After returning to London from Switzerland, Aldrich received an invitation letter from the British royal family.
He was invited to attend Princess Diana's funeral on the morning of September 6.
In the past three years, Aldridge's popularity has skyrocketed due to his work in London, which is the field of football that attracts the most attention to the public. He also attends some charity activities in his spare time. His image is positive, and his family is active in the business world.
It is not surprising that Aldrich received the invitation from the royal family. After all, he was just one of more than 2,000 distinguished guests.
On the morning of the funeral, in Westminster Abbey, Barnett, who had not been seen for a long time, also rushed back from the United States to attend the funeral.
The two brothers, dressed in black suits, sat expressionless and listened to the priest read the eulogy. Some important figures or close friends of Princess Diana also came to the stage to give speeches in memory.
Aldrich didn't feel any sadness. After all, he had not spent much time in the UK in the past many years. He had respect for Princess Diana, and that was all.
"You also have friendships with members of the royal family?"
Aldrich asked his eldest brother quietly.
Barnett replied softly: "We are just acquaintances, and we occasionally meet in social situations. Sometimes when doing charity to improve our image, we will invite members of the royal family to show up. Everyone takes what they need."
"Oh, how about over there in America?"
"Very good, you can't imagine how rich we are now. I can give you 200 million pounds immediately to pay off the club's debt."
"No need. If I run the club with the goal of burning money regardless of cost, I can't burn others."
"Exaggeration, very soon. The Hall family will be the richest owners of all clubs in England."
"Humph. Don't be arrogant. There are many people in the world who are richer than you. What's even more terrifying is the consortium that burns money. We can never burn others. There is no need to mess with the rules of the game."
"Then you have to spend money. I'm looking for someone to help me look for a few luxury homes in London. Do you have any special requirements for the design of the manor or the location?"
"No. I think my apartment is pretty good. It doesn't look luxurious, but it's comfortable to live in."
"Poor life!"
"Thanks."
Ahem.
The royal family member of an unknown country in front probably heard the two brothers' muttering, and immediately looked back at them with a slightly dissatisfied look, and then coughed softly as a warning.
After the other party turned around, Aldrich and Barnett inadvertently and covertly raised their middle fingers.
The funeral ceremony was of very high standard, and it should be the most sensational funeral in the world in recent years.
Not only did more than a million people line the streets in London to watch the princess' last journey, but the live televised funeral was watched by more than a billion viewers around the world.
In addition to attending the funeral, Aldridge also auctioned off the princess's classic clothes for a sky-high price of one million pounds in the subsequent auction of the princess's belongings. All the auction proceeds were donated to charity, and Aldridge also donated the classic clothes to
Collection of art galleries in London for the world to appreciate.
This has given Aldridge a higher profile and profile at this sad time for all of Britain.
He does this really selfishly, just to shape his public image. He represents the Millwall club. When ordinary people pay attention to him, some of their attention will be transferred to Millwall.
In the days after the funeral, which coincided with the FIFA international match day, Aldridge had a lot of leisure time.
One day before lunch, Aldrich received another invitation, but it was a lunch invitation.
He came to an apartment in a secluded neighborhood near the eastern suburbs and knocked on the door softly with a bottle of red wine in his hand.
Soon, someone opened the door, and what came into view was a mature and gentle female face.
"Aldrich, it's been more than two years since we last met, right? You're more of a man than when we first met."
Aldrich saw the mature woman in front of him who was wearing casual home clothes. He could not see the helpless look he had when they first met.
He walked into the apartment and said with a smile: "Ms. Rowling, I almost don't recognize you."
"Please call me Joanne, as we do in our letters."
At this time, Luo Lin seemed to be a completely different person, she was gentle, generous and full of energy, and there was a sense of happiness between her brows.
Aldrich raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Okay, Joanne, a small courtesy is not respectful."
He handed the red wine in his hand to the other party, and Rowling accepted it generously.
There was already a sumptuous meal on the dining table in the living room. A pretty little girl was sitting at the table watching cartoons on TV. When Rowling and Aldrich walked in, she turned around and looked straight in the eyes.
Gou stared at Aldrich and suddenly shouted: "Uncle Hall."
Aldrich was quite surprised and said in amazement: "The last time I saw you, you were a baby. Do you know me?"
"I know. Mom showed me your picture and said you are the best person in the world. Sometimes I can see you on TV, and sometimes you can be scary."
Rowling's daughter Jessica, a four-year-old girl who put Aldrich in embarrassment.
Rowling immediately said with a straight face: "Jessica, I have said many times, Uncle Hall is working, just like a strict teacher."
Aldridge, who appears in the TV cameras, is naturally directing the game. Sometimes, roaring or crazy body movements are normal when adrenaline breaks out.
Fortunately, he is not ugly or evil, otherwise he would really scare the children when he gets angry.
Sitting down at the dining table, Aldrich looked at the sumptuous lunch and sighed with some emotion.
"What's wrong? Are these not to your liking?"
