Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2022 04:26:02 +0000 (UTC)
From: A becker <abecker60@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Jian 72

Jian


At the Phuket Airport there was a 737 waiting... all of us on one flight.

At Don Mueang were lifted to the riverside landing grid... very busy for a
while as several AW139's were used to move us all with baggage... golf
clubs mostly plus the fish.  We landed first... on the Terrace Francis said
the Twins were in the Playroom...

We ran down there. Loud Popa's and Mama's!! Hugs and kisses. Jaidee was
there too.

We hugged and kissed everybody. Loud Aunt Fay's and Uncle Cho's... Their
own moms and dads arrived. We had a room full of people.

We moved the party to the Terrace and Garden.

Our local folks were driven home. The remaining parents sat on the
Terrace... Us four with Protectors were going to the Forest Palace in the
morning. Our house guests were set for sightseeing around Bangkok.

They'd get to see a lot with guides who were employees of the Railroad and
the Security Service. They are Bangkok natives we were giving them a
special payment to them for this.

Kamol's uncle, the priest, was going to take them into the back areas so
they could the treasures rarely shown. The old style restaurant across the
road from Dad's headquarters booked the entire terrace for them to have
dinner. Some special bits for our friends.

72

I got in an early swim, breakfast, email and some news. The NewsUk
newspapers were supporting the Labour Party editorially. They made it plain
the tories had let down the nation in every sphere and couldn't be trusted
to make any decisions to benefit the United Kingdom.

In the Times, Rolf's team laid out the case for Labour being giving the
opportunity under new leadership to run the country. They were saying
`listen' to what is being said... there's no fake `we'll make changes'
rhetoric like from the Poodle Tony Blair this time. Solid common sense
proposals!

The Sun `politely' telling voters Labour would serve the people of these
British Isles so much better. After the many years of tory failures they
needed to be tossed out. It was time to go another way since the current
tory leadership were such dismal let-downs.

Adam did a publisher's comment column for both newspapers... he made it
clear that he was a big `C' conservative but that the current tory
leadership was morally and intellectually bankrupt. The proof was that any
government that would put an incompetent yob like Boris Johnson in any
official post had no reason to stay in power. Okay... he didn't use `yob'
but close!

Sky UK was doing straight news reporting but in an editorial comment show
they said what the Times and Sun were saying... time for the tories to
go. So our folks were contributing!

There was to be a trip to the Ice Rink for all our guests tonight! We'd
miss it because it was a great chance to go the Forest Palace with the
Twins!!

We loaded into an AW139 on the dock. We went up river a short way to gain
altitude then eastward. This was the Twins second time at the Forest
Palace... they were so young the first time so now they'll be able to
really enjoy it... with a trip into the forest as a bonus!!

We landed on the lawn at the Palace. Out on the grass we picked up the
babies for the walk to the house steps.

Charlie's arms wide open, "Castle!"

I was smiling, holding Chani, "So what do you think?"

Chani's response, "Beautiful!"

We carried the Twins up the steps. The Twins on their feet to meet the
staff. Our folks smiling meeting the Twins for real this time. The Twins
speaking Thai bringing bigger smiles out.

We went through to the terrace overlooking the garden.

"Oooooo very pretty," Chani clapping her hands.

Charlie was pointing to a parakeet flying over the grass below. "Wow!"

Do, our gardener, was at the foot of the steps... he had everything
ready. Okay. Upstairs to change.

The `forest' gear I had worn before was laid out for me. We had a bag of
things for the Twins. Cho changed, I helped get the babies started. Cho
came in ready to go, he helped finish as I changed.

Boots, long pants, long sleeves, slouch hat, water bottle in hip
pack. Leather gloves. The Twins were close to my outfit without the hip
pack.

Tha and Delphine dressed like me. Ken and Rafe looking like Cho.

Down the steps, adults got backpacks. Charlie and Chani were told they
would walk some of the way BUT when they did Do Not Step Off The
Path. Serious... they got it.

We let them walk the trail until it began to rise. It was steep in some
places. I had Chani, Charlie in Popa's arms. Ken and Rafe carried the
babies part of the way. We made good progress getting to the little cabin
in an hour.

The Twins were walking the last hundred feet of level ground... we came
around the bend... they could see the little wooden building.

They were excited... me too! Inside we dropped our packs to give the babies
a tour and up the ladder with help.

We opened the windows, drew out the cameras and binoculars.

Do had done some work... there we low benches at each window, Chani and
Charlie could stand on them to see out!! I thanked Do.

A smile, he said he brought his grandchildren out to test it.

Laughing, I said we appreciated his thoughtfulness.

Charlie looking around next to his Popa.  Chani beside me... she needed the
potty... so down we went. Business done... back up. Tha grinning... when I
said I'd go.

We all had our shoes off, speaking quietly. The first signs of life
returning to normal were the birds.

A pair of Parakeets sat on a limb about twenty yards away, red heads,
iridescent green backs, a long slender green tail and chests were paler
green. They sat quietly looking around.

A whitish snake was partially in the sun, he had slipped out of some
bushes. It seemed to be moving to another bush... He was barely ten yards
from us... a FLASH of brown and white darted in a swoop on the snake, it
was captured and the raptor was up and away.

Cho said it was a Besra, a sparrowhawk. Do nodding. The Twins saw it
all... Charlie was about to call out but covered his mouth.

Softly, "Popa he was so fast!"

Cho stroked Charlie's hair, "Yes very fast."

"Popa it made no sound," Chani's hands on her cheeks still amazed. Delphine
looking shocked.

Quietly, "Fay, I have never seen anything like that!"

I checked my camera... I got the Besra as it climbed up... the snake
dangling. A half dozen shots showing the hawk's plumage as it rose up. Do
grinned saying they were good. I was amazed I got anything.

The parakeets had left in a rush when the Besra struck... in a bit the
clearing was moving again. The parakeets were back in a different tree.

The clouds of insects weren't disturbed so the Red-Bearded Bee-eaters came
soaring in to feed. They were beautiful to see... red fronts with green
backs and wings.

They feasted on the flying bugs.

I had been shooting a lot. Looking... I had some really good pics of the
Bee-Eaters.

Cho moved the Twins close to the window to point upwards... a Asian emerald
cuckoo up in the branches of a nearby tree. Lovely emerald green wings!

We sat to nibble on fruit, cheese and bread. Juice for the Twins, water for
us.

An orange-breasted trogon landed on the limb twenty feet from the north
side. Dark orange, bright orange and yellow, a very handsome long-tailed
bird.  It was a male... `kek tau-tau-tau-tau-tau' a pause `kek-kek.' He
moved on after a short visit.

Do said there were a few here, a bit north of their usual area. The running
water drew them.

In a few minutes Do made hand motions... on our right there was movement on
the edge of clearing... a Small Asian Mongoose was walking towards us. He
was moving close to the foliage his dark mottled fur and long tail standing
out from the shades of green flora.

His path came near us then angled away... he was going to the stream. I was
happy my camera was completely silent. I shot a lot... good snaps!

The Twins moved with their Popa once the mongoose was past the
cabin... they could see him approach the water slowing down... his head
moving side to side, his nose up like he was sniffing.

He drank... stopped to raise his head... more water. He sat by the stream
under a bush for a few minutes then turned away from us going into the
forest.

A Red-headed Trogon flew in to land on a limb twenty feet from us. Red head
and chest, I loved his red colour! A mustard yellow back, black wings. The
colours looked good together, he was an attractive bird! All the Trogon's
were gorgeous!

Now there was activity on the periphery of the clearing... not near us. Ken
motioned towards the stream...

A collection of long-tailed broadbills arrived near the water... eight or
ten. Their yellow throats clearly visible, beautiful shades of green until
the tail which is blue. They were working along the stream on the
ground... must be some tasty insects!

They moved as a group I zoomed in to get some good shots Rafe had another
camera doing the same.

We stayed hoping for more... time was against us in the shorter winter
day. We packed up and readied for the walk back. The Twins walked more of
it since it was downhill. At the steeper parts Rafe and Ken carried them
again.

Back at the Forest Palace garden they ran to the steps waiting for us. They
were giggly happy with the outing! A good day!

We had a lovely evening meal and play time in the garden lit by
lanterns. They got Popa and Mama had been married at the spot where they
were standing. They had been here for the Crew weddings but too young for
any real memories...

We sat on the terrace doing word and math games with Chani and Charlie
until bedtime. Tha and Delphine smiling as we got kissed and hugged.

I sent a good selection of my snaps to Charles in Oxfordshire. He was going
to print them on glossy paper. Ellie would matte and frame them, she'd do a
collage on the wall of the back passageway. She'd pick the snaps... I did
send a few with a note I'd want them included... shots of the Twins looking
out for sure!

There was an alert at our Bangkok house... shortly after two o'clock in the
morning. A sensor on the property of a neighbour who was in our protection
scheme detected movement.

Three men crossed onto the neighbour's property from the roadway. They went
single file along the high wire fence dividing our properties working their
way to the rear, they reached a section where there were shrubs on both
sides then scaled the fence.

Sensors and cameras were watching their moves. The sensors reported metal
objects on their persons... the lead man had one, the other two had one at
the waist and one on the ankle.

Two propeller drones flying watching them, one on each side. FLIR and
thermal cameras showed two pulled out hand guns once over the fence.

The man who had been in front was now at the back, he drew out his weapon
last. They moved forward coming out of the shrubs to dash across an open
space to a flower bed...

Out of cover they were hit by the drones spotlights... the front two
started shooting at the light in front of them. They each fired a single
round... hitting nothing.

At the first shot... two sharpshooters fired... they fired several
shots... the intruders were hit in their gun arm and lower leg... they were
down.

Our people moved in... calling the medics forward when the prone intruders
were disarmed.

An AW139 hovering down river by The Security Service Headquarters swooped
down to the landing grid on the dock to transport the wounded to a hospital
operated by Dad's Security Police.

The Security Police had been notified of possible action when the men
climbed the fence... their operations centre called Dad when our folks
reported the shooting.

The medics stopped the bleeding, prepped them for transport... their
weapons left where they fell, the ankle holsters on the front two
emptied. No other weapons.

They were taken to the helicopter and flown to the hospital with
escorts. Our medics said the wounds while damaging were not that serious.

Once the wounded intruders were airborne Thet called us at the Forest
Palace... three thirty. We sat up to talk with him on speaker... we asked a
few questions... First... `What about our staff at their apartments nearby?
And the house staff?'

Thet said our Security people had been covering all the buildings from the
outside... they didn't wake the four in the closer building so as not to
make noises or have lights turned on... as far as he knew they were still
asleep.. no lights or movement inside either apartment. Amporn and Niran's
home was on the far side of the main house.

He added the intruders gun fire was brief only two shots, likely muffled by
the foliage... our sharpshooters rifles had silencers because of the urban
environment... nothing more than a `phffft' sound that wouldn't carry very
far. That was a reason the intruders were surprised by their wounds... no
gunfire noise!

Thet said from their faces they looked Chinese, the one at the back spoke
Thai, his accent sounded as if he was local.

"I talked with Colonel Kraisee... they will start the interrogations with
the one who seemed local... there will be more possible points of pressure
on him, he is also the least injured of the three. Also the weapon he was
carrying... the clip inside it had no bullets. Curious. I suppose the other
two didn't trust the fellow. A lot of meaning in that."

We told him we'll be returning to Bangkok later in the morning.

Thet said he would keep us up to date, "I am sure General Keren will be in
touch also."

I picked up my iPhone to call Dad... then stopped... I leaned against Cho,
"If there was anything he'd call so I'm not bothering him."

A kiss in agreement.

Going back to sleep... No. We got robes on and went up to the tower room to
make coffee. Sipping it on a bench looking east... the faint signs of the
new day on the horizon.

A Chinese Thai fellow... Chinese killers... more BS from China?

I squeezed Cho's hand, "What about that ambassador? He was the head of the
Guoanbu for many years... they were behind all the industrial spying that
is part of our history..."

Cho's arm around my shoulders... I pressed against him.

"It is possible... my words at the White House dinner probably hit home!"

"But for him to do something... Well... they say he's nasty enough!"

Cho firmly agreed.

We'd been there for a bit... the sun was coming up...

I did call Dad now...

"Daughter... you may be onto something. The local fellow has spoken to our
interrogator in the hospital... he was recruited by the Guoanbu to assist
the others who came from Beijing two days ago. He has given us the address
of the safe house they stayed in... a team of my people are there now."

Dad said something to another person, a pause..."Fay, my people have
entered the safe house... there are more weapons and ammunition in plain
sight all Chinese made, airline tickets and two Chinese
passports... diplomatic passports... Photos of you both and the
Twins... aerials of the house and grounds. I going there myself now... I
will be back to you."

I sent our love.

Cho and I went downstairs... we rummaged around the kitchen... we managed a
plate of salapaos. Coffee, sweet things and rising sun on the terrace
outside the dining room.

"This `thing' whatever it turns out to be is a result of
my... OUR... history with the criminals I became involved with... more
unpleasantness... but it is also the genesis of the `me' in my present
form."

A kiss, "You are still growing as a person... becoming someone that could
not have been imagined. If not me someone else would have released you
sooner or later."

"No... you are the ONE!!! I happened because you are you!"

More kisses!

Cho adding, "Chinese industrial spying in many forms has helped their
country move forward otherwise they would be mired thirty or more years
behind everyone else."

The sun warming me up... Cho's smile was too.

The kitchen was awake... the cook came out, a happy face... `Yes we were up
early' `omelettes would be wonderful!'

We finished by the time the Twins arrived. BIG HUGS!

They sat to eat.

I called Gil walking barefoot on the grass in the garden. They were just
up... She had heard some bangs in the night but nothing further... sleep
came back to her.

I could hear a knocking at her door... "Fay hold for a moment..." She came
back, "It's one of the Security men... he said he would explain had
happened last night. I will call you back."

I said Okay.

I told Cho they were being told. He said the helicopter would be here in an
hour.

Do, who was also our beekeeper, took the Twins for a walk through the
flowers... they learned which ones the bees liked the best. They got to
watch those little busy bees work... then a visit to the beehives... they
loved that.

They came back talking about the beautiful honeycombs and buzzing bees! And
funny hats with nets they had to wear.

Gil called as we mounted up for Bangkok ... she said it could wait since we
were on the way.

On approach we could see an area of the garden on the east side was
screened off, a few people's heads bobbing around... Thet on the Terrace
waiting.

Handshakes and hugs. He and Reyna were fine, their surrogate about a week
to delivery!

"Everyone here has been told what happened and why we didn't wake them."

Thet pointed to a pair of our Security looking at the house exterior. "I
have a few people looking at the exteriors of the buildings to see if there
were any hits from the two shots the intruders got off. Their shell casings
were found on the grass."

The `heads' we'd seen were Security Police forensic workers doing a last
look, they would be done shortly. The screen would come down, Okay for
anyone to go there.

Thet said Knor could flush the grass with water to wash away the blood.

We sat with coffee, the Twins went into the Playroom.

Francis, Ali, Gil and Chelle joined us.

Thet said the neighbour had been informed. They were pleased nothing bad
had happened and doubly glad they were part of our security zone.

Thet had taken a call... "General Keren says there is a wealth of forensic
evidence and data in the safe house... most especially two cellphones
hidden in a false back of a cabinet. The cellphones are of Chinese
make... on a Chinese cell system.

They are filled with emails and texts, photos and diagrams which are being
translated. They are using an encryption scheme... the Security Police have
gotten into to everything. Photos of you four, the house from the river and
old pictures of the house front."

Cho said his family had owned the house for over ninety years, his great
grandfather had it built. He had not allowed photographs... so they must be
very old.

Dad called, "Fay, We have to talk... I will come over. It is such that we
need to have only those present who need to know."

Cho and I said we get it. We decided that PJ and Rande with Francis, Ali
and Gil would be with us.

Dad! A big hug. His face serious.

We sat on the Terrace.

"I want to start with the biggest item... Ambassador Ti set up this
attack!"

Cho and I looked at each other... it didn't surprise us.

Dad gave us a look... "You two were exactly right!"

He shook his head.

"The cellphones tell the story. Emails and texts exchanged... encrypted but
we broke in. Ti asking for them to do this for him, his offer of
money... 1,500,000 Yuan for the job, half upfront.

After the men... who are Guoanbu employees... accepted... there was a flow
of information sent to them. There were pictures, diagrams, maps, etc... Ti
arranged their travel and got passports for them through other individuals
in the Guoanbu... we cannot know how much those people were told.

Since Ti is still a member of the State Council his requests are like
commands especially inside the Guoanbu. Even though he is no longer titular
head of the Ministry of State Security he carries such considerable weight
any employee would do what he asked.

The men we do not know too much about... yet! Except from their actions
which are not those of practised agents... sloppy... Leaving weapons and
ammunition in plain sight... travel documents... their chosen encryption is
a methodology we broke into quickly... their Ministry of State Security
work ID's hidden with the cellphones in an amateurish manner. A comedy of
errors.

They got the weapons in through their false diplomatic cover bypassing the
normal security checks.

Now they are under arrest, wounded... they have not been told what we know
or have been in their safe house.

The Thai fellow is a Communist from a Chinese family of like
believers. They moved here from Malaya after the Emergency there in the
1950's. He has done other `jobs' for the Chinese... nothing like
this... just gathering information, holding and passing on data, providing
safe houses.

He hasn't been told his weapon wasn't loaded. We haven't asked him yet
about Saul... we will... soon! I think he will be upset with the idea we
might link him to other crimes."

Dad sipped his coffee... he'd said no to food.

A call to his cellphone... rapid talk... we heard his side...

"Okay... the two Chinese are not normal action agents, they have job
assignments that are office positions. Both have wives and children. They
do not have regular passports... only those diplomatic ones which are brand
new and are not registered with the Chinese Foreign Ministry. They used
their real names on the new passports. So the Guoanbu provided false
passports.

Now our asking questions is going to cause a stir... so far we have kept
this under our hat. At some point Ti is going to wonder about it... `did
they or did they not' get in place to do the job! We can keep him in the
dark for a short while because according their Thai-Chinese co-conspirator
no one else locally knows about the two Chinese. He apparently has done his
little `jobs' without telling his communist comrades."

I looked at the time on my iPhone... after midnight in Washington... I'll
have to wait to call Hillary.

We told Dad Hillary was going to ask the Chinese to withdraw Ti as
ambassador. His eyes widened!

Cho did add there was no way Ti could know that... so he was acting on his
own ideas and timeline!

From me, "So do you...or we... let the world know?"

Dad wasn't sure yet...

Cho added in a question, "In the ordinary course of an investigation you
would seek to interview Ti right?"

Dad nodded, "Knowing what we have... I would arrest him as a
conspirator... have him in custody... then do more looking and an
interrogation."

My hands open, palms up, "So I know zippity-doo-dah about diplomatic
things... can the American government detain Ti if you file an arrest
warrant?"

Dad grinning, "We do have an extradition treaty... crimes like these
qualify under the treaty... so I will have to consult the Prime Minister
and Narong.

To answer your question... the ambassador will have diplomatic immunity
from all but grave crimes... attempted murder seems grave enough to me. I
am sure Narong will have an opinion. The Chinese and Americans will
probably have their own interpretations."

"If we put our media onto this story... it will spook Ti and the Chinese
government. Surely they will call him home... the embarrassment for China
will be huge... a major black-eye!"

Dad leaned back, "It is obvious... the Chinese do not want this
publicised... an attempt to murder world prominent individuals, an English
peeress, a knight, their children... by a top Party functionary done out of
pique or revenge? It will be a public relations disaster!"

I had Cho's hand, "Dad... talk to the PM and Narong but we..." looking at
Cho's head nodding, "... think going public will be best. It will slam the
Chinese around the world... Ti will be for all purposes `disappeared' by
the Chinese government. He'll have no influence, they'll likely imprison
him, strip him of all his assets... "

Cho interposed, "...frankly he will be lucky to avoid a `bullet' in the
neck!"

A smile on Dad's handsome face, "I thought you two would prefer that
course."  He laughed, "The Chinese might, under those circumstances,
withdraw his ambassadorship and immunity. World opinion would demand
it. President Clinton could have him detained for deportation, it would be
unusual but he did conspire to have American citizens murdered.

Such an action would be seen sympathetically by other countries who would
want their own nationals protected, the Vienna Convention notwithstanding."

Cho said, "Go to the Prime Minister and Narong... give them the whole event
including our `meeting' Ti in Washington and that we are going to speak to
the media... unless you want to do it?"

Dad finishing his coffee, "I think a press statement of the case facts and
we are seeking to arrest Ti would be a start... Saying we have asked the
Americans to hold him for an extradition proceeding and we have requested
the Chinese to end his immunity. I will suggest that to the PM and Narong.

Once we have done that you are freed to unleash your media." A smile!

Hugs and kisses plus handshakes for Dad before he drove away.

Cho smiling, "I do not think the Americans would arrest him unless this is
all exposed and his government rescinds his immunity. They might blockade
him in a building to keep the ball rolling and maintain control of him."

Okay... enough drama! We are well protected!

We met with the team who did the work in the early morning hours... We
thanked each one for their effort. Alix was the team leader, it was her
duty shift. Her team was made up of Thais, Americans, a French woman and
one Britisher.

Drone pilots, sharpshooters, medics and all others were told how much we
appreciated their work, they were valued and would be rewarded.

The Twins in the Playroom blissfully unaware of it all. We did train layout
time before dinner, Charlie wanted to run a train... Cho put one together
for him. They sat to make it go `round and `round. Chani in my lap as I
built a small warehouse... this time she helped rather than hindered. Yea!

We were headed to eat on the Terrace when Dad called.

"The PM and Narong agreed to my issuing a press statement, without
questions, laying out what happened, what we have done subsequent to the
event, our evaluation of the evidence and stating our requests to the
U.S. and China regarding Ti.

The prosecution service is to file charges in the morning so there will be
arrest warrants issued beforehand.

After the rabbit is out of the bag... you can do whatever since the news
folks will be all over it!"

I thanked him and asked he and Phailin to come over for dinner tomorrow if
possible. He'd check with Phailin. Love!!

I called New York... Kent had just arrived for the day. He did have a short
chuckle at my question about Fox News coverage of a press briefing.

"Since you live in Bangkok and the Cho Family Banks are there we opened a
small office five months ago. We hired a local fellow as the on-air with a
staff. They have been doing background reporting on Thailand, the Cho Banks
and the like. He can be at the press briefing... with a live hook-up."

He was shocked when I told him what it was about, "Now you can only tell
Bill the details... until it goes off tomorrow morning our time."

"No problem... I'll have Ritthirong at the briefing. Can he contact you for
more information?"

"Of course. We are going to schedule a press briefing of our own for
tomorrow afternoon. It will be in a courtyard at the Railroad offices. Tell
him that, there will an announcement for all media.

There will likely be a big crowd after the Security Police's morning
briefing."

"Fay, we will go live for both... we will interrupt programming."

I sent warm wishes for him and his team and his family.

Dinner... there was crispy fish... I was a long way behind... catch-up
time! Amporn smiling saying there was more... a woman after my heart!

We had fun with the Twins eating. Chani showing off her blue romper outfit
from Ralph Lauren. Chic! The guys in their new gorgeous blue Polo shirts!!
Me in basic black!

Chelle having her first taste of the fish... it was a big hit! I had a
mouthful when I realized Chelle's hair... it was black!

"Fay, you sort of got me thinking the other day... about a new me as the
original me... Voilà!"

She looked like `Chelle' in the `Jane's World' strip for sure! I
congratulated Chelle, "That is a NEW you... and it looks terrific!"

A big smile and thank you.

A good set of laps in the pool with the warm morning sun... a great start!
Coffee, fruit and salapaos!

We got some work done before the Security Police press briefing.

An email from Carter2 overnight... Fazli has begun work in the Garage with
Gerry. He appears to have some relevant knowledge so Gerry and Prasert are
putting him to work doing maintenance jobs... oil changes, etc... He has
done those with no problems! That was great!

