Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2015 21:57:38 +0000
From: Clive Westwood <cfgw2000@aol.com>
Subject: Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 15 Relationships

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Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 15


The marriage of Raul to Reya was a magical day for them both, finally after
all their years together they became Mr and Mrs Raul Perez, in a ceremony
before their families and friends, their only regret that Aly, Reya's
younger brother and Woody's childhood friend, couldn't get leave from his
deployment in Afghanistan, though they'd set up a Skype link and he'd
watched the ceremony live surrounded by some of his mates, toasting the
happy couple with cans of beer.

For all they enjoyed their day, the one who gained most was Juan, being
dragged repeatedly from one relative to the next, being introduced as, 'our
brother Juan', by a beaming Josef and Sofia.

Learning the names of all of the new relatives proved to much for Juan
whose head was spinning by the end of the day, but he came home floating on
a cloud, he'd been hugged by Uncle Woody and Aunt Jacqueline, dragged away
by cousins Roslyn and Paul, cuddled by Aunt Beth and Uncle Dave, dragged
away again by cousins Robby and Elly, whirled around by Uncles Pete and
Jaque, then dragged into a triple hug with Uncles Billy and Jay, whilst
Aunt Jolly fought to get her hug, cousins Jo, Willie and Jase again dragged
him off for a pow wow telling him he was going to really enjoy Christmas in
Lanzarote when all the families got together.

A little more than three weeks later and the children were excitedly
sorting and laying out clothes for the household staff to pack in readiness
for their departure to Lanzarote the following day.

Juan had been Christmas shopping with Josef and Sofia, though at first he'd
had his usual panic attack seeing the never ending list of presents his
brother and sister had told him he needed to buy.

When Josef explained he was allowed to spend up to one thousand euros on
his credit card for Christmas presents he'd set about the challenge with
methodical determination, marking off each person with the chosen item and
cost until every name was covered.

At Montclair a similar packing frenzy was underway though Woody was
oblivious to it, he was seated in his office on a teleconference link to
New York and Torremolinas, at the other end of the links were PJ and Ramon
in Torremolinas, Josh and Bryan in New York, they had continued to chat
after most board members had departed.

Woody had secured approval to commission a new division of Woodruff, it
would be called 'Woodruff Holiday Parks' and would be no easy task to put
into action.

On a visit to England earlier in the year Roslyn and Paul had begged to
experience something their friends in Montclair had talked about, a caravan
holiday.

With the help of Mrs Albright at their parents London home he'd booked a
seven day stay at a caravan park in Cornwall.

When they'd arrived Woody and Jacqueline hadn't been impressed, the site
was poorly maintained, the landscaping fell into three categories,
thriving, dying, dead, funnily the only thing in the first category were
the weeds, they were doing fine, they were everywhere.

The accommodation was old, really dismal, well past its sell by date, but
Roslyn and Paul had enjoyed a wonderful week making new friends every day.

By day two Woody and Jacqueline had made several friends whilst sitting on
the deck area in a group watching the kids play in the pool.

Woody asked in idle conversation, what the group thought was wrong with the
park and as the conversation flowed he became more and more animated,
deeply interested in their comments.

Drumming down to the basics Woody summed up their comments, "You want a
well laid out Park with good landscaping, good quality accommodation units
that are equipped with the essentials for everyday living and kept in good
shape, there has to be a shop and restaurant offering quality products and
meals, maybe a spa complex but not essential, the communal pool and deck
area have to be well maintained and a safe environment for children of all
ages.

Jacqueline watched Woody and saw it immediately, she was fascinated as she
always was, she never tired of seeing it, Woody had found a new project.

Over the next two months he had been immersed in his research, until
finally he had a plan.

When PJ and Lenny arrived at Montclair for their late summer break Woody
and PJ went immediately into a huddle as the venture, which PJ had only so
far had snippets of information on, was explained to him.

It was Woody's plan to set up a series of Superior Quality Holiday Parks in
the UK, lavishly landscaped and meticulously maintained, each within a
secure gated community.

There would be walking, running and biking tracks and trails, a supermarket
style shop which he favoured franchising out to one of the leading
supermarket chains, a high class restaurant, which again he wanted to have
links with a notable high profile Chef, plus a family friendly eatery where
dress was not so critical.

An English Public Bar, with themed events and links to an outside deck
area.

There would be a large sectioned pool with fountains and slides surrounded
by a relaxation area.

There had to be a proficient and enthusiastic entertainment team, offering
a sufficiently broad entertainment package, consisting of a modern engaging
style, carefully structured to capture the imagination and involvement of
youngsters from all age groups.

The accommodations would be in Static Caravans or as they were also known
Mobile Homes, not the run of the mill type of accommodation normally
associated with holiday lettings, these would be stylish, cathedral roof
type, central heated, well appointed, well equipped, two, three and four
bedroom units with a minimum of two bathrooms, one of which would be
ensuite to the Master Bedroom, high end furnishings, linens and electrical
goods, sofas and armchairs rather than that awful built in seating which
Woody and Jacqueline had suffered sitting on, each unit would be set in
it's own plot with outside leisure space and dedicated parking.

The accommodations would all have access to private decking with quality
deck furniture, Whirlpool Hot Tubs and free WiFi access.

The parks would be open eleven months of the year, only closing in January
and would be a mix of residential owned units and holiday letting units.

The one month closure in January would address two issues, the first
allowed the residential clients to avoid UK residential tax, applied to
properties occupied throughout the full year, secondly it allowed for pre
planned large scale remedial work to be carried out without inconvenience
to residents or guests.

Woody had identified six sites currently around the UK where he wanted to
launch the new venture, two in Cornwall, one in Devon, one in Somerset, one
in Wales, one in Scotland.

All of the sites were old, tired, run down caravan parks, their owners
either didn't have the vision or the inclination to do anything with them
and were currently on the market at extremely reasonable prices.

Woody's business model forecast a total of 10 million GBP to purchase and
landscape each park, a further 15 million GBP to purchase, site and link up
an average 150 units per park giving an overall start up cost of 150
million GBP

Woody's cost analysis and revenue calculations made PJ an easy convert and
they planned a board meeting for late November after Raul and Reya's
wedding.

Woody promised, as usual a brochure package to explain the proposal would
be delivered to board members one week before the board meeting, he in the
normal course of events, would accept questions by email and telephone up
to the day before the scheduled meeting.

The last page of his brochure package showed the following bullet points.

Each park 2.5 million GBP revenue per year.  6 parks generate 15 million
GBP in revenue per year.  10 years to recoup outlay of 150 million GBP.
Life expectancy 35 years.  Payback after recouping original outlay, 375
million GBP profit.

The board members had been as enthusiastic as PJ in approving the new
venture, in fact Ramon had asked if he could be hands on involved with the
set up, now all Woody had to do was find someone to put his plans into
action, but if all went well, by January 7th when they left Lanzarotte, he
would have his man.

Josef and Sofia sat on the bed in Juan's bedroom watching intently and
giggling as the well oiled machine that was Juan wrapped the last of their
combined presents before they left for the airport.

In truth he'd wrapped, or re wrapped, all of their presents, deciding Josef
and Sofia's efforts were far to shabby to pass muster.

They knew they were irritating him terribly but they couldn't resist a
giggle when he scowled at them, they knew he didn't mean it, however much
they irritated each other they worshipped each other in equal measure.

"We're done, now get off my bed, you're creasing it, I've changed my sheets
ready for when we come home after New Year".

The house staff loved Juan, other than a paintwork touch up they knew they
would be able to leave his room for the next twelve months and it would
still be as it was the first time he stepped in there, clean, tidy, fresh.

Unlike Josef's or Sofia's rooms, which both looked like bomb sites.


Pauly, Reece, and the children were meeting the Torremolinas crowd at
Malaga Airport FBO offices and flying out on one of PJs private jets.

When they arrived PJ and Lenny had beaten them by a few minutes, as they
said their hello's and got their hugs, Ramon, Pip, Roco and Louisa were
next to arrive along with Rual and Reya, as more hugs were exchanged the
final members of the Torremolinas party rolled up, Leo, Rosa and Aly.

This was Aly's first Christmas home in several years, he'd arrived back on
leave only yesterday following his latest tour in Afghanistan, everyone had
been sworn to secrecy, he would be a complete surprise for Woody, the two
boys, born within minutes of each other had been best friends all their
lives, but everyone could see Aly wasn't himself, he'd been sad and short
tempered since arriving back, refusing to meet up for dinner with Raul and
Reya, even suggesting he shouldn't accompany them to Lanzarote, but he'd
finally relented.

PJ had arranged for the second of his aircraft to collect Mr and Mrs
Albright from London before traveling on to collect Woody, Jacqueline,
Roslyn and Paul along with Pete and Jaque from Montclair in the South of
France.

His third aircraft, on route from the U.S. was up to capacity, it had
already been in the air for a few hours carrying Beth and Dave with their
twins, Billy, Jay, Jolly and their triplets, along with Billy, Julia and
Will Fielding, plus Josh and Bryan, Chris and Max, Brad and Royce.

In Lanzarote the party from London and France landed a few minutes ahead of
PJs plane and were waiting in the FBO Operators lounge having cleared
customs when the second group came through to meet them.

Woody greeted his parents and was part way through suggesting they get
everyone loaded into the waiting cars, then suddenly his voice faltered,
his mouth went dry, he was speechless when the last figure came through the
door.

To Woody it was like a special Christmas present delivered early, he stared
unblinking at the figure in the doorway, unsure at first if his eyes were
playing tricks on him, then as if propelled by a rocket he launched himself
toward his friend, hugging him and kissing his face.

"Oh my god Bro, this is the best present I could ever wish for, you came
back safe, thank god".

For what seemed like an eternity the two held each other tight before
finally pushing apart, to just gaze at each other, everyone could see the
obvious tears in the eyes of both boys.

Woody was grinning like a Cheshire Cat, "Come on folks lets get moving, the
cars need to be back here in a couple of hours for Billy's party arriving,
Aly you're in with us, we have a lot of catching up to do, I want to know
everything that's been going on with you".

That last sentence had caused Aly to look sad, worried, and it hadn't gone
unnoticed by Leo or Rosa, they knew there was something their son was not
telling, but he'd resisted any attempt they'd made to get near to him.

At Leo's request Aly had been given a bungalow of his own and as soon as
they arrived at the house he'd vanished.

In the space between their arrival and the American party arriving Woody
realised Aly had been conspicuously absent, cornering Raul and Reya he
asked what was going on, he was completely thrown when Reya burst into
tears and walked away into the house.

Raul explained, "We don't know Woody, since our wedding he won't speak to
either of us, he seemed genuinely happy for us on the day, you saw him, you
spoke to him, but the day after he was on a link with Leo and he looked and
sounded terrible, when Reya and I joined Leo, he cut the link and now he
won't have anything to do with us, Reya's breaking her heart".

Woody went off to find Leo, he needed to try and make sense of this, he
knew Aly worshiped his big sister and he'd been a driving force in pushing
Raul to propose, so why was he now shunning them?, it didn't make sense.

Leo was with PJ, Lenny, Rosa and the Albright's when Woody found them on
the terrace, he didn't disturb them, he decided to wander down to Aly's
bungalow.

Leo saw Woody heading towards the bungalows and getting up he called out,
"Woody, leave him, he needs space, he's trying to deal with something, I'm
not sure what exactly but it's eating him up, he needs to get whatever it
is straight in his head".

Woody looked at Leo, it was clear he was considering Leo's words, then,
"No, if he's struggling with something, I need to know what it is, maybe I
can help, trust me Uncle Leo".

When he entered the bungalow, it was dark, every blind was closed, there
was definitely something wrong, it seemed to Woody as if Aly was trying to
shut out the world.

He found Aly asleep, curled in a ball on the bed in the master suite, it
was obvious he had been crying.

On the bed beside him was a photograph, Aly and another Soldier, they were
looking, not at the camera, at each other, the expression said it all, it
was how Woody saw himself in photographs looking at Jacqueline.

For Woody the light in his brain half came on, but he was still confused.

He sat on the bed next to Aly who was startled by the movement, looking up
at Woody in the darkness, Woody being only silhouetted by the light coming
in from the open door, "Stevie, Stevie, is it you, I thought I'd lost you".

Aly's voice was an almost sob, Woody put his hand on Aly's arm to calm him.

"Aly, it's me Woody, it's okay Bro, we can figure this out, you just have
to tell me, trust me, christ, we used to know everything about each other,
I cried on your shoulder when Rosy died, I need to know what's going on".

Woody hadn't been prepared for the reply.

"Fuck off you bastard, why trick me, get out, get out now".

Aly threw Woody's arm away from him almost pushing Woody off the bed.

Woody started to object but he didn't get to speak, Aly's foot caught Woody
in the chest propelling him backwards through the doorway into the lounge
where he landed, crumpled, winded.

As he tried to get himself up he was struggling to breath and talk.

"Aly it's me, Woody, tell me what's wrong, trust me, please Bro".

Aly's face was a rage, "Get out I said, now go before I hurt you, you
bastard, I'm worthless, I wasn't there, I should have been there, not him".

Woody stepped gingerly forward but the balled fist caught him square under
the chin, sending him crashing through the glass door which splintered
around him, out onto the lawn, landing him at the feet of his startled
children who, with Josef, Juan and Sofia had come to investigate the
shouting.

Woody's head hit the patio table as he crashed through the door onto the
patio, he registered the children were there but he couldn't do anything,
blackness enveloped him.

Aly was stood looking on, tears streaming down his face, Roslyn and Sofia
were screaming, Paul, Josef and Juan were trying to lift a bleeding Woody
when Leo, Pauly and Pete arrived on the scene.

Leo was the first to speak, "Oh my god son, what have you done, you've hurt
him badly".

Josef looked at Aly, at the tears, he was sobbing.

Taking Aly's hand, and to the amazement of everyone, Josef led Aly back
into the bungalow, through into the bedroom, "Lie down, we need to get this
under control, come on, I'll stay with you, you're not alone, Woody's okay,
he won't blame you, you're Bro's, he'll understand".

Pauly stood in the doorway, he'd followed Josef and Aly, he watched as Aly
drifted off into sleep, Josef never stopped talking, softly, gently,
seeming to wind Aly down.

"Josef come away, I don't want you getting hurt".

Josef, gently raised himself up, keeping contact with Aly, "It's okay Pops,
he won't hurt anyone else, he's popped now, he's hurting, but I don't know
why, he didn't mean to hurt Uncle Woody, he wouldn't, he didn't know what
he was doing, I think he'll sleep for a while now, find out how Uncle Woody
is, I'll be alright, honestly Pops I will".

Later to Reece, Pauly would question why he had instinctively trusted his
son, and be surprised he couldn't answer his own question, but he had, he'd
left Josef there alone with Aly while he checked on Woody, who was now the
focus of the whole party.

Woody was groggy, he had a cut on his head but Jacqueline had managed to
stop the bleeding.

As Woody struggled to get up he asked, "Where is he, is he alright?, he
didn't mean to do that, Aly would never hurt me, there's something
seriously wrong, we have to know what it is".

Pauly answered him, "Josef's with him, don't ask me how but Josef calmed
him, he's sleeping now, I'll keep an eye on them, don't worry Bro, we'll
sort this".

Jacqueline convinced Woody to rest in their room for a while and led him
off as the others talked quietly, shocked by Aly's outburst.

Woody rested, dozing on and off for about an hour, emerging from the
bedroom he asked Jacqueline where Aly was, her reply sent him into an
immediate panic.

"He's gone Woody, he convinced Leo and PJ to let him fly back to
Torremolinas, he left for the airport about ten minutes ago, he wouldn't
let anyone go with him, he insisted on taking a taxi".

Woody was running out of the door as he shouted to Jacqueline, "Call the
pilots, tell them to stall him, I have to speak to him, it can't end like
this", at that Woody jumped into the nearest 4x4 and screeched out of the
drive onto the road.

