Theodore takes a deep breath. He unbuckles his seatbelt and climbs out of his car. He lets himself in using the spare key, hidden under the door-mat. As he walks into the front room, he clearly hears a voice echoing down the passage.
“She has accepted the offer so make sure the cheque is delivered no later than tomorrow morning, Sir.” Alegra says into the phone.
The voice does not sound like an old woman’s. It sounds… young. Theodore tries to back away, and the floor creaks under his shoe.
Alegra stiffens suddenly, completely alert. She grabs hold of her gun that is strapped to her thigh, but keeps it hidden under the blanket. She immediately changes the conversation.
“Thank you, Mr. Selfridge, I appreciate it and shall see you tomorrow. Don’t forget to bring the cheque. Okay sweetie, goodbye, now.”
Theodore walks into the sitting room where he sees an elderly woman in a wheelchair.
Oh my God… The man is gorgeous! Her heart starts pounding in her chest. Little drops of sweat start forming on her forehead, under the curly grey wig.
Keep it together Stark, you are Florence Clementine.
“Hello sweetie, you must be Edna’s son. My name is, uh, Florence. What a pleasure to meet you, dear boy.” She tries to give a frail smile and curses the fact that she cannot flirt with this man.
“Yes, hi, I’m Theodore,”
After a few awkward seconds of staring, Theodore gains the courage and opens his mouth, “What exactly are you expecting from my mother? How can an elderly woman take care of you in any way?”
Alegra wonders if Theodore heard her phone call. But, it is too risky to compromise her disguise, so she says in a ready voice, “Well, sweetie, we are both old and I personally think that we can both benefit from this. Your mother gets money for her charity and I get the support and care that I need. We’re going to be partners in crime.” Alegra gives an awkward giggle.
“Okay.” He clears his throat awkwardly. “I’m going to go and find my mom.”
“Okay, sweetie, bye.”
Theodore got the impression that she was checking out his butt as he walked out of the room. Sies, that was too weird.
*****
***Tell us what you think: We learned that ‘Florence’ is not an authentic gogo but rather an Agent working undercover, do you think Theodore sees right through her?