Chapter Text
Lucy knew that she was screwed. Her older sister, Rose, had sent her an invitation to her wedding. She looked at it in her hand for a while before she fully understood what would come with it. She had to go back to her hometown. Lucy had not been back up north since Mary had told her it looked like their grandpa was not going to be around for much longer. Even on that trip, she spent minimal time with her mum and avoided most of the town.
She could just ignore the invite. Claim it got lost in the mail, say a big case she could not miss came up, or even fake an injury. But then she thought of Mary. If Lucy were honest with herself, she did miss most of her sisters. Her brothers-in-law who were practically step in dads when she was younger. Then, finally, the faces of her neices and nephews (practically younger siblings) came to mind. She could not deny seeing their little faces again.
With a sigh, Lucy went to find Lockwood. She found him flipping through one of his magazines in the library.
"Hey, Lockwood."
"Hey, Luce." Lockwood smiles, "What's up?"
"One of my sisters is getting married, so I'll need to head back north for about a week in November."
"Of course, just write in on the big calendar on my desk. It's been a while since you've been back there, hasn't it?"
"I have mixed feelings about going back, but it just feels wrong to skip this."
"I'm guessing this is the first of you older sisters to get married?"
"No, third, the oldest two have several kids between them. The littles are part of the reason I talked myself into going to the wedding."
"Damn, I guess I didn't realize how big of an age gap there was between you and the oldest."
"It's not exactly come up before."
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A week before Lucy was due to leave, there was a knock on the front door. They were not expecting any clients today. Lockwood (the one that was actually dressed as Holly had the day off) opened the door to a frightened looking woman.
"I'm sorry that I don't have an appointment," The lady starts in a northern accent, similar to Lucy's. "But none of the other agencies would take me seriously, and I have a train the catch."
"Come on in, my associates should join us in a minute." Lockwood says with a smile while fighting off picking up the accent. He leads her to the living room as they enter, George is already waiting with a plate of biscuits on the table. "Now miss, you said you had a train to catch? Why can't your local agencies take care of the case?"
"They tried a few years ago. It ended up with all but one of the kids dying. After they tried to pin it all on that little girl, we've not trusted him with much more than a Shade."
"And where is this?"
"Cheviot Hills."
"Oh, ma'am, I'm not sure we can take on this case." Lockwood says as Lucy brings in the tray with tea.
"And why ever not?"
"Yes, that does sound out of character, Lockwood." Lucy says, getting the woman's attention.
"Oh! Lucy Carlyle, now I see why you don't want to take on the case."
"Mrs. Loafton?"
"Yes, dear, how have you been? You've matured beautifully."
"I've been pretty good here. What case did you bring?"
"Even after burning down and salting the old mill, there still seems to be some issues in the new building. But I do not expect you to go back there."
"I'm not too sure we could do anything about either. It sounds like your source is underground. Unless some of what was in the old building is in the new." George comments.
"Well, that's the issue. They're attached to some of the old equipment. Refuse to replace it until it's proven that it's the source. And given what happened last time, they're not letting Jacobs take care of it."
"It killed several agents, and they're still not willing to safely dispose and replace it?" Lockwood clarifies.
"Yes."
"Luce, I see why you left." Lockwood says.
"He doesn't know?"
"No, that's a lot to unpack, and none of it had been relevant until just now. Though it seems you know more than I thought you did."
"I always kept an eye out for you girls, especially after your father passed."
"You're the one that helped Charity and Jason speed up the wedding." Lucy realizes.
"Just don't tell your mother."
"Oh, trust me, I won't."
"Speaking of, are you going to Rosies wedding?"
"Yes."
"Could the whole team just go up that week? The lot of you all go, and Lucy decides when it comes to the actual case."
"I thought we all agreed not to make Luce go back."
"It's up to her about going in."
"I'm not letting them go in without me." Lucy says decisively. "I know you guys can hold your own, but this case needs a Listener."
"Fine, but under the stipulation that we can back out if any of us think we need to."
"Of course, after last time, I'd expect nothing less." Mrs. Loafton agrees.
"That's set. Now, what about means of payment and lodging."
"Payment through the city, and we'll set you up in the Black Swan hotel."
"Alright. I think we're all set. The lot of us will head up in just over a week."
"Perfect. Then I should be on my way."
"I'll walk you out." Lucy offers.
"Thank you, dear." As they get to the door, Mrs. Loafton adds. "You really do look much healthier, I can see it in your eyes."
"Yes, things here are much better. Thank you for not ignoring the signs and doing what you could for the seven of us. Chare getting married and moving out is the only thing that got me out of a toddler bed."
"I'm just happy you were able to get out and make a life for yourself, Lucy. Now I really do need to go. I'll see you in a week." Mrs Loafton says with a kiss to Lucy's cheek.