CHAPTER 2 : COMFORT FOOD

Arthur's morning was taken up with meetings and research. He enjoyed world finance but he'd missed his morning break and as he really needed another coffee, he was watching the clock for lunchtime. The company had an excellent staff cafeteria on the twenty-first floor and he intended to head there once his assistant had finished the last job he'd given him. He was a nice chap from Birmingham, doing a two-year stint in Paris to improve his French and pick up some idea of the ins and outs of world trade before returning home to a position in his father's investment company.

They'd chatted for hours over the last couple of weeks and Arthur marvelled that at twenty-four Tom had confided that the final decision of accepting the job on his return home was his alone to make. Arthur realised that he had no choice, the position awaiting him in London was written in stone. His father had made the decision once Arthur showed that at the age of six he was capable of being educated. His aunts and uncles often referred to how lucky he was to have a position assured for him during these difficult times due to the generosity and dedication of their brother. Arthur sometimes wondered if this 'being settled' was all it was cut out to be as he saw his cousins make their own choices and strike out for places unknown.

Bringing his mind back to the present he glanced at the papers in front of him. Maybe a couple of years in Zurich might be a good idea. He had an ear for language and had taken German in university. Anyway, most of the international companies used English. He'd run it by his mother but he could already hear her saying, 'That sounds lovely, Dear, but your father already has plans for you in London. He's not getting any younger and he wants you as his second hand man… Remember, one day, Pen-D Investments will be yours.'

He completed the points he wanted Tom to check and looked up as his office door burst open and a familiar voice said, "Paris weather getting you down…we missed you last night? Couple of nice girls in from Liverpool for the weekend, you interested?"

"Sorry, I'll have to pass I've been invited to the big boss's place." Arthur had to laugh, Gawaine's weekends seemed to always entail a couple of nice girls from the UK or anywhere else for that matter.

"You'll be back in Paris by early afternoon Sunday. Mind you, Lessard's daughter is eye-catching. Actually, better than that, she's rather nice, pretty, intelligent and well-travelled. She'll be a feather in any man's cap when she's older. She's got a good mind for the business and wouldn't be surprised to see her CEO one day. However, think her brother will inherit."

Arthur said, "Gawaine, if I didn't know you better, I would think that you were smitten."

"Hey, you know me, my mind is always open to all possibilities. Did I tell you that I got word today that I will be accompanying the powers that be to the World Finance and Banking Symposium Conference in Beijing as an assistant fifth degree. Got to keep my nose to the grindstone though, as it's an opportunity, not to be missed."

Arthur had to give Gawaine credit as although he seemed to live a wild life, from Monday to Friday during work hours he was dependable and conscientious. He had no family business affiliations and was making his own way through hard work, luck and the brains he'd been given. Arthur was happy to have him as a friend.

His friend now said, "Come on, we've time for a late lunch." He looked out the window at the pelting rain saying, "Let's eat in the clouds up on the twenty-first. There's a meeting for all interns at four this afternoon."

Arthur nodded Tom had already sent him an e-mail to that effect. He wondered if the chap he'd given a lift to the other night, might be there. As they made their way upstairs in one of the twenty-odd lifts, they were alone. Arthur said, "Gawaine, is there any one else from Ireland in this company?"

"Don't think so, unless they are just passing through. I am the only one who can lay claim to that honour."

"Sure?"

"Yes! Believe me, I'd know and wouldn't the two of us be having at great time at Jack's toasted our lovely country. Why?"

"Gave a lift to a chap in the pouring rain the other night, seen him around here and he sounds as if he is from Ireland. His place is someone off the Place de L'Etoile."

"Beats me…did he have a name?"

"Emerson or something like that, thin build, dark-haired. Come on, you know everyone!" Arthur knew that the first name was Merlin but for some strange reason, he was unwilling to say it out loud. Feeling, it wasn't his to share.

The lift door opened and Gawaine had still not come up with the name of the person Arthur was seeking. He suggested, "Try Personnel on the eighth, they must have all the names and photos as well."

"I'd feel like I was prying and I do not think it is within the department's job description to pass out personal information even if another staff member is requesting it."

Arthur reached for the door of the cafeteria and suddenly realised how hungry he was and the name search went out of his mind.

They got a window seat and had croque monsieurs and a glass of wine each. Gawaine raised his glass to him saying, "This is so civilised, can you imagine getting wine during the working day at your company's cafeteria in the UK."

"Only in the Executive Dining Room… Guess that's why so many pubs are located in the financial districts of most of the major cities."

"Between you and me, I think I'd prefer half a Guiness!"

"You're such a plebeian! When in Rome and all that rot…" said Arthur laughing. He thought working at Pen-D might not be so bad if he was surrounded with the likes of Gawaine. He smiled, wondering if maybe he should mention him to his father on his next trip home.

"What's so funny?"

"I was wondering how well you would fit into my father's company, we'd soon shake up the place. Think the average age is seventy plus on the executive and one old chap has eighty years plus to his credit."

Gawaine laughed, "Hope you've got lifts and a nurse and medical department in your building."

"We do actually but the old chap when he feels up to it, arrives in his chauffeur driven limousine around eleven. He is escorted to his office by a real looker of a secretary and a personal assistant who shadows him all day. He attends whatever luncheon is taking place, spends a few hours in the Executive Club Room smoking and drinking and then by three is accompanied back to the lobby to be helped into the car and driven away."

