Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2016 19:45:57 +0000 From: Clive Westwood Subject: Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 26 Relationships Please remember to donate to Nifty, it gives so much to all of us. Any amount, large or small, is welcome in order to keep this free site available. Thank you, donations to the address below. Http://Donate.nifty.org/donate.html Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 26 Moving day had been exhausting for everyone, the entire contents of Aly and Bo's apartment at The Inn was transported to the new house. For Pierre and Piers the task of moving their belongings was relatively simple, they had very little, but their Poppas still insisted everything was put away neatly. What had originally been intended as a four bedroom property now had seven bedrooms. Aly had agreed with Bo, the boys should have complete privacy, their own space. The ground floor had a large open plan kitchen/diner, with a utility room, through double glass doors there was a separate large lounge which led out onto a private patio area. The first floor above ground now comprised Aly and Bo's suite, plus a further ensuite king size room. The second floor had three further ensuite double rooms. The top floor was where Aly had changed the layout substantially, what had been intended only as attic storage space now had skylight windows, it was split into three main areas, at opposite ends a full suite for each boy, containing a large bedroom, bathroom and walk in closet. Exiting the lift or coming up the stairs led to a central sitting area between the two suites, Aly had deliberately left this area open but should the need arise it could easily be sectioned out to provide one or two more bedrooms whilst still leaving space for a seating area, right now the room was set out with comfortable sofa's, a large flat screen TV and two study areas, this was the boys domain and they were charged with keeping it clean and tidy. Pierre and Piers had gone to bed that first night exhausted, each slept soundly in their new king sized beds. They were awoken early next morning by an excited Bo shouting from the sitting area of the attic floor. "Come on you pair of lazy bones, you still have lots to put away". Pierre was first to come out of his room rubbing his eyes, he stopped dead, looking first at the pile of boxes outside his bedroom door, then at Bo sitting on a sofa, grinning like a Cheshire Cat, then back at the boxes before he spoke. "You have to stop doing this, we don't need presents all the time, we didn't agree to be your sons for all this, you'll end up bankrupt. Bo's grin faded as he saw the tears trickling down Pierre's face. Beckoning the boy to come sit with him, they'd just hugged as Aly mounted the stairs, Piers came out of his room eying the pile of boxes in front of his door just in time to be scooped up into a hug by Aly. When they were all settled on the sofas Piers asked. "What's the matter Pierre, why are you sad?". Aly answered. "He's upset because Poppa Bo has been spending again, I'm guessing you've got some cool gadgets amongst this little lot though". Pierre answered. "But you can't keep spending like this, we don't need all this stuff". Bo was back to grinning. "I promise I won't keep spending like this, but for now these are what I class as essentials, your rooms look like we've just had a garage sale, so you've each got a stereo system, TV, computer, laptop and a cell phone, the bags contain your new school uniforms". Pierre was shaking his head, until Aly spoke. "What is it Pierre, why aren't you happy?". Pierre looked at him. "We've never been so happy, no one ever did so much for us, we're grateful but we don't want to cost you lots of money". Aly looked at Bo. "I think you have some explaining to do my love". Bo's grin got even bigger if that was possible. "Boys, we live very comfortably off what The Inn makes, but all this, this comes from somewhere else, I, well no, not I any more, we, that's Poppa Aly and I, have a separate private fortune, you see, I used to own, with Joe, my partner who died, a string of very successful restaurants called JoBo". Bo paused and Piers spoke up. "Yes, but I know what Pierre means, you don't have to spend all that money on us, we don't want to cost you lots of money, we only want to be a family". Aly hugged him closer. Bo continued. I sold JoBo for a little over Seven Hundred Million English Pounds Sterling, I gave One Hundred Million Pounds to my sister Maddy, because she kept it going for over two years when I couldn't function after Joe died, she's your Aunt Maddy now". Another pause. "Your Uncle Pete manages the money for us and even after taxes, we still make around Twenty Million Pounds Sterling each year, we give a lot to charities anonymously, so you see we won't run out of money and if I want to spend on any of you guys I will because I just want to see you happy, so no more long faces okay?". Pierre nodded grinning, he could relax now he knew they weren't going to bankrupt their new Poppas. Aly spoke up. "We need to get your allowances sorted and what you're going to be responsible for, do you want to explain that Bo?". Bo nodded, taking two sets of cards from his wallet he handed two cards to each boy. "You'll need wallets when we go shopping, one card is your cash account, your monthly allowance goes into your account on the first day of each month, that will be Six Hundred Euro's, the other card is a credit card with a One Hundred Thousand Euro limit, your statements will go directly to our accountants who will settle any outstanding balance each month". Bo paused to allow them to take it all in. "There are rules to go with these, if you exhaust your allowance before the end of the month you have to do without, or ask one of us to give you extra, you are not allowed to use your credit card to supplement your allowance, your credit card is for purchases like birthday and Christmas presents only, your cell phone bills will be taken from your allowance one month in arrears, so for instance if your cell phone bill were Fifty Euros this month, then Fifty Euros would be deducted from your allowance next month so be aware of what you are spending, any questions?". Pierre shook his head then threw himself at Bo. "How did we get so lucky, we got the best Poppas in the world, thank you, we love you". Aly wanted to impress on them. "Remember, we are in a very privileged position, we should never have the need to want for anything, you of all people know, there are a good many out there who aren't as fortunate, we have a responsibility to help others wherever and whenever we can, mostly your Poppa and I prefer to do it anonymously, we would prefer that you follow our example, you should never feel guilty for having, but having and not sharing, not using it properly, that is just wrong, we trust you to make your own decisions, but if you need guidance just ask okay?". Bo needed to make them aware of one last item. "On the day that the adoption process becomes final, One Hundred Million Pounds Sterling will be deposited into a trust fund for the children of your Poppa and I, it will be for the benefit of any and all of our children, whether they be born naturally to us or adopted, you will be expected to interact with Uncle Pete and his team in the management of the trust, also, each child must take their share, according to the number of children and the trust total value, at the date they reach the age of eighteen, thereafter they must manage it themselves, Uncle Pete will still manage it for you if you so wish, the last child to inherit will get whatever is left in the pot at age eighteen to close the master trust, I think that's everything". The adoptions were formalised four weeks later on a Friday morning in the courtroom at Montclair with most of the wider family watching. Pierre and Piers were both in tears as the Judge announced that henceforth the boys would be known by the names, Pierre Alonso Bowles-Cruz and Piers Alonso Bowles-Cruz, sons and rightful heirs of Alejandro and Roger Bowles-Cruz. As the Judges gavel came down to end the proceedings there was a general rush to hug both boys. Rosa beat everyone, dragging both boys into a joint hug and pressing a Hundred Euro note into each of their hands. "I am so proud to have you both as my grandsons, I am going to spoil you rotten, just you see". Leo was next and another Hundred Euro note appeared for each boy. "Anything you need boys, remember I'm your grandfather, it's my privilege to get it for you, I'm at the end of the phone night or day, don't hesitate, I expect you to call me". Before they left the court buildings both boys had Six Hundred Euro's in their pockets. Bo nudged Aly, indicating he should watch the boys, they were up to something. Pierre could be seen explaining something to Piers who was eagerly nodding in agreement. As they watched the boys made their way over to Madame Cleary, the Matron of The Orphanage, after speaking with her, both boys pulled the money they'd been gifted from their pockets, pressing it into her hands. Madam Cleary was obviously shocked and was protesting. Aly nudged Bo. "Go help them, she needs to understand it's their decision, and it's one we're proud of". Bo was behind the boys without them knowing he was there until he spoke. "Madam, if my sons have decided to donate their gifts, then I'm immensely proud of them, please accept, they know their own mind and I trust their decision". Pierre smiled at Bo. "We don't need it Poppa, and Madam Cleary uses her own money to take the kids on trips each year so we want to help". Bo looked at Madam Cleary. "Is that true, do you use your own money to give the children treats?". She blushed and nodded. "I do what I can to make life a little better for all my charges, it's not much but it's something". Bo was overwhelmed. "Madam, I'll have our accountants contact you, they'll set up a credit arrangement for you, the bills for any trip you feel is worthwhile are to be charged and will be taken care of by us, please don't use your own funds in future, and don't stint, give the children whatever you feel is alright, if you're at all unsure speak to Pierre or Piers they'll reassure you and even furnish you with a note to that effect if it will reassure you". That afternoon there was a party at Montclair to which just about everyone in Montclair was invited, in the evening there were fireworks before Aly and Bo took a tired Pierre and a snoring Piers home to The Inn. Several months had elapsed since the adoptions had been legalised and the family Bowles-Cruz were happily into a routine. Aly noticed that lately whenever there was a family gathering, Pierre was invariably huddled with his Uncle Pete, then he realised rather than the accountants collecting the accounts every Tuesday morning as they always had, Pierre now delivered them to the accountants offices after school on Monday afternoon staying around an hour with them. One Monday afternoon when Pierre arrived back from the accountants he sought out Aly and Bo. "Poppas could you spare some time to discuss a project I've been working on please?". Aly and Bo were intrigued and agreed after dinner would be okay. Pierre, with a beaming smile disappeared off into the lift and up to his room where he proceeded to print out sheets of information, compiling four small identical brochure booklets which he stapled individually. After dinner all four settled on the sofas in the large downstairs lounge and Bo asked what the meeting was about. Pierre handed each a brochure but asked them not to look at them yet. Everyone was puzzled until he explained. "I've been working on a project which Uncle Pete, and our accountants have helped me with, I wanted to see if we could be more efficient, in all areas of our business and ultimately return better profits, it seems we can". He noted the interest from all of them. "On a fairly regular basis we run out of stock on the bars, in the dining rooms, in the kitchens, we also have some embarrassing moments when we run out of basic essentials like toilet tissue". Aly giggled, the toilet roll incident had been a classic which they all still laughed about, it had resulted in all four of them emptying the local store of toilet rolls and heading full pelt back to The Inn whilst trying to hide their purchases. I want to install a computer system that will accurately record everything we do, every item used or sold, every item bought, a system which will serve to instruct us on patterns of usage that will guide our purchases, head off disasters like the toilet roll fiasco". He could see that he'd lost some of the interest they'd had, okay he thought, Uncle Pete had taught him how to deal with that. "If you'll open your brochure and go to the very last page you'll see a series of cost sheets, the first sheet details what it costs us annually to operate as we currently do, the second what it would cost annually to operate with the system I want us to install, please note the marked difference in cost". They all were studying the figures, Piers included, good he thought, I've got them back. "The last sheet gives the cost to purchase and install the system I've identified as the best for our needs, you will note, the installation and maintenance in the first year is less than the loss we are currently suffering, operating as we do, there is a sub sheet showing the gains on subsequent years where no start up cost would apply". None of them had looked up, they were all engrossed in the figures, okay he thought, go for gold. "I've worked hard to research this, I've had my findings independently verified, I stand by my recommendation, does anyone have any questions?". Piers was first. "Who checked your findings?" Pierre understood Piers was helping him. "I have gone over both my research and my calculations with Uncle Pete, two of his senior partners and with our accountants, all of them have confirmed and agreed the research and data is accurate, if you look at page four, you will see their statements". He winked at Piers who tried not to laugh. Bo spoke next. "I don't really figure in this discussion other than, I see the figures and it makes good financial sense to agree with you, but I have to say I'm a creative person, I don't have any real interest in the actual operation of the business, if we make money, that's all I'm interested in, I'd be happy to agree to do whatever Poppa Aly thinks is best". They all now looked at Aly. "I would like to set this aside for a moment then come back to it shortly, if that's okay with everyone?". They all agreed, though it threw Pierre somewhat, he hadn't expected this, had he gone to far, was Poppa Aly annoyed, he couldn't tell, but he tried to lessen the possible blow. "I'm sorry if I've overstepped the mark Poppa, I didn't mean to upset anyone, I only wanted us to be more efficient, provide a better, smoother service, we can forget all this, don't be upset, please". They could all see he was upset, nervous, worried even that he'd offended them. Aly smiled. "Come here Pierre". Pierre manoeuvred his buggy then eased himself out of it to sit on the sofa next to his Poppa. Aly put his arm around Pierre. "I only want to set it aside for a moment so I can marvel, revel even, in what you have done, I'm so, so, very proud of you, you probably don't even realise the phraseology you used in that presentation, but I do, I heard it, you said 'Our, We, Us, I listened to you and I want to scream out loud, that's my boy, he has our interest at heart, thank you, for doing something to help us all". Aly now scooped Pierre into a hug and kissed his cheek repeatedly. Pierre was beaming. "You don't think I went too far?". Aly grinned. "I think you are a bloody genius, you have my backing to go ahead and make it happen, there is of course one drawback, you'll lose your job, we won't need a bookkeeper". Pierre laughed. "Typical capitalist, counting your ill gotten gains whilst I'm begging on some street corner for pennies to get by". Aly laughed. "Oh yeh, Mr Penniless, well we're agreed it's a damn good project, you are the main man on this, get it in place as soon as you can". Pierre worked tirelessly to ready The Inn for it's impending computerisation, until he got a rather rude response on the telephone two days before the installation was scheduled to take place. He'd called the company tasked with carrying out the work, only to be told no order for installation existed, he was baffled, when he explained that he'd discussed everything, agreed a cost and confirmed the order, he was told the employee he'd dealt with had now left the company and they didn't take orders valued at many thousands of euros from a mere boy, the final insult was when the call was cut off, leaving him staring at a useless handset. Pierre was crestfallen, crying, he hadn't thought they wouldn't take him seriously, he'd let everyone down, messed up, and now he had to tell his Poppas. Having listened, Bo pulled him into a hug, Aly reacted very differently. "They said what?, get your jacket Pierre we're going to sort this now, how dare they". Unbeknown to Pierre, whilst he fetched his jacket, and with Bo's approval, Aly called their solicitors and transferred twenty percent of the total share capital of The Inn, into the names of their sons, each was now a fully fledged shareholding Director of The Inn. The company tasked with installation was a mere ten miles from Montclair and Aly made the trip in record time. During the journey Pierre apologised for causing so much trouble, saying he should have realised they wouldn't let him place the order. Aly though was in no mood to allow any leniency where someone upset his son. "You did nothing wrong son, you discussed the requirements, agreed a cost and placed an order which was accepted, I won't have you treated in this way, when they strike at you they strike at every member of this family, well now they're going to experience a little payback". Pierre was shocked, he'd never seen his Poppa this riled up, but equally he was stoked, never before had anyone ever stuck up for him on this scale. Pulling his 4x4 into a management parking slot outside the company offices, Aly lifted Pierre out and onto his buggy before they headed inside. At reception Aly addressed the prim looking lady who'd asked if he had an appointment. "I am Alejandro Bowles-Cruz of The Inn at Montclair, this is my son Pierre Alonso Bowles-Cruz, the only appointment I have is after I leave here in exactly thirty minutes, to meet my legal team at the Montclair Courthouse, where I will be executing a legal claim against this company so large it will be bankrupt within the hour, now unless you want me to do exactly as I have just described Madam, I suggest you have before me within the next few minutes, the idiot who dared to insult my son on the telephone earlier, or his superior, the clock is ticking". The receptionist almost ran towards the offices behind her. Within minutes a plump blustering man came out with the receptionist and immediately launched into conversation. "What on earth is all of this shouting, I should summon the local Gendarme to have you removed". Aly was not impressed. "Oh please do, I urge you, give me an excuse to have your company thrown into administration before close of business today, yes please do, that should prove a good lesson for you on the folly of insulting my son and ultimately our family". The fool was now becoming worried, it was plain to see. "How exactly have we upset you, or your son, please explain". Aly was tiring of this conversation but he explained. "My son negotiated a cost, agreed a schedule and placed an order for installation of a system which someone very rudely told him earlier you would not honour because he is a mere boy". The fool tried to interrupt but Aly just held up his hand for silence. "A mere boy !!!, let me tell you, this, 'mere boy', as you call him, holds the title Finance Director of The Inn at Montclair, he is a share owning director, he has call on a personal fortune in excess of Fifty Million Euros which he jointly manages with his advisers, and you dare to call him a, 'mere boy', and then cut off his telephone call". Again the fool tried to interrupt, yet again Aly's hand silenced him. You have used up ten of the thirty minutes I allowed you when I arrived, I would counsel you to use the remaining time wisely, when I leave this building we will either be satisfied, or alternatively, we go directly to the Court, the choice is yours". The fool was thinking, you could almost hear the cogs grinding around in his head, but it took him only moments to reach a decision. "I apologise sir, to you, but most pointedly I would like to address your son". Aly nodded his agreement. Turning to Pierre he repeated his statement. "I apologise