At the airport the taxi dropped Aly at the Departure entrance for
commercial flights, that confused him until he got directions to the FBO
building for private flights, Woody was later grateful for the taxi drivers
lack of sense, it had delayed Aly by a good twenty minutes allowing Woody
to reach their plane before him.

He told the pilots to usher Aly onboard and close the door from the outside
once he boarded, he also told them to disappear for a while, saying he'd
ring them if he needed them to come back to the plane.

Woody stood out of sight in one of the bedrooms until Ali had been ushered
aboard and he'd heard the unmistakable sound of the door closing.

Coming out from the bedroom behind where Aly was seated he saw his friend
jump in shock at the sound of his voice, "You can't leave yet, not until
you explain all of this to me, convince me it's for the best and I'll let
you go but only if you convince me".

Aly sat, head down, hands covering his face, his voice was low and muffled,
"I'm sorry Woody, I didn't mean to hurt you, I would never, you must know
that, I don't know what came over me, I need to go, that way it won't
happen again, please let me go now".

Woody stayed behind his friend, wanting to reach out and wrap his arms
around him but he held back, "Nice try Bro, that's not what I asked for and
you know it, now come on, spill, I have to know and you have to tell me".

Aly was clearly sobbing, "I can't Woody, you won't understand, you'll hate
me".

Woody walked in front of Aly, "Hold out your right hand palm up, do it now
!".

Aly slowly did as Woody had instructed, there on his palm was the scar from
when they were five years old, Woody did the same, displaying an identical
jagged scar before turning his hand over and clasping the scars together,
palm to palm exactly as they'd been all those years earlier except then
they were fresh wounds pouring with blood, "Say it".

Aly was shaking his head trying to pull his hand away but it was held firm
in Woody's grip, "I said, say it, you remember, I do, it was a solemn
pledge, don't you dare fuckin break it, now look at me and say it".

Aly looked up into his friends face, through tears he quietly said,
"Brothers forever, whatever, for life", Woody repeated the same words, then
dragged Aly out of his seat as they clung together both now sobbing.

"There is nothing, not a single thing you could tell me that would stop me
loving you, there is nothing I wouldn't do to help you, to keep you safe,
now tell me, it's the guy in the photograph isn't it?".

Aly nodded, unable to talk, he just looked pleadingly at Woody, desperate
for him to understand.

"You're lovers, is that it?".

Aly collapsed back into his seat now wracked with sobs, Woody could just
make out his words, "Not any more, he died".

In an instant Woody was beside Aly holding him, "I'm sorry Bro, why the
hell didn't you tell me, we're a team, I'm here, tell me please, I want to
share whatever you're suffering".

Aly pushed back and looked at Woody, "You don't understand, I'm gay".

Woody looked mystified, "And?"

Aly went on, not believing he was hearing this, "You don't care?".

Woody still looked mystified, "Care about what for fucks sake?, you're not
making sense Bro".

"I'm gay Woody, I'm a poof, a faggot, you didn't sign up for that when we
made our pledge".

Woody's mood changed in an instant to anger and it was easily recognisable,
now he was shouting, "So what, you think we should have sat down and drawn
up a kind of pre nup for our pledge?, what, blood brothers by condition,
how fuckin pathetic do you think I am?, I, no, not I, we, made a pact, I'm
still in, and always will be, there are no conditions, as for the gay
thing, so fuckin what?, you like dick, I like fanny, end of".

Woody sat back, his tirade over, arms crossed, obviously annoyed.

"I'm sorry Bro, I've been so mixed up since...........".

Aly couldn't go on, the tears started again and Woody was there holding
him, "Tell me about him, Stevie, that's his name isn't it?".

Aly looked shocked, "How do you know that?".

Woody tutted, "You called his name just before you put my lights out".

For the next hour Aly poured his heart out, Stevie had taken the Patrol Aly
should have commanded on the day of Raul and Reya's wedding.

Whilst Aly watched his sister get married and drank beer in the mess hall,
Stevie died in an ambush, shot by a sniper, they cried together, clung to
each other, then cried some more, at some stage the aircraft door opened
and Ben the pilot popped his head in, Woody nodded to him saying, "Let the
crew go Ben, there'll be no flight today, we're going back to the house
shortly".

