Sam Mullins

Elaine and Ron met up with David and his teenage daughter, Noelle. The story was that Davis had been a high-powered finance guy in New York and then later all over Europe. But now he was all but retired and was in the midst of what sounded like a very messy divorce. He had other children too, but Noelle chose to live with her dad instead of with her mom and siblings back in the US.

To Ron and Elaine, it was pretty easy to see why a kid would choose him. He seemed like a good dad. And she, a sweet kid. She had his features.

To Ron and Elaine, it was pretty easy to see why a kid would choose him. He seemed like a good dad. And she, a sweet kid. She had his features.

She was deferential to her dad, but so were Ron and Elaine. There was no mistaking the dynamic. He was the man in charge.

She was deferential to her dad, but so were Ron and Elaine. There was no mistaking the dynamic. He was the man in charge.

Ron hadn't had anyone treat him to a fancy dinner like this because he was a TV repairman. But it's important to remember he was a TV repairman with a Rolex. There, ticking on his wrist, powered by the unprivileged movements of his life, was his Rolex. A real one that he bought with his own money, his most prized possession. He'd wear it in the shower, even.

Ron hadn't had anyone treat him to a fancy dinner like this because he was a TV repairman. But it's important to remember he was a TV repairman with a Rolex. There, ticking on his wrist, powered by the unprivileged movements of his life, was his Rolex. A real one that he bought with his own money, his most prized possession. He'd wear it in the shower, even.

When he'd pose for pictures like a model who believes they have one good side, the Rolex side was the one he wanted people and the camera to see. In Ron's life, he wouldn't have many moments where he got to experience the finer things, the luxuries. But then in walked David Davis. Refined, classy, a man who from where Ron was sitting must have appeared to be the Rolex of people.

When he'd pose for pictures like a model who believes they have one good side, the Rolex side was the one he wanted people and the camera to see. In Ron's life, he wouldn't have many moments where he got to experience the finer things, the luxuries. But then in walked David Davis. Refined, classy, a man who from where Ron was sitting must have appeared to be the Rolex of people.

And it was easy to tell that Davis liked Ron too. And more than that, Davis was starting to see potential in Ron. Back in Harrogate after the whirlwind weekend in London, Ron went back to his job and Elaine had to return to hers at the art auctioneer. She'd given her notice but was on the hook for a few more weeks.

And it was easy to tell that Davis liked Ron too. And more than that, Davis was starting to see potential in Ron. Back in Harrogate after the whirlwind weekend in London, Ron went back to his job and Elaine had to return to hers at the art auctioneer. She'd given her notice but was on the hook for a few more weeks.

The days dragged for Elaine as the movie of her future jet setting and photography played on a loop in her mind. She and Davis still needed to iron out some of the details of the work itself, and he encouraged her to name her own salary, which wasn't something Elaine was comfortable with. So she called her old friend Chris for some guidance.

The days dragged for Elaine as the movie of her future jet setting and photography played on a loop in her mind. She and Davis still needed to iron out some of the details of the work itself, and he encouraged her to name her own salary, which wasn't something Elaine was comfortable with. So she called her old friend Chris for some guidance.

But something about the job Elaine was describing wasn't adding up.

But something about the job Elaine was describing wasn't adding up.

Elaine named her salary. Davis accepted. She worked her final shift at the auctioneer. And finally, it was time to start her work with David Davis. And in our interview with Elaine, when we got to this part and asked her about her work with Davis over 30 years later, you can hear, it's still too hot to touch.

Elaine named her salary. Davis accepted. She worked her final shift at the auctioneer. And finally, it was time to start her work with David Davis. And in our interview with Elaine, when we got to this part and asked her about her work with Davis over 30 years later, you can hear, it's still too hot to touch.

So here's what happened. For the first trip for David Davis, the plan was go to Geneva and then on the way back, swing by France to meet with a real estate agent who is going to show her some properties that David Davis was interested in buying.

So here's what happened. For the first trip for David Davis, the plan was go to Geneva and then on the way back, swing by France to meet with a real estate agent who is going to show her some properties that David Davis was interested in buying.

Davis said, I'll meet you there, we'll go for lunch, and then I'll take you out to the hotel by the airport so that you can fly for Switzerland in the morning.