14 New Love at Dover 4

Nichole responded to Daniel's greetings too and Daniel replied facing Olivia.

“I'm fine. And you?”

“I'm fine, my Page Boy. Daniel, can you tell me the work of a Page Boy at a wedding?”

Daniel gave a response that can only be imagined by a child.

“A Page Boy writes on the pages of the wedding.”

The family burst into ecstatic laughter. Daniel was unfazed. He had said his mind and he continued to make his request.

“What of Uncle Denise? I would love to see him.”

Freya, who had not made a comment since she walked in, declared.

“Olivia, get dressed, let us pay Denise a surprise visit.”

“Wow! That would be good.”

She said as she walked to the guest room to dress up. She remembered the words of the cab driver that took her home that dreadful night and said.

“Thank God that a better door had opened for my good.”

Nichole informed Freya.

“I learned that Louis is around.”

“Wow! That is good. Where is he, please?”

“He is at Denise's place.”

Freya screamed.

“Hurry, Angel, you are going to meet someone special, your husband's brother and friend.”

In a twinkling of an eye, they all set out to pay Denise and Louis a surprise visit.

On The Way To The Bailey Native Home

Denise asked Louis a question to liven the unusual quiet atmosphere in the car.

“Louis.”

He called out to him as he focused his attention on the road.

“Yes, Denise.”

He responded without looking away from the road.

“Is father aware that you are in Dover?”

Louis, who was behind the wheels, turned and looked at him when he did not respond and repeated his question after calling out his name.

“What's up, Louis? You seemed distance.”

Louis recollected himself and asked.

“Sorry, please. What was your question?”

“I asked if father was aware of your trip to Dover?”

“Yes. He is aware. I spoke with him last night.”

“It is okay.”

To keep him cheerful, he asked a question that might interest him.

“Remind me again, what time is your flight tomorrow?”

“9 am.”

He said absent-mindedly while they continued their drive to the Bailey Native Home in silence. Arthur, a fifty-eight years old widower who lost his wife thirteen years ago. He was Louis’s father, Denise’s uncle and the younger brother to Denise’s late father who died seven years ago. He took over as the head of the entire Bailey's family after Denise's father demise. Louis had informed him that he would see him that day after seeing Denise and his fiancée. He was not aware that he would have to go to the Native Home to see Denise's fiancée.

The drive from the urban Dover to the countryside was forty minutes. But at rush hours like that day, it may take about one hour to get there. They got to the Bailey Native Home after one hour and parked at Nichole's Apartment. Louis became excited again, to the surprise of Denise, who pointed out.

“Wow! You are so excited to see your sister-in-law.”

Louis chuckled and responded.

“Yes. I am. One day, I will introduce mine to you.”

“Oh! That will be nice, and I am sure it will be very soon.”

“Sure.”

They walked happily to Nichole's Apartment. They had no doubt that they would meet her at home because her car was parked in the car park. The janitor opened the door for them, and they got in before he greeted.

“Welcome, Young Masters Bailey. Good to see you.”

“Feel at home. Louis.”

Denise said as he walked towards the guest room to fetch Olivia.

“All right.”

Louis responded as he took his seat. To their chagrin, the thirty-year-old janitor who thought that there was a change of plan announced.

“They are off to your house.”

The bewildered Denise stopped in his track, turned and gave the janitor an angry look and inquired.

“Why did you let us into the house when you knew they were nor around?”

Louis shook his head in disappointment and consoled Denise.

“Denise, let's see my father. Mother and your fiancée may be on their way back.”

Denise ignored Mr. Louis's suggestion and asked the janitor.

“How come her car is in the garage?”

“Mrs. Anderson was around. They left with her car?”

Louis became excited when he heard Freya's name.

“Big sister Freya is around too. Denise, let us see father quickly and go back to your house. This is an opportunity to meet her, too.”

Denise quietly left with Louis, who was already walking out to see Arthur. Fortunately, they met him on the veranda of Nichole's Apartment. He came to meet them when he saw them drive in, and they walked back to his apartment.

At Denise's House.

Mrs. Freya Bailey Anderson drove into the compound after the security guard had opened the gate for her with excitement. The heavy traffic had hindered their movement, but they scaled through. They were happy when they saw Denise's car parked in the garage. Olivia, who was seated in the passenger's seat, was the first to open her door, followed by Freya. John walked up to them and greeted.

“Welcome everyone. Sorry, Mrs. Anderson, the boss is not at home.”

“Oh! Where could they have gone to?”

By the security guard's judgement, his triangular life boss can only be at his Godfather's house since he was not at his mother's and sister's house, he should be at his Godfather's house.

“They must have gone to his Godfather's house.”

“That's good. Olivia, get in. We will catch up with them there.”

They drove off to the Godfather's house at once.

“Daniel, hope you are not too tired?”

Olivia asked after she got back into the car.

“Nope. I'm not. I want to see Uncle Denise.”

“That's good.” They drove off and headed to Mr. Fields' residence, which was another one-hour drive just to pull a surprise.

At Arthur's Apartment.

The two walked back to Arthur's apartment after they greeted.

“Take your seats, please.”

“Thank you father.”

The young men appreciated as they took their seats.

“You are welcome. Louis. When did you arrive in Dover?”

“This morning, father. I can see you are good.”

Louis said as he walked to the kitchen to get tea for them. He arrived with a tray of three cups of tea, and they settled down to talk. Arthur spoke.

“Yes, I'm good. What time is your flight to Cairo tomorrow?”

“9 am, father.”

“Did you watch the news this afternoon?”

“What news, father?”

He asked as he kept his tea cup on the saucer.

“I think the schedule had changed. The only and last flight for the next seven days will be by 8 am.”

Denise sipped his tea and asked while Louis endeavored to contact his booking officer.

“Why, father?”

“The news says there were circumstances beyond their control.”

Louis and Denise exchanged glances. Louis decided to check his mailbox. To his dismay, his booking officer had informed him via email that his flight had been rescheduled for 8 am. The message actually came before lunch, which was when he was crying in the bedroom. He announced.

“You are right, father. I got a mail to that effect earlier today.”

“That is good.”

Denise, who was worried about the change of plan, asked.

“What do you intend to do?”

“I will have to return to Sevenoaks immediately. We should be on our way back to your house at once.”

They sipped their tea and stood up to give their father hugs. And announced.

“We shall be on our way, father.”

“It is all right. Be careful Louis. Denise, how is Angel?”

“All right father. I will. You will get my call when I land.”

Louis assured his father.

“Angel is fine. We will talk later, father.”

“It is all right. Safe trip, Louis.”