I called Hillary. She was upset.

I told her what the Thai government was going to do via the Security Police
press briefing. Hillary said she'd talk to the Secretary of State about the
Geneva Convention protocols.

She called out to an aide to get the Secretary of State on the line and the
head of the Federal Marshal Service.

"We can at least consider detaining Ti if he tries to flee. The Federal
Marshals can move on him right away.

I will ask for the Chinese chargé d'affaires to be called to the State
Department immediately... tonight... to inform him the ambassador is
`persona non grata' and is no longer considered the accredited
representative for China. They will be told as he is an undesirable alien
we will detain him.

One good thing... we upped the surveillance of him and his top aides so we
know where they are at all times."

A voice in the background... "Fay, Hold on for a moment..."

Hillary was back in a minute, "He's in the embassy residence... Federal
Marshals will surround his residence and inform the Chinese staff no one
can leave until Ti surrenders himself. While questionable in terms of the
Geneva Convention there are the Thai charges which could be interpreted as
grave crimes giving us latitude."

I put in Cho and I thought Ti's returning to China was the better
outcome... it takes Thailand off the hook for trying him and allows the
government some flexibility on what to do with the three captured
attackers.

"Well if we can put him on a Chinese aircraft to go non-stop to
Beijing... I'm Okay with that. I will call your Prime Minister shortly to
talk."

She put me on hold for a few minutes...

"The State Department just received the formal request from the Thai
Foreign Ministry to detain Ti via the Thai Embassy's chargé
d'affaires. He has been formally indicted. So that part we have... I'll
have the talk with the Secretary of State in thirty minutes, he's coming
over here."

We rang off with the warmest wishes and her congratulations to our Security
Service for their skill in protecting us.

I called Dad to give him the gist of the conversation. He said Ti going to
Beijing was likely to be best for Thailand. No fuss about a trial was the
right way to avoid escalating trouble.

"We can maintain the arrest warrant active so he would be under threat of
arrest anywhere outside of China. There could be a formal court appearance
for the two Chinese even if they plead guilty... we can get their testimony
on record about Ti. That would carry more weight than their admissions to
my people even if it was in a sworn statement."

He was going down to watch the press briefing from behind the scene... so
we said goodbye.

Cho had Fox News on the TV in the Playroom. We sat in the seating near the
billiard table to watch.

Megan's face on Fox News... she said there was a press briefing in Bangkok
at the headquarters of the Security Police of great significance they were
going to go live there now...

"Hello Ritthirong...

Ritthirong's face on camera, "Hello Megan..." He let viewers know the
briefing was beginning from the Thai Security Police headquarters. He also
said the subject was unknown except it was very high importance.

A uniformed officer came out to read the briefing, he started with there
would be printed copies available afterwards in the lobby behind the news
folks. No questions would be taken.

He described the attack on our home, he didn't go into details about our
Security Service actions... then went to the evidence gathered at the safe
house and from interviews with the attackers. He made it plain the men had
given sworn voluntary statements... admitting guilt for conspiracy,
attempted murder, trespassing, various weapons charges, passport violations
and more.

The bombshell... "A senior Chinese official, Mr. Ti, the current ambassador
from China to the United States of America is implicated as the originator
of the plot."

The noise level in the room went way up!!!!

"We have evidence of his involvement in the recruiting of the agents,
making payments to the men, the planning of the actual attack, arranging a
local contact for the attackers, supplying weapons, false passports and a
great deal more.

Formal charges against the three attackers and Mr. Ti were filed by the
prosecution service this morning. Arrest warrants have been issued for all
four men. The three wounded men will be arraigned at the hospital.

We have asked the Chinese government through their embassy here to rescind
Mr. Ti's diplomatic immunity from arrest and trial. We are requesting
through diplomatic channels that Ambassador Ti be detained by American
authorities so he can be extradited to Thailand to face the charges.

We are waiting for responses to those requests which were made earlier this
morning.

There will be further briefings as events warrant. We will prominently post
information on the Security Police webpage about all briefings.

Thank you."

There were questions called out but the officer left through a doorway
behind the podium. Quite a lot of noise but Ritthirong was able to find a
space to go on-air.

"We have been informed there will be a press briefing by Sir Cho and Lady
Harcourt this afternoon at the Railroad Company headquarters. We will be
covering that event live later today."

Megan came up on the screen thanking Ritthirong for the report. A serious
face...

"We are all glad that Lady Harcourt and Sir Cho and their children are
safe. There is a lot of we don't know yet. There will be a press briefing
this afternoon Bangkok time by Lady Harcourt and Sir Cho... we will go live
to that."

She went to a commercial.

The press officer's briefing didn't mince any words. A direct challenge to
the Chinese government to do the right thing. We'll see if anything happens
before we speak this afternoon. We didn't expect the Chinese to call the
Thai government's bluff. No way they'd have Ti surrender for a trial. If
they did the cellphone activity alone would convict him!

Lunch with the Twins... a lot of fun which was very welcome. We were in
good spirits as we drove to the Railroad offices.

A courtyard on the east side... Partly in the shade this time of day. Lots
of light for cameras.

A low platform and rows of chairs on the grass... our Security Service
managing the space. Sumate with us inside as the journalists entered the
grassy area, cameras setup... they were ready.

A kiss for Cho. Sumate with us going out.

Thet was with Reyna and their surrogate... her labour pains had begun. Cho
told him not to worry... be with his family.

From the platform Cho told the crowd of news people we'd make some remarks
then take questions for a short period.

Cho introduced Sumate...Sumate gave the news people a synopsis of the
events... the intruders being detected by passive devices then watched by
drones and more devices... hit with spotlights when they emerged from the
cover of the shrubbery... they opened fire... our folks wounded them. Our
medics did first aid and they were lifted by our helicopter to a police
hospital.

Sumate did not give any details about our defences, just generalities. I
expected questions about it all though.

Cho spoke about our meeting Ti at the White House... Cho related Ti said
things which upset us and Cho told the news people he wouldn't repeat the
words exactly. Cho did point out what was said made Ti an infamous liar and
hypocrite.

The timing of the attack showed Ti was attempting revenge since he started
it all the next morning from his Washington office. The emails, texts and
calls proved the links to the now captured hitmen.

Cho followed with... "The level of detail in the evidence is
overwhelming... it is time for the Chinese government to step up... end
Ti's immunity so he can be arrested and tried...

What decent government condones the attempt to murder innocent persons by
their employees?

This fellow Ti tried to have my children killed, my wife and
myself... because he was called out as a liar? My remarks weren't that
explicit but he knew what I meant... he had been disgraced in the past when
his involvement in industrial spying activity was exposed.

It's obvious he sought revenge since he made this happen immediately
afterwards.

So the Peoples Republic of China needs to show the world they are not a
rogue state with murderers as top Communist Party members and government
leaders."

Cho said we would entertain questions pertaining to what they had said
only. Each person chosen to ask their question was to identify themselves
and their organisation upfront.

"Sim Takai, Asahi Shimbun. So no one was injured at your house besides the
attackers?"

Cho said that was correct.

"We were not there. We spent several days at another home with our
children. Some of our close personal staff members were on the property but
were not disturbed."

"Anurak. Thai Rath. How were the intruders discovered?"

Cho had Sumate take that... He said there are devices on the perimeter of
the property... "They set off alarms, we had a drone overhead observing
them. When they broke cover a spotlight illuminated them... they fired at
the light... missing it. Our force fired five shots, one to the gun arm of
each man, when two tried to retreat... we fired at their legs.

Our people secured them then our medics did treatment... getting them ready
for transport to the hospital.

That was it."

"Tonnu, Channel 7 News. Who was it that fired? Why shoot at their arms and
legs?"

Sumate again... "The members of the Security Service were the ones firing,
highly trained sharpshooters. The arms and legs are where there are no
vital organs. We wanted to put the men out of action not kill them."

"James Owen, New York Times. They were dangerous armed intruders why not be
sure they were unable to do anything else? They had already fired at your
people."

Sumate's face said to me how stupid is this guy...

"We had no idea who they were or what they wanted. If they were
burglars... we do not kill people who rob or try to rob. We wanted them
immobilised not dead. The dead do not tell you what they were doing."

"Ritthirong, Fox News. Is Chinese ambassador Ti aware you know so much
about his activities and will the United States detain him for the Thai
arrest warrant?"

Cho smiled, "I am sure he knows by now his hired killers are in
custody... so he must realise anything they know is known to the Thai
authorities."

Cho smiled and apologised for all the `knows.'

Smiles in the crowd of journalists.

"What America is going to do we cannot say. The Geneva Convention on
consular activities covers this sort of event but is open to some
interpretation. The Chinese have the ball in their court... they need to
act. Removing his immunity would be a good start. Afterwards demanding he
surrender to the Thai arrest warrant is another positive act.

It is up to them... it is fair to say the world is watching."

More questions came. Cho and Sumate answered them all brilliantly.

Some questions were passed on when they asked for information on our
security setup and operations.

Forty minutes in... Cho took the last one.

"Ronald West, the BBC. What is your preferred outcome?"

"We want Ti to be held to account for his criminal behaviour... we prefer
it was in a Thai court since the most dangerous part of the crime took
place here. We are not in a position to insist on anything."

Cho thanked them all. We walked to the rear into the Railroad building. I
gave Sumate a hug and a kiss for my guy. It was interesting to watch... not
participate for a change.

In the car another kiss. Cho smiling, "I would think the chance the Chinese
surrender Ti is zero..." he laughed, "... it is a terrific stick to beat on
them with isn't it?"

Easy to agree and give one more kiss.

At home we joined the Twins in swimming. Jaidee did too! Lots of splashing
as Charlie and Chani went flying up... then down from Cho's arms. They
loved it. So cute in their goggles.

Thet called Cho... he was a father! A boy who is healthy, a little bit
premature but fine!! The birth mother came through very well... no
troubles.

"Seeing Reyna sitting with our son is special! I am sending some pictures."

Cho congratulated him and Reyna. We sent our love and happiness to them!

The pictures were great! Reyna with their baby boy... quite the snap!

Cho told Thet everything went well at the press briefing. Sumate dealt with
the questions skilfully.

Thet knew we were leaving so we made a date to see his little one when we
returned!

Cho asked Gil to have flowers sent for the birth mother and to Thet and
Reyna's house plus Taittinger's to them.

Narong called... the Chinese had been on to them... they recalled Ti as
ambassador, he was flying to Beijing at this time. As he was now `persona
non grata' the Americans insisted on taking him into their custody and
driving him to a Chinese aircraft. The Federal Marshal in charge walked him
to a seat although the crew objected to him boarding the
airplane. Apparently the Marshal told the crew to stay out of his way or
risk arrest!

The marshals stayed on the tarmac until the plane was airborne.

"The Secretary of State said the airplane was given a flight path, told not
to deviate from it at the risk of being shot down. He seemed amused by the
thought."

Narong sounding peeved and relieved, "The Chinese said they would not
remove his immunity because it would violate the Geneva Convention.

We did not argue... it was pointless. The U.S.  Secretary of State
contacted me before the call from China to say they were allowing Ti to
leave after the Chinese would not release him from the Geneva rules.

The Americans stated the obvious... Ti was not worth a big diplomatic fight
since they wanted him gone. The Secretary of State did say they informed
China they were not to send any other controversial figures as his
replacement because the U.S. was raising the bar of acceptability.

Declaring Ti `persona non grata' had been a huge embarrassment to the
Chinese. The Federal Marshalls `expelled' him from America!

The publicity around this case will make it easier for other nations to
refuse questionable Chinese nominated individuals.

The Chinese Foreign Minister informed me announcements were to be made on
this soon. He did not say what or when."

He added there were discussions with the Americans and British whether to
recall their ambassadors from Beijing but they all decided they wanted
their top diplomats to be in place for any further events.

I thanked Narong. Cho asked him to thank the Prime Minister.

At five o'clock we got a call from Narong's assistant... the Chinese would
speak in minutes.

Kent's PA called us... they were going live to Beijing... Cho got Fox News
up...

Their Foreign Minister at a podium, a forest of microphones, dozens of
cameras...

"The Peoples Republic of China is mortified that a member of our diplomatic
corps and a former high government official would be involved in criminal
activity to harm anyone.

This is totally alien to the principles of our country's people and
government.

We deeply apologise to Lady Harcourt, Sir Cho, their children and the
people of Thailand.

Our ambassador in Bangkok will meet with Thai Foreign Minister to apologise
in person. Our charge d'affaires in Washington has done so already to the
United States Secretary of State.

A representative will seek to meet with Lady Harcourt and Sir Cho to
apologise to them personally.

President Xi has written to each and those letters are to be presented at
the meetings.

President Xi wants me to say he profoundly regrets these events and will
take steps to see such happenings never reoccur."

That was it... no questions were allowed.

He did not address what would happen to Ti in Beijing. I guess we have that
to come.

I towed Cho into our suite.

"It's interesting the Chinese speak as though the accusations were proven."

Cho looked to me, "They must have asked Ti themselves... I suppose in fear
of his life he told them the truth..."

"I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this mess but for now I am Okay with
Ti being back in China. I do expect to read he's had a stroke or heart
attack and passed away very soon. I doubt the Chinese want any further
embarrassment from him."

A Cho smile, "He seems like a candidate for a bullet... I'd rather they put
him on trial but they want it to disappear. Maybe they will clean house in
their security ministry."

On to other things for us.

Winnie's email had some clips from the video they were working on for the
Chanthira Foundation golf tournament. They looked great!

Tom Angleten spoke briefly about looking forward to playing at a very
worthwhile charity event on an excellent golf course. Dave and other top
golfers were doing the same... following Tom's lead.

She said it would be ready in a few days to go up on the Foundation
webpage, the Hedges Golf Club webpage, youtube, twitter, etc... Reginé
was working with them for several versions that were shorter for social
media.

I sent her an email saying we were pleased... it had a great look.

We checked the news... around the world the Chinese were being castigated
for not allowing Ti to be arrested and tried. It was universal opprobrium
spread thick by some news organisations.

Quite a few pieces on how the Chinese had been tone deaf before and how
they skirted international laws when their citizens were involved in
criminality. Their poor record of being a `world citizen' getting amplified
around this latest case.

Some news people had pieces on how the Chinese acted in Third World
countries where they did business or gave `aid'... bullying local
governments, trying monopolize natural resources, abusing workers
physically as well as not paying them properly, callous disregard of local
laws about nearly everything but especially ecological protection laws!

It looked like some news folks were going to ride this for a while. Fox
News was reporting it straight not trying to colour it one way or another.

Cho and I sitting by the TV... we agreed the Chinese would let it flow over
them since to deny any of it would be like pouring petrol on the fire... We
were waiting for the death notice on Ti... Cho was convinced it would
happen.

Phailin and Dad came for dinner. The Twins met them by the drive... loud
happy greetings!

"Gamma! Gramps!" They all walked to the Terrace holding hands. Really huge
smiles!

Amporn fed us superbly! We all had a very good time especially the
Twins... ice cream at the end!

The talk was family... Somsak, Tona and Suki going to America! They would
lots of new things to see. It would easy for them since their English is
fluent.

They knew about Upperville and that they would be welcome to go out there
for weekends or go to New York to stay at our place or any of our
homes. Somsak and Tona were told they could call for cars or
aircraft... they were family... nothing improper or hidden from Narong or
Atid in Washington.

Sunny was in an equestrian competition in a week... an important early
event in the calendar. It is in northern Gloucestershire. A two day
event. Her family was flying over to attend. A friend of ours was loaning
their house nearby for them to stay as they were over in southern France.

She was also entered in the Badminton Trials... a huge thing for her,
probably the top event in the world. Doing well there was springboard for
her future.

Sunny was the youngest entrant ever in the top flight! A two months short
of fifteen!

To get her ready Equestrian Ventures had redone the smaller dressage arena
at Harcourt House, now full size and all grass. Sunny was working only on
grass for Gloucestershire and Badminton.

The Badminton cross country course looked tough in snaps on the
website... Sunny emailed a reply... `It does... they change it each
year... so a new look each time. Yours at Upperville and the Winterset
Trials were also tough... just different.'  She said the U.S. Equestrian
course in New Jersey might be tougher... she did very well there!

No need to talk about the recent events at our house... we knew it all.

Phailin and Dad knew we were leaving for Los Angeles tonight so we did big
goodbyes. The Twins getting lots of love from Gamma and Gramps.

We took off from Don Mueang to a loud `WooHoo' from Charlie. A woof from
Jaidee. Chani giggling at them. It was a ritual now.

There was work time, play time, food then sleep... a late morning arrival
at Santa Monica.

Cho and I sat with Ali and Francis... the baby! Ali said her doctor in New
York was pleased she was pregnant. He liked Ali. She was in excellent
health, young and vigorous, she had so many pluses on her side to start.

He found out she worked for us... he hadn't been told of her move from
Daria. He was impressed.

Ali let him know she had stopped eating mammals or birds, fish yes. He
didn't recommend any diet changes unless something came up. He had blood
drawn for some tests. He was very positive.

The blood testing had come back, everything was good!!

So from me... "We'll stay as we are now unless there's a need to
change... then as you reach six months... checking with your
doctor... you'll travel less... eventually not at all. Please choose
whatever location you want for the birth... that's totally up to you two."

We got hugs and kisses.

I was the one up first like always. Yobi made breakfast, the others came
out in a big bunch! Everybody fed and sitting around... we were on the last
part of the flight.

Captain Kor said we were on approach to Santa Monica. Everybody strapped
in! Jaidee looking out his window he reached out one paw on the glass.

Camilla had cars ready on the tarmac... off to Topanga for all of us except
Cho, Ansara and Sorya. They were going to the Riviera Country Club, Cho was
playing golf with Pedro and Ken. We were going opposite to most of the
traffic so it was an easy drive.

Pam and Abbey were coming up to Topanga for part of the day

Dolores and Sora at the door... big greetings by the Twins running to
them. Dolores smiling, she promised French Toast for tomorrow morning. Huge
yells by the babies, the rest of us let them speak for us. Grins.

I changed to ride, Gil joining me with Tara and Tessa. Viv glad to see us,
a hug.

I was on ZigZag... new horses for everybody, Clementine, Rorry and
Cindy. We went west between the low hills then going southwest up a
canyon. Lots of greenery everywhere up and down the hillsides from the
winter rains, the creek flowing full to its brim.

One lone coyote at a distance... he moved away seeing us, into the brush
and gone.

We topped the ridgeline... a good view to the west into the green valley
beyond, the blue ocean on the left... Idyllic.

A good run when we were back on level ground. ZigZag striding
out... marvellous. ZigZag whinnying as we slowed near the stables. I rubbed
his neck.

"Good going guy!"

Nadine's face... "ZigZag loves to run hard! He's happy."

Fist bump.

I got to meet Jorrie the new help. She was glad to meet me... "I'm amazed
and happy to be working for you."

We shook hands, I turned to Viv..."If Jorrie is so happy... are we paying
her... shouldn't she be paying us?"

Laughter... Jorrie smiling, a slight blush.

"Don't worry... We love when are folks are happy!"

A hug!

Pam and Abbey!! Abbey growing up, almost a year! Crawling like a big
beetle, zooming!

Abbey gave us a demonstration in the living room when she came out of her
car seat... Wow! She could really move. Pam laughing. I hadn't seen this in
Bangkok. Ah... we don't have carpeting like this where Pam says she's at
her speediest!

"Abbey's been trying her legs too... early days for that. All the usual
prat falls and a lot of giggling. She's getting there."

Lunch on the terrace... it was warm enough. Woolly hats on the Twins,
jackets. Abbey well bundled up. The sun made it possible. So we kept the
babies in the sunlight.

Pam, Abbey and Ken had been visiting Ken's son and his family again. Some
business things brought them to Los Angeles this time, the Hawaiian trip
would follow. Hawaii was for golf and laying the sun with Abbey!

Email news from Monaco... Asda and Secret Sea's colt was officially named
`Secret Royal!' The Jockey Club Okay'd the name this morning! Wonderful! He
was certainly of royal lineage!

I thanked Monaco for that... He replied my name was perfect for a
princeling like him! Yes!

Email from Amarha... interesting and good news... the turbine mechanic
Buddy in Seattle was taking a position in Miami we advertised on the
Cho-Fay Air internal webpage. His girlfriend soon to be wife Patty was
going. She had a job in the Hawthorne Aviation office! Wonderful news.

They would move once Buddy passed through the classes Naomi was running at
Boeing Field. We wanted him to be the lead turbine engine man in Miami and
be able to be a training manager for the site.

Their wedding to be held before they went so all their Seattle friends and
colleagues could be part of it. A load of happiness there!

All the babies inside with Tha and Delphine. Pam and I walking in the
garden.

"Fay what happened in Bangkok? That man really tried to have you killed?"

"Yes! He really tried... our Security stopped it. We hope the Chinese do
something to him... not like we get to say anything about that.

Cho thinks he's a candidate for a bullet in the back of the neck... even if
he avoids that they'll make him invisible. He won't be able to go anywhere
because the Thai's are keeping open the arrest warrant. They've made a
point of saying it publicly and directly to the Chinese."

"Why though? You only met him the once."

"That's true but he was in charge of the State Security Ministry when we
had a run in with his agents in Bangkok several years ago... they all got
rounded up and put in prison. They were doing industrial spying! It was a
public relations fiasco for the Chinese. He had to have been blamed."

"Oh... revenge! That's not enough to kill... is it?"

"For him apparently it is."

I smiled, "Fuck him!"

Fist bump!

"Fay, Phuket was wonderful. Being with you and a few other women was
marvellous. Ken had a good time with his golfing buddies... Abbey at your
house with the many other little ones. She acted so happy when we got back
there. So we all had fun.

A hug!

"Cho and I want to keep doing it. Everyone enjoys themselves. Now... " a
tight hug, "... I do want make love with you more than once a year... So we
have to work on that."

Pam was DEFINITELY up for the idea!

We sat in the sun on the bench at the overlook. I had Pam's hand... a slow
stroking of her fingers.

Pam... a wistful smile, "I enjoyed several of the ladies... Jayne was
terrific, Lori too! The one with pink hair... BOY did we get each other
off! Her name is EX?"

"A nickname where she had worked because she seemed to be everyone's `ex.'
She's with Gil now. We are using `Chelle' which is short for Rochelle her
actual name."

"Well Chelle is a very good lover! Have you... Oh... she works for
you... right?"

"Yes and no I didn't. She and Gil are coming up here to stay
shortly. They'll be here at dinner."

"I think it's a good rule for you but you are missing out on a talented
partner."

"Speaking of partners... Jayne and I are partners in the Big 'V' clubs. I
own forty-nine percent of the Big `V' in New York and sixty five percent of
the new one in Los Angeles. You guys should come over... It's in WEHO. It
should open in late June or early July."

"Okay. I'll see where we are... Ken likes going to some clubs and he has
eclectic music tastes."

"Good, I'll keep you in the loop."

The sun felt good on my face. The Twins came running out... "Popa's
coming!"

Good.

The men showed up a short time later.

Gil and Chelle arrived just after the men. Chelle seeing Pam was
cute... she extended her hand saying hello. Pam had a smile at that bit of
coolness. She also noticed the hair colour change.

Pico de Gallo with several kinds of tortilla chips, warm bean dip with
toasted taco shell triangles. Drinks. We got started well.

We had a terrific dinner... inside though. Dolores doing spectacular
burritos, rice and beans and delicious ice cream with `extras' as the
finish!

Pedro did ask about our Bangkok incident... we gave them all what we had
already shared. Francis smiling telling them he and Ali slept through it
all. Gil waved her hand...'Us too!'

What we could say was our Security did us proud. Both Pedro and Ken used
our service to protect their homes and businesses so they knew how
professional our people were.

Our guests going to their cars... little Abbey sound asleep in her
carrier. We waved them down the drive.

