By fair means or foul

At the request of some of my most loyal readers, here is the sequel of “The Alleged Vaticine”. Enjoy!

Isha and Erwin get engaged and their parents throw a huge party to celebrate the joyous event. Among the guests are Bernard & Catherine (with their boy, Sebastian); Paul & Sophia; Elaine & Christian.

Elaine approaches Gillian and Aleph (the Druid, Isha’s father):
- You finally did it, Gillian…congratulations! – exclaims Elaine.
- [Gillian laughs out loud] no, I didn’t do anything! God brought these two together! – Replies a stunning Gillian clad in a silk blue marine gown.
- Elaine, I was commenting with Gillian how lovely you look! Pregnancy becomes you! – says the grey eyed Druid.
- Aleph...I had completely forgotten how impossible it is to be near both of you [glancing at Christian]...I still haven’t told him!
- He’ll be exhilarated; dear...he loves children so much! – answers Gillian.
- Yes, he does [Elaine smiles tenderly]. Anyway, I need a favour, Gill!
The High Priestess nods and, with her hand, she suggests Elaine that they should talk later on.

Two days later...
Constance observes Isha playing with Sebastian, in the garden «She will be a terrific mother. She is good with children» Catherine puts down the report she’s reading and joins Constance by the window «Indeed, she is. Seb never smiles at anybody...now look at him: he is all happy and smiley!» ...
Meanwhile, Elaine and Sophia take a walk together towards the lake...«Sophia, darling...[“Yes, Elaine!”] do you still have the same sapphic hobby as before?» Sophia stops; looks at the birds in the trees, at the bees in the beehives and replies «Don’t tell me that you are interested in participating in a session [Elaine scares some birds off with her laughter, “No, darling; It’s not for me!”]...oh, what a pity! Nevertheless, to answer your question: yes, every now and then I yield to my concupiscent sapphic delight» Elaine smirks and says «There is someone I’d like you to entrap. But first I must obtain a confirmation from Gillian!» «Sure...Next week, I’ll be at an Opus Dei convention, or whatever they call their gatherings, with Paul...but after that, I’ll be entirely free to have fun!» Elaine puts her arms around Sophia and contently exclaims «Smashing!»...

Bernard, Christian, Erwin and Paul walk around the estate, with a fowling-piece in their arms and accompanied by hounds, pretending to hunt. Paul stops to light his ciggy, frowns and turning to Christian asks «Did you know that I met your father-in-law last week? I nearly asked him how I could get together with those twins of his!» Christian chuckles, nods and while looking up to spot a pheasant, he replies «Yes, Paul...he told me that you had met! About the twins...they are quite deadly, you know? How’s Julie?» Bernard starts laughing, Erwin asks «Who’s Julie?» Paul blushes and replies «More beautiful then ever [“Who’s Julie?” repeats Erwin], thanks for asking» Christian finally spots a pheasant, aims at it and shots it down «Paul, really...forget the twins!» Paul looks at Bernard «Oh no...Don’t tell me that they’re your afternoon snack, Chris!» Bernard laughs even harder; Erwin adds «If we’re talking about THE twins...Paul, forget it!» Christian retrieves the pheasant off a hound’s mouth and says «Paul, I didn’t want to say this but...the twins play in the same team as your wife...so, forget about it!»...

Gillian calls Elaine and informs her that Isha will be more than glad to help her.

In the meantime, Isha is in her room meditating...suddenly she beholds the following scene:
A man flirting with a set of twins...he follows one of them...they kiss...she shoots him...she and her sister drag him into a closet...he wakes up...he is in Paris...the twin is with him...he hands her an envelope with photos inside...[Isha hears] “Buonfiglio is alive! Tell her!”.

She opens her eyes, gets up and walks up to Gillian’s room. Constance calls Elaine and Christian to inform them. Elaine then leaves the room and convenes with Sophie, who agrees to entrap the twins. Christian speaks to Bernard and Erwin: they are to hunt Buonfiglio down. Paul tells Christian that he received a phone call informing him that Buonfiglio is asking help to the Opus Dei, and in exchange he’ll provide them the recipe «But he doesn’t have it! We do!» responds Elaine...they all look at each other...this would be easier than they thought...Buonfiglio is coming their way...let the game begin!

Next Episode: The Rendez-Vous

Image: Still life with dead pheasant & hunting bag by Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin