My fingers shake as I type the number from the letter into my phone.I realize too late to do anything about it that it’s almost midnight and people with good work-life balance, especially Europeans, might not answer their phones after hours, but I can’t stop myself any more than I can resist getting a side order of fries whenever it’s a possibility.
But someone answers the phone, although he does sound tired.“Hello.This is David Maynard.”
“Uh, hi.Sorry about the late hour, I just received your letter.This is Meera Chopra.”
“Dr.Chopra, so lovely to hear from you!Please, don’t worry about the time at all.”Now the voice sounds alert.
“I was surprised to get the letter.What is this about?”A very delayed self-preservation instinct finally rears its head, pushing me to get some information before I cheerfully hop into the windowless van full of my personal catnip.
“I can’t go into the details over the phone.There are things I need to show you and give you.”
“Right.But I don’t know you.And I don’t know what the Trust would want with me.I have no connection to it.”Well, not one that I can explain to you.Not one you would believe.
“That’s fair.I have a very specific set of instructions and can only request fervently that you visit the house.We can make all the arrangements for you and send a car.It will all make sense at Alston Hall.”
Mysterious.And since it’s in my job and nature to be curious, I’m going to make the irresponsible choice.“Can I bring a friend?”I do have a little self-preservation.Not enough to not go, but still, it exists.
“Yes, of course.I’m not trying to kidnap you.”
“Haha.”He gets a forced laugh.“I would never think that.”Or at least I would never tell you I thought about it.“Let me check with my friend if he’s available and then I’ll give you an answer?”Frankly, I’m going regardless, but I will not be letting them make my travel plans if I’m going alone.
“Splendid.Please call or text when you know, and I can arrange everything.”
“Will do.Thanks.”I end the call, then stare at the phone for a little bit longer.Then I make another call.
* * *
“Why did they call you again?”Luis asks me the next morning, too bright and too early, as we wait outside the hotel for a car to pick us up and whisk us away to Alston Hall.
“They were sparse on the details.”So sparse they provided no details.“What if they read something I did and want me to look at their archives?The family did have an Indian member, and subsequent part-Indian members and I am an expert in the field.”Probably because there’s so few of us studying it.
“We’re heading into the English countryside, in a car driven by a stranger, and we don’t know why exactly?”
“Yes.Where’s your sense of adventure?”And this is Leo’s house.I would never say no to Leo’s house, no matter how sketchy the invitation.
“I’m a historian.The only adventures I like are the ones I can read about.”
“Then this will be good for us.Give us a better perspective on the adventurers that we study.”
“It’s a good thing I scheduled some extra time in England.”Luis gives me a look that suggests he isn’t swayed by my arguments, but he’s going so I don’t go alone.And because he wants a free ride to get closer to his boyfriend at Cambridge.But I need him to stop asking questions, because I can’t explain to him why this particular invitation isn’t as random as it seems.
“Thank you.You’re my favorite and this will be reflected in your Christmas present this year.”
A sleek car pulls up to the hotel, and the driver gets out.“Dr.Chopra?”he asks.
“Yes.That’s me.”
He reaches for my bag.“Mr.Maynard is meeting us at the estate, and I will take you to the hotel near the house to drop your things off and freshen up if you would like.Then it’ll be on to the house.”
“Sounds good.”
The driver puts our luggage into the trunk as we get comfortable.Soft leather seats greet us, with drinks in a cooler and a host of buttons letting me know I can control every part of my experience in this car, from the lighting to the temperature of the seats.
“Explain to meagainwhat’s happening right now.”None of the excess has escaped Luis’s attention.
“I’m getting your trip to the English countryside paid for, along with a night in a fancy hotel with a many-starred restaurant you can enjoy with your boyfriend.Because of my wonderful historian powers.”
“Those aren’t a real thing.But I can’t argue with these snacks.”He rummages in a box on the floor, getting out some salt and vinegar chips.Thankfully, the chips stop the questions that I can’t answer.
