TO TAME A HERO

CHAPTER 5

On Monday morning, Susan went to wake the boys. Theodore was already awake reading while Truman was blissfully asleep.

"Have you got a cold?"

Asked Theodore.

"Me? No. I never get colds. But I didn't sleep a wink last night."

What were you doing?"

"I was writing."

Susan joined Theodore in his bed as they talked about the pleasures of writing and reading. Then it was time for their morning wash up and get them dressed before going to join their parents.

Mr Lockhart was sitting at the dining table, a plate of blackberry pudding before him, reading the morning paper on his iPad; his wife was talking on the phone with a bowl of mango cubes before her.

The boys rushed over and hugged both parents, both talking at once. When did he come? They wanted to know. How long was he going to stay and if he would drop them off at school that morning?

Mr Lockhart cheerfully answered all his sons' questions, and begged them to sit and eat their breakfast.

Mrs Lockhart, who had finished with her call, set down her smartphone and turned to her husband.

"Alfred and Caroline are moving to Dulwich Village," she announced.

"They are?"

"Yes, Caroline just told me the news."

"When are they moving?" Her husband asked.

"In a few weeks. I am sure with their budget, they will find something suitable."

"Now that they have Riley and George, they will be looking for a family home with a large garden."

Mrs Lockhart nodded as she forked up two mango cubes into her mouth.

"Susan, can you take the boys to the Colton museum after school?"

"Yes, I can."

She pecked away at her pancake that was garnished with a few red grapes.

"Caroline just reminded me of the Dove Reception today which I must attend."

"Do you need me to attend with you?"

No, and besides, you have to work."

Because Mr Lockhart sent the boys to school, Susan was free to join her writing circle group at the Lambert Hotel for an auction.

To make way for a cultural foundation, the new owner of the hotel was selling everything, including quality works of art, furniture, old master paintings and even antique jewels.

"These are really nice," Rosalind remarked as she admired a French marquis' armchair.

"Do you know how much they are selling for?" Fabrice asked.

"No, I don't. How much?"

"In the region of 100,000 euros."

Rosalind gasped with astonishment. " They cost that much?"

"Yes, they do."

"It says so even in the auction catalog." Pip Good spoke as he leafed through the glossy brochure. Rosalind joined him to have a look.

Susan walked about slowly, looking at and admiring the opulent magnificence that surrounded her.

The entire building seemed like it was decorated with exquisite pieces of furniture, ornate objects and brilliant works of art.

Looking through the auction catalog she realised that some items from the collection belong to the fashion world, like Givenchy, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and even the French royal family.

"I believe that there are also pieces which once belonged to Madame de Pompadour," Brigitte whispered to Susan as they walked along together.

"Can we go look at the old photograph collection," Susan suggested.

"Yes, let's do that."

After the auction, they went and had a nice seafood lunch with white wine and talked about books.

Soon it was time for Susan to go pick up the boys and take them to the Colton museum just as she had promised their mother.

At the museum, the boys were happy to see T. rex, the skull of a Triceratops, and wondered in amazement among the fossils in the dinosaur gallery.

"What do you think is the coolest dinosaur?" Truman asked.

Susan smiled. "I think Stegosaurus is the coolest. When I was growing up I had a Stegosaurus moneybox, and a Stegosaurus stuffed toy."

"No competition. I also think Stegosaurus is the coolest," Theodore added.

"Which dinosaur do you think is the coolest?"

"Of all the dinosaurs, I like Jobaria because of its power and bulk."

"Well, I guess with their big size they won't have other meat eaters trying to attack them."

"Does Jobaria eat meat?" Theodore asked.

"They mostly eat plants, and what do we call plant eaters?"

"Herbivore!"

Both boys screamed.

"Very good."

As they walked on, Susan saw two female college students talking. She presumed they were volunteers by the bold lettered tags that they were wearing.

As Susan walked by, she heard Dr Kelly's name and quickly her ears pricked up.

"Did you know that he has secured a 1million pounds endowment fund for the museum?"

"That was what I heard," the other said.

"I believe he raises money for the museum's fund every year. Remember when he rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in a four-man team and raised over 850,000 pounds?"

"I do and didn't he also walk for a fashion show to raise money last year if I remember correctly."

"Do you think he has a girlfriend?"

Immediately, Susan's ear pricked up even more.

"I heard that he is dating Gloria Rivers."

Susan felt a distinct pang of regret and envy. And as she reflected on how she was feeling, she realised how silly it was for her to feel that way because Dr Kelly was nothing to her.

Quickly she gave herself a metaphorical shake. There was no reason for her to concern herself with his private life.

"Why are you here? Oh, I think I know the answer. Is it not because you are obsessed with me?"

Susan turned around and found Dr Kelly standing next to her. She quickly felt her soul being set on fire.