Claudia Allegonda 024

Again, Claudia seemed to surface and when she looked calm, the stranger said:

"You'd better take off those glasses, Claudia"

"Can you do that for me, please? I'm still a bit shaken and there is something

in my right hand but I can't see what it is".

The stranger removed the Augusto Valenti glasses and carefully put them back

in the shoe box.

"Thank you, that's better", Claudia said with a sigh of relief.

Then she looked at her right hand.

"This is amazing. The antique steel glasses are back. But where is the face à main?"

"It seems to have disappeared"

"I am so sorry. They must have cost you a fortune. But why did you ask me to put 

it next to my right hand?"

"I had the feeling that they might come handy at some stage. Don't worry about it.

I have a hunch that it's in the right hands"

"Did I have another vision?"

"Indeed you had. You look tired, Claudia".

"Absolutely. I have a headache coming up and my head is itching. I also have a dry throat".

"May I invite you for a coffee on one of the terraces at the foot of St. Bavo Church?

We have an Indian summer and a bit of fresh air will do you good".

"Thank you. Just a second, I have to put on my own glasses".

When Claudia put on her own glasses, she looked in the distance and she said,

"Excuse me.... I see a gorgeous vintage dress over there. That's funny, I'm sure it was not

there when I came into the shop".

Claudia took the dress and held it in front of her.

"It's quite an oldfashioned dress but I feel that there is something special about it.

Can you wait a few minutes? I really have to try this dress before we go for your coffee.

Besides, I came here to do some shopping in the first place".

"Of course. Women and shopping.... No problem. The dress looks as if it may be the right

size for you. You will be the belle of the ball. Meanwhile, I will pack my rucksack".

A couple of minutes later, Claudia appeared again, wearing the vintage dress.

"What do you think?", she asked.

"Claudia, you look stunning in that dress. You could easily go for a movie star, a photo

model or another celebrity", the stranger said.

"I never saw such a beautiful dress. I will buy it and I will wear it for the rest of the day".

"De Stijlloods" is an excellent place for beautiful clothes and their prices are quite

reasonable so Claudia was a happy lady when she paid for the dress. 

The stranger lifted his giant rucksack and together they walked towards St. Bavo church.

They passed the History Museum and Claudia said that she once heard it was definitely

worth a visit. Unfortunately, the museum had not opened its doors yet. The stranger was
under the impression that he heard a voice inside but he did not mention it to Claudia. 

A couple of blocks further, Claudia stopped and stared into an alley on the left.

"I have this strange feeling that I have been in that alley before".

"In one of your visions?"

"Perhaps. It's all so confusing. Right now, I'd rather not think about it. I am dying for

a cup of coffee".

Claudia and the stranger continued their way through the pittoresque ancient part of

Haarlem and within ten minutes they found themselves at the foot of St. Bavo Church.

They discovered a quiet terrace in the shade. The stranger ordered coffee for Claudia

and a glass of dry white wine for himself. They toasted and enjoyed the view of St. Bavo

Church, towering towards the blue sky above them.

"There is one box that you did not open when we were in De Stijlloods", Claudia said, 

"Do you keep that a secret?"

"I have no secrets for you. This box....". The stranger dug it up and opened it for her.

The box was filled with modern prescription glasses and also a couple of extremely

strong glasses.

"Most of these glasses look brand new", Claudia remarked.

"They are new. Indeed they are".

"My headache is gone now that I had that walk and the cup of coffee. Some of those

new glasses are beautiful indeed. Do you mind if I try them on?", Claudia asked.

"Not at all. I am curious how they will suit you", the stranger said. "How about another

cup of coffee? I am in no hurry".

"Neither am I. Shall we proceed?"

The stranger produced his hand mirror so that Claudia could get an impression of how

she looked in the new glasses.

"You will get some idea of your looks in these new glasses, but the lenses are minus

eight and some glasses are even much stronger. Shall I tell you whether they suit you

 or not?", the stranger asked.

"Please do. I need some advice here. But tell me, why do all these new glasses have

such strong lenses?"

"I think that strong glasses are beautiful and that's why I ordered them that way", he

said. "When I was young, there were no contact lenses and the streets were full of 

wonderful ladies in strong glasses. Ah, the years gone by make moist the eye..."

Claudia picked a colourful pair of glasses from the box and she put them on.

"What do I look like?"

"Nice, but the colours are perhaps a bit over the top. It's all a matter of taste"