Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2017 22:15:23 +0100 From: Clive Westwood Subject: Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 10 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 The Next Generation - Chapter 10 Once they were back at Chateau Montclair Woody sought out Jaque. He found him as expected in the Gatehouse, which had long ago been established as the office from where Montclair Winery and its Vineyards were controlled. Jaque had been surprised by Woody's visit, he couldn't ever recollect Woody coming to the Gatehouse Office previously. "Woody, it's a joy to see you, but right now you have me worried, I don't think I've ever seen you here before, whatever brings you here must be pretty important, is there something wrong?". Woody didn't want to keep Jaque in suspense. "No there's nothing wrong Jaque, but I wanted to speak with you without any of the family being around, Jacqueline and I have made a decision which we wanted you to know about and understand, before it becomes common knowledge". Jaque was visibly worried as he answered. "You're not selling up, leaving Montclair, please don't say that's what you've decided". Woody chuckled. "Leaving Montclair, well yes, for a little while, selling up, are you mad, not a chance, between us we've created and established a world renowned brand, Montclair wines are some of the most sought after wines around the world, I couldn't be more proud of what we've achieved, I want that success to continue, to grow". Jaque looked confused. "Then what is it, you and Jacqueline, you're not ill are you?, if you need time out, I can manage". Woody was still overawed by Jaque's caring attitude, he'd never lost that. Woody knew a lot more than Jaque thought he did, about the number of employees over the years who had found themselves in dire need, about the number of times Jaque had stepped in to help in any way he could, and just as Woody and Jacqueline did, he'd requested complete secrecy every time, but everyone knew that wouldn't happen in Montclair, their every act of kindness was a well known fact, further reinforcing the locals assertion that the Montclair family walked on water. "I know you could manage, and you have, too many times over the years, when I was preoccupied with Woodruffs problems, and you've always done a sterling job, but we don't want you having to shoulder our part of the operation, we want to retire, hand over to the next generation, we want to take some time for ourselves, see the world, we're none of us getting any younger, you should consider doing the same". Jaque looked relieved. "Is that all, well it's a surprise, a shock even, but it's also a relief, have you told them yet?". Woody shook his head. "No, we wanted you to know first, and for you to be able to speak with Pete, we can wait a couple of days, then we'll sit down with them and discuss how it will work". Jaque nodded, obviously deep in thought which confused Woody somewhat, not knowing what Jaque was thinking, he took it as Jaque being disappointed and said as much to Jacqueline later. Later that evening as they were getting ready for dinner Jaque gave Pete the news, and got the exact response he'd expected. "How did they know, did you tell them?, I haven't said anything, could they have guessed, or maybe they've overheard us talking". Jaque was almost laughing. "Calm down Pete, I think it's just a decision we've all arrived at independently, a coincidence if you like, it's only the four of us at dinner this evening, let's use the time to tell them what we've been planning, now before we get ready for that dinner, why don't you show me again what you intend to spend your days doing to me when we have all this spare time together". Pete didn't hesitate, Jaque was naked and on his back before he knew what was happening, not that he was complaining, far from it, before long he was begging with a raspy voice for Pete to sink his big hard cock deep inside him. Woody and Jacqueline both commented on Jaque and Pete's glowing complexion when they met for dinner, and were baffled when both blushed furiously. It was Pete who started the ball rolling. "Jaque told me about your conversation this afternoon". Jacqueline jumped in, desperate to fend off what she and Woody assumed was going to be a negative response to the plans Woody had outlined to Jaque. "Please don't be upset Pete, it was Billy who gave us the idea, they're going to retire and hand the reigns over to the boys, it got us to thinking, our children are all accomplished in running Montclair's interests, just as JJ, Marcel and Paul are in your business, it makes sense to acknowledge how accomplished they've become, to let them take the businesses forward, in the interim we could supervise, but ultimately, they deserve to be allowed to flourish, each and every one of them has worked hard to prove their worth, and they've never been pushed, they each chose their own path. Jacqueline came to an abrupt stop, realising she was starting to