On the drive back Aly surprised Woody by saying, "I'm not re enlisting, I
can't do it anymore, my times up in six weeks, when I go back, I'll put my
papers in".

They were silent for a while until Woody said, "You have to explain, you
know that don't you?, Reya is hurting really badly, she doesn't understand
why you won't talk to her, she'll understand if you explain, your Momma and
Poppa are hurting too, they know there's something wrong, they're worried
for you, I'll be with you if you want, I'll always be here you know".

As they pulled into the driveway past the security guards Leo came out of
the house, Aly looked at Woody, "I'll be okay Bro, I need to talk to
Poppa".

Getting out of the car he walked over to Leo, Woody could see them talking
before Leo put his arm around Aly and led him into the house.

Woody sat for a few minutes before Jacqueline came out and seeing him got
into the passenger seat Aly had vacated, "Are you okay Woody?, I was
worried, did you sort it?".

Looking at his beautiful wife he smiled, "I'm definitely alright my love,
in fact I was just sitting here thinking how lucky I am, a big part of that
is because of you, and yes it's sorted nearly, I suspect he's sorting
another part of the problem as we speak, I can't share this Jac, other than
to say he lost someone very precious and he stupidly tried to deal with it
alone, it's not because I don't want to share it with you, it's just not my
place to share it, though I suspect you will know and understand real
soon".

Jacqueline nodded, content to rely on Woody's word.

Together they strolled into the house and out onto the terrace overlooking
the ocean, below them sitting in the garden they could see Leo, Rosa, Reya
and Raul, all with their arms around a sobbing Aly.

After dinner that evening Aly found Woody and Jacqueline playing cards with
Roslyn and Paul on the terrace, as he approached Woody asked his children
to go find their cousins whilst he spoke with Uncle Aly, Jacqueline made to
leave as well but Aly asked her to stay addressing his words towards her,
"I'm sorry I put you through so much stress earlier, Woody didn't deserve
what I did and neither did you, please forgive me".

Sensing he wasn't finished Jacqueline didn't interrupt, she just nodded
acceptance.

"I know Woody won't have told you what happened, I don't have any doubt
about that, I want him to explain it to you, I'm too worn out to do it
again, I'll leave you now, I'm exhausted, I'm going to have an early
night".

They watched as he descended the steps from the terrace to his bungalow.

For the next hour, Woody explained everything to Jacqueline, she dabbing
the frequent tears from her eyes.

After tucking in the children, on the way back to their bedroom Jacqueline
stopped, pulling Woody up short as well, "You shouldn't let him be alone
tonight".

Woody understood, "You wouldn't mind?".

She smiled and kissed him, "Go, he needs someone to hold him right now,
I'll see you in the morning".

Entering the bungalow for a second time that day Woody stripped to his
boxers and climbed into bed behind Aly, putting his arm over his friend and
pulling him close, he heard Aly whisper, "Thank you Bro", as they drifted
off to sleep.

The following morning Woody awoke alone in the bed, Aly was nowhere to be
found in the bungalow, Woody had a mild panic until, after dressing, he
found Aly deep in conversation with Josef by the pool on a lounger.

As he approached them Josef got up to leave, greeting Woody with a 'good
morning' and saying to Aly, "Remember, anything, okay?".

To Woody's quizzical look Aly said, "That is one wonderful child, he
reminds me of you, he's so genuine, no hidden agenda, what you see is what
you get".

Woody looked at Aly, his face saying what his mouth didn't.

Ali answered the unasked question, "I'm better than I have been in weeks,
thank you for last night, it's been a while since I felt that safe, I
actually slept and woke feeling refreshed, I know what I'm going to do now,
I'm putting my papers in when I go back, I have Stevie's funeral to plan,
he wanted to be cremated and scattered somewhere in Europe, he didn't have
any relatives, he grew up in an orphanage, never even went into foster
care, straight into the army after school, he always said France and Italy
were his favourites, when that's done I'm taking some time off before
deciding what the rest of my life should be".