young sir, someone has acted rashly, and quite stupidly, your age is of no consequence, a simple request for you to verify your status would have seen this foolishness never happen, but as Chairman of this company, I alone take responsibility, I ask for your forgiveness, the schedule you agreed will be reinstated and as a gesture of goodwill, I will authorise a ten percent reduction of the agreed cost, that is, if that would meet with your approval". Pierre looked to Aly who simply shrugged his shoulders. Turning back to the man, but looking pointedly at his wristwatch as he did so, Pierre said. Fifteen percent reduction and I will forget the insult and agree to go ahead, your choice". Aly almost choked. The man didn't flinch he responded immediately. "Agreed, and thank you sir, we will look after you, I promise". As he helped Pierre back into the 4x4 Aly couldn't resist it. "Fifteen percent??, you actually asked for, and got, fifteen percent reduction, I am so impressed I could burst, you are a genius Pierre, an absolute genius, and I don't think they'll forget you in a hurry". Pierre, not to be outdone replied. "And when exactly did I become a shareholding Director of Finance?". Aly actually giggled. "Ah, well that would be while you were fetching your jacket earlier, but believe me, you have more than earned it, so has Piers, I've never seen two boys so focused on being involved, intent and happy to pull their weight". Piers had become a much sought after commodity, he worked hard, diligently performing whatever duty he were asked to undertake, but by far his biggest popularity was in the restaurants private dining rooms. Difficult guests melted into oblivion when faced with the quivering lip of young Piers if they complained, boisterous hen parties were subdued when faced with the young angelic face, stern matrons who never normally left a tip were found frantically digging deep in their purses after a thank you kiss on each cheek from Piers, he had them down, every one of them, and they were clamouring for repeat bookings. Any shortfall on any team, be it housekeeping, kitchen, restaurants, Piers was the preferred replacement. Everyone remembered his strop, his gargantuan strop, because he said out loud what a great many thought, it just happened the recipients of his wrath were his Poppas, Aly and Bo. It had been a public holiday weekend, piers had been approached first by housekeeping, they were shorthanded, they needed help changing more than twenty five rooms. Between the hours of eight in the morning and two in the afternoon Piers presented twelve rooms back to reception, all perfectly turned around, ready for occupancy, in the process he picked up nearly four hundred Euro's left by departing guests. It was the first time he'd done that many rooms and he was shocked by the amount of tips the guests had left. The money, as tradition dictated, was kept personally by the room cleaner, something which did not sit well with Piers. He decided to speak to his Poppas, he felt all tips, from wherever they came, should be shared amongst all staff whatever their position, from gardener to kitchen porter to Maitre de. The problem arose without Aly or Bo being prepared, Piers was tired, he'd helped housekeeping by preparing twelve rooms. Pierre had seen him in reception and told him to go get some lunch, but by then he'd already agreed to help the kitchen staff with afternoon vegetable prepping, from there he was chased down by the restaurant staff to help set up for evening diners and by early evening there was a shortage of servers for a particularly boisterous party in the large private dining room. In all Piers had worked over thirteen hours without a break, without eating. When he approached Aly and Bo in the reception area a little after nine in the evening they too were tired, this was a particularly difficult weekend. "Poppas, can we look at how tips are shared amongst staff, it's not fair when some of the staff don't get anything, whilst some get lots?". Aly made a fateful mistake, not only did he not give proper consideration to Piers request, he dismissed his son rather rudely. "Oh Piers child, leave it, I'm tired, it's been a long day, don't irritate me, things work fine as they are". Piers, was incensed, and if truth be known, as it would be later, he was more than a little light headed, he felt sick, dizzy, not having eaten all day. "So what?, now I'm an irritating child, I wasn't a child when you needed me to work, I'm supposed to be a shareholder in this family business, I suppose we're only family when it suits you, here take this, shove it up your arse, I want to go back to the orphanage, I hate you both". Piers threw the bundle of notes at Aly and Bo, there was by then, with his added tips from the restaurants, more than six hundred Euro's, they fluttered in the air. Aly and Bo were shocked they could see what was happening but it seemed unreal. Pierre came through into reception just as Piers started shaking, he staggered, his eyes turned up into his head, he collapsed with a crash across a low table. Pierre screamed. "Piers, Piers, what's wrong?" Trying to get off his buggy to get to his brother, Pierre tripped, fell heavily forward, his