[PRP] Better Safe than Sorry

[PandaLily]

Better Safe than Sorry
featuring Deborah Griffith and Robert Fieford
location Outside of the Griffith Estate in London

The days were getting colder as the moons progressed. Soon maybe snow would grace the humans in happier ways than that of stormy rainfall. Although the sky was still coated with smog and grey, but the people still seemed to continue in their busy lives; it was a phenomenon that Roy had not bothered to wonder why. He would have much preferred to be at the office library, in the warm isolated hallways, organizing all the films accordingly. That would be the absolute life.

But today, that was not the case. He has received call that a wealthy young lady had requested his assistance with a lock. In his hand, a case for all his tools as well as an ornate but heavy and sturdy lock and matching key. Travelling through the streets by foot, he hoped to reach there before midday, finish up and wander back before sundown. It was but morning and he was already digging his face into the collar of his coat.

Upon arriving to the estate, it was not an easy task to miss. He adjusted his glasses with the back of his hand, his green eyes wandered. A doorbell or some kind of way to indicate his arrival was his main goal of the moment. Was there a butler? A doorbell? His eyes wandered as he stood, not knowing what to do if no one had seen him approach the gates.

“Hello?” He voiced, but not loud enough to cause a scene.  

[PandaLily]

Roy waited what felt like mere seconds as an elderly man approached from the other side and spoke out to him. He gave a smile and a nod before the butler was cut off by a young lady with a head of blonde hair. He watched her for a while through his glasses frames before speaking. It had taken him a few seconds for his brain to process her words. "Good day to you. Yes, I am the locksmith." He voiced with a tip of his head downwards. It had been a while since he had heard his last name spoken that he nearly forgot the sound of the letters together. "You must be Miss Griffith, I presume?" Hopefully he had not made a mistake with the honorific if she had been married.

He had half expected a lady of more years or at the very least her parents were the ones who would have called him. Nevertheless, a patron referred by a frequent regular was a patron regardless of age. “How can I be of service today?” He questioned the girl as he would have with any one of his patrons. He quite liked the thought of order made locks. The mechanisms would be made prior, but the ornate details put into the casing and shackle made him hope that his vision matched to that of the patron.

 

[PandaLily]

After he bobbed his head slightly in response to her curtsy, he followed her as she talked, occasionally giving a small nod and 'mhm's. He walked between the young lady and her maid. He turned once or twice to acknowledge the maid’s words about her mistress. "It is quite a good trait to have though; that kind of leadership." He responded with a soft chuckle as the party started to approach the stables.

Robert looked around at the horses, their stomping didn’t bother him. However, the state of the carriage did. For such a prestigious looking lady such as Deborah, he could not imagine how she could feel safe in such a thing. Even he wouldn’t have felt safe riding around in it! But he digressed from his thoughts. Anything could have happened in the crowded streets so this should not have surprised him. He simply replied, “Of course it is not a problem. Not at all.” He took a step closer, taking a look at the carriage door. “Do you have any preference to what kind of lock you wanted? One to match the style or perhaps something you had in mind?” He asked, seeing where he could fit a lock or if he would have to create a loop for one.