"Does your father put up with that? What does he have to say?"

"Name looks good on the Board and from what I can see, he receives no salary and uses the place as his local activities centre. He's the former owner of one of the companies which was incorporated into Pen-D and has remained as an honorary board member." Arthur laughed, "Always willing to chat if he catches you alone."

"Some credit to your father for not kicking him out once he'd reached the compulsory retirement age."

"Don't think it had anything to do with my father, think my mother had a say in things as he's one of her godfathers."

Gawaine looked out the window, the rain had stopped and the streets were glistening in the weak sunshine. "We've got to go…the meetings will be starting soon and one thing they expect here is punctuality."

As the two of them reached the conference room and took their places mid room, Merlin slipped in and stood at the back. He'd checked on the man who had given him a lift and was surprised to find out that he was the son of the owner of Pen-D. He'd at one time thought of applying there once his first stint in Paris was completed. However, he'd been offered a further six months in Paris and the word was now out that he'd be going to Geneva, he'd put the Pen-D idea on the back burner. He'd found out that Arthur was the only son and presumable heir and that at twenty-five he lived alone in London. Seemed a nice enough chap, maybe he'd meet up with him again.

Gawaine gave Arthur's arm a nudge to bring him back to the present. "I know it's hardly riveting but at least pretend that the subject matter is enough to keep you awake."

Arthur murmured, "Thanks. I owe you one as I was so far away that the next thing I was probably going to do was raise my arms about my head, yawn loudly and settle against you for a little snooze."

"That's why the benches in uni were so damned uncomfortable. They kept us awake, sure wasn't the professors or the courses!"

Someone beyond Gawaine, equipped with a legal pad and pen obviously for note taking cleared his throat and Gawaine said, "Sorry!"

Merlin didn't miss the interaction and realised that the man beside Arthur was the Irish chap from International Investments. He had never been introduced to him but knew him as Gawaine. He was friendly with Lance in his department and he'd been invited on more than one occasion to join them when they'd gone to a pub but Merlin had always been busy. He now wondered if maybe Arthur went with them. He smiled strange that a chance encounter had made such an impression.

-0-0-

Arthur pulled out of the company's underground parking intending to go to the closest food market. He needed staples even though he wasn't eating in as he'd agreed to meet up at Jack's. He'd be expected at the Lessard's country home by midmorning Saturday so it was just for tomorrow night that he needed food. He knew that he wouldn't get out on Friday as he had been notified whom the other guests were and he needed to do a little background work on their specialties and interests.

He returned to his apartment and put away the vegetables and meat he'd bought, changed and not bothering to take the car he walked over to Jack's. Thursday night, it was busy and before he approached Gawaine's table, he ordered a beer. He checked out the menu board and was pleased to see roast lamb. As he passed a table, he saw the meal and it looked just to his liking. He plonked himself opposite Gawaine saying, "What are you having?"

Gawaine's 'Another pint!' was greeted with a grin. "I mean eating?"

"Steak and Kidney pie, and a side of mashed potatoes and onion rings!" Gawaine winked he knew that Arthur never really could understand his choice of sides. "How about you?"

"Lamb…it looks good." Arthur took a swig of beer and looked around. Most people seemed to be tourists with a few regulars in the booths behind the bar."

Gawaine's phone rang and he answered it, nodding at Arthur. "Sure, we'll move to a larger table…thirty minutes...great!"

Turning to Arthur, he explained, "Company's on its way. Girls from Liverpool and two guys from Dublin, should make a nice mix for the evening."

Arthur nodded as he finished his beer and leaning over to Gawaine said, "Another?"

"Sure, if you insist!"

Arthur laughed as he got up, it was quicker to go to the bar when it was this busy. "Should I order the food now, or wait to see how the evening progresses? I am starved and it seems years since lunch."

"All right, let's eat they might have already and then we can just concentrate on drinking."

Arthur shook his head and went to get a whiskey and Gawaine's beer and order the food. It was a good move on his part as the visitors didn't arrive for over an hour and they had already eaten. Both of their meals were great and when Arthur had ordered, Jack's owner yelled out from the kitchen, "Your crazy Irish friend with you, Arthur?" Arthur smiled and nodded, Gawaine was well known. The owner continued, "He's an asset to any drinking establishment and I've never seen him nasty drunk to boot. However, his ideas on sides and mains are beyond my understanding."

Carrying the drinks back to the table, Arthur remembered one night when he'd had to put Gawaine up. His friend had drunk himself into oblivion as he's just got the news that the grandmother who had raised him had died. Regardless, he was sober the next morning to fly to Dublin.

"Meal's ordered. Who else from IntVest is coming tonight?"

"Only ones I know for sure are Lance and possibly Tom but there are bound to be others."

Soon their meals arrived and Gawaine after one mouthful, called over to the bar, "Tell, Dougie, it's just like home!"

Arthur gave the waitress a thumbs up, his lamb was excellent and the mint sauce was perfect. She smiled and turned towards the kitchen. That was one thing which if missing spoilt his whole meal, he was a confirmed mint sauce crusader.

Gawaine leant over and dipped one of his onion rings in the sauce and raised his eyes to heaven. "That takes me right home; my job was to chop the mint while my grandmother prepared the meal."

Two men in France enjoying culinary memories from England and Ireland, sat waiting for friends.