Luke Triton and the Mystery of Professor Layton

Chapter 3

The rain had started to fall shortly after they had left the professor's appartement. They were headed to the restaurant at the corner.

When Luke still lived in London, he and the professor used to go there and talk and eat or drink some. It was kind of fun to relive all of this, but something felt off. Like things had changed.

They arrived at the restaurant and, instantly, Luke walked over to their old spot. The professor followed soon after he had talked to the bartender for a bit.

Luke hung his wet coat over his chair before he sat down and the professor followed his example. Weirdly enough, he also took off his hat and set it in the window sill. Luke stared at the hat for a while in silence, before the professor starting laughing softly. 

"Is it a weird view?" He ruffled his hand through his hair and over his unshaven chin. Luke stared a bit more at the hat, before looking at the professor. Slowly, he nodded. He wasn't used to the professor this way. It was odd... Everything had been odd since he'd arrived in London.

"Luke, my boy...", spoke the professor. He fumbled with a napkin that laid on the table and sighed softly. Luke nodded, as in a way to say for the professor to go on. Layton scratched the back of his neck and chuckled a bit nervously. "I just wanted to ask if you had a good time in New York..." 

Luke smiled at the professor. "I did. I made a couple of friends, but they never believed the stories I told them... They thought I'd made them up." Softly, he laughed. "They also said I should become a writer." 

Layton nodded and a small silence followed.

A waitress came from behind the bar, walking up to them. "Can I get you someting?" 

"A cup of coffee, please, no sugar, just milk", Luke said, "and that apple pie, it looks delicious!" 

The waitress smiled. "It is, sir, the best apple pie I've ever had." Luke doubted her words. The waitress turned her head to the professor. He was looking out the window and turned his head, slightly confused when Luke said his name. 

"Oh, eh... a cup of tea please, no sugar." 

After the waitress left, Luke glanced at the man in front of him. He was, again, staring out of the window. Luke wondered if something bothered him, but he didn't dare to ask. 

"Did things change in London since I went away?" 

Slowly, very slowly, the professor turned his head towards the boy, and he nodded. "Yeah..."

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