waffle, so Woody took over. "The last thing we want is for you guys to be unhappy, but we have to acknowledge, one day, they'll be running both businesses anyway, none of us lives forever, I've been thinking about this a long time, I think losing Pauly was what first brought it home to me, so think about it seriously before you answer, please". Pete and Jaque had been listening intently, but their reaction completely threw both Woody and Jacqueline, they looked at each other and burst out laughing, uproarious laughter, with tears streaming down their faces. Woody and Jacqueline just stared, totally confused, until they'd calmed down a little and Pete answered them. "Okay, where do we sign up to join this movement?, you didn't need to sell it to us, we thought you'd overhead us talking, we've been waiting weeks for the opportunity to broach exactly this subject with you, the time never seemed quite right, and then this afternoon, you Woody, almost gave Jaque a bloody heart attack, I went into a panic when he told me what you'd said, but then we realised, it is what it is, we've all come to the same conclusion, we're in complete agreement, it's time to let them fly, the next generation, just as we were allowed too, I think we should have this conversation with Beth and Dave as well, they're in the same position". For what seemed like an eternity, but in reality was only a few moments, both Woody and Jacqueline were dumbfounded, then Jacqueline started to laugh and Woody followed, until finally, to the bemusement of the staff serving them they were all four laughing uproariously. The following day Woody asked Roslyn and Fleur to come to his office at two in the afternoon, they were surprised to find both Jaque and Jacqueline already there, so much so that Roslyn had a bad feeling about the meeting. "Poppa is there something wrong, have I, or we, done something, if that's it, we're sorry, we wouldn't ever do anything to harm Montclair, it's our future, we don't just enjoy our work, we love and cherish it". Woody decided to have a little fun. "You have, both of you, done something, something we the owners of Montclair cannot ignore, it's something that must be addressed, to not address it would be compounding a serious mistake". Both girls looked completely mortified, but Woody, almost on the edge of laughing couldn't carry it on. "You are found to be excellent, perfect, more than capable of running Montclair, the something I referred to is exactly that, it's time for you to fly solo, we want to retire, hand over the reigns, do you think you would be up for that challenge?". The girls were silent, dumbfounded, they all watched as realisation struck and tears started tumbling down their cheeks. Roslyn looked at Fleur who just nodded, but it wasn't a nod in answer to Woody's question, it was accompanied by an imploring look, one which Roslyn understood, she lowered her head before looking back up at Fleur, this time with a confident nod of her head, agreeing with Fleur's unvoiced request. "There's something I have to tell you all, I've been planning to leave Montclair, Fleur knows this, but I hadn't gotten up the nerve to speak to you about it, I'm sorry, I should have told you a long time ago, I'm in love, the person I love is considering going to live in California, I'm thinking of going as well". Woody and Jaque looked crestfallen, but not Jacqueline, as she proved when she was the one to reply. "Well it's about time child, but please, enlighten us, why would Cecile Bernard feel California is the right place to be, when she could be here, by your side, working with a world renowned brand like Montclair?". The shock was evident from everyone, but particularly from Roslyn. From Woody came the first question. "You knew about this, why didn't you tell me?". Jacqueline smiled, she knew he wasn't making an accusation, just asking a simple question. "Because we established long, long ago my love, everything in life has a reason, a purpose, where our children are concerned, it is not for us to interfere, only to be there to help and guide, and I know you too well, you and Jaque would have badgered poor Cecile to work at Montclair, that would not have allowed our daughter to explore a relationship, and so for both their sakes, I kept quiet". Woody and Jaque just nodded, clearly understanding Jacqueline's reasoning, but there followed a stumbling question from Roslyn. "You know, how, I've been discreet, we've been discreet, only Fleur and Paul knew?". Jacqueline smiled at her daughter, reaching out to stroke her cheek and wipe away the tears. "You'll understand one day, it's a mothers job to know, I could probably pinpoint exactly when I knew, it was the week before your graduation, when we came to Paris, I sensed your unease, the turmoil in your mind, it wasn't until we went out for dinner, when you brought Cecile along that I understood, my baby was in love". Roslyn was looking at her mother in awe. "That's why you've been encouraging me to go to Paris so often, you knew I wanted to see her". Jacqueline smiled. "Yes child, I wanted you to live, to love, and if you want to move to California your Poppa and I will help and support you, but you haven't answered my question, why would Cecile go to California when Montclair is available?". Roslyn seemed deep in thought before she answered. "I suppose because I wrongly thought there would be no place for her here, no role for her, but if you think it would be alright, that she could offer something to benefit Montclair, then I would never choose to leave". This time it was Woody who answered. "Who would think I could father such a brilliant academic, and at the same time be the father of a complete and utter idiot, all your life we have encouraged you to be your own person, to live the life you want, in this there is nothing that worries us, I want only for you to be happy, if Cecile is the one for you then that makes my heart happy, it also makes perfect sense that she could, if she were to be agreeable, take up a position within Montclair, her qualifications make her a perfect candidate, whether you were in a relationship or not, she would be an asset to Montclair, so I propose, once you have talked it through with Cecile, you tell her I said there is a job on offer, if she wants it, all she has to do is accept it". Roslyn threw her arms around both of her parents, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. "I love you both so much, I don't deserve you". Jaque brought them back to earth by addressing Fleur. "And what about you my darling daughter, I'm hoping you have no plans to run away, eloping to some far off place"?. Fleur just smiled, the tears still trickling down her face from seeing her cousin so happy. "No Poppa, I don't have time for romance, I'm completely happy with my Vines". Woody laughed as he observed. "Now you Fleur, are most definitely your fathers daughter". They all ended in laughter before Jacqueline shooed Roslyn away to call Cecile, encouraging her to arrange a visit". In the offices Pete had renovated from several large storage sheds at the rear, and to the side of The Chateau, a similar scenario was playing out. Pete hadn't needed to summon anyone, JJ, Marcel and Paul were all there for a purpose, working on their latest project, one which would result in them putting together a huge financial package, one of the largest they'd ever undertaken, it was destined to finance the building of a whole new leisure resort, including Hotels, Apartments, Shops, Bars, and Theme Parks. It was only a vision at this point, but what a vision, a place which would have something for everyone, young, old, active or not, all would want to experience it. And though none of the boys had realised, Pete had been deliberately uninvolved in the setting up or securing of investors, he'd been deliberately unavailable whilst they'd built the 'Push', a pictorial journey designed to have investors salivating, pulling out their chequebooks. He'd asked for a run through of their presentation package, and he hadn't been disappointed, in fact he'd been somewhat overawed, if he'd ever had any doubts about how good his boys were, this was their vindication, they truly were three such brilliant minds, perfectly in tune with each other, they seemed to know from just a simple facial expression, or a casual remark, exactly what the others were thinking. He knew already from the reports he'd run that morning, they'd easily surpassed the crucial sixty eight percent of the target amount, from this point on it wasn't a case of selling the investment opportunity, it was a case of picking wisely who they wanted onboard from the myriad of investors clamouring to secure a piece of this venture. When he looked at them their need was easy to see, they were waiting with baited breath, they knew they'd been successful, knew they'd done a good job, knew the project would eventually nett their company millions in profits, but none of that mattered, only one thing mattered, Pete's approval, his praise. "Thank you men, I know I'm right about a lot of things, I was right when I chose Jaque as my Soul Mate, right to choose you JJ and you Marcel as my sons, and equally as right to encourage you Paul to join us in this company". He paused for a moment to get his thoughts in line, they just hung on his every word. "I gave you Carte Blanche to do whatever you felt was right on this project, I thought you would pull it off, but I had no idea, not an inkling, of how spectacularly you would do it". Whilst he paused this time they beamed, basking in his praise, like it was sunshine after a storm, and you could see them soaking it up. "I have every confidence now, I'm completely at ease with telling you, this is possibly the best promotional investment package I have ever seen, it was absolutely brilliant, I can only wish I had, or ever could produce anything so good". He heard them all draw breath, saw the smiles, then he carried on. "So when you hear what I have to say next, I want you to remember how good you are, how capable, and be positive about the future". Now he saw the smiles fading, this they didn't like, so he quickly went on. "Don't be alarmed, it's nothing bad, it's all good, I want to retire, at least to semi retire, I want you to take the reigns, do what you've proved many times you can do, but without me being here constantly, I'll act as a consultant, if, and only if you need me, I don't intend to interfere, you have to ask or I don't come running, and I urge you to remember, the most basic of lessons is knowing when you need help". Now he saw a complete mixture of emotions, they were thinking, he saw the smiles of the positive thoughts, and saw the thoughts of the negative issues turn their smiles to worry, but again it was as if they reached the same conclusion, as JJ answered. "But you'll help if we need it?". He couldn't help but be proud of them. "Yes son, I'll be here if you ask me, though it will cost you dearly, as a Consultant, I don't come cheap". And then he was mobbed, smothered in hugs and kisses. In Chicago, a few hours later because of the time difference, a meeting of the board members of Thorn Carpenter Insurance Solutions was just about to take place. The Parent Company was still owned in equal parts by Billy, Jay, Jolly and Bradley Carpenter. Over the years they had worked hard to keep ahead of their competitors, they enjoyed an extremely close relationship with most of the major insurers, there were a few, where personalities clashed, and one in particular who's CEO had been a bible thumping bigot, he'd made it well known he disapproved of, as he put it, 'the perverted owners of Thorn Carpenter Insurance Solutions'. It had proved to be a major problem when the company started blocking them each time an agent tried to incept a new policy for their clients, finally it had been Lenny and PJ who had solved the problem, by doing something Billy, Jay, Jolly and Brad couldn't, they'd bought enough shares in the company to enable them to oust the CEO. Billy had been torn, he wasn't sure it was ethical to use their private family wealth to achieve a business boost, as he'd said to his parents at the time, it was a free country, they enjoyed free speech, they may not like what he said about them but he had every right to say it. In reply his father had pointed out there was a wider picture to consider, if that CEO were simply voicing his opinion, it would have been alright, but he wasn't just doing that, he was not only denying a legitimate and legal business the right to fair trade, thereby threatening the jobs, the livelihood of hundreds of hard working employees, he was denying the general public access to the best deal on the market, in effect he was controlling the market in order to punish several individuals because of his own bigoted beliefs, which was a whole different kettle of fish to simply voicing his opinion. Although Royce wasn't an owner or board member, he often attended these meetings, usually on a quarterly basis to answer any questions relating to forecasts, turnover, etc, so it wasn't a surprise when Jolly rang to tell him he would be needed at the meeting. Jay had already informed their three sons they were required to attend. There was a questioning look on Brad's face when he realised the boys were attending the meeting, he'd known Royce would be there, Billy had already discussed with him something they wanted to do for Royce to recognise his contribution to the company, but the boys were a definite surprise. Once they'd all settled Billy opened the meeting. "As usual I will begin by thanking everyone for making time to attend today's meeting, I see the questioning look on several faces and I hope we can transform those expressions back to happy ones before we close this meeting". He paused but no one spoke, so he carried on. "There is a specific reason we wanted all of the key players here today, we, Jolly, Jay and I want to retire, not completely, but we want to take a lot more time out, this decision on our part, brought us to thinking about you Brad, and you Royce, maybe you would both like to consider a semi retirement, it's not something we've ever discussed, okay so I've started the ball rolling, it's time to talk". Their eldest son Jo was the first to speak. "What are your plans for the business, you're not thinking of selling it are you?". Billy could hear the nervous anguish in his son's voice, and he was quick to answer. "I can say categorically, the business will continue, but for now I'd rather we set that aside and let Brad and Royce have the floor, what they want is crucial to how we deal with this matter". Royce looked pleadingly to Brad, willing him to speak for both of them, Brad saw the look and took the hint. "It's uncanny, I've never quite got my head around the way we've all worked so closely over the years, in the majority of cases we've known pretty much what each other is thinking, and here we are again, not exactly aligned, but close enough, it was only whilst you guys were away this last time that I can honestly say I felt the strain, and I know Royce did too, only one week ago I asked Royce how he would feel about taking more time out, time for us to be relaxed and enjoy life more". Brad paused to look at Royce who was nervously fidgeting with a pen, no one spoke, it was obvious he hadn't finished. "You can see, quite clearly Royce is worried, he admitted to me he would love more free time, but he feels he would be being disloyal to you guys, he feels you were prepared to take a big risk with him and he needs to continually prove his worth, I've told him he's being silly but maybe you could do a better job of it than I have, but to answer your question, yes we want to take more time out too". Jay came in this time raising his hand to Billy indicating he wanted to respond. "Thanks Brad, it's true we are, and always have been easily able to read each other, and I personally feel the fact that we are all so in tune is probably why we've been so successful, but, before we address anything else I want to speak directly to Royce, I'm speaking on behalf of everyone around this table when I say, we didn't take any risk at all in appointing you to run the parent company, we knew what you were capable of, we never had any doubts, I can still remember Jolly's words that day, she spoke for all of us when she told you, 'you could do it with your eyes closed', we agreed with her then and we still agree with her now, you have never been anything other than a monumental asset to this company, are you clear on that?". Royce realised everyone was looking at him and all were nodding in agreement, his voice was really quiet and shaky when he answered. "Yes, thank you". Jay looked to Billy, all but asking him to continue. Billy smiled, looking around the table as he spoke but for the final sentence he was staring directly at their three sons. "Okay, so we're in agreement, we want to move towards retirement, but we have to be mindful of what the business needs, fortunately we have the solution sitting here with us, It's time for you to fly solo boys". It took a few moments to register then all three broke out into smiles, Jace was the first to speak. "You won't regret this, we promise we'll do anything and everything to grow the business just as you guys have, thank you, not just for this opportunity, but for being so patient, all of you taking the time to train us, between us we can manage every sector of the business". It was back to Billy. "I'd like to deal with how we approach this, firstly I think it's important to establish who is taking on what sector as their priority, I have it in mind and I know Jay and Jolly agree, but what about you Brad, give us your thoughts". Brad didn't need to think he just trotted out the names and roles best fitted to that person. "Jace the Corporate Office, Will the Call Centres, Jo the Investigation Division, I have a suggestion as well, take David on to work with Jo, he's not just good he's top notch, I can't count the number of compliments I've heard about him, it makes sense that they wouldn't suffer so much time apart that way". Billy nodded before looking at Jay and Jolly smiling. "Almost exactly what I'd said, but I hadn't thought about David, you're right Brad, I've heard the same sort of praise, he would definitely be an asset, and the Investigations Division needs more than one person to oversee the teams". Jolly now spoke up with a question. "How would we manage the transition, I'm assuming you don't intend to throw them in cold and leave them in a sink or swim situation?". Billy laughed openly when he saw the look of shock on their sons faces, before he answered. "If everyone is in agreement I think three weeks of shadowing, then a week of supervision before we start to reduce our hours gradually, I envision the boys being fully in charge at around three months from now, please remember, we should, with proper consultation, be available to cover their time out for vacations, sickness, etc". Billy paused, obviously thinking before he continued. "There is one other item we want to discuss, it involves you Royce, on top of, and reinforcing the message Jay gave you on our behalf earlier, we the four board members, and until now joint owners of Thorn Carpenter Insurance Solutions, have made a decision to split the company as a whole into five equal portions, the fifth portion goes to you Royce, we all agree, an equal part of the success of the company has been down to your hard work and dedication, so from tomorrow morning you will be a one fifth owner of Thorn Carpenter Insurance Solutions, and a member of the board". Royce just sat speechless, unable to believe what he'd heard, the tears streaming down his face as the boys started applauding him and everyone joined in. At Chateau Beauchene in Beauchene, France, a similar discussion to the one Woody and Jaque had earlier in the week, had taken place. Woody and Pete had told Beth and Dave about their plans, and added that Billy, Jolly and Jay had also decided to semi retire. For Beth and Dave it was almost a relief, it felt like a sign from above, they'd been toying with the idea of handling over to their children for nearly six months, Dave's parents, Dianne and Rob Morton had retired several years earlier, they still came back to Beauchene for a few months in the summer but they traveled less and less now preferring to spend their time at the house they'd bought on the ocean at Shell Beach in Florida, a little further along the coast from the enormous mansion PJ's Gramps had built. Beth and Dave's children were Robert and Elly, aged twenty six, they were the twins, and then there was Pauly, who was just now eighteen and graduating College. Pauly was a strong willed individual, he'd announced toward the end of his college course, he wouldn't be going to university, he wanted a hands on role in the family business, his brother and sister agreed with him, when the three of them were together talking, to Rob and Dianne it was like listening to a foreign language, they were like one mind, one brain. In the last two years they'd allowed their children to be more hands on, Elly had opted to be involved in the general marketing, financial, office side of the business, Rob hated anything to do with money and paperwork, he preferred the growing and harvesting, ensuring the product would reach the market in perfect condition. Pauly, was an unknown until he'd gotten to half way through his college course where he'd found there were ways of improving the Hydroponic growing process they relied upon to produce their crops, that had been the breakthrough he was looking for, he'd hurtled back to Beauchene and, with his brother and sisters blessing, changed the system in one growing shed. In a little over three months, they knew Pauly had got it right, yields were increased by around fifty percent in the growing shed Pauly had targeted, immediately they switched all of the other sheds to be in line with the first shed, but even then Pauly used instinct to tweak a few items in the process, the results were nothing short of miraculous, yields increased by approximately seventy percent. That had been little more than two years ago, Beauchene's profitability had gone from good to a stratospheric excellence since. Dave had asked all three of their children to be in his office at 10 o'clock in the morning, he was conscious, if he'd set the time as 9 o'clock only Elly would have turned up, Rob would be finalising the harvesting roster and shipment lists for the day, he was a stickler, nothing interrupted that process, Pauly would be checking the feed levels of the Hydroponic system and again, he wouldn't be disturbed by anyone or anything until he was satisfied the levels were all within his set parameters. A little after 10 o'clock Dave and Beth were joined by all three children. Beth had requested Croissants, Toast, Biscuits, Bacon sandwiches and drinks to be laid out, Elly may not have started work until around 9 o'clock, but they all knew Rob and Pauly were usually to be found in the growing sheds at around 6am, they would have grabbed a piece of toast from the kitchen at around 5.30am to munch on as they made their way to the sheds. The kitchen staff were used to them coming in around 10 o'clock for a more substantial breakfast and knowing how hard they worked, the staff made sure they were both well fed before waving them off to work again. Before Dave or Beth could start, and before everyone was settled Elly launched into questions. "What's this meeting about, we don't have problems do we, is something wrong?". Pauly, as usual, was irritated that his work schedule had been disturbed, and he wasn't about to let Elly extend this meeting with her constant questions. "Bloody hell Elly, shut up long enough to actually draw breath and we might find out, sometimes I think you must breathe through your backside because your mouth only ever expels air". They all laughed at Pauly's candid reply. Dave led off. "I'm conscious this is cutting into your working day and for that reason I'll make it as brief as possible". They all nodded in agreement, but no one spoke, waiting for him to explain. "Your mother and I want to retire, well actually semi retire, it seems the same thoughts have been occurring to most of the senior family members and we think it's time for you guys to take over". Dave paused, and there was a deafening silence in the room, you would have been able to hear a pin drop, all three children were looking at him with stunned expressions. "Well say something for goodness sake, do you want to take over or have you other plans, we thought you'd be pleased". There was still no response, and Beth now spoke. "Sometimes Dave you can be a complete ass, very nicely put, it was akin to a bull charging through a plate glass window". Dave just shrugged, he'd never been overly tactful, believing if it needed saying you should just say it. Beth continued. "We started this business with your grandparents, and it's been a wonderful life, but we're growing older, we want to take some time to enjoy life a little in our later years, we don't even need to wonder if you three are capable of running Beauchene, you've proved that, we have you to thank for turning this business into such a money maker, it was good before you became fully involved, but your efforts have made it outstanding". Beth paused, Elly was about to speak but Pauly shushed her, he could see his mother hadn't finished. "We wanted you to have the facts now so that we can discuss it more extensively after dinner this evening, to that end we would appreciate it if you could all be here for dinner and the rest of this evening". Rob started to protest that he'd already made arrangements for the evening but again it was Pauly who shut him down. "You heard Momma, you're not deaf, change your plans, if you know what's good for you, this is important, your complicated love life is not". Looking at his watch Pauly spoke to his parents. "I don't mean to be rude, I understand how important this is, and I think it was a good idea to prime us for a family meeting later, but I have to run I'm afraid, in exactly fifteen minutes I need to add the next set of chemicals to improve the water quality in growing sheds three and four, if it puts your mind at ease, I'm completely in favour, you can count on me, now I must run". Without waiting for a reply he kissed his momma's cheek and was gone. Dinner that evening was eaten faster than any meal ever before, Dave and Beth struggled to keep up, they realised quickly their children were anxious to get to the main reason for this evening. They'd adjourned immediately after dinner to the balcony off the dining room, it allowed Pauly to smoke, much to the annoyance of his parents and siblings, but Pauly didn't care, it was his enjoyment, and in his words many times he'd said 'deal with it', the unsaid part was 'or piss off'. This evening they just adjourned to where Pauly could smoke and the questions started, Elly as usual was first. "So, if you do this, how is it going to affect us, what about the extra work that falls on us, do we get extra pay for coping with this while you're off enjoying yourselves?". Rob almost mirrored Elly. "It's a lot to ask of us, we already work hard, you're asking us to take on a lot more, it needs a serious plan to compensate us if you do this". Pauly hadn't said anything, his Momma was looking seriously disappointed when she glanced toward him, he winked at her, his father saw it as well, and they knew what was coming, the equivalent of a nuclear warhead, and it was aimed directly at Elly and Rob. Since the time he had been first able to walk and talk Pauly had dominated his brother and sister, they had never stood a chance, but if they'd ever taken the time to analyse what he did, they wouldn't have been concerned, it was always for the greater good, to set them on the right road, and now they were about to be redirected rather forcibly. "Will you actually listen to yourselves, you pair of ungrateful somethings, I'd very much like to swear, and tell you exactly what I'm thinking in no uncertain terms, but I'm conscious Momma and Poppa are listening, and I for one have an ingrained sense of gratitude towards them, firstly because they brought me into this world, secondly because they've looked after us lovingly, raised us, all of us, or so I thought until now, with that sense of gratitude, though, as you've just proved, I was vastly adrift on that mark, because you pair seem to have dumped that item somewhere along the way". He stopped to take a pull on his cigarette trying to reign in his irritation before continuing, but it didn't work and some colourful language crept in. "They established the company, they set up the working sheds, built the client base, and managed to grow it substantially, all whilst raising us, all we had to do was walk into a going concern, sure we tweaked it and yes, we improved it, so it's a fantastic success, what the fuck are you two aiming for here, all I see and hear is greed, you're seriously lucky I'm not your parent because if I were Momma and Poppa, I would tell you to go fuck yourselves and sell the business, are you really that stupid?". By the time he'd ended his tirade, Pauly was almost shouting. Dave and Beth were having trouble containing the urge to laugh whilst Elly and Rob were withering under Pauly's furious onslaught. Pauly then addressed his Momma and Poppa. "Momma, Poppa, you have my complete backing, I'm in total agreement with your plans however, I think you should leave us now, I believe it's time we three had a very frank and possibly frustrating discussion, which I don't think you should be privy to, it might enlighten you as to my not so savoury qualities, you see, my brother, sister and I, are about to have a discussion which will possibly be very heavily peppered with extremely obscene language". When their Momma and Poppa had left Pauly looked at his brother and sister and he scathed