Chapter 26

Gregory decided it was a good idea to invite Norton, Oliver, and their families to have dinner with us. We received them in the royal dining room. Norton and Mary Terese had a 10-year-old daughter named Selena. Oliver and Arlet's daughter, Mandy, was not as handsome as her counterpart, she was withdrawn and had inherited the most unfavorable traits from her parents. Both girls were the same age and surprisingly well-mannered. Oliver's son, Milo, was a shy seven-year-old boy, and his manners were as impeccable as his sister's.

The evening was pleasant. I really liked those people, especially Norton and Mary Terese who were always smiling and friendly. After dinner, the kids excused themselves and left the dining room, I assumed they were friends and wanted to play outside. We, the adults, stayed in the dining room while we drank wine and chatted; as the wine flowed, the atmosphere became more and more relax