Arthur's Quest

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The story begins when retired police superintendent seventy-year old Arthur Thomas, has been, for many years, an emotionally locked down childless widower. He believes that his love of the Arthurian romantic legends of Camelot inspired him to persuade fellow frustrated inmates Tristan, Percival and Geraint to leave the Laurels, a depressing NHS rehabilitation unit where bureaucratic incompetence has held them incarcerate. The reader knows, but Arthur does not know, that his inspiration comes from King Arthur, who rests in Avalon until it is his time to return as the 'Once and future king'. He has sent Merlin to inspire Arthur Thomas and his three companions, to keep alive the spirit of chivalry by taking on the mantle of Grey Haired Knights, each to go alone to find and follow an honorable quest. Their vow to return, one year hence, to tell true tales of their adventures changes what they first thought of as a fanciful idea into a fateful commitment. For his Quest, Arthur Thomas decides to recover 'La Source' an Ingres masterpiece, stolen from the Musée d'Orsay in Paris by a gang led by Terrance Servient-Higgins, a man who radiates evil. Although there is a substantial reward on offer for information that leads to its recovery, Arthur's aim is to bring to justice whoever murdered the museum guard during the robbery. The gang know of his intention and threaten to kill him if he interferes with their plans. Despite the threat, he decides to continue. He believes that the gang will keep watch on him. Regardless of the ever-present frisson of fear, he treats his search as a game of hunt the thimble. He believes that if he gets close to finding the painting their reaction will disclose where they have it hidden. His quest takes him to The National Gallery in London and to art galleries in France, Spain and Italy. Events gradually change Arthur. He learns to accept friendship both male and female. In Vernon, he makes a firm friendship with Alaine Cartet, an enthusiastic French tourism officer. In Paris, Madam Déclâre, a restaurateur of the old school shelters and encourages him. In the museum at Montauban, birthplace of Ingres, he meets and falls in love with Galiena Vercente. Galiena invites him to Rome to look at what she thinks is a copy 'As good as the original stolen original'. Arthur recognises that is the original. The insurance company use a clever sting operation to recover the painting and it pays Arthur the substantial reward. When Arthur learns that Galiena is the Contessa Emiglia Romagna he struggles with romance. Despite her giving him many clues, he cannot see how a retired plodding policeman could possibly sustain a lasting relationship with a vibrant Italian Contessa. In a thrilling climax, he penetrates razor wire, a modern equivalent of a forest of thorns, draws base metal from a stone to make a weapon and uses fire from his hands to overcome three assassins, hired by Servient-Higgins, who are holding the Contessa hostage as a lure to trap and kill him. His heroic acts break down the barriers that have kept him from declaring his love. The police arrest the right person for the murder of the museum guard. Right has conquered might and all ends well.