After Arundel (RP)

Benji doesn’t object as Joe steps forward to scoop up the tangle of netting. He doesn’t mind a bit of mud on the carpet, although he does hope Lizabeth will try not to damage any of his belongings. He’s collected his clutter over the course of centuries and most of it has quite a lot of sentimental value. Not to mention, a lot of his favourite books are out of print now and would be rather difficult to replace if they got water-damaged or muddy.

- Benji -

Joe takes a good look around the inside of your flat, not being too obvious about it, and not going where it would not be reasonable to go.

Lizabeth looks after her own stuff, so you are fairly sure she will be careful with yours.

Some hours later it is time to think about meeting with Emma, and you get a message from her saying she is on her way. [ref]

Lizabeth has been happily tinkering with her —mostly worthless (to your eyes, at least)— finds, and is thinking about heading to bed.

What do you do?

Benji spends the remainder of the afternoon and early evening reading Under a Blood Red Moon while Lizabeth scrubs the mud and rust off her latest find in the bathtub. He’d spotted a few copies of Emma’s novel in Jacob’s bookshop when he stopped by this morning, and he figured Jacob wouldn’t mind if he borrowed one.

Upon receiving Emma’s text, Benji marks his page, sets the book aside, and hops to his feet. "I’m off to go see a friend with Emma," he tells Lizabeth. "I’ll be back later, but I’ll try not to wake you."

He takes his violin and his umbrella with him, thinking that he might pay a visit to Still Water and Lord Byron later, like he’d originally planned to do with Jacob.

He waits for Emma on the corner outside his apartment where he met up with her earlier, waving enthusiastically at her car as soon as he sees it approaching.

Benji grins, amused by Emma’s concern that it might be ‘too late’ for him. "Not at all. If anything, it was a mite early when you came by this afternoon."

He gives Emma directions to Miriam’s flat on the South Bank, before telling her about his afternoon. "I’ve been very well, thank you, although I did discover that I’m being spied on, which has been a little disconcerting, to say the least. Speaking of… we’re probably being followed right now, just so you know, although I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I think they’re mostly harmless for the time being. Oh, and I’ve started reading your book! Anyway, how have you been?"