Now, before the sun arose that day, Xavier told Norman he was very impressed with his business sense and so Xavier handed over two thousand pounds of his, ill gotten, money saying he wished to help him with an initial investment. Xavier wanted very much for his friend to succeed. Of this, Norman was well pleased. So it was after a few more glass of champagne the men got up with a stretch and a yawn retiring to each of their rooms, where each man collapsed onto the comfortable beds and slept soundly for the next five hours.
A short wake up call later and the two were dressed in their best, most stylish attire ready to climb into the back of the black Rolls-Royce they had hired, with a driver, for the rest of the day. Old Gertrude Pierce was both shocked and delighted when her son and his new Latin friend pulled up in front of her building. The dear, sweet woman felt like the belle of the ball as she was escorted to Sunday Sermon at the old church, her place of worship, where the Vicar gave a wonderful reading from the Beatitudes and even Xavier felt a brief closeness to God in the ancient stone church with the beautiful stained glass panels depicting the story of Jonah. It was nice for him to sit with the congregation and Xavier's spirit was lifted, albeit slightly.
After the nourishment of their souls Xavier and Norman waited for Gertrude to pause and say hello to her friends, the older ladies of the group; which she delighted in introducing her son and his foreign friend to, proud so was she having her big boy looking dashing and suave in the church that day. Norman said a proper hello and how do you do, as did Xavier, whom bowed slightly taking each old pale, blue veined hand in his, giving each lady a little thrill as he kissed the back of their hand, as gentlemen were want to do in the previous generations. Xavier made flirtatious comments to the elderly ladies, who thoroughly enjoyed meeting the tall, dark eyed, youth. One of the ladies commented how Xavier bore a striking resemblance to Rudolph Valentino; to which Xavier replied that he agreed with her, saying she reminded him of Rita Hayworth. It was a most pleasant Sunday afternoon and, although the weather was cold with a hard, non stop drizzle, the smiles and laughter exchanged between the group was warmth enough on a cold day like today.
Then it was Gertrude's turn to be treated to a bit of luxury so Norman and Xavier escorted her out to Mayfair, off Brook Street, to Claridges for a sumptuous lunch; over which Xavier told her all about himself, his studies, his wealthy family, his plans for helping Norman with his business. Here he lied to the old woman saying he had given a much larger investment to Norman, to cover for Norman's sudden, new found style and wealth. Every word that came out of Xavier's mouth she believed, and most everything he said was true. Sated with the best meal the poor woman ever had in her life, Gertrude sat at the table with a smile on her face, a brightness to her eyes, and a rosy glow to her cheek, and a little bit tipsy from the delicious red wine. Then she said how she wished she could cook a meal like that; to which Norman added that she could make a meal like that in her kitchen, all she needed was the right ingredients. Now this sent them straight to the Food Hall in Harrods where Norman and Xavier let Gertrude shop to her hearts content, running up a three hundred pound bill. Loaded down with endless bags of white truffle oil, a few bottles of white wine, caviar, bottles of expensive olive oil and balsamic vinegars, fresh, whole salmon, a dozen lamb chops, saffron, spices etc... the trio made their way back through the streets of London, driving up to Islington where Norman and Xavier helped her, with all the groceries, upstairs to her tiny, third floor flat. Xavier bade Gertrude goodbye and she wished him a Happy Christmas in case she did not see him again over the next few weeks. With a warm embrace from her, Xavier kissed her on the cheek and she invited him again to stay for Sunday dinner, but he had to get back to his dorm and get ready for finals at the end of the week. She wished him luck with his studies thanking him once more for his generosity to her and her son. Xavier reassured the old woman that they both deserved it, for they had taken care of him when he was attacked and Xavier promised that he and his family would always be grateful to her and her son.
A short wake up call later and the two were dressed in their best, most stylish attire ready to climb into the back of the black Rolls-Royce they had hired, with a driver, for the rest of the day. Old Gertrude Pierce was both shocked and delighted when her son and his new Latin friend pulled up in front of her building. The dear, sweet woman felt like the belle of the ball as she was escorted to Sunday Sermon at the old church, her place of worship, where the Vicar gave a wonderful reading from the Beatitudes and even Xavier felt a brief closeness to God in the ancient stone church with the beautiful stained glass panels depicting the story of Jonah. It was nice for him to sit with the congregation and Xavier's spirit was lifted, albeit slightly.
After the nourishment of their souls Xavier and Norman waited for Gertrude to pause and say hello to her friends, the older ladies of the group; which she delighted in introducing her son and his foreign friend to, proud so was she having her big boy looking dashing and suave in the church that day. Norman said a proper hello and how do you do, as did Xavier, whom bowed slightly taking each old pale, blue veined hand in his, giving each lady a little thrill as he kissed the back of their hand, as gentlemen were want to do in the previous generations. Xavier made flirtatious comments to the elderly ladies, who thoroughly enjoyed meeting the tall, dark eyed, youth. One of the ladies commented how Xavier bore a striking resemblance to Rudolph Valentino; to which Xavier replied that he agreed with her, saying she reminded him of Rita Hayworth. It was a most pleasant Sunday afternoon and, although the weather was cold with a hard, non stop drizzle, the smiles and laughter exchanged between the group was warmth enough on a cold day like today.
Then it was Gertrude's turn to be treated to a bit of luxury so Norman and Xavier escorted her out to Mayfair, off Brook Street, to Claridges for a sumptuous lunch; over which Xavier told her all about himself, his studies, his wealthy family, his plans for helping Norman with his business. Here he lied to the old woman saying he had given a much larger investment to Norman, to cover for Norman's sudden, new found style and wealth. Every word that came out of Xavier's mouth she believed, and most everything he said was true. Sated with the best meal the poor woman ever had in her life, Gertrude sat at the table with a smile on her face, a brightness to her eyes, and a rosy glow to her cheek, and a little bit tipsy from the delicious red wine. Then she said how she wished she could cook a meal like that; to which Norman added that she could make a meal like that in her kitchen, all she needed was the right ingredients. Now this sent them straight to the Food Hall in Harrods where Norman and Xavier let Gertrude shop to her hearts content, running up a three hundred pound bill. Loaded down with endless bags of white truffle oil, a few bottles of white wine, caviar, bottles of expensive olive oil and balsamic vinegars, fresh, whole salmon, a dozen lamb chops, saffron, spices etc... the trio made their way back through the streets of London, driving up to Islington where Norman and Xavier helped her, with all the groceries, upstairs to her tiny, third floor flat. Xavier bade Gertrude goodbye and she wished him a Happy Christmas in case she did not see him again over the next few weeks. With a warm embrace from her, Xavier kissed her on the cheek and she invited him again to stay for Sunday dinner, but he had to get back to his dorm and get ready for finals at the end of the week. She wished him luck with his studies thanking him once more for his generosity to her and her son. Xavier reassured the old woman that they both deserved it, for they had taken care of him when he was attacked and Xavier promised that he and his family would always be grateful to her and her son.
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