Chapter Seven

Day Seven, False Start

It was well after breakfast when Oscar called a meeting in the main room of the house. The news was that their first real job for the Artifact was cancelled and that they all had the rest of the day off. Oscar asked them what they all wanted to do, Anna said that she was off shopping then if she was not required and Dona asked if she could go with her. Anna said that sounded good and they went off to get ready.

The four boys had nothing they wanted to do but Oscar said that he was off home and would be back early in the morning. James thought that it was a very good idea and also decided that he would be off for the day as well. That left Ray and Terry, who decided that they would probably just sit about and do nothing.

Oscar and James were soon ready and got taxies, promising that they would be back first thing in the morning. It took a bit longer for the girls to get sorted but eventually, they were reddy, they said that they may be quite a long time and not to worry about them at all. They were going shopping, in London with maybe a meal afterwords, Ray told them to enjoy themselves and not to worry, they would see them when they got back.

That left Ray and Terry, who had absolutely no idea what they were going to do today and spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon just messing about the house. Eventually Terry said that if the rest were out for the day then why didn't they go out. Ray didn't have to think long and asked were they were going to go. Terry wanted to go and fined a pub with a TV to watch England play Scotland at football and Ray thought that it was a very good idea.

Ray realised that he had forgotten about almost everything, he was concentrating that hard on what was going on with the Artifact. The football, he had forgotten all about, was just the thing he needed to get back to normal for a while and with Terry's company, it sounded very good indeed. Terry suggested that they got a taxi not too far from where they where and they could have a nice meal then move on to a very nice pub to see the match.

Ray agreed then texted Dona to let her know where they were going and that they may be late getting back. Dona sent a text back to say not to worry, that her and Anna were having such a good time and may be very late getting back as well. Ray texted her back to say that it was about time they had a good time away from the Atrifact again and he would see her when they got back.

By the time they got a taxi it was about four but it was only a couple of miles to the place that Terry had picked out for the night. The restaurant Terry had picked out was just down the street from a corner pub with the match on and even though it was still early it was open. Ray was surprised and pleased to find that Terry had picked out an Indian restaurant to eat in. As they went in Terry mentioned to Ray that he hoped he had his credit card with him as he was paying. Ray laughed, of course he had the card with him how else was he going to pay.

They knew Terry in the Indian, he used it quite often and they were given a seat in the window. Terry took charge and ordered two Tiger beers to have while they looked through the menu. They had plenty of time before the football so they thought they may as well have the full monty.

For starters they both had the Mixed Starter, a couple of bhajis with a Seekh Kabab and salad. Next for the main they both went their different ways, Ray had the Lamb Dopiaza with Mushroom Pilau Rice and a Keema Naan, while Terry had, Chicken Rogan Josh with Onion Pilau Rice and a Garlic Naan. They also had another Tiger beer each while they were at it. As for the desserts, they both declined as they were full, so Ray just paid for what they had eaten and drunk.

In the pub there were a couple of beers Ray had not had before, so as well as the football, there were other things he had to do. There was still a couple of hour to go before the match but they were enjoying there time together immensely. In central London Dona was also experiencing something very similar to Ray. She was bonding very well with Anna and after their shopping they had moved on to a rather nice restaurant for their evening meal. Dona phoned Ray to ask how it was going, he said that it was all going rather well, he would see her later that night and to have a great time.

Ray discovered that it was a Young's pub and even though he'd had many Young's beers before, he did not remember being in one of their pubs anywhere, maybe he was wrong. On draught they had Bitter, London Gold, Special, Banana Bread Beer also, bottles from different brewers like Vedett and Camden Wheat Beer. He was in for a good very good night indeed and started them off with the Young's Bitter.

They got settled in a seat with a good view of the TV and began a very good nigh, going through most of the beers. When the football started and it was a bit rowdy with a few Scottish people in the pub. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain nodded home the first in the first half and in the second half, Rooney did well to send an eight-yard header into the corner of the net. The jocks had become quiet by now but then Robertson for them tucked the ball home low at the near post, this got the jocks worked up but soon afterwards any hopes of a famous comeback were gone when Rooney slammed home from six yards out. So with England beating Scotland 3 - 1 it was a very good night out. They called for the car and it wasn't that long after the final whistle, it arrived to take them back to the house.

When they got there Dona and Anna had just arrived back and after a good talk about the day, they made their way to bed. Ray asked Dona if she thought that Anna was genuine and that they weren't just looking after them a bit like body guards. Dona said that she didn't think so as it didn't seem like that to her. Ray said the same but he was going to check with Oscar in the morning.