by Londonchap
I'm simply enthralled with the build-up here. Dr. Stone, I do believe, is about to eat some serious crow!
You threw me with the word "termagant". Even though I have a strong vocabulary, I don't recall seeing that word before. So I looked it up the "old fashioned way" in a BOOK dictionary, instead of an internet dictionary. Of course, the meaning of the word was "generally understandable" from its usage in context. I enjoyed the detailed way everyone debated with Laura, although at the time I had a hard time remembering which female fitted each name. Nice suspense you have building here - hopefully Laura's "confrontation" with Elspeth will give a final closing to the "Laura factor" - whether she will be "captured" or will be allowed to go free and cause considerable problems for James and everyone else in the future.