head striking the reception counter, he lay unconscious next to his brother, blood pooling on the floor around his head. Pandemonium reigned for several moments, Aly and Bo were on their knees, an unconscious boy in each of their arms, in moments there were paramedics pushing them aside before both boys were loaded into an ambulance, sirens blaring it screeched away from The Inn, with Aly and Bo following. At the hospital they were ushered into a waiting room. News of the boys injuries hit the streets of Montclair in seconds, it reached Chateau Montclair only minutes later, Rosa and Leo were enjoying a drink with Lenny, PJ, Woody and Jacqueline when they heard the news. The whole extended family arrived at the hospital a few minutes after Aly and Bo. Leo was the first inside. "What happened, are they alright?". Aly was sobbing. "We don't know Poppa, we don't understand what happened, Piers swore at us, he wouldn't, he's a good boy, he swore then he collapsed, Pierre tried to get to him and he fell, it's a nightmare, we don't know what's wrong or why it happened". Leo knew instinctively, he'd seen the boys, they took on anything, everything, he could guess the reason. It was over four hours before doctors approached them. "Your sons are both awake, Pierre is quite groggy, he's badly concussed from the bang on his head, and he has quite a few stitches, we'll need to keep an eye on him for at least a day". The doctor faltered as if unsure how to put the next part. "We have another problem, Piers won't stop sobbing, he won't tell us what's wrong, and he refuses to see either of you, we've identified his blood sugar level was so low it's the obvious reason why he collapsed, we've put him onto a glucose drip, he must not have eaten or drank anything in a very long time, can you shed any light on that?". Aly and Bo looked blank. Leo spoke up. "Doctor, let me speak to him, I think I know what's happened, he'll speak to me, I'm his grandfather". Leo's look to Aly and Bo had them nodding in agreement despite their desperation to see and hold their son. Whilst Leo went with the doctor to see Piers, Aly and Bo went in the other direction, heading towards Pierre's room. Pierre was propped up in bed, his head heavily bandaged. His right eye was sporting an ugly black bruise, nothing more could be seen because of the bandages. As soon as they appeared in the room Pierre became agitated. "Where's Piers, is he alright, what happened, I heard him swearing at you, what did you do, Piers wouldn't do that, not without good reason, tell me for gods sake or I'm getting out of this bed and I'll find him myself?". Bo and Aly engulfed him, shushing him, Aly replied. "Seriously, we don't know what happened, he asked a question and I'm thinking I didn't reply as he wanted, next minute he was throwing his tips at us and swearing, you saw the rest, he collapsed, no warning, he just passed out". Pierre looked at them. "I know why, he didn't eat all day, I told him at about two o'clock to get something, he said he would as soon as he'd done the vegetables, he must have gone straight to the dining room to help lay tables, then into the private dining rooms". Aly and Bo were shocked, Aly had to ask. "How many hours has he worked?, I saw him heading towards the rooms at around eight this morning, please god tell me he didn't work the whole day without a break?". Pierre could see the anguish in their faces. "I think he probably did, he takes it so seriously, he wants to pull his weight, we both do, but he puts more effort into it because he's smaller, he thinks he has to do more, and he's a perfectionist, which is why everyone wants him to work for them, he doesn't like to say no and he forgets to take a break, forgets to eat". Bo was first to reply. "It's our fault, how could we not know how much he was doing, we were so busy patting ourselves on the back as good parents, we must be the worst parents possible, you were both safer when you lived at the orphanage, we haven't protected you, we've exploited you, worked Piers into the ground, and look at you, in a hospital bed, with a black eye and a head that's split open". Pierre knew they needed to get this sorted. "Come on, find me a wheelchair, let's go see him, why aren't one of you with him anyway?". Bo replied. "He won't see us, he refused, your grandfather has gone to talk to him, he said he wants to go back to the orphanage". Pierre sat upright and groaned. "Okay, enough, get that wheelchair, he needs a Pierre talk, he's frightened, I'm guessing he thinks you're angry with him for swearing, he's trying to run away, get me to him now". It didn't take long to locate a wheelchair, though the doctor was not happy about Pierre being out of bed. Heading towards Piers room the came across Leo looking for them. "I haven't had any success, he's still sobbing, he wants you Pierre, he's insisting he wants to go back to the orphanage". Pierre patted his grandfathers arm, turning to his Poppas he said. "It's okay, he's frightened that's all, stay out here, I'll need a few minutes then I'll call you in". As Pierre entered the room Piers sobbing could be heard escalate into full wailing before it eventually subsided. Pierre wheeled himself up to