The Twins had gone to the Nursery to do some things before bed. Tha gave us
the high sign.

Hugs and kisses for our babies in their beds. Raggedy and Blu alongside!!

I got that Cho had had an excellent day at the Riviera... a 58! He now held
the course record! A big squeeze!

"The couple of holes where I come close to a birdie in the past... I birded
today! Pedro shot a 73 and Ken a 75! The Pro who played with us shot a
69. It was a great round. The club folks were all smiles! One said it would
be a pleasure to change the scoring record board!"

Kisses for Cho... all over... even his toes!

A busy day! I got in an early morning ride with Angie and Gaby. They got to
see some more of the ranch.

Cho was playing golf at the Bel-Air. He was meeting George, Dayton and
Tommy. I looked at him... "Tommy?"

"Oh... he's the basketball player we met at the Fox TV station. When you
said you were getting Mona to come to the Hollywood shelter I recalled the
other fellow was a golfer and connected with him."

"Remember we'll have a house full tonight with all the folks coming..."

"No... we won't be late." A kiss.

A mixed group of events for me... A black wool tube skirt to my knees, a
small slit at the back. The wool jacket also black snug to my waist, flared
out over the top of my hips, three big silver buttons under a scoop
neckline showing some of my assets, long sleeves with four silver buttons
on the cuffs. Silver jewellery bits, a necklace of four strands in
concentric circles lying nicely on my décolletage, loop earrings and the
wide silver band with the tiny lock. I had `Cho' engraved on it... showing
off!

Black stockings and heels. Black linen gloves. Red round lensed sunglasses.

First stop was The Day in Venice. A small van driven a Security Service
woman followed us. Alanna driving... she was happy to be the `wheel' today.

Tessa leading as we walked through the front door. Gil and Ali beside me,
Francis and PJ following. The Security woman inside knew me and my
protectors. She opened the door to the inside.

I entered the big open newsroom... a few people working at their desks
looked up and made noises of hello then Marita came to the door of her
office...

"Fay!" She came to me to hug and kiss cheeks!

The whole staff started to come close... I waded in shaking hands, smiling
faces... happy faces!! Casita, Georgia, hugs... Francis shook Harlee's hand
before she got a hug from me. Rudy, Chester, Rami... Ari,
Claudette... happy faces!

I gathered them around me... I thanked them all for the hard work and
dedication which brought them to within one hundred thousand copies sold of
the Los Angeles Times!

A stunning turn-about in this huge metro area! We covered it better, more
completely and dove deep in the stories!

"You put out a superior product... every department is far ahead of your
competition... the city is flowing your way! Cheers to you all from Cho and
me!"

I called for their attention... "Announcements... I am promoting
Marita... she will be the executive editor and publisher as of
today. Casita is now the managing editor!"

I stood on a chair to applaud those two terrific newspaperwomen!!!! The
whole crowd cheered them!

The Security woman with the van had a cart she wheeled in... she opened the
boxes to cold bottles of Taittinger's!

Boxes of stemmed flutes... filled up... I led a toast to all of them for
their success then more toasts for Marita and Casita!!!

I had my arm around Marita's waist... a huge smile on her
face... "Fay... I'm glad you came in today!"

Laughing, a hug, "Me too! I wouldn't have wanted to just call to tell you!"

Casita in front of us smiling. I nudged them both... "You know what it
means... more work!"

We laughed!! I did add more money too!

I motioned to Georgia. She took Marita's hand, "Hi Boss!" More laughter!

Georgia got that Ali was still a consumer of her information stream.

I did a tour of the building with Marita. The canteen had a lovely smell of
spices... a coriander spiced vegetable soup!

The health clinic looking great! A youngster waiting for her mom before
going in for an exam... I sat beside her... she was Okay this was a
check-up after an ear infection.

Her mother, a local news reporter, came in surprised to see her daughter
with me. I shook hands with the mom and a hug for the daughter... the young
lady liked that!

In Marita's office we talked about the future... I wanted a `full court
press' on the Times. We were beating them in city news and in Sacramento
news, music, politics... only in Sports were we needing more reporting!

"Now you have created a genuine rival newspaper so consider poaching their
best talent! Not many but look to your weaknesses and go for it!"

Fist bump!

Marita liked the Seattle news... Aston's folks made The Day number one in
the city and not looking back... they were crushing the Seattle Times with
style and a progressive attitude.

I said it almost seems that Seattle's The Day has started to nudge the city
forward... police reform in a meaningful way, officers being fired for
their abuses, strong discipline regulations in a new labour contract,
taking away many of their toys they had used on citizens.

We had crusaded against police abuse and overreach, dozens of stories about
rogue cops and senior managers.

More money for schools, help for the homeless and poor... Much tighter
controls on real estate developers! The traffic scheme we were
building... Seattle living up to its image as the progressive Emerald
City!!!

I did my goodbyes. Casita knew I going to do an interview for Fox TV at the
Hollywood shelter... she asked if she could send a reporter... I said yes
but it's Fox TV's play. She nodded.

To WEHO... I didn't always like the idea of shortening everything to a few
letters. West Hollywood was a mouthful though.

A visit to the Big `V'!! Up the 405 to Santa Monica Boulevard then east. We
parked in front... I stepped out into the sun with my red sunglasses
on... I looked over the building... the front was now `Pink' with a big
PINK neon `V' above the double entry!!

Neko opened the doors... big smile, "Miss Martin... come in... see it!"

We shook hands! I was introduced to Jam, Vada and Amelie.

Neko gave me a guided excursion! It was getting very close to being
finished inside! The main room... big, a large stage on the rear the wall,
dressing rooms for the acts, a room for the lighting and special effects
folks... two big bars, booths on the side walls, a walkway then more booths
that opened directly to the dance floor.

A first class sound system... Jam said it was the best available for the
space.

The restaurant had its own seating and a huge kitchen. Recka, our head
chef, grinning as we talked food. She knew about the New York `V' having a
reputation for quality food... she wanted the `V' to have lots of repeat
customers!!

Bits, the bar manager was the same! She had worked bars around the city,
seeing different styles of managers... she wanted to serve the best... no
compromises. Jam smiling saying that was great but make money too!
Everybody laughed.

When there were live music acts... plenty of standing room on the dance
floor with a nifty exit behind the crowd towards the front of the club... a
pair of roll-up doors left over from a previous tenant. They opened right
to the sidewalk on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Big bathrooms for the ladies!!!! A petting room... `Ladies only!' Amelie
said the plan was for it to be closed whenever there were live
acts... plenty of time for decisions like that.

The office upstairs was much larger than I thought, comfortable for the
three managers. Amelie's office was on the main floor in-between the
entryway and the main room with doors to both. There were several `holding
rooms' for problem people.

The four `managers' were easy with each other. The lines of authority made
clear and each other's skill sets explained so they could count on each
other.

We sat upstairs... I let them know Cho and I understood the Los Angeles
Police had a poor reputation for dealing with clubs and especially those
that could have substantial LGBTQ clientele. We wanted them as managers to
protect our patrons and thereby the club.

"In this day there's no excuse for police to exceed their legitimate
authority. Cho and I have some pull which we will use if necessary... we
are well-known enough."

The Big `V' folks looking at me... a bit anxious... "Now I don't want to
look for fights with the cops... we need to work with them whenever
possible but I don't want you to roll over for them..." a finger aimed at
Amelie, "... it puts some pressure on your staff to avoid any reason to
call the cops. And keep an eye on the exterior areas so you can defuse
problems before they explode. Be subtle, wise and tough."

I leaned forward, "Camilla knows how we feel... she'll back you! Okay?"

Amelie's face... a smile, "I get it. My team and..." her hands gesturing to
Neko and Jam, "... we'll work out a good balance."

I stuck out my fist... we all bumped.

Vada said she would also be aware of incidents around any `live' acts we
have in the club so Amelie could prepare. I said that's what we
need... keeping eyes and ears open.

I thanked them for their hard work getting this ready to open. They were
all building staff, training and planning events. Vada was signing live
acts and hiring DJ's.

I was standing in the main room with Neko, "So you think the end of June is
too far off... when could you open?"

"The way things are going we could do it the last week in May. The staff
numbers are good, Vada is has a couple of possible grand opening acts
talking... Yes I think the end of May."

"Okay work on it... in thirty days we should be able to decide. Call Jayne
and talk to her. She'll promote the opening in New York for the bi-coastal
crowd. I'm sure Jayne and Montana will want to be here for the opening."

I squeezed her shoulder, "We need to work out a trip to New York for you
four. Visit the Big `V'... see what it's like, talk to the folks
there... include Bits and Recka."

I turned to Gil... a grin... "I'm on it."

Fist bump!

Hugs for the Big `V' staff!

I was off to Hollywood.  We pulled up into a parking space by the shelter
garage. I stuck my head in there... our Security used it as their
office. Waves to the people, smiles.

We went in the back way to meet Astara! Rueben! Natal! Hugs and cheek
kisses. Astara introduced Mona. She was a tall slender woman, beautiful
dark skin glowing with vitality! Terrific dread-locks!!

We chatted a bit... it was easy to guess Mona had been a basketball player
with her height, in college and briefly in several women's leagues. She
stopped to make use of her degrees in social work.

Rueben said the Fox News folks were setup in the dining area and ready to
move around afterwards. Fist bump!

I spoke to The Day's reporter, Lynn, she said she had talked with
Renata... "I'm looking to do a piece on the Fox TV folks... I'll be in the
background completely."

Okay.

The dining area was an extension of the kitchen... Renata and her crew
waiting. I introduced myself, shaking hands.

Ernesto had lunch for us all... we sat talking on camera with a cumin and
clove carrot soup, delicious! Very tasty grilled aubergine sandwiches!
Water for me with coffee and cookies after.

It was very informal discussion of the shelters in general, Rueben and
Natal speaking about their individual locations with Astara the bridge. Me
for the global operations view and where we were going.

I made the point that the LGBTQ shelters would now all have health clinics
to support the communities.

Mona speaking for the city of Los Angeles. They had programmes to help
young people with education opportunities and employment possibilities,
those were already being used by the guests at both shelters.

We were all pretty relaxed about it... the camera running but we mostly
ignored it as I suggested up front.

Renata got in her questions which moved us along. Some of her questions
were directed to me for the big picture as this was part of a series on
charitable organisations in the entire Los Angeles/California Southland
area.

We wound down after ninety minutes... plenty for Renata to work with, she
was well fed too! Some of the shelter guests came in so Renata could get
some video with them. They agreed in advance so it wasn't a surprise. She
would be taken on a tour by those guests and Rueben.

Mona and I off camera watching.

She was going to say `Miss Martin' I put in "I'm Fay."

"Fay, your folks are so good. Level-headed, calm but intense. Young people
feel good being around them."

"Trust... building trust is so essential in this environment. The
youngsters have had rough times before being with us. Our staffers have
walked the same roads as the kids... they can easily relate and show it."

"So where do you go now?"

I told Mona we were already close to buying two new buildings for shelters.

"Even with the additional space in Silver Lake we will max out next
winter... so more is needed. Santa Monica and Inglewood are the new areas."

We chatted a bit more... she laughed to hear Tommy was playing with Cho.

"My husband, Lemarcus, has resisted Tommy's efforts to get him interested
in golf. Baseball is more his thing."

"Cho loves to play... I'm not involved except as the occasional
spectator. Horses are my passion."

"I've read a few things about you and horses. People Magazine says you ride
like the wind!!"

"People Magazine? How would they know? Oh..." A big shrug, "... I have a
hard time wondering why anyone would care."

Mona smiled, "Before you became a celebrity..." Her smile grew larger, my
eyes rolled,

 "... and you are..."

She was laughing, "Did you ever read about the rich and famous?"

"No. I've never cared one wit how rich folks were living their lives. I'm
sure I saw news items when one of them did something criminal or otherwise
were in the headlines.

As an example... when Princess Diana died in 1997 the whole of the United
Kingdom was suffused with the media coverage... I was ten living in the
Hampshire countryside... no TV. I was outside for much of my days with my
horse. All my news of the world came from the housekeeper's
newspapers... days later."

"What about her wedding to Prince Charles?"

"I wasn't born yet. Funny now I have met Prince Charles several times, The
Queen and Prince Charles visited our home in Oxfordshire, we are friendly
with Diana's sons and their families."

"The newspapers and magazines over here made quite the `thing'... " her
fingers doing the quote motion, "... about your becoming part of the
nobility... the Queen doing it in your home. Big news!"

"Funny... I can understand that because it was quite the `thing'..." me
doing the same motion, "... for Cho and I. The Queen was a bit sneaky about
it... which I think she enjoyed."

Mona laughing... me too at the thought.

"I need to go on... It was very nice we could meet here."

"I will be back to this shelter and the others as we get more of the guests
into city programmes. I will stay in touch with Astara on the new locations
so when they open we will be right there ready to help."

A hug and cheek kiss. I said to say `hi' to Lemarcus... she would. My
`bring him next time' got a smile and `will do.'

Cho's call had me stop Mona... he'd added Tommy and his girlfriend Alycha
to our dinner group so I asked Mona and Lemarcus. Mona was saying yes as I
finished. I gave her the address and told her there'd be our Security at
the gate.

Gil called Dolores to tell her about the new pair for dinner. `A-Okay' from
Dolores.

Gil added the new ones to our ranch security list.

Home! We had a dinner party tonight so I wanted `Twins time!'

The babies were outside sitting on a lounge sharing a book about a little
white mouse and the family he lived with. Cute!

I got hugs and kisses when I leaned over them.

"Mama you want to join us?"

I said they should finish the story. I changed and sat in the sun with
Gil. Ali and Francis had stayed at The Day doing business, she texted they
were coming home.

Cho was too!

The four of us had some fun doing games before cleaning up for guests. I
chose black velvet toreador pants with a white long sleeved silk blouse, a
blood red sash wrapped several times around my waist the end hanging down
on my left, black sandals and gold bits. A few spots of `Joy' around.

Dayton, Dari and Mari, George and Gina, Wade, Flix and Cicely all
coming. So with the late additions a nice crowd. Dolores and Sora were
ready!

Cho did the greetings out front on the steps... I met them in the living
room with the Twins.

Mona introduced Lemarcus... I remembered him... TALL! Tommy holding
Alycha's left hand as she and I shook hands. Unlike Mona, Alycha was my
height... a foot shorter than Tommy.

I introduced the Twins. They all squatted down to say `hi' which the Twins
appreciated.

Every one of our friends were `amazed' by Chani and Charlie's
development. Our babies talked to each guest... they'd already met all but
the four we added today.

Gina with my hand, "Fay, they look like they're thirty or thirty six
months!"

"Yes they are growing quickly near the top end of the range for their
age. You should ask about their drawing if you want to see something
special."

Her eyes on mine... "Okay."

Gina sat next to Chani on a settee... a conversation started... Chani
left... Gina looking at me... Slightly perplexed.

Dari came up to me I said Gina was going to be surprised... Chani returned
with her iPad... she was using her finger... She handed the iPad to Gina
and climbed up on to the settee. Gina looking down then up to me wide-eyed
as Chani spoke to her.

I gave Dari the story, "Go look at the iPad."

She did... her eyes up to mine... an astonished face!

I joined them. On the screen was a snap I made of Chani's London
blackbird. Both ladies were shocked at the skilful drawing.

"Chani did you say where you saw the bird?"

"Oh... in the park by our London house near the river. I did the drawing
sitting in bed with Mama."

I was nodding. Mona got to see it as Chani held the iPad for her. Big eyes!

"Chani... show it to Ali and Francis."

"Okay!" She was off.

I sat between the ladies, Mona opposite... "So what do you think of her
blackbird?"

Wonder and admiration were the answers! I told them there was a blue jay on
Charlie's iPad he had done in Miami... just as good.

They asked if we were thinking of special schools... I said Delphine was
hired as our specialist.

"She is exactly what we wanted, young, well educated, talented, flexible
and smart!"

Dolores had starters out so we moved through the food. Tha and I got the
Twins set with a variety of eats at the table. She and Delphine stayed with
them.

I had small plate of goodies, Cicely and Mari together smiling and
nibbling... I parked in-between them, `I asked what's up?'

Mari's smile bigger, "Chani blew Mom away with that drawing! It is
terrific!"

We talked about the babies then Cicely said she'd like to ask me about the
`thing' in Bangkok.

I said go ahead.

"Fay... the Chinese guy wanted to kill you all because you sort of called
him a liar? It doesn't make sense."

"If all things made sense the world would be a much different place."

They smiled.

"He had been removed from running the State Security Ministry after his
failures and the embarrassing fallout from when he had a run-in with us a
few years back when a Chinese industrial spying ring was broken up by Thai
police. Seeing us brought it back to him... he was nasty."

I sipped my drink, "He apparently got the ambassadorship as a consolation
prize... the problem was he was terrible at the job because he couldn't
understand he was no longer in a position of power but one of polite talk,
compromise and conciliation."

I laughed, "He'd already showed he wasn't a diplomat to all of
Washington. His whole scheme was a mess because he had no `command' of the
needed resources so he had to cobble things together. It wouldn't have
mattered much our Security is too good.

He almost got the men involved killed... it's down to the skill of our
people that they weren't."

To change the subject... I asked them about school, boys, etc... I got
their schools were Okay, classes good... boys... `were immature' or
`completely hopeless.'

Laughter!

"I can only wish you both find a Cho for yourselves!"

Mari's eyes wide, "Fay... if only! I saw a picture of you two at the White
House... you in that dreamy blue gown... unbelievable, gorgeous!! Cho in
his white-tie... WOW! Like he stepped out of the pages of a book! That sash
was amazing. What was it for?"

I was grinning, "Hillary said `he looked like someone out of the past.'
When I called him my `dreamboat' the wife of the French president laughed
with me."

They laughed at that!

"The sash is for his knighthood with the star on his jacket. He's
officially `Sir Cho' meaning he's a GBE which is the Grand Cross of the
Order of the British Empire."

Cicely said it was so hard to think of Cho and I meeting all those people
but now sitting here talking to them.

I took their hands... "These hands have held the hands of Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth of England."

We laughed when they squeezed tighter.

"She really liked meeting all our horses. She had seen Asda's name in the
pedigrees of our horses so she came to see him... you could watch her
face... it was a thrill for her. That was quite the day... a bombshell way
to start Christmas."

Cicely, "She made you a lot more famous for sure!"

I laughed, "That and four dollars gets me a latte at Starbucks!"

We all were giggling as Dayton came up. Mari told him my feeble joke...

"Four dollars? Really? Maybe I'm in the wrong business."

"No... you can lend money to Starbucks, not get messy and make more money
that way."

Fist bump which had Mari giggling more. Her `dad' doing fist bumps.

We got around the table... Dolores and Sora serving. Roasted salmon with a
creamy lemon-dill sauce. Little new potatoes grilled with shallots,
asparagus broiled with butter and garlic. Bowls of warm crusty Italian
loaves. A selection of black and green olives!

Cho chose Bouchard Pere et Fils Chevalier Montrachet la Cabotte Grand Cru,
a 2011 vintage for the table. It was wonderful, strongly flavoured but
smooth!

I was beside Charlie... he was buttering his bread... he looked up to me
with a big grin... a very small wave of his piece of bread... he was `cool'
about it now after Tha had worked with him. No more WAVING of his food!

Everyone was enjoying. I watched Chani cut her fish and use her knife to
push it on her fork! She smiled at me while chewing. I did a thumbs ups to
her.

Dessert was ice cream! Salted caramel or coffee with chocolate
sprinkles... or some of both which was my choice. The Twins followed my
lead!

Afters in the living room... the men and Dari went for Remy Martin. Me,
Mona, Alycha, Flix and Gina for Amaretto. Espresso or coffee. Hot chocolate
for the younger set.

Alycha hadn't tried Amaretto before... she was a new devotee... "This is so
smooth and tasty!"

Cicely said she had a taste... she got the same flavour at Starbucks with
the almond syrup.

Alycha did a thumbs up for that.

The Twins had a new puzzle... a photo of the `Rêve' on a sunny
Oxfordshire winter's day! It was big but the pieces had gotten
smaller. They worked it steadily... the photo was there for them but they
didn't show it to anyone.

The guests waited for it to be finished... Chani and Charlie explained what
it was.

Charlie, "The Rêve is our pirate ship!!"

He called Jaidee over... our brown boy standing between the Twins... They
laid their arms over Jaidee's back... Chani told everybody the three of
them were the crew.

It was a big hit! Cicely had made a pirate ship from cardboard boxes when
she was young...

"Yours is so much bigger!" She loved the flag!

Gina smiling, "So they are Peter Pan fans."

"Oh yes! They loved it. Captain Hook is an anti-hero they like!"

We laughed.

Tha and Delphine came out from the bedroom wing... The Twins came over to
Cho and I... taking our hands as they said goodnight to our guests. We
walked them to the nursery... Delphine and I did the bed clothes for Chani,
Cho and Tha for Charlie. They settled in after lots of hugs and kisses.

Dari sipping her cognac... I asked about how she was doing... A big smile,
"Dayton has been staying over... a lot! Mari is happy... so am I!"

I gave he a hug,

"He's more relaxed... less careworn. He also talks more about things
besides business. He's also playing more golf!"

I said it sound good to me... Smiles!

Flix beside me getting a fresh Amaretto...

"Fay... it is always a treat to see your babies. So smart and nice!"

I nudged her, "We are very lucky! They are growing up quickly, enjoying
life.

What about you... your dissertation? The ladies... any news?"

Flix leaned back... like an exhale... "It's done! It's submitted... I have
an appointment in ten days to defend it. I have a very good group of
professors as my committee... they'll be tough but I know my material."

Fist bump!

"I'd like to be a fly on the wall in that room!"

Flix laughed, "Well I'm glad there isn't an audience!"

"When the process is over... what then? Do you have a publisher?"

"Publisher? I hadn't thought..."

"Do I get to read it?"

"I can email you a copy... Do you think a publisher would be interested?
It's not a popular subject."

"Let me read it. We have friends in publishing..."

Flix had a considering... wondering face.

I told her about meeting Yi in a mid-town New York Starbucks... being of
like minds... reading her Hemingway before she got her PHD. Cho helped get
her an agent and then a publisher."

"Oh I love that book. She did a great job... lots of really fine work in
that!"

"She's working on a book about Cornel Woolrich... do you know the name?"

Eyes closed, "Somewhere... He wrote short novels with off-beat dark
themes?"

I smiled, "Yes... a lot of his were made into film noir scripts by
Hollywood in the 1940's and early 50's. Like `Rear Window' and `A Lady in
Black' two of the better known ones."

"Yes... I've got him now. A reclusive gay man who died in a sort of
horrible lonely way."

I nodded.

"There was a big biography written more than twenty years ago... I didn't
think it did him justice but it had a great title... `First You
Dream... Then You Die.' Amazing."

Flix smiling, "Should I look for it?"

"No... I've a copy somewhere... I'll send it your way. There is another bit
of reading that should arrive soon... I ordered a three book series for
you... `Berlin – City of Stones' by Jason Lutes. It's a Weimar Germany
story."

She thanked me, "Fay, that is so nice! I appreciate it!"

Flix said she heard from the ninety-nine year old lesbian in Hamburg... she
did marry her partner... it was really to make sure there was no problems
about her estate when she died. She seemed quite happy. Good!

I got up for more espresso.

I waved to Alycha... She joined me going for coffee. I inquired about
`her.' A smile on a lovely face... no doubt Alycha's face was perfect for
TV. Her skin glowed, dark, smooth with barely any makeup!

I knew she was an on-air sports reporter for the local CBS TV
affiliate. She said she covered college sports with an emphasis on women's
events... but not exclusively.

"Your Fox station has really improved its coverage since you took
over. Their people are much tougher competitors than NBC or ABC."

"Good! Not that I don't want you to do well... you get it I'm sure."

Alycha was laughing, "Well my success doesn't make money for you..."

"Unless you are working for us..." I let that hang... Alycha looking with a
`are you serious' face.

I shrugged, "It could happen... maybe be something more... if you are
interested in a move? Also tell me to shut-up if you aren't. I'm good at
being a busybody."

"No! You're Okay. In my business you always have to be looking for
opportunities."

Ali saw me motioning.

"Ali, please hook Alycha up with Donald."

I put my hand on her arm, "Elinor too!"

A grin on her face, "Okay! Alycha can I get contact details?"

I let them do that. I walked to some of the guys talking, I took Tommy's
arm, "So how did the golf go?"

A huge laugh, "Fay, Cho stomped on us all... as to be expected. He shot a
61... playing that course like he was there every day!"

I told him my Tenth Hole story...

"I'd like to meet Tom someday... to be able to play at that high a level
over many months... It's not like being on a team as Lemarcus and I
are... if you're not doing well there's someone to take up the slack... Tom
didn't have anyone for that."

"You should ask Cho about last year's British Open... he has a terrific
story."

He would. Fist bump!

I corralled Wade... Flix laughed at me... "So how's the house?"

He grinned, "You know, Gil gets everything from me."

I laughed, "Yes... but tell me."

"Okay! All is well... How's that?"

Laughter!

"Alright... Santa Barbara County inspectors have been out to view my
portion and Aguirre's quite a few times. I think they like our coffee!
Actually they are intrigued with the design... the insides.

Literally all is well... the contractors are doing the work exactly as we
want... they've been onboard from the beginning about the `quality' thing
and the special reinforcements to the house structure I designed in. The
house and associated buildings will be there in five hundred years if
decently maintained.

I actually think the house contractor likes the idea of something lastly
far into the future! You letting him say in his advertising he is building
for you was a huge pat on his back. You have a friend forever!"

Laughing I said "Why not... if he is pleasing you then we are good."

Fist bump which Cicely saw and nudged Mari. Her dad doing `fist bumps' too!

Wade said he admired Aguirre's design for the stable and other buildings,
`clean, simple but pleasing.' "The stone and adobe stables fit with the
house completely. The whole estate will look like it's been there for a
hundred years... a throwback."

A hug, "Just what we wanted!"

Everyone stayed later than planned. It was a good group. I hadn't spoken
much with George so I dropped beside him on a settee.

He smiled, "So... I forget... did I do a curtsey or a bow when we came in?"

"Neither! How about a genuflection now?"

I held out my hand... fingers curved down, the back of my hand uppermost,
my arm languid...

We laughed out loud!

"So you two coping with the notoriety of someone wanting to kill you?"

"Yes... I can't say it makes it easier for our Protectors and the Security
Service generally."

George got the `inside' story of the men being stopped on our Bangkok
property.

"None them was seriously wounded, they'll all fully recover. Now there's
the issue of the two Chinese... we want to get them either back with their
families or get the families out."

George looking at me, "You are trying to help them?"

"They were offered an obscene amount of money to attempt the
crime... enough so they would be on easy street for the rest of their lives
instead of eking out a living toiling in the depths of a government
ministry that doesn't give a damn about them. Pretty hard to resist
especially considering where it came from... their former big boss... Who
for some reason knew they existed... Okay... they showed themselves to lack
morals... they're paying now."

His head shaking, "You are quite forgiving."

I smiled in a wicked way... "Not all the time! Cho and I expect we'll read
about Ti's death soon enough. His bosses are not likely to be forgiving."

We hugged and kissed our guests. Alycha giving a big thank you for the new
connections. Tommy shaking my hand with a thank you too.

We waved them down the drive. Holding hands with Cho I shivered... there
was a chill wind tonight.

In bed Cho made me very warm with his body. Kisses... we discussed our
night. I was kissed for my `good deeds' although none had actually borne
fruit yet.

Sleep!

Dolores was doing French toast again!! Two days in a row!! The Twins were
in heaven... we all were! I'd heard about it when we came in from
riding... I didn't waste any time changing clothes! Neither did Tara and
Tessa!

Racing today then a girl's night out!

Ah! Email from Flix! Her dissertation! The file a couple of megs. I moved
it to the Books app. Something to read besides House of Lords stuff!

Ted and Rayelle picked us up on the drive for the trip to Santa Anita! The
Twins in their carriers laughing, they were happy to go racing!

We were all in green and yellow! Cho in a navy suit with a Harcourt Racing
tie, Charlie the same. Chani and I in yellow dresses, pale green tights,
Mary Jane's for Chani, for me darker green heels. A green little bag for
Chani, a green Kelly bag on my arm. Green cardigans for us girls.

The AW139's dropped us on the landing grid, carts to the barn. Monaco and
James at the door. Handshakes and cheek kisses.

SakChai and Sasithorn were ready to roll!!

We split into two groups as before to do the visits. Both horses were happy
to see us. The Twins were bouncy... pleased to be close to the horses.

Chani with me, "Mama, I like seeing them... they are so nice."

"They are nice, our horses have good lives and love to run so they are
happy."

The carts dropped us all at the main entrance. Our Protectors and some of
our Security Service working at the track helped us get inside. We went to
our box. Tessa and Angie with me when Chani needed the potty.

Off we went... Tara with us. Pee! We all did. Done, smiles! Chani giggling,
she loved company when she peed!!

Drinks. Hot chocolate for Charlie and Chani, coffee for me. There was
slight chill. The sweater in use. Lunch after our first race.

The San Felipe Stakes was up, Sasithorn was running. It is a G2 race at a
mile and a sixteenth on dirt. The purse is five hundred thousand
dollars. James saddling her, Radha in the irons, Porto was her groom. They
all thought she was ready.

The start was to our left, the gate was filling up after the post parade
ended. Sasithorn in the number four position of twelve. She was the only
filly in this race.

The pause... Clang! They came out cleanly... down the track. Sasithorn
level with two others... they were sprinting down the straight. Going into
the first turn our girl had a one length lead... no horse on her left so
Radha closed her to the rail.

Around the curve she widened to three lengths... out onto the back straight
she was running comfortably. Radha took a quick look... four lengths now to
the nearest horse. Sasithorn kept up the pace easily, good strides.

As the second turn came up Radha checked the other horses again... she made
a move... into the turn Sasithorn was asked for a bit more. No
problem... Sasithorn upped her game. One thing about Monaco's
training... our racers could run strongly early and maintain a steady
speed... plus the horses all had power in reserve.

As Sasithorn came onto the home straight Radha asked her
again... acceleration!  Sasithorn was pulling away to a ten length margin
down the stretch... her strides were long and smooth... no leg weariness!

She blew by the finish running at full power! A Big YEA! From our son!
Chani bouncing on my lap clapping! James beside me was clapping for his
horse. She did us proud!

Sasithorn was hot, her second victory of the year! We headed down to the
winner's Circle.

The crowd gave us a loud welcome! Chani and I went in to get the
trophy. James led Sasithorn into the space. Radha stayed up for some photos
then joined us with Porto holding Sasithorn for a group snap! Radha and
James holding the trophy! Porto joined them.

The Santa Anita fellow I've had chats with was on the edge of the
Circle. We shook hands, Chani too!

He motioned to Sasithorn, "This lady has had a fast start to the year... Is
she pointed to the Triple Tiara races?"

I said she was... "She's to follow her half-sister Aneka's path."

He said they'll be trouble ahead for the competition back east. Another
handshake!

Upstairs we headed to the restaurant. A big corner space with our
Protectors on the edge. We had pre-ordered starters. The servers got our
drinks and meal choices. We had food to get going with!

The Twins got hamburgers with veggie patties, fries! Tha and I cut the
burgers in quarters for small hands. They loved it! We all did. The food
good, plenty of it... we were happy once again with this place. Gil left a
good sized tip because the servers had been terrific!

Okay... SakChai was running in the Santa Anita Handicap! Glaa won this race
last year. This was one of his run of mile and a quarter record setting
races. It is a G1 race with five hundred thousand dollars on the line.

The post parade warmed up as SakChai was announced. A large ovation for
him. He walked calmly to the left towards the gate.

The loading had one horse not convinced but he went in finally. A longer
pause to settle them all... CLANG! A clean start!

SakChai from the third spot going down the straight on the lead
immediately! He ran under us clear by two from three horses on his
right. Into the turn Marnie moved him to the rail.

Around the turn our boy added to his lead coming out onto the back straight
ahead by five. Nice long strides, snapping forelegs and deep digging from
the back ones. He was covering a lot of track quickly.

The fractions were fast... near to Glaa's. SakChai heading into the second
turn nine lengths in the lead! Marnie holding him steady going through the
curve... at the top of the home stretch she asked him!

SakChai opened his jets!!!!! Any spectator could see his acceleration... he
powered down the open track... it was him and the clock... No other horse
in view... He finished in 1:57:85!!! Two tenths short of his half-brother's
time!

A blazing fast mile and a quarter!!! Not a record but amazing nonetheless!

Our box was a happy place! We cheered and clapped for our champion! Monaco
was hugged! We gathered ourselves to go down to the Winner's Circle.

The Santa Anita Handicap folks were pleased! Our horses always come to run
hard!

Cho and Charlie receiving the trophy. They were terrific together! Such
handsome guys!

We said our goodbyes at the barn. Monaco was told he would see Cho for the
next month or more as I was getting involved in the election campaign back
home.

Ted and Rayelle waiting, they lifted us away! A fast flight, they dropped
us on the drive. We changed and sat on the Terrace in the sun. The Twins
had a book about elephants they were sharing.

Email from Thayer... Kiet's family had arrived. They were all going now to
the restaurant for dinner! Details later! Laughing I showed Cho.

"Oh they'll be a tough crowd to please!" Indeed!

I was going out this evening... a girl's night out at the Ricochet! I
changed after dinner to black skin tight jeans, cut-off sleeveless t-shirt
in black and white horizontal stripes, a long sleeved black cotton shirt I
left open. Black Doc Marten's boots and a black Apple baseball cap,
Harcourt Racing on the side.

Gil and Ali with me plus Tara, Angie and Gaby! We piled into a Range Rover
for the drive. Ali had checked with Bart the club owner about the
parking. He said the space was there. Okay!

Tara driving... pretty smooth. She was grinning, "I did the driving course
at Sari Buri... the instructor did duck a couple of times though..."

The whole car laughing!

Bart's assistant met us by the back door... inside to the front left of the
stage. Gil and Ali went with Gaby for drinks.

The warm-up act was done removing their bits and pieces and the `Hey
Violet' folks were setting up. Bart had asked about meeting the band
beforehand... we said not to bother them... we might try afterwards.

The crowd was heavily female!! Young!! I'm thirty one so close to being
over the hill!! We laughed about that. I wasn't the oldest of the
group... Tara ahead of me by two years. She asked if we could see her
wrinkles...

I did a turn around looking at the crowd... A woman nearby looked
familiar... she was behind us... I pointed her out to Gil and Ali... they
ID'd her as the actress who won an Emmy for Fox Entertainment in her role
as a sexually ambivalent woman trying to deal with it in everyday life.

Tara at my urging moved to tap her shoulder... she turned... I waved... her
eyes bugged out!!

Tara made way for her, "Miss Martin... WOW! It's wild to see you here."

I motioned towards the stage, "I like their sound and attitude. And I'm in
town."

Laughed. She was with a friend... I said they could join us if she liked.

`Jana' introduced her friend to us as the band was close to beginning.

`Hey Violet' came out to big applause! They did their final setup steps to
play...

I was ready... They started with `Fuqboi' a crowd pleaser with a terrific
beat. I was bouncing!

"Break My Heart' `O.D.D.' `Unholy' `My Consequence' then a fav of mine
`Where Have You Been (All My Night).' They were really hitting it!

They had a break to say how much fun we were as an audience! They
appreciated the support.

`Guys My Age' led to `Brand New Moves,' another fav. `This Is Me Breaking
Up With You' and more.

 `Pure' was next! The finale was `Hoodie' a BIGGIE!

The crowd was UP the whole time. Lots of phones on recording! A great set!!

Rena's singing was charismatic and sexy! She moved so well! Nia was awesome
on drums so amazingly athletic! Casey's guitar play terrific, always
leading! A great show!

Jana had been on my right the entire time. Gil smiling as she bounced along
with me. Ali beyond Gil very into it! My protectors behind us, working and
enjoying.

At the end some fool in the crowd did a grab-ass on Angie... she stomped
his right foot in-step with her boot then gave him elbow to the nose when
he bent down. His squeal was audible but brief. Angie dragged the asshole
by his collar to the wall to our left rear.

Tara and Gaby closed-up behind me one facing backwards.

One of the security guys was there quickly... Angie told him what the jerk
did and her response. The jerk on his knees was unceremoniously pulled to
the front and tossed out onto the sidewalk after a few snaps of him were
taken. Gaby came up behind me saying, `It was sorted.' Good!

`Hey Violet' got a huge applause and plenty of cheers some courtesy of me!
We steered towards the front with the crowd... Bart smiling as he waved us
over, "Well I doubt if that asshole comes back... if he tries it we will
bounce him hard."

He thanked Angie for doing her part quickly. A handshake! He liked her
English accent!

A joking... any time she wanted a job... Laughter.

The Ricochet was emptying... "Hey Violet' was last act. Bart said
come-on... I motioned everybody, Jana and her friend too.

At the dressing room door Bart asked if he could introduce someone very
special who enjoyed the show... An `Okay' came back.

The door opened... Bart led... He said they had a big fan who'd been out
front... `Fay Martin!'

The band all looked up... I said hello and I enjoyed their set very
much. Casey stood up to take my hand... Nia and Rena came close... cheek
kisses as I thanked them for the great sounds.

They were amazed to see me at a gig of theirs much less backstage
visiting. I told them I'd liked their tunes back the Cherry Bomb days. It
was a shocker for them to hear I thought Rena moving out front was the best
thing ever!

I introduced Jana and her friend... They were pleased to meet Jana... they
knew her face and liked her show!

`We watch all the time!' was nice!

We spoke for a bit then I said I didn't want to infringe on their time. We
shook hands, a hug for Rena and Nia! A selfie with the three of
them. Smiles!

We were off.

Watching the Twins eat breakfast... fun! Cho laughing at me.

We mounted up for Santa Monica Airport... the 737 lifted up to sound of
Charlie's "Woo Hoo" and Jaidee's `Woof!' Chani smiling over to me.

Doing email...

Big news The Polk Awards announced!! We score!!

For Foreign Reporting ... Arturo & Yoshi & Fox News for southern Thailand

For State Reporting... Seattle `The Day' for the series on Washington State
Republican Party

For National Reporting... Joseph, Larry and Fox News on the Bonwit-Teller
façade disaster and trump's horrible behavior towards the Polish workers
and his ongoing ill-treatment of workers at all his businesses

For Local Reporting... The NY Daily News for coverage of New York City

I sent emails to all the people involved congratulating them and thanking
them for their excellent work!!

Two Polk's for Kent's people!!! He answered right away saying he couldn't
be prouder of our folks! All the hard work, risks and time they put in the
stories were rewarded!!

Royce responded with a grin emoji followed by `we were just doing what we
were told to do' I laughed out loud showing Cho... he loved it. My answer
was `we are proud of your listening and do as you are told skills' also
`Please tell the staff we are thrilled for them.

Aston's reply was `Our mutual disgust at those politicians was a driving
force combined with our people's skills and determination' `They are over
the moon!'

Not yet two years into building a media portfolio our companies have become
one of the most trusted names in journalism. A truly terrific
outcome... plus they are on the cusp of becoming money-makers!!

Thayer's email said Kiet's family loved the look of the restaurant AND the
food! He got top marks for taste and authenticity!! The staff was amazed to
meet his family and be praised!

A big night for Kiet's restaurant!

Eric got us on a Conference App call. We discussed the spin-off of the
solar power division. It was complete! Cho and I owned the same percentage
of it as The Company. The same for all the stockholders of The Company.

I was now the Managing Director, Cho Chairman of the Board and Reg the
chief technologist! The staffers working on the project all became
employees of `SolarToGo' the new company. Only one didn't move over, she
wanted to join The Company's Houston based microwave division... we were
good with that.

We bought a group of adjacent buildings north of Paddington Station on a
side road off Harrow Road. They all backed onto the Grand Union Canal! We
could use the canal to move bulk cargo to and from the Thames to Dartford.

There would a passageway opened between all the buildings, a decent sized
canteen, a small health clinic inside. Offices and several very large
workspaces. It was being renovated for our use right now.

SolarToGo offices would stay put at Notting Hill Gate until the new
premises were ready. The research and development parts which we intended
to keep in London would move in as soon as. The manufacturing plant and
main assembly buildings for Europe in Dartford down river was being
expanded.

The North American plant in El Segundo was being expanded three-fold. The
one in Bangkok on the industrial estate southwest of the city was also
going through an enlargement... it would be the second largest plant after
El Segundo!

SolarToGo would get more investment via a second stock issue of non-voting
shares. Cho expected it to go well, it was being done through the
Investment Bank in the City of London.

Tessa back with us after two days with her sisters. They enjoyed their time
together. Both of them worked in the music industry and love The Day's
coverage. Tessa's sisters said it was now the paper of record for their
business friends and colleagues. The Day's reporters really knew what they
were writing about and obviously had very good sources in the Los Angeles
music scene.

We loved hearing that and passed it on to Marita. Her response was to thank
Tessa's sisters and say she had hired someone else for that group from the
Los Angeles Times. She also hired two sports people, a reporter and a
columnist both from the Los Angeles Times!! Yea!

The breeder in Oxfordshire Jaidee had come from and where he did some
baby-making emailed Gil. The first puppies were born, six and four in two
litters. All healthy and beautiful! Gil forwarded the snaps... gorgeous
puppies!!!

If all were born healthy from Jaidee's work then we could see four
puppies. We had two promised. So some thinking needed to be done... we had
time... many weeks before they would be ready. I got Gil to email Ken and
Pam also Bill and Hillary Clinton to say the first puppies had been born.

For them it was waiting a few months for weaning and basic training.

Rona emailed from Paris, a new shelter location. She was working with Zoe,
our Paris estate agent. The new shelter on Rue du Temple in the northern
part of Le Marias, 3rd Arrondissement.

Four floors plus attics, an art supply shop on the street level, three
floors for the shelter, twenty seven rooms up to the attics. One apartment
would be changed to be the kitchen and dining room with an office. Another
would be divided into a computer room, quiet spaces slash library and a
game room. Another would be the manager's apartment. We would fix up the
attics to get ten more rooms!

The building needed some repair work done and painting plus the
changes. Francis was to work with Rona to get the builders and painters we
had already used in Paris in as soon as possible.

Yes!! I sent back my congratulations!!

On approach to Midway Airport in Chicago. Buckled in watching the ground
come up. Tribune Corporation and Chicago Tribune visits for a few hours.

The Twins and Jaidee were staying on board.

We parked on the south side of the airport at an aviation support company,
the usual assortment of equipment wheeled underneath plus stairs. The
outside security devices would be placed and the Protection folks could do
some training.

Two cars waiting. We left the airport going north to the 55 motorway, a few
miles to a long and high flyover to another motorway, the 90. On this to
downtown, off on Lake Street down to Stetson Street. Near the end of the
block we pulled to the right kerb. Glass doors with Chicago Tribune on
them.

Inside Rick, the Tribune Corporate CEO was waiting. We shook hands, Cho was
introduced. He'd met Francis before. Gil and Ali I introduced with their
job functions.

We met Terrell the corporation's business development vice-president. He is
the senior VP. A few other corporate officers too.

First stop was the Chicago Tribune newsroom. The editors standing at the
entrance to their space by the huge wall with `Chicago Tribune' in big
letters. Hands shaken, they welcomed us. Donovan the editor in chief,
Edison the managing editor were happy for our ownership.

There was an air of hopefulness... our record with the New York Daily News
said very loud how we operate our newspapers.

Into the newsroom... all the staff gathered in the centre aisle flowing out
at the sides. I told them what they have seen at the Daily News, The Sun
and others was exactly what was going to happen here.

"You will see more staff so we can broaden the coverage across the
metropolitan area. More equipment and services will be coming in very
soon. The personal items like the health insurance you have already seen
changing."

I added there will be a health clinic put in here and a canteen.

"All the other benefits are starting for you.

So you know I am the Chairperson of the Board for the Tribune Corporation,
Cho..." I squeezed his hand, "...is on the board as is Francis who you will
see around because he's the CEO of an auditing firm. That firm will do
twice a year scheduled visits and a few not scheduled ones also."

I introduced Ali, "Ali is our PA for the 21st Century Fox Corporation and
all the newspapers in America."

I reached out to Ali`s hand, "She will be around to visit, sometimes with
Francis as they are married."

Ali smiling did a wave. The newsroom folks responded with smiles and some
called out `hellos.'

"Gil..." I motioned to her, "...is my personal PA and does all the
corporate business for the rest of the world."

A big smile on her face. I patted her shoulder, "My second brain!"

"Rick..." my hand out to him, he stepped to take it, "... is still the CEO
of the corporation and several Board members will be retained. The rest of
the Board are prominent business leaders and colleagues."

We walked forward to shake hands. It was room of smiles... they knew their
futures were now in better hands. I shook a lot of hands, a few
hugs... like the Daily News folks these people needed positives after a
long period of downs.

We spoke to them, reassured them... I hugged a woman local news reporter
who needed a bit of reassurance on what we said about all the new benefits
was true. No `preexisting conditions' would matter... definitely!

I took Rick aside... I reiterated what we wanted and that Francis would sit
down with him to review our requirements. I got Francis to join us... he
would stay an extra day.

"Book into the Fairmont... it's close! Gil will get Penn on an aircraft for
tomorrow afternoon."

Fist bump!

Walking out with Francis, "Test the waters... I want the money to
flow... if you think he has too much of the past in him... tell me."

Ali would stay with him... that was fine. They'd join us in New York.

We went up to the Tribune Corporation main floor. Most of the staff was
there so we could meet them. Hands shaken, speaking to many, a few
questions. Many thank you's... which didn't occur too often when Rick or
another senior staffer were very close.

I had Francis aside, "I definitely want your opinion about Rick's
management style and effectiveness, speak to staff away from any of his
crowd."

Francis smiling, "I understand. Can I get Ali to help on the latter?"

"By all means... she'll be lower on the management's radar."

We stayed for a bit talking around the office with as many people as
possible then made our way down to the cars. Goodbyes done. Hug and kiss
for Ali and Francis. Their bags would come up from the airport after the
cars took us to our aircraft.

On board and readying for departure... Jaidee jumping into his padded seat,
harness on! He was ready! As we lifted off Charlie and Jaidee did their
take-off noises! Chani looking at me... a grin.

In seventy minutes we were coming in over the runway at Newburgh. A fast
trip!

The AW139's dropped us at the Westside Heliport, Terrance and Pell waiting.

Roslyn at the lift for hugs and the very welcome news... dinner was ready!
The Twins cheered. We were all hungry with anticipation... only an apple on
the plane trip. Mita giving us all a thumbs up on food!

We sat down to a mushroom soup, grilled fish with whipped potatoes and a
Caesar Salad with anchovies! The Twins took another try at the little
fish... Chani ate hers saying this was better. Charlie not having
it... yet. Bowls of green and black olives.

In an hour or so Cho took the Twins for an evening swim! Gil and I in the
living room working. Marita was going to be fine as publisher and editor,
she knew I was available for any help. My plan for tomorrow morning was to
give Royce the same promotion and Aston when we next were in Seattle. Not
being publisher would lower some of my work aka paper blizzard but as CEO
of the Newspapers Group Corporation I'd be in the loop.

Cho was the Chairman of the Board of Newspapers Group Corporation... it was
a trade-off we'd done before. NewsGroup was the holding company for all the
newspapers we owned.

Thinking it wasn't fair to Aston or the The Day in Seattle ... I called
Aston. "It is going to be a bit of time before we are in Seattle... I don't
want to wait so... You are being promoted to publisher... as well staying
as editor in chief. It means you are still managing the day to day but we
need you to choose a managing editor for some tasks.

If you need to go outside..."

Aston said `please pardon the interruption... I have someone here now for
the job... Corrie."

"Okay tell her today. I will send an email to everybody telling of the
changes... we will celebrate when Cho and I are in town."

Aston was a happy camper!

I asked Gil to draft an email for me. A thumbs up. I reviewed it and sent
it off. I included the other publishers and editors in chief throughout the
NewsGroup.

Des and Roseanna called, "Fay can we impose on you for the loan of your
house for our wedding in late July?"

Laughing I said of course. "Roseanna I'll put Gil on in a second... she can
give you contact details for Cassandra and Carter... they are becoming
quite experienced doing weddings there."

I handed my phone to Gil. All done... Des said their families would be
involved. Good I hope we can be there to meet them.

News from Florida... IrishRainbow won the Frank E. Kilroe Mile at
Gulfstream Park! A G1 one mile race on turf! Four hundred thousand dollar
purse!!

Dom had him on the lead throughout, a minor challenge, he won by eight!

IrishRainbow has paid us back on his purchase twenty times over at least by
now. What a terrific deal it has turned out to be. Robbie got a fair price
from us... Monaco really unleashed the champion within that big brown
horse. Such a pleasure see him continue to flourish.

I was reading Flix's dissertation... she wrote well bringing the ladies
lives out with pathos balanced with their getting on with living. The
horrible post-war state of German cities and transportation making every
day needs difficult to acquire... Flix told the tale of their twisting and
turning to get by.

The one who was a prostitute for a while... there no enjoyment just
servicing clients... mostly Americans. Some of her Americans were
incredibly generous especially with food and goods she could use for
trading.

The `war bride' lady near Stuttgart was funny and lively for her age. Her
home was a mixture of America and Germany. She made regular trips to
America to see all their children and their families who lived in America
also her late husband's family who she really was fond of.

The Hamburg woman marrying at ninety nine... there had been a wedding party
where everybody was over seventy years old!

Flix was good! Writing about the loneliness, the searching for family, the
indignities and sometimes danger she gave a vivid sense of the destruction
wrought by the war didn't end when the shooting did.

I emailed Flix giving my impressions and the name of a New York writer's
agent. The agent was also Yi's agent, she was well connected in the
publishing world! I said the agent had been alerted so Flix could speak to
her whenever she was ready.



A good Jaidee walk in the morning around the neighbourhood, our guy doing
his `things' all right and proper. Sorya with us smiling as I did the
clean-up, "Fay, I would do that for you."

I nodded but before I could say anything she added, "You can see I didn't
offer until you were done."

Laughing I handed the baggie to her to put in the trash can. We both
laughed.

Two of Gary's undercover folks were around... I didn't spot them or try
to... they were out every day in different disguises. No more Russians had
been seen.

Meghan Markle called to tell me what I already knew... she decided to work
with the Chanthira Foundation as a patron. Jian had emailed me earlier.

We talked about it... I did tell her I knew her `Royal' duties would
escalate after their marriage...

"I'm pleased you want to help."

"Rona and Jian are terrific! They gave me details of what you are
doing... which I can say is marvelous. Now Paris! You are my first charity
so I will make time for you."

Meg went silent for a moment, "Are you sure you won't reconsider coming to
the wedding... we would love to see you."

"Given what has recently happened... plus I'll be involved in the
election... My activities may not be all that welcome in some areas... we
do not want to be a distraction. You've a big chunk of the Royal family
coming... that's plenty enough commotion."

We laughed.

"Our contribution is the jet to Africa. Once you two are at
Chalgrove... our folks will handle the rest."

I was thanked and thanked.

Up to Herald Square... Coral's office filled with cloth bolts, designs and
a lot of fabric swatch books... I gave her the good news...

"We have closed a new property deal..." She was looking at me, "... we now
own this building!"

Her eyes lit up. As we had ramped up Mirabelle some folks were using
temporary offices in the Fox Tower... now we can have them all in here.

Coral kissed my cheeks, bouncing, "Fay, how soon?"

"The sale is finalised so the tenants will have to move out. They'll have
thirty days and we will help them. There are some small suites at the Fox
Tower we will offer them to speed the process."

We walked upstairs, no people lift in this building just the freight lift
in the rear. Mirabelle had the ground floor and the First floor now. The
attics would be storage, the other three floors would be the corporation's
offices and more work room for the seamstresses and cutting. Some new
cutting machines were coming!

Raphaela joined us on the third floor, "I guess I will be building leg
muscle..."

Fist bump... "You bet! You could bring Twist with you so he gets more
exercise."

They both laughed. I added the telephone system would be upgraded with a
simple intercom to save steps. A grin from Raphaela.

I did try on a new frock... ZOWEE! This was going to knock the socks off a
few folks. Black, form-fitting to the top of my right knee with a slanted
hem up to the left to mid-thigh. Sewn like a wrap around in crepe with a
sash around the waist dangling off the left for two and a half feet. Off
the shoulders with tiny cap sleeves, deep décolletage and a low back. A
big thank you to Princess Diana and Christina Stambolian. A wicked hot
little black dress!

I didn't have an event for this but when I did... Lookout!

I went further uptown to the Fox Tower. I checked my iPhone... no news from
Sunny's event in Gloucestershire. Today was jumping and dressage, tomorrow
cross-country.

Up to the Daily News floors. A big gathering in the newsroom spreading out
to the big staircase to celebrate their Polk Award!! Such enthusiasm!!
Everyone feeling good about their work was awesome!!

I stood on the middle level of the stairs with folks above and below, Royce
beside me. We held hands up. Cheers!

Royce made my day with the latest circulation numbers... we were within ten
thousand copies of the New York Times!!!! The whole staff cheering!

Then in front of everybody I told them I was stepping back from my current
role AND Royce was now also the publisher! Huge cheers, applause for Royce!
A handshake and hug for him!

I told them all one other bit of good news... they were also very near to
being profitable! Our spending spree was now close to paying us back. They
loved that their efforts were so successful. Lots of cheers greeted that
news!

What a crowd of smiles! Such a good thing to see after they had been so
down before we bought them. A huge turn-around.

Royce was pleased I was the CEO of the NewsGroup, "You're the best kind of
boss... you tell me what you want, give me the resources and not lean over
my shoulder. I am glad you will be behind us as we go forward."

Fist bump.

"You should call Donovan in Chicago and give him a pep talk."

"I will if it's Okay... He's good newspaper people."

"Do it!" I did some handshaking on my way to the lift.

I joined Eve and her staff for a review of what was happening in their
realm. Nothing untoward! Maybe boring but good! The two railroad's data
flowing in and their managing the software.

The usual amateur `hackers' trying it on... No serious attempts. They and
Kora's team in Bangkok talked often. These folks knew a bit about the
current Chinese and North Korean tries to get into the systems in Bangkok.

I leaned back, I was being `cute,' "I haven't spoken to Kora for a week or
so... anything in that time?"

Antra grinned, "So you haven't heard... " She abruptly stopped... looking
at the faces of her colleagues.

I was smiling... Antra was crestfallen... "I am sorry! I am really not a
blabbermouth."

"It's Okay. I was teasing."

I gestured to Kelela... she was smiling too. "Don't worry... it is a small
bit of a faux pas." The smile growing larger, "I think it is a safe bet Fay
knew before we did."

She looked over to me.

"As it happens I probably did. So what do you folks think?"

Moses, "Fay, it could be very ugly once Kora's people have documented the
connections back to the Chinese. This on top of your recent event is very
bad PR for China."

Oleg put in, "Does Kora's team have the goods?"

I put a shit-eating grin on my face... Moses laughed seeing it, "They do!"

"Yes! The connections back to two Chinese locations, one in the Ministry of
State Security and one to APT 40. As we speak they are recording all
activity at both places, collecting email, gathering up files, identifying
members by face from ID's stored.

I am allowing them to do this for the time being before we turnover these
two penetrations to the NSA. Keeping their links alive... very quietly
accumulating a lot of data. Also they are looking for connections to other
systems..."

I didn't say it has had the knock on effects we hoped for regarding the
event at our Bangkok home. Files relating to the work of several operatives
to assist the attackers have been found. Those files have been copied back
to Bangkok.

"Another benefit is finding links to Chinese cyber-criminal gangs. A
treasure trove of information on more than a dozen gangs... names,
locations, IP addresses and methodologies. Who they have broken into, how
they did it, what they did to further compromise those targets.

It shows there is a symbiotic relationship between the Chinese government
and the criminal gangs, a sharing of techniques and tools...

This includes a large number of servers used for ransomware attacks. That
information will be shared with the appropriate authorities so those
servers can be taken down after we have exfiltrated the unlock codes."

I added that Kora's folks are expecting a good deal more action.

"They are using a technique against the North Koreans we expect to very
successful... sort of a `turnabout fair-play.' Kora's people have planted
in the Koreans systems little `bombs' to go off in the near future. After a
re-boot of any of their servers the planted software comes alive... giving
our team complete access to their systems even if they find our other
links.

They can wait or force a system restart. It appears for whatever reason one
particular group of North Koreans do frequent restarts. They are the worst
of the lot. So all the better."

Oleg's eyes bright, "Damn... they're having a bit of fun!"

I agreed, "I do believe they'd rather be doing other things though."

Oleg smiling, "Yes... we had fun too..."

"Do you want to move to Bangkok?"

He shook his head, "I like New York!"

Fist bump to general laughter.

To Moses... "As far as bad PR for China... This is all so completely under
the radar I doubt anyone will know for years... maybe decades... if ever!"

I was holding Eve in my arms by her desk. Smiles... "Fay, Phuket was
wonderful and so welcome! Ku really enjoyed herself. Me too! It's nice to
have sex with a variety of women, no-strings attached. Pleasure only and
knowing that going in!"

A kiss, "You got it honey!!!!!"

I took my crowd upstairs for lunch. Benni was managing lunch today! A hug!
She walked with us to the booth.  I asked about Chad. Her son was terrific,
months from graduation!

I told her Chad should talk to some of our folks about a job. She'd mention
it to him. Gil gave her a card with Reg and Soam's names and email
addresses.

In the big booth, a martini in hand. A call from Kay. Sunny was doing very
well. She was second in Dressage and first in jumping.

"Fay, she looks terrific. Totally focused in the saddle. Happy as a `lark
in the morning' after competing."

I said to wish her well for tomorrow. Kay and her family were enjoying
being in Gloucestershire with Sunny. The house we `borrowed' for them was
close to the event grounds and very nice. The staff were awesome!

The boys were really loving watching their sister. We'd see them in
Oxfordshire in two days.

Gladiola was our server. She said she was doing well.

"This is the best job I've ever had. Good working conditions, the money is
terrific, everyone gets along..."

I squeezed her hand saying I was really happy she was enjoying working
here.

PJ, Angie and Gaby smiling around the table. My lady protectors had their
first meal here.

Fish cakes and spring rolls for everybody to start. I did a red curry
noodle bowl!

`Glad' came back... "The whole kitchen knows you are out front..."

I looked up... "It's because this table is a letter `Z' on the system not a
number, the only table like that. Some folks have never seen the `letter'
used before."

We laughed. Well I wasn't being secretive.

The meal was wonderful. The under-chef on duty came out when I asked... I
thanked him. We shook hands. He was pleased.

Glad got four twenty dollar bills from Gil as her gratuity. A shocked look
on her face...

I squeezed her hand with `It was great service. Thank you.'

Almost tears... A big thank you!

Down to the basement for the car. A black windowed Town Car. Out onto 47th
Street over to Seventh Avenue and south all the way to Bleecker
Street. Pell said no one was following us. Pell dropped us opposite Porto
Rico Importing on Bleecker. We walked around the corner.

Rexie saw us. A smile, "Hi Boss!" We laughed, she did fist bumps with PJ,
Angie and Gaby.

Upstairs I got a Cho hug... the Twins came running out of the
Nursery... BIG HUGS and kisses.

Francis and Ali were in-bound from Chicago wheels down in ten minutes at
Newburgh. Here for dinner.



The morning Jaidee walk was just around the immediate neighbourhood. He
`watered' several of his favourite spots!

Cho got a kiss from me and hugs from the Twins at the lift... he went down
to Wall Street for the day. I was working from home this morning after a
trip to MaJa for a trim, nails and toes, lunch here with Jayne then pool
time with Chani and Charlie.

I got all my things done before Jayne arrived with plenty of time for Ali
and Francis to talk about Chicago.

They both had spent time scoping out the back-channel feelings in
Chicago... Francis led off...

"Fay, the newspaper people do not trust Rick's willingness to expand... he
was so central to the squeezing the budgets in Chicago and across the
entire corporation."

Ali put in, "The corporation staffers gave me similar feedback. One senior
Humans Resources person said he was a natural expense cutter... like he
lived for reducing costs not giving growth its due."

Another said he always talked about `shareholder value' whatever that meant
to him.

A few other examples... Looking at Francis, "I want to give him a chance to
act the way I want... keep your connections to the staff members you feel
are good and reliable. Watch how the money is spent. He'll soon enough tell
us by his actions.

What do think about Terrell?"

A grin on Francis' face, "You don't miss much!" A thumbs up!  "He's a
fellow who is always looking for new things...whether that is avenues for
revenue or changing employee policies for the better. Not afraid to try
things. He's a goer!"

Okay!

Jayne was a very happy lady. She and Montana had a blast in Phuket. Our
people doing the Bangkok city tours were terrific. They met Kamol's
uncle... "I've never seen or met a Buddhist monk before. The places he took
us were marvelous."

I gave her my impressions of the Los Angeles Big `V' and the pushing
forward of the opening date was fine with her. Jayne was `sold' on the
folks she hired to manage the club so she was good. I told her about the
bar and kitchen hires by Neko and Jam.

"Seems those two have a good eye for employees!"

Fist bump.

She and Montana wanted to be at the opening! No problem!!

A hug at the lift.

The swim period at the Riverfront Club was drama free, the Twins loved
it. PJ was along... he substituted for Cho in `tossing' the Twins. Such
happy babies! Many thank you's to PJ!

Cho laughing in bed later about his `pinch-hitter.'

Pre-dinner was the news Sunny won the event in Gloucestershire. She was
number one in the cross-country finishing within one second of the stated
course time. No faults!

Kay was ecstatic, "Fay, she was astounding! The others were so very nice to
her. She got loud cheers at the award ceremony... not only from us." We
laughed.

Sunny came on, "Fay, I was really feeling it on the course today. Prince is
so trusting and his power is awesome... with me he is so confident. I did a
quick look at my wrist timer when we turned for the last gallop to the
finish... I could see we were dead-on the time."

I congratulated her, "So Badminton?"

"I'm stoked. The grass dressage seems to be Prince's best surface, he was
so sharp. We're going to be ready for Badminton!"

I cheered her on. We'd see them at Harcourt House tomorrow.

An early dinner by Roslyn! Delicious bouillabaisse with crusty loaves,
grilled scallops with capers.

Ali and Francis smiling over the table... they were enjoying
themselves... being pregnant, working for us... they were amazing! I had
thanked them for being flexible in Chicago. It was an important `mission.'

Ali laughed saying it was fun to be a little bit clandestine... it was
interesting speaking to folks under the radar of the corporate types.

Well-fed with happy news we loaded up for Newburgh. The AW139's were some
of the `up engined' units... speedy! Stephanie and Paulette at the controls
of the 767. Paulette liked flying these big birds but still loved the
handling of the Gulfstreams.

A morning arrival at Chalgrove.

We had games and Chani sat with me in bed with a book. We had the guys come
in so the bed was very crowded. The `lift' game... Chani and Charlie went
up.. bing... bing... bing... and down. Cho played the lift man! They always
loved this. Bing... bing... bing... We hadn't done this for a bit so it was
great fun again!

Tha and Delphine in the doorway laughing.

Sleep in Cho's arms.

>>>>>

Gwen was nickering as George combed her. They were freshly back from a long
ride across the moor... not speedy but several hours. Gwen was in good
shape but not ready for the power rides of old.

Chomp!! Gwen chewed the piece of apple I gave her. George smiling at the
sound.

"Father, she so enjoys her apples and carrots. It is a pleasure to listen
to the crunch."

"I like that she appreciates our taking care of her. Every ride is her
paying us back for it all. So where did you two go?"

"Across the moor to the south... far enough to stand for a bit watching the
channel. It looks like we have storm moving in from the southwest."

I stepped out of the stables to look that way... clouds beginning to build
up.

Morris came by... I pointed out the weather change. "I'll go around for a
look, M'Lord."

I thanked him.

George and I walked to the house... things were happening... lots of in and
out here and in town.

At twenty four George was a captain in the Guards Calvary... home on leave
for his sister's wedding.

Lady Elisabeth would marry in two days to a colleague of George's and the
son of David, Fifth Earl of Townes. The son was a major in the same
regiment as George, his father was a very old friend of ours... so it was
joining of our families. Welcome since Elisabeth was according to her
mother very much in love.

When Elisabeth came to me last year to test the waters... I felt her
emotion about Frederick. They had spent time together in London during of
the season's events and at our St. James's home. It was natural as I am
Frederick's godfather as well as old family friend of his parents.

At Christmas Alice let me know Elisabeth had brought her fully into her
confidence... Alice gave me the news. I was and am very pleased.

I sat down with Elisabeth to speak about marrying a military man... she
understood there would be times of separation and the risk of Frederick
being wounded or killed.

"Father don't all couples have to face that?"

"True but with an Army fellow the odds of it happening go up a good
deal. Your mother and I faced it when George entered the army.

Your grandparents faced it with me and your great-grandparents with your
grandfather.

I wish it weren't needed... warfare is too much a part of our nation's
life. I can say as long as Frederick is in the Guards there is less chance
of a foreign posting. Though officers do sometimes become seconded to other
regiments... some pursue it.

Neither George or Frederick need seek glory as they both have been tried in
battle many times."

Elisabeth knew what her heart risked... Alice holding me later said
Elisabeth was clever girl and mature enough to make her own choices. I
agreed... we would support her.

When Frederick came into my St. James's study a week later he knew... He is
a fine man, honourable and intelligent... he watched my face... he smiled,
"Sir, I think I have your answer."

We shook hands and shoulder pat.

"I can only say beware... Elisabeth is smart and can be wilful when she
believes she is right... just like her mother. I have twenty five years of
experience to share should it be needed."

We both laughed.

I requested a footman to ask George to join us. I poured brandies for us
three. George was fully aware Frederick had become deeply enamoured of
Elisabeth and knew of her return of that.

We drank a toast to Elisabeth and Frederick.

That evening we walked the block to Frederick's family's London home. A
joyous welcome. The general and I were ancient friends and like our sons
had served together in past wars. Eighteen years earlier I had the good
fortune to have him as the Army commander in K******** while I was the Lord
Lieutenant during the last French wars.

Frederick's mother, a great beauty whose father had been a friend of our
family, had my arm, "I am so pleased we will have another connection to
your people. Frederick came to me three years ago in private to ask my
advice about Elisabeth... so it is a long standing link.

I told him he should be himself as there was no other way for Elisabeth to
know him better."

I pressed her arm, "Something quite similar happened to me except it was
Alice's father who said it to me."

A smile on her face, "I am sorry they are gone but I cannot be sad... they
had such a wonderful life together and got to know your children so
well. Alice's mother and I had a warm and pleasant relationship."

"Your parents will travel up?"

"Yes... my mother said something foolish like `even if it kills us' when I
inquired."

I laughed knowing the lady in question, it was quite true to form.

It was very warming to my heart to see Elisabeth on Frederick's arm in the
drawing room.

I was sitting in a chair in Elisabeth's chamber later, "Father, your loving
Frederick... I knew he would be welcomed as a suitor... there is no other
man for me."

"Your mother said the same twenty five years ago to her father."

A smile...

Now days from their marriage...

<<<<<

Okay! At least Gwen was in this dream... wait how old is Chani? I guess I
better watch out for the sons of our friends!! I seemed to dream 'Gwen'
dreams more often in-flight... Goodness knows what that might mean.

We landed at Chalgrove as the sun peeked up over the distant line of
hills. The Twins did their usual loud and happy greetings to Carter and
everyone.

Me off to ride. Dressed in black with a Munro tie! Jaidee's tail wagging as
we walked into the kitchen. I opened the door to the garden... off he went.

Coffee, scones... ready. Jaidee was tucked into his grub. Marigold said
she'd send him down to the Stables when he finished.

I walked down looking around... always so ordered... Gregory's rule put
what you use back where it belongs so you can find it again! The Stables
ran like clockwork!

Andy grinning as I handed over the scone, strawberry. I got Roland's reins
and a leg up. Tara sitting on Max, a smile. Off we went.

A full on gallop after the warm-up to the lock. The lock man waving hello
we returned it. Roy was doing very well two fish so far! He said the lure I
had given him was best in colder weather!

We walked over to the west bank then rode towards the underpass through and
a turn northward. We rode quickly along the path in the woods then around
Lower Radley's road to the trail to the north.

Our pace quickened as I urged Roland forward. I looked over my
shoulder... Tara smiling as Max followed us. A great run all the way to the
Industrial Estate.

We waved as our walk took us through the buildings to the Thames Path and
the bridge. The lock fellow called out a `good morning' we both replied. At
Mr. Hardy's he came out to say hello. He was doing very well, still
cranking out pages to be read.

"More in your inbox," with a smile.

Roland was ready to run again... on the grass I let him go! Speed! We
flashed across the Radley's... soaring along the river through the Fraser's
up onto the flat where we slowed. I rubbed Roland's neck thanking him for a
glorious ride. His head bobbing, he loved it too.

Tara grinning as we handed our horses to Pat and Monty.

Pat did a mock arm punch to Monty, "M'Lady, Monty is full-time now!"

I shook Monty's hand, "Congratulations. I'm glad you are with us for real
now."

"Thank you, M'Lady. I'm really happy here."

Fist bump!

Food! The Twins were eating with Cho and Tha and Delphine. Sunny was on her
way out to the Stables. A hug and cheers for her success.

Greg came in with the boys. Hugs for all. I got eggs, tomatoes, potatoes
and toast. Sam beside me... a big grin.

"Aunt Fay, it is good to be here again."

I looked to the Twins, "Will you give Sam and Artie a tour of the Rêve?"

Charlie finishing chewing and swallowed, "Yes Mama. We have surprise for
them..." Chani taking over... "Ellie and Lorraine did it."

Ah... I knew what it would be.

I thanked Chani and Charlie.

Cho sitting in a chair in my Dressing Room watching... a cute smile.

A medium brown tweed skirt to my mid-calf, long sleeved cream silk blouse,
a jumper vest in several shades of blue, beige and brown, pale stockings
and brown heels. Gold jewellery bits.

Cho participated doing the `Joy' and a kiss. Pale nail polish and lips. A
warm brown cloche hat styled with the brim out over my face, rolled up a
bit at the back. Cho loved it.

Kisses for my babies.

Carter helped me into a camel's hair coat, I added a brown silk Hermès
scarf and brown gloves. My wallet in one coat pocket... iPhone in the
other.

Gil, Chelle, Tara, Ken and Angie with me. Tom driving we headed to Dicot.

Light rain which was supposed to back off as the day went on... our MP
Clark was having an election meeting and a walkabout. His team had
advertised my being at the meeting so there was some national press in
attendance... I saw a Sky UK reporter with a camera person and others from
the electronic side plus a Sun reporter I knew and more newspaper folks.

There was a crowd going in at the main entrance to the North Dicot skate
park. Clark's staff had us come in at the rear door. Chelle went around to
the back of the crowd to do video.

There was a small stage where Clark was waiting as the people filled the
big room. His constituency chairman got things started introducing Clark.

