“What’ll you have?” asked LJS.
“Just a mineral water” said Bobble primly.
LJS glanced at the crowd around the bar and then looked again. “Hey” he said to Bobble “isn’t that Norah Splogg behind the bar?”
“Norah Splogg, Nobel prize winning astrophysicist and best-selling author, pulling pints, I hardly think so” said Bobble sarcastically.
“No need to be sarky” said LJS “perhaps she’s doing deep cover, I heard she worked for the NHS to get material for ‘Alan and the Coconut God'”.
“Really, do you think so?” Bobble was excited despite herself, she loved Norah Splogg and it was so thrilling to think that she might be here in this very room.
Up at the bar, Norah was pulling a pint and reflecting bitterly that the lab coat look which employees in the Valley favoured was not one which was flattering even on a good hair day. LJS sidled up.
“Hello Norah” he said “pun in the oven?”***
Norah looked at him frostily.
“Is that a pun in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?” he smiled hopefully.
“Hot cross pun?” he ventured
Norah looked up from beneath her mop of perfect dark hair. So this was LJS.. She wondered what Heather needed him for. When Heather had called her in to help in relation to his abduction, she had been annoyed. She had just signed up to do some interesting work at NASA and her publishers were putting her under pressure for her next book. She didn’t have time for HJB’s intrigues. But Heather wasn’t in the mood to take no for an answer and Norah knew that she owed Heather. Also the financial incentive Heather offered was not inconsiderable. When Norah had been a poor grad student, she and Heather had worked together on a number of shady deals. Norah was going straight now but she wasn’t so sure about Heather. Sure, it looked good, Heather had her private trust fund and didn’t need to do anything illegal. But Norah suspected that HJB liked the danger and excitement.
Meanwhile, back in the snug, Bobble was thinking fast. HJB had said that she would have help in carrying out the op; she had, however, refused to say what form that help would take. Bobble remembered having seen a picture of HJB and Norah Splogg together in Vogue, years ago. Could they be friends? Could Norah Splogg possibly be Bobble’s accomplice?
****Author’s note: puns supplied by Mr. Waffle, don’t blame me. Norah, Mr. Waffle has asked me to assure you that this does not imply you are or ever were fat. He also suggests that I add the following: any person who alleges that he or she, his or her heirs, executors or assigns, sevants or agents have in any way been depicted in a manner which is unfair, prejudicial or otherwise, should note this EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY (not valid in Hawaii or in Vermont) and should seek legal advice before reading further. Please tick box to confirm that you have read and agreed to the terms and conditions written in invisible ink and which may be varied at any time without notice at the discretion of the author.
on 07 October 2004 at 23:07
I thought this entry seemed slightly more classy than the others – obviously the good influence of Mr Waffle. I certainly hope to see more of his work.
(And what libellous words did LGM use that caused her comments to be deleted?) 
on 08 October 2004 at 00:23
I think Norah is a blonde Mrs Waffle, I’m the brunette. A class effort all round, although I fear I’m sounding quite nasty to LJS. I must owe HJB big time ;o)
on 08 October 2004 at 11:14
Silver, dunno what LGM said, wasn’t me deleted and I don’t know what a moderator is doing prowling around. LGM, thank you for sweetie and tweren’t me deleted. Bobble, she may have dyed her hair, disguise and all that. HJB, I know, what I’d like to know is what is the real source of the undoubted luxury in which you are um luxuriating….
on 08 October 2004 at 19:36
Yet another female that has something against LJS. (and no, I don’t mean her body). He started off quite suave, where are the conquests?
on 11 October 2004 at 13:23
It was the sweaty tee-shirt that ruined it for me, loco. Given a bit of a wash and brush-up, I’m sure we could all be tempted.
Ahem.
on 11 October 2004 at 13:38
I see the elusive pog will be rejoining us for the next update.
on 11 October 2004 at 15:14
I see you more as the glamour girl scientist – young, good-looking, feisty, and wears glasses. You’ll probably have to defuse a bomb at some stage Pog and get sweat patches under your arms.
on 11 October 2004 at 15:17
Oh dear. I was kicked out of both physics and chemistry classes quite early in my school life, silver. Physics because I kept breaking things, and chemisty because they feared I might kill myself – and possibly everyone else in the class.
I have, however, defused dozens of bombs in my time.
(Only part of this comment is true.)
on 11 October 2004 at 15:32
I think you’ll find that you were kicked out because the tgeachers were jealous of the manner in which you combined superior technical know-how with a green skimpy combat vest.
on 11 October 2004 at 16:09
Serves them right. Hanging about on street corners looking for people to bite. Pests.
on 11 October 2004 at 16:10
*splutters at besmirching of good image*
If Silver did look like Angel… but I am sick… what do I know.
