One evening over drinks with Robbie and James, she fumed about the latest rumor. "I overheard one of the techs in the lab say, 'And doesn't she also go out with Peterson?' He didn't know the door was ajar and I was about to walk in. So I waited a few moments before entering. What would I have said? Or should have said?"
Robbie looked uncomfortable, but James weighed in.
"It's clear you're not keeping things private. So maybe it's time to do something that proves the rumors right or wrong."
"Hm?
"You could announce your relationship on Facebook."
Blank looks from Robbie and Laura.
"You don't do social media? James said knowing full well neither did. Well, then, do something public in Oxford - make people take notice."
"James, we are seen in public, Laura pointed out. We went to an exhibit at the Ashmolean and we like to walk around town or by the water."
"Ah, that's the problem - if you're seen, it's by a very small number of people."
"And we frequently go out for a meal or drinks."
"Yes, but you've be doing that for years."
"So you think we need a 'coming out' party?" Laura asked.
"Possibly or do something outrageous in Oxford - make love on the High at noon. Or take to Twitter to announce your, um, relationship, under hashtag "rumpy-pumpy."
"Enough, James" said Robbie a bit sharply.
James smirked but Laura got the point.
"Maybe we should attend some big bash together something like that?"
It was Robbie who found the opening they needed. "Did you see that Eddie Williams is retiring, and there's some type of do for him in a few weeks? Emails went out last week."
"Not as much fun as my idea about the High," said James, "but that party could be what you're looking for."
"Yes, that's it, Robbie, Laura added. You and I walk in together, spend most of the evening together, and, most importantly, we leave together."
"Do I have to kiss you while we're there?"
"And does that bother you?"
Robbie scowled as he tried to suppress a smile. "No, just not in public."
James guffawed remembering how he and Innocent had first learned Robbie and Laura had finally gotten together.
"No, we don't have to kiss in public, if that's so odious to you... Laura said grinning. But we could hold hands. The important thing is we enter and go home together."
Robbie relaxed. "Val and I were friends with Eddie and his wife, Kate. In fact, Kate and Val were very close for a few years when our sons were in school together. So, I was going to ask you if you wanted to go to the party with me."
James broke in, "You mean me, sir?"
Laura rolled her eyes. "Yes, Robbie, I'd like to. James, will you be there, too? Do we need to worry about rumors of m nage- -trois?"
"If I go, I promise I will not hold your hands or leave with you."
"Enough, James."