Clark talked about what he advocated and boldly told how he differed from
the leadership of the Conservative Party. He got comments about the latter
from the crowd. He made it clear he wasn't just a drone for the
Conservative Party... He is a thinking man acting in the best interests of
his constituents and the nation.

He introduced me. I received some hellos in response to mine and some
applause.

I spoke about the Defence Bill where Clark was at odds with his
leadership. I gave them why the bill was flawed and how it should be fixed.

A fellow called out `Why are you here... you're not a conservative' to
which I replied "Sir, you are correct I'm not a conservative... do you have
a child or other relative in the Forces?"

I got a `No' back.

"Then maybe you don't know our men and women are working with
old... antiquated and inadequate equipment which can endanger their lives
because the government has repeated failed to spend the needed amounts to
maintain a modern military.

Now it isn't a failing of one party but all of them which is why they all
need to step up to change the methodology of budgeting.

We have made commitments to friends and allies around the world which
nuclear weapon armed submarines cannot fulfill. Those subs are where an
enormous amount of money goes! The regular armed forces as they are now
budgeted cannot maintain themselves well enough to follow through on those
commitments.

The Defence Bill brought down the government for the simple reason it
wasn't sufficient. Over one hundred members of the Conservative Party
agreed with that notion... this is a failure of leadership and the desire
to maintain their party in power even at the expense of the nation's
future.

Mr. Clark was acting as a decent citizen by refusing to support a policy of
neglect. Give him the opportunity to make changes happen at Westminster."

I was surprised by the cheers and clapping. I put out my hand to Clark,
smiles as we waved to the crowd.

As the meeting broke up a Telegraph reporter asked me why I would so
vigorously support a Tory candidate?

The other newsies clustered close...

"It's simple... I support the United Kingdom not a particular partisan
group. I will speak for candidates across the country who are honest,
decent and want to work for the betterment of the nation not a single
political party. A candidate who is anti-brexit is a fine example of the
type I support."

A few more questions which I got Clark involved in answering.

I joined Clark to walkabout several streets off Cow Lane canvassing door to
door. It was a housing estate of mixed semi-detached and detached homes
with a small commercial cluster. The people of the neighbourhood were a mix
of railroad and power station workers and London commuters.

Mostly women answering their doors... all surprised to see me on their
doorstep... they did seem strangely pleased that I was doing this. They
were all pleasant listening to Clark.

A man did answer one door... he asked why I was doing this... he was a
union railroad man... "Why support the tories... they've done nothing but
harm."

"I do not think Labour has a shiny reputation but Mr. Clark is a fellow who
is looking beyond his party affiliation to see the greater good of the
country. At some risk to himself."

Clark explained his position... I could see the `railroad man' easing
up.. at the end he shook our hands with a smile and thanked us for coming.

Going down the front walk to the street Clark's face a big smile... "Your
Ladyship... you are natural at this."

I laughed and thanked him. I said I was a bit tired... "How about a pint
and some food at the `Generous' George'?"

He and his staff like Gil, Chelle and my Protectors were up for it. Chelle
had been doing video of the visits.

Gil had a few messages for me as we walked up Cow Lane to the pub.

Michael back to me about the trip to Algeria. Next week was good for the
Algerians. Okay we're on!

Big News from Jian... Catherine was pregnant! They were thrilled! The whole
`family' were happy with the thought of it. I sent them both a `Congrats'
email and asked Gil to arrange some flowers and Taittinger's. She emailed
Cho to tell him the news.

Jian was coming to England in two days so she and Catherine could celebrate
with Ting, Andrea and Caroline. She would take a break from work... there
was a few Foundation things first... Jian would go with Rona over to Paris
to see the new shelter and a trip around the UK shelters.

Rona made that trip longer by starting up two new shelters in
Scotland. Aberdeen's shelter was in the Orchard neighbourhood south of the
University of Aberdeen. A rambling old Victorian house with out buildings
and a stables. Nineteen rooms and four baths, including two over the
stables. The drawing room now doubled as a meeting room, a library and
quiet space, a game room.

The kitchen was large and Masha, the manager, loved it. She was a cook and
a practised cajoler capable of getting people to do things they didn't
really want to do such as cleaning and chopping veg with her.

In Dundee, Bjorn was our manager. His Swedish mother made sure he got the
name but she couldn't stop him from getting a Scot's accent. He was a
leader and funny!

The old hotel in the Maryfield District had forty eight rooms with sinks
and eight bathrooms, four of which we were expanding using a neighbouring
room. A flat for the manager, a computer room, game room and a library. The
good sized dining room and kitchen, lots of storage in the cellar and
attics.

Many shops, clubs and attractions nearby for fun and employment. Not too
far from two universities and public libraries.

Scotland now had four shelters and Angus! Angus was our regional manager,
red-haired, green-eyed with a full beard, big chested tall fellow looking
like he stepped from a Sir Walter Scott novel with a Scot's accent to go
with it. Two degrees, in psychology and social work, he was well prepared
for the job.

We had found him through Uncle Craig who knew his family, they were from
the Black Isle. Angus' skill at Scottish games attracted attention as he
was an `out' gay man who took no shit... a few jaws were broken as proof of
that. He was a kind and generous fellow otherwise.

We would meet him, he was coming for lunch tomorrow.

Jasmine had interviews this week for new teachers at Denham School in
farming and gardening. Fifteen possibles. She was meeting them at the
Harcourt House and staying over.

Food! The Generous George! There were two tables in the corner away from
Cow lane. Okay... a pint of bitter for me... breaded mushrooms with a
barbeque dip then their peppered mushroom and veg pie.

The men were kind enough to do the legwork! The pint was good, very nice to
sip and sit for a bit. The mushrooms hot from the oven... tasty. The pie
was a `generous' portion with chips, I had them `hold' the veggies in
gravy.

It was good pub grub, well-made.

"So what do you think about my presence? Hurt or help?"

Clark grinning, looking at his constituency chairman and team,
"Help... without a doubt." They were all nodding!

Okay. I said I'd do more. Gil said she had his list of events and we work
from that and let his folks know in advance when I would be able to join
him.

Clark was pleased! He got lots of news coverage for my being around.

Gil paid for the lunch and we drove home.

I did tell Gil to send a note to Clark's staff about the lunch amount so
they could keep a record.

A Cho hug by the fire in the Great Room. He was smiling listening to my
tale of door-belling.

"It's nice they all wanted to listen. Is helping Clark hurting Labour or
the Lib-Dems?"

"No... both of them are well down in the local polls but the ukip people
are targeting tory members who voted against the Defence Bill... trying to
paint them as not-conservative."

"Ah... forestalling those yobs is a good thing."

Kiss!

Noises!!! The nephews were going out with the Twins to the Rêve. They
came in to show us their outfits! Pirate dress for all even Jaidee had on
his pullover! What a crowd. Tha and Delphine went out with them.

The steps were put on and they climbed aboard.

Gil got a call from the Foreign Minister's office... she moved to the
Library. A funny face when she came back...

"The Foreign Minister's folks say the Chinese ambassador saw that you are
here on Sky News about the election meeting. He wants to meet to pass on
President Xi's letter."

I looked at Cho... I said I didn't want this to happen in our homes... so
where to do it... not too public because we don't know him and wouldn't
want to embarrass him pointlessly. He shrugged.

I turned around a few times... "What about a room at St. John's Smith
Square? It would be private, lots of doors to use. Anonymous. We could walk
there."

Cho was in favor it. I put Gil on contacting the venue...

Cho, "Gil, use the Foreign Minister's office to do the scheduling... do not
allow any direct contact with Chinese."

A thumbs up from her. Back to Library.

We knew it needed to be done... it was going to be done on our terms or not
at all. We would pay for the room. An hour was more than enough time.

Cho and I were inside at the Terrace doors... the Rêve was crowded with
a rockin' crew. Jaidee sitting on the tiny quarterdeck watching. They
looked great in their outfits...

Charles was out there doing video! He looked over to us... we clapped for
him! A big smile.

Gil said the Foreign Ministry was willing to host the meeting. Okay. Gil
went back to them for a day and time that fit for us. She was smiling as
she returned.

"They said they would inform the Chinese of the day and time... and it was
going to be the only opportunity for a considerable time for us. The
Foreign Ministry were fine with setting it up in a conference room."

Good. Next week for this.

The Rêve crew came in! Kay and Greg were home from Oxford... lots of
hugs and kisses applied. Tha and Delphine got the whole crew upstairs to
get changed. The grown-ups got drinks.

Cho told them Charles had done video and he would send them the link to
watch it. Smiles!

Sunny came up from the stables. Hugs for her mother and father then she
raced up to change.

Fin was making Shirley Temples.

A lovely family dinner! Everybody enjoying the food and being in the same
room. Afters in the Great Room was a noisy fun affair.

Gil with big news... The other brown Labrador ladies Jaidee covered gave
birth! Twelve healthy puppies in two six puppy litters!!! The breeder is
supremely happy.

The snaps are so cute!! Jaidee is just acting like himself after fathering
twenty two gorgeous puppies!

We are get four... two spoken for... the Clinton's and Pam and Ken! The
other two??

A good problem!

In bed with Cho I told him about my dream. A smile, "I hope we do know
whoever she chooses well enough not to worry."

A kiss from me, "Don't count on it... she'll be out in the world meeting
people beyond our knowledge."

Roland whinnied loudly as we slowed to a walk after a brilliant run from
Sandford. Freddie was by the tracks, his head came around at Roland's
call. A big smile.

"Fay, he loves you being here. The others ride him... though not with your
flair!"

Fist bump with my left hand as the right stroked Roland's neck.

Andy handed the reins to Monty with a `more walking' comment. Monty
grinning, he knew.

A short breakfast. Kellen had the AW139 on the grass, we lifted off with a
turn north by northeast. In eighteen minutes we approached the landing area
Penn arranged on back end of a sports ground. We walked through an
underpass of a motorway to the housing estate on the edge of the huge
Fengate industrial complex.

Gwendolyn's staffer escorted us to the meeting place. A small stage and a
big crowd. No rain. Blustery breeze! Chilly!

I was prepared in black wool slacks with Kentucky Heat bits underneath, top
and bottom! A cotton long sleeve white shirt with a red jumper over. The
black leather car coat, the Hermès French flag scarf and black gloves.

On the stage I met Gwendolyn, hands shaken and a thank you. I said we'll
see if I earn it. She smiled. Gwendolyn was thirty, curvy with short blonde
hair and blue eyes. She was a first time candidate for office in this
riding which was once Labour but had gone tory.

Gwendolyn stood up and gave her history, she was a local girl. Why she was
running brought a few comments inquiring if she old enough to know
anything. She was good speaking out that age has never been the guarantor
of intelligence or common sense.

She worked her way through university, now she was an employed social
worker right here in Peterborough. Her family lived one mile away in the
house where she was born. Good points!!

I was introduced... a few catcalls. `You're not from here' etc...

I said I was here to support a good Labour candidate because the tories
have had their chance to govern for all of the Kingdom and they failed.

"They govern for their friends and contributors. Even when others have been
in power no government made a rich friends richer than the tories.

They push Brexit without knowing what the results of their policies will
be. They are literally guessing that the EU will give in to their
demands... that isn't going to happen and we will be left holding an empty
bag."

My arm waving toward the industrial estate, "... there are businesses over
there that will close because what they make will not be exportable to the
EU. Your jobs are at risk.

Don't think the tories will get markets open for trade... America has
stated clearly there will be no `most favoured nation' status for us... so
every trade deal will have to be negotiated separately slowing down the
process enormously. Maybe taking years for decisions.

The EU has no reason to grant ANY favours to us because we are leaving of
our own accord. We are the ones disrupting trade not them. The EU have said
that very clearly many times and the negotiations are at a dead stop right
now. The tories cover their ears so they don't hear the negatives... that
is NOT governing!

In two years under the tories brexit plans at least a quarter of the jobs
in Peterborough will be lost... If you think I'm trying to scare you... I'm
quoting figures from several trade and research groups who hope they are
wrong but know they aren't."

A women called out `why don't the tories own up?'

I answered, "For the same reason they did not want to fix the Defence
Bill... they aren't interested in the future only continuing to be in
power.

Letting old useless nuclear subs rot until they sink and kill everything in
the water for hundreds of miles with radioactive chemicals isn't important
because they can't see or don't have the imagination to understand the
long-term consequences of their actions. Or worse they don't care at all.

I want my children to live in a progressive United Kingdom that seeks out
good world-wide partners, has decent schools and universities, cares for
the elderly, promotes a clean environment, creates jobs worth having and
provides top quality medical care for everybody... and seeks to leave all
that and more as a legacy for their children's children."

I thanked them for listening. "Vote for Gwendolyn and put a Labour
government in Westminster."

There were cheers and applause. I could hear Gwendolyn clapping behind
me. She and her staff clustered close... thanking me for speaking.

Ken and Tara nearby watching. Angie was in the crowd somewhere with
Chelle. Gil had her iPhone to her ear... huge eyes looking at me!!

There were local news folks and a few national reporters at the edge of the
stage waiting.

I motioned to Gil... "It's important but nothing to do." Okay.

Gwendolyn and I spoke to the press for a bit. One good question about my
statement on local jobs from a Peterborough reporter.

"In part I was referencing a report by the Public Accountability Project
which has no political connections and has well-known economists
researching and writing. They are both knowledgeable and respected by all
sides."

I stepped back so Gwendolyn would get to speak more.

Gil beside me, quietly, "It is reported by Chinese media that Ti has died
of a stroke. He had been taken to an Army hospital from the jail where was
being held feeling unwell, he died there. The news is scanty."

I shrugged, "I think Cho called it."

Gwendolyn had finished with the news folks, moving my direction... I said
my goodbyes.

"Your Ladyship, I can't thank you enough."

"If things are such that a return visit can make a difference let the party
fellow who set this up know. Go on... beat the tory and then be a good
representative for your constituents."

A handshake and a hug!

The helicopter rose up going west then a big curve to head south. Carter
and Cho at the door. A kiss for my guy, a fist bump for Carter.

I was in time for lunch with Angus!! He loved the Twins. Sitting on the
floor he joined in a puzzle, the garden at full summer. The three laughing
and having fun.

He did a bit of football kicking with Artie and he folded a very
aero-dynamic paper plane for Sam. A wealth of talents!

Greg and Kay smiling watching this bear of a fellow be happy in the company
of people he'd just met.

Angus did sit with Cho and I. He was thoughtful about the issues our guests
would face... it made him sad to think of a child like himself cast off by
their people. His family was conservative but deeply loving so they coped
with him being different. His father set the tone when Angus was in junior
school by decking the father of a boy who had teased his son about being
gay after a jackass comment by the father. The town got the point... Angus
was different but his family was fully behind him. It was transformative!

Angus relished the challenge we were offering.

I was `Fay' not `Ma'am.' He smiled at that.

"Fay, the rail pass is terrific. I love trains and walking so I will be
mobile enough. I'll get a folding mat to sleep on at each
shelter... that'll suit me fine."

In answer to a question... "I enjoy company but a good book takes me away."

I could see Cho liked him... I certainly did.

Angus would find a place in Edinburgh and delighted to know we would pay
for it.

"You two'll spoil me."

We laughed, Cho said "You will find out we make it a point to pay well and
give benefits to encourage hard work."

"That's what you'll get from me."

Big handshakes at the entryway, Tom drove him to the Oxford station.

Cho shaking his head, "He's both a stereotype and an original."

A kiss from me. Kay squeezed my hand as we walked back to the Great Room.

Greg smiling, "You two seem able to find all sorts of folks who are right
for the job at hand. A terrific skill!"

Cho... "It is both a skill and a dollop of serendipity combined."

I said something about `moths to a flame...' I got a hug!

"Uncle Craig is the source for Angus. He likes him... He's tried to get
Angus to play golf like a good Scot but it hasn't happened."

We all laughed.

In the Office with Cho, "Do you think he got a needle or a bullet?"

I didn't need to say the now former ambassador's name.

Cho shook his head, "It doesn't matter. China is still being pummeled in
the news every day over his escapade. If they did kill him... they haven't
thought it out... even his death is not going stop the talk. They'll get
another spike because of it. This is made worse because someone at the
military hospital leaked the news to a group outside the government
controlled press... forcing the government to say something because they
could not produce an alive Ti."

Head shaking by me!

Kay, Greg and the boys flew home. They'd be back for Badminton. A friend of
Adam's near the event site was going to host them. Prasert had Ron assigned
to drive them and he'd stay at the same place. So they were set for Sunny's
biggest event.

Jasmine looking nifty in a blue suit, I greeted her at the door. Lucas took
her bag upstairs. We set her up in the flat below Carter's house to do her
interviews. Will, Eliza and Beth having moved... were very comfortable in
their house on Harcourt Close.

Jasmine had fifteen or so people to interview about teaching at Denham
school. Farming and gardening skills!

Archie and Tom would take turns helping her evaluate the possibles. Half
today and the others tomorrow.

She would do her interviews in a bedroom we setup as an office and using
the sitting room as a waiting area for the prospective teachers.

There was coffee, tea plus sweet cakes and several flavours of tasty
biscuits for those waiting.

Jian arrived. Huge hugs for her. We kissed her and sent her on the way to
London to be with Catherine, Andrea, Ting and Caroline! We'd do a catch up
soon after her trips with Rona.

I had a phone conversation with Lord Newby the leader of Lib-Dem's in the
Lords about my visiting some ridings to help his party's candidates. I had
been introduced to him by Wain, Fourth Earl Dereham, a Lib-Dem peer I'd met
who was from Norfolk. Newby was pleased I'd want to share my time for his
party.

"Fay, I'm sure you could guess our people would be pleased to be the junior
partner in a government if the election falls that way. So your work to
defeat tories and ukip clods is welcome."

Okay... onward.

In the next few days I went to a dozen ridings to support Labour and
Lib-Dem candidates across the tory blue belt. Two or three or four stops
per day in a wide swath from Hereford to Kidderminster across to King's
Lynn back to Northampton.

Then two more days supporting Labour in the Midlands. My activities were
getting daily national press attention, on the TV newscasts and a huge
amount of internet play. Twitter accounts were created by folks to follow
my doings.

Our own social media and online video presence being managed by Regine and
Chelle both had my news with snaps and video.

All that benefitted the candidates, their names linked in the news to mine
wasn't going to hurt.

In the morning at the fireplace in the Great Room after that busy week I
was taking a break. We go to London later today to do the meeting with the
Chinese. Nothing more about the fate of Ti. The conspiracy theories could
be counted in the thousands from the `bullet' to drugs to the stress of
interrogation onto he really had a stroke without any `assistance.'

None of it mattered to us. There'd been many news folks trying to get our
opinion about it... we refused. Any reporters asking on the campaign
trail... I brushed aside their questions.

The trip to Algeria with Michael was on for tomorrow. Down and back in one
day. Michael added two of Reg's technical folks from the London
office. That was fine, a Gulfstream could carry more of them easily.

For the meeting with the Chinese I decided to dress in a business-like
manner. The grey fitted suit I'd worn to meet Anna W******* with black
accessories and heels. Gold jewellery with red nail and lips, not too
red. `Joy' A small black bag.

The black Coach coat with a white scarf and black gloves.

Cho in a black suit, a brilliantly white shirt and pale gold tie. A black
overcoat and gloves.

We landed at the Wandsworth Heliport, a car took us up past the Palace of
Westminster to Parliament Street, we turned into King Charles Street where
the guard let us through. We stepped out at a doorway where a fellow was
waiting. He opened the door for us.

"Your Ladyship, Sir Cho, welcome. I will be your escort, my name is
Mayfield."

PJ and Rande with Gil followed us.

I'd never been in the Foreign Office building. Ornate was one word to
describe it... but I thought after going up the Grand Staircase... ornate
wasn't sufficient.  It was meant to awe visitors... I wasn't awed... more
intrigued by the mind that thought it could be used as an instrument of
statecraft.

On the first floor we entered an office suite where the Foreign Secretary
greeted us.

"It is nice to see you both again. Much different this time... on my turf."

Smiles, handshakes.

Our outer clothing was taken.

"The Chinese are here already in a side room waiting. We will go around to
the Reception room of the Locarno Suite. The room is large... plenty of
space. Once you are there we will bring in the Chinese ambassador.

I will say Ping is a decent fellow, a hard worker and not dogmatic."

Cho thanked him for the brief sketch of the ambassador. I asked if we could
do it the other-way `round. The Foreign Secretary `got it' immediately.

"Of course!" A smile. "The grand entrance... effective. Very sound
tactically. I must add Ping does seem nervous so your walking in won't help
that."

He gave instructions to an aide. Then he followed.

We waited in the office until Mayfield returned.

"The Minister is in the room with the Chinese now... this way please ... it
is not far." He arm extended down the passage...

Around a corner and along another passage to a handsome doorway. We
entered... the Chinese group was clustered by the west windows... looking
ill at ease. The room was glorious... splendid in fact... it sort of
swallowed them up with its grandeur and size.

I don't suppose that made them any less anxious.

Cho and I walked towards them... our three folks right behind...  the
Minister was between our two groups. He did the introductions...

"Lady Harcourt... Ambassador Ping... " he bowed. I did not extend my hand
to shake. He, I suppose, decided to wait to see if I would.

"Sir Cho... Ambassador Ping..." Another bow.

Mr. Ping had laid out on a table several documents. He pointed to one...

"Your Ladyship... Sir Cho... President Xi has personally written to you
expressing his apology for the incident at your home in Bangkok."

Cho and I leaned over a bit to read it. It was hand written in English. He
said he was deeply saddened and outraged that there was an attempt to hurt
our family. He being a family man could understand the depths of our
unhappiness with the events.

He added what Ti did was outside of Chinese cultural norms. The letter did
say Ti had been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party and was to be
punished by the Chinese government through the state judicial process.

Mr. Ping pointed out the letter had been written prior to the death of
Ti. The government wanted to punish him... he escaped justice.

Mr. Ping, "If I may add to President Xi's words... I personally wish to say
how shocked I was hearing about the attack plotting by Ti and I am
embarrassed that Ti is from my country.

Every nation state has a few rogues... I do hope that no others from China
ever trouble you."

He bowed to us. His face quite closed up.

I stepped to him and extended my hand. He smiled and shook my hand then
Cho's.

He thanked us for being kind enough to accept the President's letter and
his own feelings.

The Minister sensing a break in the tension asked if we would take a glass
of sherry?

We agreed as did Ping. As we waited for that a staffer of Ping's put Xi's
letter and another from Ping in a large envelope for us. The fellow handed
the envelope to Gil when she stepped forward.

The sherry was mildly sweet. The Minister toasted to us and Ping.

I asked Ping if he knew Ti very well?

"No... we had been on different paths in government. I found within myself
the desire to work with others in China... first in rural development then
as my people skills were seen to be useful in other ways a diplomat.

Ti was always on the side of holding people to account whether they had
done misdeeds or just found their way into his bad books.

I am not a punisher by nature... everyone makes mistakes... learning is a
better outcome."

I raised my glass to that.

"I will say Cho and I expected to hear of Ti's death. He embarrassed all
the people of China... it didn't seem possible he could survive that."

Mr. Ping... an uncomfortable smile, "I can understand you thinking
that... western countries do have a higher sense of their place in
maintaining an equitably appearing justice system. I am a realistic fellow
but I would not want anyone to extra-judicially kill someone.

I am here so I do not know all that happened in Beijing... Mr. Xi would
severely punish anyone involved if something like that occurred. He is an
honourable man."

"Will anyone else be punished for helping the plot along?"

"Again I am here. I do hope so. Personally... " with a slight look to who
might be near, "... I would do a major clean-out at the Ministry of State
Security. They put our nation at risk because a powerful man asked favours
of them.

No country needs such types who would debase their honour."

Cho and the Foreign Minister joined us. We thanked the Minister for
enabling our meeting.

"Your Ladyship, Sir Cho, and Ambassador Ping, it is a pleasure to have
helped bring you all together."