Woody was tentative, this could sound wrong but he wanted to say it, "Come
to Montclair Aly, bring Stevie, we have a family plot on our land, it would
be nice to know where he is, it's a lovely peaceful place".

Aly pondered, "Let me think on it Woody, I'll definitely come and stay for
a while, I'll let you know about Stevie, thanks Bro".

Walking into the main house Woody headed for their bedroom where he heard
the shower running, stripping off his clothes he snuck quietly into the
bathroom and surprised Jacqueline with kisses slipping his hands under her
arms to fondle her breasts before they made passionate love under the warm
cascading water, later they headed back to bed where they again made long
and leisurely, passionate love.

After lunch the girls decided to do a little last minute Christmas
shopping, which for Woody was perfect, sat on the terrace with a beer he
mentioned his search for someone to head up the new venture.

Ramon was enthusiastic asking how the search was going, had Woody narrowed
it down any, reminding him not to forget his offer of a hands on role.

Winking at his father who was in on Woody's plan, he told Ramon he didn't
really need to search he already had his man earmarked, it was just a case
of finding the right time to pitch his offer.

Woody couldn't resist, "So Uncle Ramon, pretend you are the guy I'm
pitching to, I'd be saying, I don't need to look around, I'm looking at the
guy I want, the guy I trust, the guy who's already proved countless times
he can do this with his eyes closed, you know how to create a need, how to
drip feed information designed to excite our future customer base, you know
how to motivate staff, in a nutshell you are my man, so what would you say,
would you accept?".

Both Woody and PJ were waiting with baited breath whilst Ramon, considered
his answer, he knew there was something not quite right here but he
couldn't see it, as for an answer he said, "Yes I would accept, after that
litany of praise I could hardly decline could I?".

By now Raul who'd been watching and listening with a smile was actually
rolling around on his seat laughing hysterically, "Oh Poppa, sometimes you
are so gullible, you were just played by a master, and he was trained at
the hands of the Maestro, I believe congratulations are in order, you just
accepted the position to head up Uncle Woody's new venture".

PJ and Woody were grinning, Ramon looked puzzled, then suddenly the light
came on, he looked at Woody in shock, "Woody Thorn you are every bit as
devious as your bloody father, what did I just do?".

Grinning Woody replied, "You just accepted the position of Chairman,
Woodruff Holiday Parks, I meant every word you know, I was never looking
for anyone, I decided ages ago you were my man, you'll take up your new
position effective January 1st Mr Chairman".

PJ spoke up, I think we better call Josh and Bryan over since they just
lost their European President".

Ramon surprised them all saying, "Actually they just lost their President
and Vice President", turning to a clearly shocked Raul he said, "You think
it's so funny now?, if I'm doing it so are you, congratulations Mr Vice
Chairman".

Josh came over at PJs beckoning, a smile on his face, "I'm guessing you're
about to tell me I've lost my European President, well about bloody time
Woody, I thought you'd never get around to it".

But Josh's face was a picture when he realised he'd lost, his Vice
President as well, "Oh well it looks like Roco just did a double leap,
let's face it we've all known for years he was capable of so much more,
both of your sons trained under a master Ramon and it shows, I guess
someone should give Roco the news".

Finding Bryan in a group with Aly and Roco he joined them, looking at Bryan
he said, "That management problem just took a bit of a wobble".

Bryan looked baffled, they'd already talked this out, Raul would move up to
President and Roco would become Vice President.

Josh now aimed his comments at Roco, "Seems we have a bit of a problem
Roco, you'll be leaving your role as Junior Vice President on January 1st".

Roco was stunned, "Why", he clearly didn't know what to say, they were
sacking him, he'd worked his balls off for years to earn that position, he
looked as though he would burst into tears at any moment.

Josh thought he'd better put him out of his misery, "Well, as good as you
are, even you can't be both Junior Vice President and President European
Operations Woodruff Leisure, which from January 1st you will be,
congratulations Roco you earned this, you so deserve it".

The Christmas and New Year vacation was one of the best they could remember
culminating with Pips birthday party on January 6th, the night before they
departed, once again, scattering all across the world.


TBC

ARB
Allan

Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.

Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.