Gregory short story Chelo Rodriguez illustrations Roberto Foddai
Gregory is a shy boy. He is 22, blonde with rosy cheeks he is ashamed of. He loves reading dusty old History tomes, listening to classical music and wearing jumpers. He lives with his mother, a very posh lady, in a big old brick house in Holland Park. Gregory wishes he had been born at least 100 years ago, if not before. He misses a time he never knew about except through his dusty old History tomes. His best friend is Professor Lucas Crawford, his old college tutor. Professor Crawford is 51, balding, very serious and always wears 3 pieces suits, even in the sweltering August heat. Gregory admires Professor Crawford’s vast erudition and Professor Crawford secretly admires the fact Gregory belongs to a higher social class than himself.
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They are planning together a holiday in the Scottish Highlands. Gregory is hoping to get away from his mother. Prof Crawford is hoping they’ll stay at some castle at some rich relative’s expense. Not that they would confess this aloud. They are British. Some things are best unsaid. So they talk about history, whiskey and the hikes they’ll take when they are on holiday. Gregory thinks that if he is away from London for a bit, he could perhaps start figuring out what to do with his life. Prof Crawford really wants him to return to university. Lady Schloss-Gregory keeps on suggesting he should spend some time with his estranged father in New York, perhaps find a position in finance somewhere. Gregory hates New York and he is not interested in finance.
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Lady Schloss-Gregory also keeps on dragging him as her escort to any high society events where the attendance of suitable young ladies will be guaranteed. Another reason more to get away from London for a little while. His second cousin, Frida, is starting to become a bit of a pest. Frida is a very tall, blonde girl with enormous breasts and a braying voice. Frida always wears very short dresses with a high neck and adopts an instant slouch when she is around him and she keeps on touching him. Frida is considered very desirable in their circles. Lady Schloss-Gregory does not understand her son’s obvious discomfort around Frida and wonders if her son is a homosexual but when she asks Gregory, he tends to leave the room.
6
Gregory has not told his mother he is going to Scotland with Professor Crawford. She will assume they are an item and she would never leave him alone. Gregory would like to live alone but he knows his parents would refuse to pay for a rental in London. Besides, he would miss having his own library. Gregory wishes he was in Scotland already.
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