We thanked Mr. Ping again for the letters. Cho said for him to please pass
our personal thank you to Mr. Xi. Ping said he would be glad to do so. We
shook hands again. Smiles.

Mayfield escorted us back to the Minister's office. The Foreign Secretary
joined us, he was pleased.

"I am glad that went so well."

Cho said it was good of him to host us. The Foreign Minister smiling and
nodding.

His head shaking, "You my dear may put me out of a job." He was smiling as
he said it.

"I can add that what you found about the MOD fiddling with money... that
angered me. There's no need for that sort of behaviour when a supplemental
appropriations bill would have passed the House easily."

Smiling I said, "Nothing personal." We all laughed. Hands shaken.

We were helped into our coats , Mayfield there to escort us as we descended
the stairs to our car waiting by the door.

We thanked Mayfield.

"Your Ladyship, Sir Cho. It was an honour to meet you and be of service."

Hands shaken.

To Cowley House. Clough at the door. He said our guests were in the North
Drawing Room. Ting and Andrea had called... a meeting. We said to meet us
here.

They with Catherine, Jian and Caroline were standing there... everybody
holding hands... They were pregnant!! Hugs and kisses. At Cho's request
Clough went for some Taittinger's.

A big smile on Andrea's face, "I peed on a wand the other day... my doctor
gave us the definite answer this morning. I'm a bit over a month and half
gone!"

We toasted, Catherine and Andrea slightly sipped. They had already told
Ting's parents in Korat. Shouts of joy over the phone! They were so pleased
for the two mother's to be!

I was sitting with Andrea, "You guys may need to move... three little ones
take up a lot of space."

"We have it arranged... we hope." Fingers crossed. " I'm in with Ting, the
other big bedroom is Jian and Catherine. Catherine's room will be
Caroline's and the babies will share. I think there will be a lot of
movement between here and Thailand so we'll not be all in one place for an
extended time."

"We'll have to consider what to do when you guys all might be Bangkok."

It was a good problem!!

Caroline on my lap, "Aunt Fay, I will have my own bedroom!!" She was
clapping and bouncing.

They were so happy for Jian and Catherine. Andrea, "It is odd to think my
sister is having a baby with the wife of the man I'm having a baby with
whose baby I already had. We're going to need to arrange all that in our
minds and with friends."

They stayed for dinner. Mrs. Travers had some wonderful trout grilled just
right. Pan-fried new potatoes and sugar beans gently braised with lemon and
garlic. Wonderfully soft rolls and butter.

Jian and I holding hands... grinning... she kissed me, "Fay, so much is
going on and it is all marvellous!"

A big hug, "So much happiness all around... it's like being in sugar shock
after eating a huge candy bar."

We laughed.

They all went home to their Fulham apartment... we flew back to Harcourt
House from Wandsworth.

Big V staff in Los Angeles was flying in one of our Gulfstreams to
Teterboro. They'd spend a few days with Jayne and Montana seeing how they
do things. They would find their own way about running the club but doing
this was good.

Francis said he had a communication from from Felix... the old owners of
Moulin de Deauville farm asked if we wanted to buy four of their
horses. The four were recreational riding horses ages five to nine, to
stallions, two mares.

I had Gil contact Felix to ask why and could we have brief accounts of the
horses temperaments and a health assessment. Felix answered right away that
he'd call them immediately.

I had to forego my morning ride to hop aboard a Gulfstream at Chalgrove
with Michael and the two folks from Reg's technology team. It was under
three hours as Derry put his foot down. By ten o'clock we were landing at
Bechar, Algeria.

I'd sat at the rear of the cabin with Michael to talk on private things. He
and Karla were `aces.' They were in thrall to their cat, Melody, naturally!
Their house was a home thanks to Karla's work.

"Fay, we are comfortable, happy to curl up by the fire with Melody on an
evening. Or go out dancing!"

We laughed at the contrast... and no Melody didn't get to go dancing. His
aunt's bequest of the house had made their lives so much better, cosy and
pleasant. They had nice neighbours... most older than themselves but
friendly.

On the ground... Derry said on the tannoy the tower instructed him to taxi
south to the military side of the airport.

Mr. Moulmein met us on the tarmac. He is the Deputy Minister for Water
Resources. We shook hands with him and his staff.

We boarded an Algerian Army AW101 helicopter. Same maker as our AW139's, an
older much bigger model military, noisier inside. It was a half hour flight
or an over a three and half hour drive. Mr. Moulmein had gotten the Army to
lift us. I leaned close to an Army major to thank them. I spoke French as
Mr. Moulmein said everyone with us was a French speaker.

He smiled, "It is an honour to be able to do this for you."

It was difficult to have much of conversation with the noise.

Mr. Moulmein asked the pilot to please bend around the jutting out far
southeast corner of Morocco staying inside the Algerian side of the
border... crossing the mountains to the west of Ain Sefra.

We got a good look... The terrain was rugged with many twisting valleys. No
really high peaks though.

We landed at an Army compound on the northern side of Ain Sefra. We walked
around outside the base's walls to the ridge top... a wide clear view to
the west up the broad valley as it rose to the mountains beyond.

"What happens here each year are floods down from mountain rainfall... the
city has adapted to the erratic water flows... we want to capture the water
and end the flooding."

His hand motioning to the green patches on the land above the dry
watercourse in the city, "We have some farming... we need more. If the
water can be controlled and saved for irrigation and processing for
drinking... the entire valley region will become a verdant oasis."

We unfolded several topo maps... none of the elevations were
extreme. Mr. Moulmein's assistant pointed out Sfissifa on the map and the
mountain spur that hid it from view. I could see why he did... a several
large dry watercourses with some intermittent standing water! Springs?

Also the maps showed significant nearby dry creek beds which could be more
locations for the water to be collected.

In general the road net was sparse... fortunately there were a number of
hard surface roads surrounding and snaking through part of the area so
vehicles could get close to potential work sites before having to use
tracks or cross the sand and rock.

We could get heavy parts close then only need a short lift by helicopter to
the final locations. A very big savings in helicopter usage.

Mr. Moulmein was pleased, "We are dependent on the Army for the
helicopters... they are happy to join in but they do have other duties."

I said I understand. "The Iranians are doing the same... it worked well
there so I hope here too."

The Army provided us with several cars. We drove west up the valley to
Sfissifa... about fifteen miles. The road was in excellent condition,
several high bridges over the dry watercourses. We could see irrigated
farming on the land on both sides of the road as we got closer to Sfissifa.

We stopped on a ridge to look out over the valleys that spread out above
the town. Reg's two fellows looking carefully and comparing with the
maps. They were very encouraged about the terrain's suitability.

We went to Maire's home. It was time for Dhuhr... so Michael and I with our
two tech people and PJ and Ken waited in the courtyard on benches under a
cluster of date palms. It was quiet... the sun warming us. A pleasant spot.

Prayers completed the Maire welcomed us with a lunch and tea. He was born
in Sfissifa, living his entire sixty two years in the town. He had been the
mayor for fifteen years. We talked about the rains and floods... like Ain
Sefra, Sfissifa had adjusted to the seasonal water events... a more secure
source of water and no floods would be very good for the town.

Mr. Moulmein did say there would be some employment opportunities...  and
during the building process we would buy some things locally. The Maire was
pleased to hear that.

It was a good chat. On the drive back Mr. Moulmein thanked me for the way I
dressed... "You have an understanding of our customs which is welcome."

I was in a slender black pants suit with a pale grey shirt, a black scarf
around my head worn as I had in Tehran. No jewellery except simple gold
ring earrings and my wedding ring. Black linen gloves.

In Ain Sefra, I asked Mr. Moulmein for a guide and where to hire a car to
make several stops in the city. I mentioned going to Sidi Boudjemâa. His
eyes widened...

"Miss Martin... you know of Isabelle Eberhardt?"

"Yes. I have read her books... I appreciate her insights and the curious
strain of fatalism running through her life."

I smiled, "We share another passion... Horses and riding fast!"

Mr. Moulmein had a broad smile, "Please allow me to be your guide?"

I said I would be honoured.

The Army officer was willing for us to use the cars again. It was two miles
to the cemetery. We drove to the northern entrance... walking in... it was
easy to pick out Ms. Eberhardt's grave. It was unusual and standing clear
of those plots around it.

I stood at the foot of her grave, the cracked, broken marble showed signs
of long distant repairs. Her name in Arabic then in French... the details
of her day of death and where. Slimane Ehnni, her husband's name below
hers.

I was silent for a few minutes... Mr. Moulmein, Michael and the others
joined me in the quiet moment.

A French general commanding colonial army units in the area had been a
sponsor for Ms. Eberhardt in return for her insights into the Muslim
community.

General Lyautey arranged for her grave and tombstone, he was her friend. It
was not his last involvement in Ms. Eberhardt's history on the planet. He
had his soldiers scour the wreckage of her flooded home where she died and
the neighbourhood to collect all her papers. It is due to him that much of
her writing was saved.

Mr. Moulmein said it was a short way to where her house had been... the
cars crossed a bridge over the dry wadi were the storm floods ran. It was a
dusty spot with a few scrubby plants. Mr. Moulmein said the flood in 1904
had been larger than usual with little warning... their mud house had
collapsed around her. All the wreckage had been later removed so no
remnants of the structure remained.

The neighbourhood was older, small houses on plots that had gardens and
some shade trees. Quiet. Peaceful.

The fellow who owned the land now was very polite and said few people came
here. I thanked him for letting us spend a bit of time. Mr. Moulmein
translating for me. The fellow bowed to us.

Interesting... Mr. Moulmein knew right where to come. I asked the obvious
question as we walked to the cars. He said he had read about Eberhardt as a
boy... she had been portrayed as devout Muslim and an anti-colonialist who
sought to give voice to Arab concerns.

Awhile admiring her beliefs and work he didn't cover over she was European
not African in his mind... a divide difficult to bridge.

She was remembered in street names and some buildings in Algeria.

I asked about repairs to her tomb. Mr. Moulmein said he had considered it
years ago but chose not to do anything allowing nature to take its
course. Okay!

Mr. Moulmein flew back to Bechar military airport with us. We shook hands
on the tarmac... He said it had been very pleasant to meet me... I said the
same and thanked him again for the side trip in Ain Sefra.

He smiled saying it was a privilege doing it. He was glad Ms. Eberhardt
wasn't lost in the past.

He was told he would hear from Michael very soon. Handshakes all around.

We waved as the Gulfstream taxied away. Derry has us airborne
quickly. Michael and his folks and I sat to talk with coffee and snacks.

They agreed with me... it could be an excellent project. Something new and
novel. The dams would need to be built differently but otherwise our
technology was suited to the terrain. The microwave equipment would be
easily installed making remote controlling simple. Solar panels would power
it all!

The Algerians thoroughly understood dam construction so that wouldn't be a
hurdle. Our folks would get to work on the proposal immediately.

We said goodbyes at Chalgrove. Prasert had a car for them to go up to
London.

I was home in ten minutes. Cho's arms open, the Twins close so I could hug
and kiss.

Felix sent on the information I asked for about the horses. They all had
been used to ride around the estate by the family. One stallion was
sometimes restive but he could be controlled by a good rider. The others
were calm and even tempered.

They had less space where they had moved... they didn't want to split up
the group who had been together for several years. Friends!

I had Gil respond with a yes we'd buy them depending on our vet examining
them. Gil called Dr. Crawford2 about a trip to France... he said yes. The
medical records would available for him. Okay!

After dinner Cho got my day and how the project could look. The Ain Sefra
side trip made him smile, "You were very lucky to have Mr. Moulmein as your
local contact."

"Indeed. He is a very nice fellow, well read and has a curious mind. He
asked a lot of questions about the microwave communications. He was
impressed with what we can offer."

Fist bump... which got the attention of our small but very professional
`fist bumpers' who joined in!

I handed Roland's reins to Monty... Roland nudged me... "You want to go out
again?" As I stroked his neck... a head nod. I laughed, "Relax until
tomorrow."

Monty grinning leading Roland for a further walk to cool down.

The Breakfast Room was well attended.

Francis and Ali joining us. They had a bit of news from Chicago... Donovan
had emailed after speaking with Edison. Several requests for new employees
and some pay rises had been turned down by Rick the corporate CEO. Donovan
said the rationale was the positions were unneeded and the current pay was
within proper limits.

I asked about the requests... Francis said an additional state reporter to
focus on `down-state' news was one position. I wanted that to increase
sales beyond Chicago, make the paper relevant to more readers. That stood
out because I had queried them about what coverage they had outside the
Chicago metro area. Beyond the state capital... `Not much' was Donovan's
reply.

I leaned back on the banquette... I felt Rick shouldn't get a warning
because it had been made plain we wanted to spend money to expand the
staff. Some to bring them back from the deep cuts, some for more coverage.

Cho looking me knowing my mind was made up. A smile for him.

"Please all of you go to Deauville the day after tomorrow... I will fly to
Chicago tonight. I'll do what I need to and join you in France."

A kiss! Cho said he'd take the Twins and Sunny tomorrow and for an
overnight stay. Okay... fun for the babies.

Gil looked at me with her phone to her ear... calling Penn in Bangkok.

I turned to Francis... "What is the status of the French stable staff
coming here?"

In a fortnight he said. Okay... we'd get to meet them on site and explain
more about their trip here.

Gil waved, "A 767 is at Chalgrove now." She turned to Cho, "A Gulfstream
too." A thumbs up from Cho.

I sat with Charlie and Chani to tell them I had to make a fast business
trip then meet them all at the new horse farm in France. Sunny got the news
when she came down for a snack after doing her homework. A fist pump!

I asked Audra to get a set of my black riding clothes together to go with
Cho's crowd which now included Dr. Crawford2. He was happy to go for the
overnight.

I did go down to ride Rebel. He was happy... so was I... in the saddle.

Hugs and kisses for the Twins and Cho.

Francis, Ali and Gil with me plus all my Protectors on board. The 767
zoomed off into the darkening skies.

I was idly sketching on a pad... a frock and coat... Gil leaned
over... "Finish it... it looks good."

I filled it in with some detail.  A black short sleeved silk dress, large
shirt collar, buttons down to narrow waist with a slender belt, the skirt
is above of the knee in one and half inch sharp pleats.

The coat Black wool, asymmetric double-breasted opening to the left four
buttons in two pairs, three quarter length sleeves, I would wear long
gloves. A big cowl collar.

Gil did a snap of the two with my notes... she sent it to Coral and
Raphaela.

Gil managed to get some work out of me... with the Weyerhaeuser project
deal complete everything was moving. Olaf, the Weyerhaeuser vice-president,
emailed that they would break ground in two days to clear the land and prep
the site.

I had seen the schedule, it is going to take a year to have the plant
online. It was something entirely new in the way of a process so Olaf said
please `be aware of an occasional stumble on the way' which I thought
funny.

We had spoken on the phone, he was interesting and `funny' so I expected
our collaboration to be good.

Georgia Pacific lawyers and ours were in the final stages of a similar
agreement. Their Lumberton, North Carolina location had what we
needed. Their technical folks had sent a very nice email saying the
methodology was novel and they thought they'd be able to make work at their
site.

They asked if there were any bars to collaborate with Weyerhaeuser which my
reply was `Please Do!'

So we were moving on both coasts!!

A brief talk with Cho... he was pleased about the newspaper sleeves
projects. The housekeeper at Moulin de Deauville sounded very happy to have
them overnight, she would be ready. Great!

It was going to be easy as the former owners were out of the house now.

Sleep... alone... Poo!

The day was grey and gloomy...

I decided on the black suit again! It was a killer look... perfect for
today. Black stockings and heels. Gold jewellery, `Joy' self-applied. The
black Mirabelle coat, Harcourt Racing Hermès scarf and black leather
gloves.

The car stopped outside the Tribune doors on Stetson Street. PJ and Ken
leading... Their security knew me... PJ said `Do Not Call Upstairs.' Ali
added that was a direct order from me... he got it!

I don't think he could have misunderstand my face.

Up in the lift... we exited the doors into the main corporate office
floor... people staring as we walked through the big open space heading to
the executive offices.

A woman we went by did a fist pump... I asked Ali to talk to her. Ali
peeled off from our group.

At the first section of the executives offices Francis went to Terrell's
office.

The receptionist was going to `announce' me... PJ stopped her, "Not today!"

Rick's secretary looked up as the I walked through the door... she was
stunned to see me... I knocked on the office door... `Come in' I
immediately thought he would rue those words.

Rick's face fell into his shoes... He stood up... I told him it was time
for him to go.

I said he was to take only personal things we could verify... all other
things would be assessed for who owns it and his property would be
delivered to his home later today.

He did try to explain... I waved him away... "Rick, what I wanted was
explicitly laid out... no discussion. You have five minutes!"

I turned to leave telling Tessa and Angie to examine what he chose to take
and keep him to the time limit. And escort him from the building. I added
to get his ID.

He whinged about getting home... he had been using a company hired
limousine... "Gil, give him a fifty dollars for a cab."

A grin on her face.

Out and to the left straight to Terrell's office... he was behind his desk
talking with Francis... Francis did not tell him I was in the
building... Terrell was to think it was a random visit they'd been told to
expect so my appearance was a shock.

I stood in front of his desk, "I want you to take the CEO position... Yes?"

A smile as he leaned over to take my hand... "Definitely!"

We moved to the chairs and sofa. I reviewed what I had told Rick right from
the start... his failure was not to follow my requirements.

"Terrell, I thought we made it clear we are willing to spend money to get
the Chicago Tribune back on its feet and get up a head of steam towards
being once again the best newspaper in the Middle-West just as the Daily
News is taking over New York."

I could see he wanted the challenge. "Call Donovan and Edison, get them up
here so we can talk."

He got up immediately... Done! He settled back in the chair.

"We'll all talk it over once again. Then I'm going down to the newsroom and
make sure those people get it too."

Terrell was smiling! Donovan and Edison were shocked to see me... They
sat... a look passed between them hearing Rick was gone.

Gil in the door with a smile. "Tessa and Angie are back from walking him
out."

I asked Terrell to have a good person go through Rick's office separating
what might be his property from company bits.

"Then you should review it yourself to be sure. I want to be fair to
him. Pictures of him can go... I'm sure there'll copies somewhere."

Terrell was nodding.

"Make a decision about his secretary... Fix up the office the way you want
and move in."

A smile from Terrill.

Ali came in, she leaned over to my ear... the woman out front knew of
Rick's refusal to hire more staff since she was in Human Resources. She
also remembered very clearly hearing you wanted more staff to build up the
coverage. She had hoped it would come back to bite Rick... his being fired
did surprise her when I said it."

I thanked Ali.

I went over what I wanted to happen here emphasizing that we spend money to
make money... there was no other way for the newspapers to recover from the
damage of the past corporate management.

I made the point that Francis was going to be watching the money, as our
confidante he was well aware of our ownership methods.

"If you want to know more call Royce or Aston or Marita... in fact I
encourage you to do so. We would like sharing between our newspapers. It is
fair to say Royce is a happy camper!"

Laughter which was good sounding.

Coffee! We walked to a nearby break room, the coffee was old. I was told
the best brew was always in the newsroom... Okay "Let's go!"

My cup of coffee in hand looking at all the faces gathered in the
newsroom...

"When Cho and I were here I was very explicit with Rick what I wanted to
happen... he failed at the first jump... He's out the door... " My hand out
to Terrell, "... Terrell knows and is happy to fulfil what I want... so we
go forward now."

I reached out to Donovan... "The reporter position for the down state
news... Done! The pay rises you wanted... done!"

I looked again at the faces... they wanted to trust me...

"The way forward is for me, Terrell and Donovan asking you all to work
hard, you will be treated as valued members of a great newspaper, we will
give you the tools to do your work and I think we now have the leadership
to get it going."

Cheers! I was smiling, "Now don't forget about that first item... If the
Tribune is to succeed it have to have your best efforts. If you need
something ask... Donovan and Edison will decide... no guarantees you'll get
the helicopter or the jet..." Loud laughing, "... But you can count on
getting the necessary tools or software, etc..."

"Now I know you are ALL hard-boiled newspeople... here's to you!"

I toasted them with my coffee. Lots of clapping, laughter, cheers and
raised coffee cups!

The past Tribune Corporation chairman had arrived. Last night Francis had
sent him a request to meet me here. We were keeping him on the board. The
board had been informed overnight as I flew west that I was making changes
this morning. The holdover board members did not leak that to anyone in
Chicago which made me feel better about my choices of the ones we kept.

The previous chairman was a local fellow. We sat in the publishers office
which was technically mine but I did not want to take on the role.

"Burton, you are a business man and a former newspaperman, I would like you
to be the publisher here... at least until we can find an appropriate
person to take the position. Will you?"

A smile, "Will I stay on the Board?"

"Of course. I don't see any conflict as either role is for the betterment
of the company."

"Good. I will do it while you search. I applaud your choosing Terrell. He's
always been a man with his eyes open. He'll do well leading the
corporation."

"And Rick?"

"I supposed you knew something about our relationship when you asked me to
stay on the Board... He was obsessed with profit without regard for the
future."

"I saw that but I did hope we could use his knowledge of the company and
get him to see beyond the next quarter. It was a hope... Now we don't have
to worry about making potential outcomes occur."

"Fay, Rick is a symptom of the decline of American business
leadership... caring about quarters... not the next five... ten
years. These `leaders' watch the stock market too much.

You and Cho seem to be free of that failing."

"We are wary of the people we choose to lead having a stake in the company
they manage until they are proven leaders... then yes. Eric at The Company
is a perfect example. Everything we look for in a business person Eric
has. We trust him. Allowing Rick to gain a significant position in the
company's stock wasn't healthy."

"The way you say that means to me you knew I opposed it. How did you know?"

Smiling, "Burton, Francis is a marvel at finding out things. It was our
motivating reason to keep you on the Board. So I do not want you going
anywhere."

I leaned forward with my fist out... he looked... laughed and bumped! More
laughter.

"Donovan and Edison are a good pairing. Their complimentary skills are
what's needed. They also understand my desires for the newspaper. So off we
go now in better shape!"

I told Burton about Rick's whinging about his trip home and my response.

"Damn... it isn't like he wasn't compensated well... cab fare for a ride
home?" Burton shaking his head.

I shrugged, "It certainly epitomises the man. Let's go down to the newsroom
and tell everybody. They've gotten a lot of good news this morning... more
sugar won't hurt them a bit!"

Smiling we went arm in to the lift. PJ grinning in with us. I introduced
them.

"Burton, PJ has been with me for three years. When we talk trust..." I
squeezed PJ's arm, "... this man has mine to the point of my life."

Burton shook PJ's hand, "Good to know someone who has Fay's best interests
always in mind and is close to her."

Smiles!

Donovan laughing when I asked if we could get the newsroom's attention
again... "Fay, they have a newspaper to get out..." He was laughing too
hard to say more.

The newsroom took my introducing Burton as the publisher for now with
cheers and applause. He shook a lot of hands.

I turned to Donovan, "Can these folks do without your leadership for an
hour or so? Lunch?"

He and Edison agreed to join Burton and my folks.

Gil had a booking for a large booth and tables at El Corazon Esmeralda on
N. Michigan Avenue just around the corner.

You could see going in it was a Mexican restaurant but without kitschy
trappings so many throw up to make you believe. The clothing on the staff
were clearly Mexican outfits, discreet and good looking. Quality shown.

A strawberry Margarita... tasty. There was terrific guacamole and salsa,
very good tortilla crisps to start. I choose the Huevos Ranchero.

"Gentlemen, a few things before the food arrives. To start... I'd like to
see some women in the upper levels of the corporation and newspaper... Ali,
Gil and I here by ourselves isn't good as we aren't local. I will not
dictate hiring rules unless it is necessary...

All their heads nodding. I sensed something... "Rick is gone! Do you want
to tell me anything about that subject?"

Burton looking at the three also... Terrill spoke up...