Rowling asked nervously, for fear of neglecting Aldrich. Just as she told her daughter, Aldrich was like a god descending to earth in her eyes, helping her get out of the most difficult period in her life.
Aldrich quickly shook his head and said: "No, it's just that unless I go home for dinner, I cook for myself. I rarely sit back and enjoy the meal."
"Don't you have a girlfriend?"
"Well, she is busier at work than me."
"Then you can try my craftsmanship today."
Aldrich thanked them, and then chatted with the mother and daughter while eating.
"You came to London in April? Why didn't you tell me?"
Aldrich looked a little dissatisfied. In fact, he didn't have many friends outside of work. Except for a few friends he had grown up with since childhood. Rowling was one of them. The two had established a subtle relationship through correspondence in the past.
Able to discuss many topics openly and honestly.
Sometimes Aldrich also encounters confusion in life. Although he has actually lived a long time and has rich life experience, some changes are new, such as how to face his friends because his family situation is getting better and better. Most of the time
He had to take care of his friends' feelings, etc. He rarely talked about these with others, but he would talk about everything with Rowling.
"You are very busy at work. I don't want to disturb you. Besides, I also have to work. Now I can finally relax."
Rowling said with a normal expression, only she knew that when she came to London in April, she still had nothing, and she was still the single mother who needed Aldridge to fund her creations, but now it was different. Although money was vulgar, she was now
He can survive completely independently, without relying on anyone, and appears in front of Aldrich with a brand new image.
After Aldrich was stunned, he said with a happy face: "Harry Potter has been published?"
Rowling smiled and nodded and said, "Yes, it will be available in June."
Aldrich apologized and said: "I'm sorry, I don't know, because I rarely go to bookstores. I only go there once every six months. I buy a lot of books at one time. I wait until I finish reading the books on the shelf before buying new ones."
It’s my regret that I didn’t congratulate you right away. In any case, I congratulate you on your success! Here’s to you, great writer!”
With a gentle smile on her face, Rowling clinked glasses with Aldrich and then turned the conversation to Aldrich.
"I heard that you have been in trouble at work recently?"
"What trouble?"
"The newspaper said that you were suspended. I'm surprised. Aren't you the coach? Will the coach be suspended if he doesn't play football?"
"Haha, yes, I just can't direct the team to play. It's not a trouble. This kind of thing is normal for coaches."
"Then you encountered difficulties?"
"No, I actually encountered a new challenge, which actually made me more excited."
"Can't you give me a chance to comfort you?"
...
After lunch, Rowling went back to the bedroom, took out two things and handed them to Aldrich.
"Inside this envelope is a check, which is the money you have supported me over the years. This is "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". I wrote a message on the title page. It is a gift to you as a friend."
Aldrich accepted without hesitation.
Even if it was a check, he had no intention of declining it.
It's not that he has to worry about money, but he knows that only by accepting this check will the relationship between him and Rowling return to an equal level, and she can bury her gratitude deep in her heart.
, at least we don’t default on each other materially.
"Mom, can you go out and play today?"
Jessica stared at Aldrich. She seemed to be taking advantage of Aldrich's help to go out and have some fun.
"Joanne, are you busy here?"
"Well, yes, because I have to write the follow-up series of "Harry Potter", I usually don't have time to take her out, and I'm not very familiar with this place."
Aldrich thought for a while and said, "Well, let's take a rest today. I'll take her to some interesting places in London in the afternoon."
Luo Lin looked at her daughter who looked pitiful and agreed with a smile.
Throughout the afternoon, Aldridge accompanied the mother and daughter to visit various attractions in London, letting Jessica ride on his neck. Aldridge held her little hands, while Rowling followed silently behind her with her handbag in hand, her eyes gentle.
Staring at the scene ahead.
London has many museums, castles, libraries, parks, and different scenery. Aldridge has basically been to them all, so this guide is quite competent.
When night fell, Aldrich put Jessica, who had already fallen asleep from exhaustion, into Rowling's arms downstairs in Rowling's apartment. Then he smiled and waved his hand and said, "It's getting late. I should go. Today
Had a great time.”
"Well, you're welcome to be our guest often. Aldrich, thank you. Jessica hasn't been as happy as she is today for a long time. She likes you very much."
Aldrich looked shy for the first time, scratched his head and said embarrassedly: "I just discovered today that I also like children. Haha, I'm leaving, goodbye."
"goodbye."
Rowling smiled as she watched Aldrich turn away and disappear at the end of the block.
Aldrich took a long walk. He didn't drive out today because the BMW was sent for repairs and he didn't want to drive a sports car out to show off.
On the street under the hazy moonlight, Aldrich strolled forward with his hands in his pockets, muttering to himself: It seems that I feel very happy when I am with children. Is it true that my mental age has reached the point where I want to have the next generation?
He shook his head and said that he was not sure. Maybe he just felt fresh today. He didn't know yet whether he was ready to have children as a part of his life. (To be continued, please search Piao Tian Literature, the novel is better and updated faster. !
