Chapter 12
London England 1908
Australia Wins Gold at the Olympics
The warm towel was lifted. His face was then lathered generously with soaping foam and with each stroke of the shaped razor blade the beard was slowly removed. Arthur's skin tingled and upon completion of the final stroke, the elderly barber moved efficiently toward the sizeable mirror attached to the wall within the mahogany cubical. In front of the mirror was a bench, upon which were placed the tools of the trade. From one crystal bottle he removed a silver lid and poured a generous amount of lotion onto his open palm. Arthur had been advised that a relaxing experience was something that gentlemen anticipated from a visit to Geo F Trumper's. It lived up to all expectations.
He was delighted to be in London. Theo had continued on to Russia, and before leaving Africa, Arthur sent word to Aberton Chartres-Hume advising his school friend of his imminent arrival in England.
Strolling along Curzon Street, he was amazed at beauty of the city and the tall buildings that lined the streets of Mayfair. He made the decision to walk back to South Molton Street as the summer afternoon was warm and the air was far cleaner than he had expected it would be. Previous to his visit, the many conversations he had had with various people about London were often dotted with negative experiences. However, this was not what he found; nor was it what he sort.
Arthur was sure he would soon have word from, Aberton, and they would do all the things they had planned over the years past.
