MIRIAM MEETS HER MATCH

Paul was now ready to return the hospitality extended to him when he first arrived at his new home. He consulted with Maria, and she assured him she was able to produce a fine feast for the Sinclair family if he invited them. So, Paul talked with Cynthia his now adopted substitute mother and she agreed the Sinclair’s would attend that evening for the housewarming party by the pool. It would be like old times shared with Grandpa Alex and she looked forward to renewing those visits again. Miriam put up an unexpected fuss about going that evening stating she’d not share a pool with naked men, and her mother scolded her. She knew her boys would never do such a thing in front of ladies and was equally convinced about Paul. Cynthia commanded her daughter to bring her bathers to the event that evening as she’d done in the past and she didn’t have to convince her sons as they knew that was the way things should be.

The evening was a great success, and Paul was overjoyed his neighbours had accepted his invitation. Maria’s cooking was well received and there were no leftovers at the end of the evening together. Even Miriam thawed out as the night progressed, and they all had fun in the pool just like old times when Alex was alive. In fact, Miriam was so happy she even asked if Paul was willing for her to come over next evening to talk about her studies. She desperately wanted to show Paul how smart she was and have him acknowledge that to feed her ego.

So next evening she arrived with her brothers who went immediately to the pool, and she sat around Paul’s computer set up in the study room while he demonstrated some of the programs he was working on. Paul had a series of robotics he was building and programming and she could see he was very advanced in his understanding of this science. She realized he was far ahead of her in his understanding of these things, and she was considered brighter than the rest of her class. But she was still fighting to admit he was far ahead of her and resolved to learn as much as she could from his experience.

“Where did you learn all of this Paul?”

They were interrupted by Melvin.

“Mind if I check out the stars Paul?”

Paul waved him to the other room where all the astronomy equipment was installed and turned back to Miriam.

“My father has had the latest technology in our house ever since I can remember in US where we lived when I was born and later as I reached my teens, then father took us back to Scotland where he’d been offered the job as chair of the department at St Andrews he kept upgrading equipment in our home. I’ve been working with computers since I was a child and was introduced to elementary programming from an early age in the home before I ever took my undergraduate work. My father was distant in nature and my mother too absorbed in her teaching work to be a mother but at least dad introduced me to the computing skills I’m developing, and I hope to move on to a masters in due course. But I’m having too much fun experimenting now with all the money uncle has left me to do that. If you are interested, you could join me in my experiments as it may help you in your own studies.”

Miriam smiled nervously. That innocent invitation sounded like some of the experiences she’d had with the boys in her class. She remembered a particular instance where she’d gone to study with one of her young men classmates and it was not study; he had in mind. She’d barely managed to escape his clutches and flee from the house. Only to have the humiliation of her classmates knowing all about it next day she got to school and having everyone laughing about the incident for some time afterward. But no doubt her brothers would be in the pool when she came over, and she had a powerful voice to summon them if things got out of hand. She shrugged.

“Depends on my study assignments. I’ll let you know. Do you keep in touch with your friends at St. Andrews?”

Paul laughed.

“I was a professor’s son so no one I could count as a friend there though I did attend all the class member functions and a few more. But really, I’m more interested in talking shop rather than attending those mindless functions.”

“Well, your girlfriend is probably missing you so when do we get to meet her?”

Paul studied her for a few minutes to try and figure out what Miriam was up to. Finally, he shrugged.

“I’ve been too busy concentrating on my studies and career so that was farthest from my mind.”

Miriam sat in thought while Paul fiddled with his computer and a robot sprang into action to their left. She spun around to watch it perform its instructions hastily keyed into the computer. Seems like this guy was safe and he obviously had things in his head she’d like to learn.

“OK Paul, I’ll take you up on that offer as like you I only have time for study right now and that reminds me I better get home and do my homework.”

Paul waved her off and heard her assembling her brothers to accompany her home to study.

The next evening Miriam arrived with her laptop in case there was anything she wanted to download as Paul worked, and she observed Paul eye the laptop suspiciously.

“What virus control program do you use as you’ll be using my modem to get online, I suppose.”

Paul took the laptop as she indicated the virus control program and with rapid movements on the keyboard checked out her computer. His movements were so fast Miriam had no idea what he did with her laptop. Then satisfied he put in the modem number so she could communicate with him through Wi-Fi. Paul smiled to himself. He’d have to watch this young lady. She was tricky but he enjoyed the contest.

“OK Miriam what would you like for me to download on your laptop so you can watch what I do on your own screen?”

“I want to watch in parallel what you are doing to command that robot.”

Paul took the USB stick she offered him and copied something he imputed from his computer. He then removed the stick and plugged it into her laptop.

Miriam watched as instructions flowed into her laptop and then in capitals a sentence appeared on screen. “I removed that bug you put into your USB stick to harvest information, so my computer is still safe. But is yours?”

Miriam began to chuckle, and Paul smiled. Then she burst into hearty laughter which didn’t subside quickly. Maria the housekeeper came running to check everything was alright. Adrian got out of the pool and ran in to see what had happened. Miriam stopped laughing when she saw her brother coming to her rescue. Miriam addressed Adrian.

“I must confess it Adrian Paul is one smart cookie. He had my number right from the beginning.”

She then went on to explain how she wanted to test Paul’s credentials and how the kids in their class were buying bugs on the dark web to access people’s computers in various ways. She didn’t know how Paul was onto her, but he did whatever he did so rapidly she couldn’t possibly follow. She then turned to Paul.

“How did you know I was going to do that?”

“I could see from the very first time we met at your place you doubted my credentials and thought you could better me. So, I anticipated a contest and was well prepared. However, I’m not going to reveal how I did what I did as you are obviously sharp enough to try something more sophisticated next time and you might catch me. I have all kinds of ways to avoid being penetrated but there’s always a sharper mind on the horizon and I need to know you better before I disclose my secrets.”

Miriam nodded.

“Are you still willing to teach me Paul if I promise to behave in future?”

Adrian interjected. This was an area he had no expertise in, but he did know his sister.

“Don’t trust her Paul, she’d devious.”

Paul laughed.

“I know, but I kind of like her for that so shall we call a truce Miriam? I’d really like to work with you now that I know you have a genuine interest in the light and dark side of computing even if it’s to keep an eye on you. Can I trust you to have my modem number in your laptop or shall I take it off?”

“I don’t know your password Paul so you’re safe as I’m sure I won’t be able to get in when I’m home this evening now that you’re on to my tricks.”

The two of them high fived to seal their agreement and Adrian returned to the pool laughing at his egotistical sister being humiliated. He had to share this with Melvin on the way and Brian in the pool. Maybe he should share that with mom and dad too to complete her humiliation.

Paul and Miriam stared at each other now that Adrian and Maria the housekeeper had departed. Miriam spoke first.

“I like you, Paul! You’re not like the freakish boys I go to class with.”

“I like you too Miriam. I hope you decide to visit me more so we can test each other’s knowledge. Let’s say the contest was a draw so we can start over.”

Miriam nodded.

“I lost Paul and both of us know it. I won’t be playing any more tricks on you with computers and genuinely want to learn from you. Maybe we could do other things together too. Do you like sports? Maybe we could try contests in that area as I’m good at sports.”

“You’re on Miriam. What’s it to be next time? Tennis, golf, sailing, running, basketball?”

“Baseball!”

Paul shook his head.

“Then I declare no contest as I only have experience with cricket. You win!”

CONCLUSION

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