the bed and after a struggle, managed to hoist himself into bed with his brother. Taking Piers in his arms he reassured him. "Come on now Bro, everything's alright, cam down, you're safe". Piers sobbing returned. "It's not alright, I want to go back to the orphanage, they'll be angry, I swore, lots of people heard me, I want to go back to the orphanage, please Pierre, let me, I'll be okay, they won't be angry with you, you didn't do anything wrong". Pierre was rocking him in a hug. "You see, that's where you're wrong, I did do something wrong, I should have stopped you, you do understand why it all happened don't you?". Piers was thinking. "Poppa Aly told me I was an irritating child". Pierre knew how to explain it now. "Yes he did but, we've talked about taking things out of context haven't we?". Piers nodded. "Well that's exactly what you're doing now, taking a little snippet of what actually happened and dwelling on it, you need to look at the whole picture, will you listen whilst I lay it out for you?". Again Piers nodded. "You started work before eight this morning, you didn't finish until after nine this evening, that's over thirteen hours, tell me when, at what times did you stop to eat, or to drink, to take a rest?". Pierre could see Piers thinking. "I don't remember". Pierre went on. "You don't remember because you didn't do any of those things, you worked non stop, right through the day, even after I'd met you in reception at around two in the afternoon and told you to go get some lunch, you didn't, did you?". There were tears rolling down his face again as he shook his head". Pierre hugged him tighter. "Don't be upset we're trying to work out what went wrong, you see, when you met our Poppas in reception a little after nine, I bet you were feeling dizzy, you can't use up all that energy without replacing it, your body is a bit like a boiler, put coal in the boiler fire and it makes hot water, put food in your belly and it makes energy, no coal, no fire, no hot water, it's just the same with your body, no food, no energy, Piers collapses, you understand me don't you?". Piers nodded and Pierre went on. "They're not angry with you, they're beating themselves up for not seeing how much you were doing, they think they're the worst parents on the planet, no mention of you being the numpty that caused it". At that Piers finally chuckled, again Pierre went on. "We're all to blame, you because you're so good at what you do everyone wants you, me because I saw what you were doing and I didn't stop you, our Poppas because we both fooled them by not telling them what we were doing". Pierre carried on, still hugging and rocking Piers. "Now I'm going to call them in, don't worry they're not angry, they just want to hold you and know you're alright". Pierre called out to his Poppas, who he knew would be no more than inches from the door and the door opened immediately. Aly was the first across the room scooping Piers out of Pierre's arms into his. "Oh my sweet child I'm so sorry, I was rude, I upset you, forgive me, I promise, it will never happen again, can you forgive me?". Piers was relieved, Pierre had been right, they weren't bothered about his swearing, they just wanted to keep him safe, he nodded. "Yes Poppa, I'm sorry about the naughty words, I don't know why I said them, I was angry, but that's no excuse is it?". Aly just hugged tighter. "Ordinarily I'd agree with you but this wasn't ordinary, there was a good reason why you were upset, part of it was my fault, part of it was your fault, so I think it's only fair we give you a pass on that, as long as it doesn't become a habit". Piers was relieved. "No Poppa, I promise". Aly asked. "So, can I persuade you to stay with us, give us another chance, after all, we're all learning this family thing, I promise I'll try harder in future, I also promise I'll listen to what you asked me, when we get you out of here you can explain it to me, it obviously meant a lot to you so you deserve to be heard". By now Bo was chomping at the bit. "Come on Aly your hogging our boy I need a fix". Aly reluctantly moved aside and Bo was in like lightning, hugging Piers. Both boys were kept under observation overnight and released the following afternoon. As soon as they got back to The Inn the boys were tucked up on sofas in the downstairs lounge where Aly announced. "Okay everyone is now going to do penance for the events of the last few days, everyone is grounded until tomorrow". At first piers stiffened afraid he would finally be scolded, but he needn't have worried as Aly went on. I have the kitchens making everyone's favourite pizza, then I have popcorn ready to go and a whole bunch of cartoon films, no one is allowed to leave this room except to pee, poo or go to bed". Piers was now laughing hysterically. "Poppa said pee and poo, that's naughty ". And so they had their precious boys home. Aly and Bo were agreed, there would be a time where they needed to discuss what happened and make sure it didn't happen again, but that time was not now, for now they were just happy their boys were home safe. TBC ARB Allan Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com. Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.