.

"Atkins. Phoebe Atkins." She reached out her arm to shake George's. He had curly unkempt hair and was wearing sweats and a flannel.

How he felt about her being here Phoebe couldn't make out, but he sure wasn't smiling or attempting to be polite about meeting her. He only briefly shook her hand and then returned to whatever he was doing at the kitchen counter.

"Phoebe has an interesting case I thought we might look into. No agency has been able to help her thus far, apparently. But we won't turn anyone down, isn't that right George? That's why we are better than all those other big name agencies," Lockwood stated.

"Yea? How much is she going to pay for something Fittes couldn't solve?" George asked flatly without turning around.

How rude of him, thought Phoebe.

"I don't have any money," she harshly replied in George's direction. She didn't plan on owing anything to anyone and wouldn't hide the fact that she was penniless either. She was only here for the cuppa as far as she was concerned.

"Ah. A charity case then," he turned around and leaned on the counter with his mouth full of a sandwich of some sort.

"George! You do not get paid to disrespect our clients! I promised her we would look into it, although I cannot guarantee we can be of help despite our best efforts," Lockwood looked sternly at his associate.

He turned to Phoebe now. "Phoebe, you'll have to excuse him, he quite lacks in the department of social skills. Doesn't get out much."

Across the room George narrowed his eyes and took a rather large bite of his sandwich.

"Really? I couldn't tell," Phoebe said sarcastically with an accompanied glare at the boy.

"Well then. Shall we?" Lockwood gestured to a chair for her to sit at the table in the center of the room as he got out the mugs and sugar and poured the tea.

Phoebe added two lumps to her cup and breathed in the warmth before taking a sip. The tea settled deep in her stomach and comforted her from the darkness of the day.

She didn't have much faith in these two boys and their so-called agency, but she appreciated the kindness and company she hadn't received in weeks.

For now she would just sip from her mug, and have them listen to her story.