them right from the start. "You pair of cunts, what exactly did you think you were doing?, and you'd better have a fucking good reason for what you just did, because you totally devastated two people I idolise, and right now I'm prepared to destroy you both if I have to". Rob was first to answer, trying unsuccessfully to justify what they'd done. "Surely you see what we meant, if Momma and Poppa bow out we have a greatly increased workload, we only asked what our compensation for that would be". Elly chose to stay quiet, she'd been on the receiving end of Pauly's wrath before, she knew full well that you wouldn't win, he was annoyingly always right. Pauly lit another cigarette before answering. "Sometimes you can both be so fucking stupid, so let's assume Momma and Poppa decide to sell up, where does that leave you two, I'll help you with that one, you'll be unemployed, with no prospect of being employed in this area, good luck with travelling as far as Nice every day to find employment". As he paused, more to get his temper under control than anything, Elly did something really, really, stupid, completely against her better judgment, she opted to throw a silly barb of a remark at her younger brother. "We wouldn't be the only ones looking for employment, you'd be out of a job too". Pauly had heard enough, he decided one last try was all he'd give it. "And those are your answers are they?, well let me explain something, because your fuckwit brains are obviously on a vacation of their own, firstly, if Momma and Poppa step back from running the business, we take over, where there is a gap because we are now managing, we hire a replacement for the position we vacated, we don't need more money, we are all three of us on considerably more than we could command if we didn't work for the family business, though I'm pretty sure we would receive something extra, possibly in the form of a management bonus dependent upon production versus targets, there is no vast increase in our workloads". Just as they thought he'd finished, he delivered his parting shot. "Oh and just so you understand Elly, I will never be unemployed, if Momma and Poppa do decide to sell up, I'll buy the business from them, and it would be a cold day in hell before I offered either of you a job, now go clear up your fucking mess, apologise and tell them I helped you see the opportunities, or start looking for employment". At that he ground out his cigarette and walked indoors, pointedly slamming the door loudly behind him. The twins were left outside, Elly summed it up. "We do it every time, we should have asked him what he thought before we opened our mouths, I could happily strangle him at times, but he's always right". They found their parents in the lounge, Pauly was nowhere to be seen. Rob spoke for both of them, completely surprising all of them with his last remark. "We're really sorry, Pauly sort of explained things for us, we weren't thinking properly, we didn't mean to upset you, we agree with you, you deserve time out, but I'm asking just one thing, I haven't mentioned it to Elly, but I can't see her objecting, please put Pauly in charge, he's so good at seeing the whole picture, Elly and I can be a disaster in the making sometimes, no offence meant Elly". Elly giggled before replying. "None taken Rob, you're right, he is the natural choice, like Pauly put it, whilst taking out the colourful words, engaging the brain before opening the mouth is quite beneficial, he'll keep us out of trouble and inline". Dave caught up with Pauly later that evening in growing shed number two. "Your brother and sister came to see us, they apologised, it seems you helped them see the light, there again, I can't help but think the light must have been quite fucking hot, I could still see smoke coming off Rob and Elly's ears". Dave burst into laughter, Pauly couldn't help joining him. When they calmed down Pauly said. "Poppa, don't let Momma be upset by what they said, if they've apologised let it go, I'm exasperated sometimes with how they evaluate situations, I love them and I'm convinced they honestly don't ever mean any harm, they just don't engage their brains before churning out a whole load of complete bollocks from their mouths". Dave decided to have a little fun. "So you reckon most of what Rob says is bollocks do you?, so when he asked us to put you in charge, because he explained, he knew they would mess it up, whereas you would keep them out of trouble and inline, I should ignore that should I?". Pauly was gobsmacked. "He actually said that?, shit, now I'm impressed, and feeling a little guilty, I almost incinerated both of them earlier, I'll have another chat, I didn't get to tell them what a fantastic job they both do, I was totally annoyed, far too busy burning their bloody house down around them". Dave was still laughing uproariously as he headed back to the Chateau. TBC Allan Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com. Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.