By Madeline Morphew
Chapter 2: Lots of Questions and Very Few Answers
Angelica hobbled in, one step at a time. Captain Haddock and TinTin still showed surprise on their faces for a few seconds before TinTin said, “Here, let me take your bag.”
Angelina smiled at TinTin, “Thank you! I’ve wanted to get rid this crazy bag all day!” She let go of it and gratefully handed it to TinTin. Once they were inside Nestor shut the door, took the bag, and went back to his household duties. Noticing she still had her coat on, the Captain said, “Let me take your coat.”
Angelica looked up with a raised eyebrow, but replied, “Okay…” She shrugged off her jacket and handed it to Captain Haddock. He took the long brown coat and hung it onto the coat hanger. TinTin took a look at her outfit.
Angelica wore back pilots’ pants with black boots at the bottom; she wore a red sweater along with a scarf. Her blonde hair was tucked underneath a golfer’s hat; a few loose locks caressed her shoulder.
Captain Haddock grinned slightly at TinTin’s star struck look before saying, “Welcome to Marlinspike Hall, Miss Angelica.”
She turned in a full circle taking in the view for the first time. The marble floors, the elegant staircase leading up to the second floor, the huge wooden doors leading to the living and dining room, and the glimmering chandler that hung above their heads.
“Wow! You have a gorgeous place Mr. Haddock.” Angelica said in wonder as she looked at one of the grandfather clocks that chimed.
“Please, call me Captain, Madam.” Captain Haddock replied.
Angelica smiled warmly back, “You don’t have to call me Madam. Call me Angel if you like; at least that’s what Father calls me.”
TinTin grinned as he asked, “Why don’t we talk in the living room? We can get Nestor to brew us some tea.”
“That would be nice.” Angelica replied as she followed the two males into the welcoming room.
Five minutes later they sat across from each other looking intently.
Angelica sat comfy in her seat, she still held her cane in her hand as she twirled it slightly. She grinned as she asked, “So… Since I most likely will be here for a while, tell me about yourselves. What do you do for a living?”
By this time Nestor walked in with a silver tray of tea. He quietly set it onto the table and turned to Angelica, “I’ll have your luggage brought up to your room miss.”
“Thank you… uh… What’s your name sir? I didn’t catch it.”
“Nestor, madam.”
“Well then thank you sir Nestor.” Angelica said smiling.
“It’s just Nestor, Madame.” He replied, shaking his head.
Angelica raised an eyebrow as she asked as if she was on a Sunday stroll, “Nestor, are you human?”
Nestor glanced around the room in confusion, his face already starting to flush, “Yesss Madame.”
Angelica shifted in her seat, “Now are they human?” She asked pointing to TinTin and Captain Haddock with her cane.
“Yes Madame.”
“Am I human?”
“Yes Madame.”
“Well then, you have as much right to be called sir as anyone else on this world of ours wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes Madame.” He replied, a faint grin on his face.
“Great. Thanks again for the tea.” She said as he left. “Now then…” She stated snapping back to the present, “You haven’t quite answered my question. What do you do for a living?”
“Well I’m a reporter but more of a detective, and my friend Captain Haddock, comes along with me on our adventures. He’s a retired sea captain.”
“Really?” she asked curiously, “That must be fun traveling around the world all the time.”
He grinned, “Yes it is. What do you do? Do you have a job?” TinTin asked, curiosity brewing.
“Well… I do work as a detective also, but I live in America. I’m quite famous there.” Angelica explained as she sipped her tea.
TinTin thought he was about to have a heart attack on the spot. “Really? That’s amazing! I didn’t know that you did that.”
“I don’t really speak about it much, but it’s my passion.” She grinned as she took a small cookie from the platter, nibbling on the edge.
“You said you’re from America?” Captain Haddock pondered, confusion mingled in his voice.
“Yes… Yes, I am.” She replied nervously.
“How exactly did you end up in Belgium?” TinTin asked.
“My dad gave me plane tickets, but when I got here, my cab driver forgot about me. So, I walked the rest of the way.”
Captain stared in surprise, “What? But how could you get here with your-.”
TinTin kicked the Captain in the leg, shooting him a look.
“Ouch!” He exclaimed as he rubbed the smarted spot. His face flushed red in realization with what had he’d started to say. “Angel, forgive me I-.”
To his surprise she started to laugh, “It’s alright Captain. I get stuff like that all the time. I find no shame in it.” She smiled warmly at him.
The door creaked slowly open to reveal a white furry head. Snowy!
“Woah! Woah!” he barked happily as he rushed in. He panted excitedly in front of Angelica before landing in her lap.
“Why who might this be?” Angelica asked as he licked her on the nose, she patted his head gently back.
“That’s Snowy,” TinTin chuckled. “Don’t worry he’s a sweetheart.” TinTin said smiling. Snowy cocked his head while wagging his stub of his tail at the sound of his name.
Suddenly, a loud boom thundered through the room, so hard and loud it made their teeth clash. Angelica jumped and looked around in surprise and slight fear. “Jiminy Cricket! What on earth was that?!”
Captain groaned deeply as he pinched the bridge of his nose, “That would be none other than Professor Calculus…”
TO BE CONTINUED…

Read Chapter 1