"Fay, there was an unofficial rule about hiring women... none in management
or reporters unless it was a female subject area." He motioned to Donovan
and Edison... "We all at one point or other tried to talk about it with
Rick. He was adamant."

"Sort was some sort of misogynistic thing?"

"Whatever was behind it he was stuck on it."

"Ah... So his not doing the new reporter slot and the pay rises was him
just saying he wasn't going to do what a woman wanted?"

Terrill shrugged, Donovan and Edison going along with him.

"I suppose I wasn't looking for it... I didn't sense that... a sociopath
hiding beneath the business suit."

I did a done and dusted hand motion...

"So other items... Two, if I am talking to you..." my hand gesturing around
a table of newspaper people, "... I am by default off the record. Three,
Cho and I have an iron rule about all the media we control... we do not
interfere with content including about ourselves. Say you have an item
about us... if you have the `facts,' indisputably... print it. Please do
not call to ask if you should go ahead.

I can say that because our dealings with our companies and staff are always
ethical, honest and fair. Rick is an example... what I expected was
clear... he failed.

If we know something of interest to your readers we may call or email
you... it is up to you to report it and publish. We are not reporters or
editors.

I do have one story you might do some work on... one of those that never
seem to go away... the victims of John Wayne Gacy." Eyes opening... "From
what I have seen..." my hands up, "... I don't know anything special... the
various police forces in and around the city have shown their feet of clay
so often... I just wondered if they might ever decide to actually help the
victims and the families."

Donovan was grinning, "Fay, the story has some real possibilities... A
number of people have been poking at it in the last seven years. Tom Dart,
the Cook County Sheriff, started something with the DNA project which has
identified several of the victims but he also has made significant errors
in public relations and fact which muddied the waters further."

Edison jumped in, "There are potential crime scenes that have not been
worked, the excuses for not doing so don't rise above the level silly and
stupid. The police have been embarrassed by this case from the beginning.

Gacy killed so many even though he had been identified quite early as a
suspect in more than a dozen cases. He `snowed' them with talk about his
political connections. More than half of his victims should be alive.

The bodies they handed to the parents were not necessarily those of their
son or were a mix of bones because of the unprofessional manner they were
removed from the crawl space. It is a heart-breaking case."

"Well... you guys decide what to do. It doesn't sound like the police will
help much..."

Edison laughed at that. "We may have some `inside' contacts on deep
background who are cops but thoroughly disgusted at their bosses... And
before anyone says it... we are wary. We will be careful."

The food was arriving!! Good aromas!! Mine was delicious! Lovely soft warm
corn tacos, fluffy rice, lots of queso fresco, more of that great
guacamole, good hot sauce, soft runny sunny side up eggs. I enjoyed
it. Everybody must be... the table was quiet. Smiling I looked around
Burton caught my eye with a grin.

Conversation picked up... I asked about the Springfield coverage, "It is
the Illinois state capital.. right?"

Donovan nodding said their `state' reporter had been doubling up with the
other parts of Illinois outside of Chicago...

"Now he can concentrate of the state government... the new reporter slot
will do the other parts... plus north-western Indiana."

He was going on when Gil pardoned herself for breaking in...

Gil looking at her iPhone...

"Fay, the Chinese government has released the autopsy of Ti... he died of a
ischemic stroke. A clot due to atherosclerosis was the cause. Turns out
Mr. Ti was a very heavy smoker with as the report says a poor diet heavy in
fatty foods. No drugs or injuries."

I looked at her... a shrug. I don't remember Ti being overweight at
all... I am pretty ignorant about a lot of health related things... I
suppose you don't have to be fat to have a lot of fat or other blockages in
your arteries...

I gave Gil a shrug back... a grin.

The men at the table had been quiet.

"Well Cho was wrong it seems... he expected Ti to have been killed by the
government. We both did. We met the Chinese ambassador in London... it was
mooted to him they Ti may have been `helped' to the other side... He was
adamant that President Xi would not have countenanced that. So..."

Another shrug, "Not that it matters much."

Terrell asked about our security... "They stopped the attack in Bangkok?"

"Indeed! The intruders were being watched long before they climbed the
fence to our compound. An ambush was in place very quickly. The Chinese
intruders are alive due to our people being the best trained in the world.

Careful, deliberate but capable of instant action."

I motioned to the two tables with my Protectors... "Those women and men are
the cream of the crop... they have saved me several times.

Lore, the head of Hillary Clinton's Secret Service detail, has met them and
seen how our Security Service works... she says they are undoubtedly the
best in the world.

We are building in the New Mexico desert a training ground for our people
to make them even better. That made Lore laugh... that they'd become even
better!

It is a company where we lose money every year gladly... even that is
beginning to change. You all will see some of our folks here... They will
come to do an assessment of the security in your offices and at the
printing plant. I am sure they will require changes of several sorts, some
maybe a bit annoying to start...

Once they have taken control the ultimate authority for the safety of the
people and buildings passes to them.

Each of you will have to take orders from them in an emergency.

They are so well trained and disciplined Cho and I trust them with our
children and our lives."

I leaned back smiling, "Here's an anecdote for you... when I'm walking our
dog Jaidee... I clean up after him... my Protectors are too busy doing
their work. It causes laughter as you might imagine."

They did laugh... it did paint an interesting mental image.

We talked about things specific to Chicago and the corporation. I told them
the New York Daily News was close to passing the New York Times in
circulation and also close to being profitable.

My companions were thrilled at what had happened in New York. Taking down
the New York Times? No one would have thought it possible. They were
congratulatory... Cho and I validating the premise that newspapers were
still relevant! They loved that naturally!!

"Their advertising revenues have climbed every month so the money we paid
out to get them going was well spent. That is the model for the Tribune as
it is for the Baltimore Sun and the other Tribune newspapers. We want your
work to be indispensable to the citizens of Chicago."

I pointed to the two west coast newspapers we built from the ground
up. Seattle's The Day having passed the long established Seattle Times was
making a profit... it would be some years before it paid us back for our
investment but it was on the road there. As were the others.

In Los Angeles... "As of yesterday The Day there was about ninety thousand
copies short of the Times. It has forged an entirely new readership, stolen
readers from the Times and has ad rates higher than the Times.

Every week they add pages to each issue fully paid by advertising!"

The men around the table had smiling faces and were very congratulatory. I
added that The Sun in London has taken over the top spot in the city from
the Daily Mail after years of decline.

Grinning and rubbing my hands in an exaggerated
manner... saying... `Money... Money... Money... makes the world go
around...' a la Sally Bowles. They all laughed!

"Cho and I firmly believe that daily printed newspapers have an important
role to play... speaking the truth to their readers.

You have seen what the Peabody people think of our efforts... so go out and
win a few!"

They were all smiles with some clapping.

The owner of El Corazon Esmeralda came to the table... one of the servers
sussed me out. He hoped everything was good for us. He was honoured to have
me visit.

I told him his food was delicious and the service was excellent. He went
away a happy man.

My lunch companions smiling as we walked back to the Tribune
Building. Edison got a local news person who had done some work on Gacy to
meet with me. Grady, a thirty five year old native Chicagoan, was sure that
the several times the ground had been scanned in one location with multiple
hits meant there was something there if the cops would just dig in the
correct places.

What bothered many people was the appearance of deliberately avoiding doing
a good look.

He also said the cops had drilled some core samples... they were what the
supposed `best cadaver dogs' in the world had sniffed looking for
bodies... nothing else... which not a recognized method of determining if a
body is present.  Grady smiled as he said it was a shit show.

Edison tasked him with working it... `go slow and steady, use your sources'
were the instructions from Edison. We shook hands.

My folks were rounded up and off to Midway Airport. We were in the air
quickly. Stephanie said under eight hours as we were getting some tailwinds
and a fast route to the Atlantic from air traffic controllers.

Cho and I talked... he was in bed... his face on the Conference App was a
big smile, "You got it done right! Making the extra points was good so they
know you pay attention to lots of things. Also a lesson from you allowing
Rick to hang himself. You made the effort... he wasn't up to it. The
Tribune people will remember that."

They were at the Moulin de Deauville farm. It was beautiful, in superb
condition. Crawford2's report was the four horses are in fine shape with
complete health histories.

"So buying them is great! The four are handsome and appear to be happy
being around each other.

The staff is making over the Twins big time!"

"Don't let them spoil the Twins any more than we do!"

Cho laughing, "I'm not sure that is possible."

He got phffft from me which made him roar with laughter.

I said I'm off to bed too. "Kiss the babies for me!"

Cho said I was coming along as a businessperson... no doubt about
it. Another phffft was delivered to much laughing and love shared across
the miles.

Lil had breakfast ready! Eggs over easy, toast, veggie sausages! Lots of
strawberry preserves!! Gil came in then Ali and Francis. The Protectors
too! Chelle had gone with Cho to France so we will all be back together in
less than an hour.

The countryside of Normandy sliding by the car window... early
spring... budding trees. We saw two Belgians hooked to a big plough working
on a slope. I liked that! We had to slow down for an intersection so was
able to see them striding along... Damn they were handsome.

I nudged Gil. A smile on her face. "Fay, it's like a hundred years ago."

Indeed! I asked the driver if we could stop for a moment... I stepped
out... I waved to the farmer calling out "Ils sont beaux!" ("They are
beautiful!")

A smile as he returned the wave, "Merci beaucoup! Ce sont des travailleurs
acharnés!"  ("They are very hard workers!")

Another wave then we went on.

Cho was at the front door. Into his arms... KISS! Inside the Twins came
running... "Mama!" From them. Hugs and kisses!! A big hug from Sunny! Gil
got the same from Chelle. Tha and Delphine smiling as we held hands.

I got a tour of the main house. Upstairs... I loved the curved stone
stairs! In our suite Cho held me close for another kiss... much more in
this one!!!

My riding things on the bed. Yea! A quick change... it would have faster
without Cho playing with my parts! Gil came out into the passage in her
riding clothes with a smile. We walked down... Sunny and Gaby dressed to
ride.

I met Guillaume at the stables. His eyes... my clothes.

"Comtesse... I think your outfit is wonderful!" He said it in English,
fairly good too.

I did a bow which made him laugh.

I said motioning with my arm around the stable entrance, `This all looks
very good! I like the stone!' Pointing the four horses... `Which is my
horse' all in French.

"Comtesse... you are like a Frenchwoman... Splendid."

I let him know all our staff and family spoke French.

"I saddled Thierry for you. He is the one that is the most powerful and
sometimes a handful. Monsieur Cho said you asked for him and you are an
experienced rider. I can say if you ride him hard he will love you
forever!"

I smiled at that. "Then Thierry is going to be my friend."

A leg up on black stallion. Gil on a grey, two browns for Sunny and
Gaby. Gil had a map. A quick scan.

We started in a large paddock... I got the feel of Thierry's moves... the
gate was open I turned him through it onto a dirt track... I
asked... Thierry responded with a surge of power. We raced down a
straight... quickly into the turn... he stayed at speed where I wanted him.

We came out of the turn down the straight... The quick look at the map had
shown me if we went to the end on the straight we could cross in front of
the house to the grass track beyond. It was longer... a mile... over a
kilometre and a half.

My fellow riders were back a ways but they could easily follow. Thierry and
I galloped around the house across the drive to a hedge lined road then it
opened to the track! I asked him for more... He had it! We wound the big
oval very fast... I slowed him in the second turn which was closest to the
house. I turned him to go back to the stables...

Gil, Sunny and Gaby caught up finally. Wild smiling faces!

"Fay, that was amazing!" Sunny loved watching me ride `a fou!'

It had been. "I guess we know Thierry loves to run!"

I was rubbing his neck. His head bobbing with a loud whinny!!

Okay! He's my guy!

We walked back to the stables... I could hear Chani and Charlie calling
out, "Mama!"

They were running across the grass to the stables with Delphine.

Guillaume was wide-eyed... "Comtesse, I haven't seen riding like that for
many years." He took Thierry's reins as I slipped down.

I stroked that magnificent head.

"You enjoyed yourself?"

Several loud nickers and a head bob.

"Ah Comtesse, you have the way! Thierry will be content knowing you will be
part of his life."

The babies arrived... I introduced the Twins to Guillaume and the grooms.

They shook hands with Guillaume. A half dozen of the stable staff were
there. I shook their hands.

The Twins got in on that! The staff marvelling at the Twins.

The grooms and other staff all knew we wanted them to go to Harcourt House
for a short while. They seemed intrigued by the idea of an England
trip. None had ever been across the Channel!

To them in French, I said, "Our Security will be adding equipment and some
new gates... We need to have these things because of our being public
figures. We will try not to make things difficult for you.

It is necessary.

The people doing these changes are trusted by us to protect our children
and ourselves."

I motioned with my arm around in a sweep, "We know this farm trained racing
horses in the past... now you will again. We will be part of the Hippodrome
de Deauville season and other tracks across France. The equestrian parts
will be fixed up and very active also. We will hire more staff."

All good news for them!

"I hope you all will be happy here with all the new things happening."

Smiles and nods.

Introduced my niece Sunny, Gil as my assistant and Gaby as one of our
personal security team as ladies who would often ride with me. I mentioned
Gaby was from the Dordogne. The men liked that.

I asked Guillaume to look around for a pony, quiet and happy, for our
babies. A big smile, he would be glad to!

Clapping from Charlie and Chani!

In French, "Thank you Mama... and thank you Guillaume."

He looked quite touched for that from the babies.

I detoured our walk back to the pond, a little boat house and pier. Three
punts and miscellaneous swimming gear and toys in the little house. Charlie
was looking at everything in anticipation of a warm summer's day!

We went through the formal garden, well maintained, trimmed shrubbery and
flower beds. A peek at the tennis court... Gaby asked if I play?

Smiling, I said I don't do things with balls or sticks.

Gil laughing, "Fay is known to be ` stick and ball' adverse except for
being with Jaidee. I'll check on racquets and balls... so when we're here
we can hit a few if you were inclined..." to Gaby. A grin!

I thought Jaidee will love this place... loads of places to have fun
snooping.

Inside via the kitchen, the staff surprised. I said don't mind us... a
quick look around then to the Breakfast Room. Cho with coffee in an arm
chair by the large fireplace.

Kiss!

"I saw you roaring by... quite the show."

Another kiss, "That was the restive one... Thierry. He's going to be a pal
because he loves to run!"

Gil, Sunny and Gaby all said their horses were good just not in Thierry's
league.

We stayed until late afternoon then three AW139's landed on the marked grid
across the road from the main house... fortunately well away from the
stables. Loaded up... it was hardly more than half an hour's flight to
Harcourt House.

Charlie and Chani `released' from their travel seats charged across the
Forecourt to a waiting Carter.

Hugs for him. A fist bump for Carter by me, a big smile on him.

In the Great Room by the fire after the Twins had gone up Cho and I talked
about a lot of things... Chicago, the election, in Fauquier County land
where the teenager Jason shot the raccoon included.

That piece of triangular land where Jason had been hunting was owned by the
county. They agreed to sell it to us. We let them know it will not change
except it will be in our security zone. Gilbert explained to them what that
meant.

Jason was working for us now... part-time until the summer then
fulltime. He had another year of school. Daniel liked the young man, he was
willing to work and seemed very pleased to be with us.

Jason asked if could bring his mother over to meet everyone... That got a
big YES from Daniel.

This is an excellent outcome. We made our pleasure known to Gilbert and
Daniel!

New shelters in Los Angeles were purchased. In Inglewood, it was on
Manchester Boulevard not far from Inglewood High School, city hall, police
headquarters, shopping and more. Public transport right out the door.

It was a motel, two floors with a restaurant attached. A hundred rooms,
several meeting rooms and a good sized office. We could secure it fairly
easily which added to its attraction.

The restaurant was profitable so we would leave it going, expand it for the
shelter's needs.

It needed work including roof repairs but overall it was in good
shape. Merging several rooms for a clinic was an obvious thing. The laundry
would be enlarged and several washing machines and dryers installed for
guests.

The pool was fenced already and had a very nice palm shaded patio.

Rema was to be the manager, she has a Master's degree in Social Work, a
single mom to two teenage girls. Both girls went to Inglewood High School
already so their moving into the shelter wasn't a problem... they could
walk to school.

In Santa Monica, Avery was the manager. A gay black man who'd been on the
street when he was young... a veteran of life's many ways to screw with
you... he had those valuable insights to share. Astara told me Avery had no
important `paper' degrees... he'd graduated with a degree in `life.'

She said he's articulate, well-read and has an even temperament plus enjoys
the energy kids bring to everything!

The new shelter was just off Lincoln Boulevard not far from Pico
Boulevard. Lots of shopping and attractions in the area, on multiple bus
routes and a ten minute walk to the beach!

It was also an old motel, this one in a `U-shape.' The offices and
restaurant on the ground floor at the bottom of the `U' fronting the road,
the meeting rooms on the first floor above them. Eighty eight rooms, a
couple would become laundry rooms, computer laboratory, the library and
quiet space. A clinic would be in one of the meeting rooms. A pool in the
centre of the garden surrounded by the building's wings.

Camilla's report said they could secure the locations with little trouble
and she was hiring to be able to cover these new locations.

The SolarToGo Iranian deal was a happening thing!! A trip to Tehran for
some signing of documents and meeting the folks whose other government
ministries were part of the project.

Taj would host the meetings at the Energy Ministry since his department was
most involved. A return visit to the Doosti Restaurant was suggested and I
heartily agreed!

I had emailed General Soleimani about a tour of the Iranian Garden
flowers. He responded saying he be delighted to escort me.

After the election campaign, Todd, Baron Ducovney's meeting about solar
power for Parliament members was set for St. John's Smith. It had to be in
the Crypt of St. John's Smith because so many had `signed' up!!
Question... how many will be back in the new Parliament?

Cho laughing about my getting roped into that... I jumped on him... we
wrestled on a settee laughing our heads off. It touched off after he had
previously commented on my giving a speech to the Armed Forces Society
dinner.

"Fay, I'm glad you're getting lots of practise for the Nobel speech!!"

My new public `persona!'

I lay over him... kissing!!

We had an invite to a Royal Thai embassy party for Songkran New Year
celebration. It was black-Tie but with dancing! Tanawat, the new Thai
ambassador to the Court of St. James's was holding the party. Cho knew him,
liked him... so we agreed to go.

Another brick from the wall... said to more laughing.

I was rubbing Pamela's neck, soft nickers. Tiny Penelope leaning against
me... `dad' Roland was being cooled down after a wondrous ride from
Sandford. If only every morning could be like this. A nose kiss for
Penelope, a hug for her `mom!'

Secret Sea and Secret Royal in a paddock, the small nose through the fence
being rubbed by his handsome sire. Asda looking magnificent giving his son
some love. Damn! The amazing bloodlines mixed in that young colt... you
don't ever know if they have `IT' until they run for the first time... this
little fellow had everything needed to be one of the greatest champions.

Ronnie beside me, "Fay, it is so amazing to see these three."

I nudged her, "So the tears in the `chariot to the stars' all forgotten?"

A smile, "Yes! Seeing Secret Sea happy with her first baby... that's just
so warming for my heart."

"I hear you've been spending a lot of time at EFT..."

Ronnie smiling, "Those horses are so lovely... contented to be somewhere
they are treated well and free to roam about... making friends."

"No other reason?"

She was blushing... her cheeks a beautiful pale rose colour.

"We like Cormac too! He knows horses and enjoys seeing them have a safe
restful place to live."

The colour in her cheeks had dimmed a bit.

"Fay... He's a really lovely fellow. We talk about all sorts... Oh, I'm
starting to talk English."

We laughed, a hug.

"Cormac is a smart man who is in a good place for him... We hope other
things will keep his interest... a few plans in the works."

Ronnie looking at Secret Royal now bouncing around the grass... "Fay, we
like each other... it's a slow romance which might heat up... is it a
problem?"

"NO! Follow your heart... besides all that biking back and forth is good
for your legs."

That brought out giggles.

In the Breakfast Room my son threw his arms open for a hug! One for his
sister too! Cho got a kiss. Me to the food!

Tha and Delphine rounded up the kids! Lessons, their daily visit to Iris, a
pirating trip on the Rêve if it is not raining too much. A good day!

Cho parked in the Office doing several Conference App meetings. First one I
was part of with the City Investment Bank folks. It was on the new stock
issue for SolarToGo. A common stock secondary non-voting level where
shareholders would benefit from the company's success trusting in the
management as they would have no voice in business decisions.

They all felt it would sell quickly... the sales date was a week away from
today after the press announcement about the Iranian deal. Taj and I agreed
on a press conference in Tehran and here tomorrow.

I kissed Cho when it was over.

Gil and I sat in the Library. I reviewed my speech for tonight, a few minor
changes. Gil thought it was good... it hit my important points hard.

I wouldn't have to dress up much... it wasn't formal. I choose the black
ribbed Hugo Boss frock, snug to my bits. Gil had it all ready.

We loaded up with Kellen... she had us descending to Wandsworth in fifteen
minutes. Clough at Cowley House, a smile. My things for later upstairs.

Lunch then I had time with Clough on bits about the house and staff. He was
happy, enough staff to get the house taken care of and to arrange holidays
for everybody. If we hired more there were some rooms upstairs for them.

He got that once Parliament was in full swing I'd be back with my luncheons
and evening visitors.

I took Gil, Tessa and Gaby with me to Millbank House.

Sage smiling, "Your Ladyship."

A hug, "Remember in here I'm Fay..."

"Yes Ma'am... you know..."

I shrugged... she smiled more.

Sage had things for me even though the Commons was in flux the Lords
carried on. No legislation moving but plenty to occupy one's time. I did
several hours and took some with me back to Cowley House.

Some more time on those bits with Gil.

We talked about miscellaneous things over dinner.

Time to get going!

The Hugo Boss frock had a square bodice and back, small cap sleeves which I
placed at the end of my shoulders, a bit of skin was Okay. It was snug to a
few inches below my knee. The fabric was wide, soft ribbing! Snug but I
could move easily. Black stilettos, black stockings, silver jewellery,
`Joy'

The big Mirabelle coat, the French tricolour flag Hermès scarf and black
leather gloves.

Prasert was driving! He, Ellie and Kas were in town for a few days to visit
friends so he was being good to drive me. PJ and Tara with me, Gil got to
stay home and chill. The event was being held at Ranelagh Gardens,
Fulham. The Hurlingham Club, a large venue for seven hundred or more
guests.

Prasert pulled up in front, no problems since everybody was already inside
at dinner. A gentleman from the club met me in the lobby.

"Your Ladyship, welcome. I will escort you to the head table."

I thanked him as a fellow took my coat and other things. Gil had called
ahead to tell them to be prepared for my Protectors. The club fellow said
they had chairs in place them in the corners of the dais. Another thank
you.

He led us into what was called the Palm Court and Orangery, the arched
glass ceiling was lit in navy blue. We approached the first tables... then
the room opened to a very large space which was filled!

My... there were a lot of people. It seemed like acres of them.

We went down an aisle between rows of round tables... The guests were
eating, orchestral music playing... we began to be noticed... heads
turning. My guide brought me to the steps of the dais... The men at the
head table stood in greeting. I said hellos and asked them to please
continue their dinners.

The Armed Forces Society head, an elderly colonel if I got the rank
correct, pulled out a chair beside him. I thanked the club man again. He
bowed.

The colonel, I was right, wasn't an old duffer thankfully.

"Your Ladyship, some wine..." which I said yes to. A good dry white, crisp.

"Ma'am, you have met my older brother, Terrance at the Lords. He speaks
very highly of you and was the primary inspiration for your being
considered... We were already interested in having you after your speaking
in the Lords but Terrance was convincing."

"Is Terrance here tonight?"

"Indeed! He's off to the right several tables over."

After a short period the colonel stood up to the podium.

"Ladies... Gentlemen, the main speaker for this evening is a member of the
House of Lords and has taken the lead in bringing attention to the
long-standing issue of military spending by the government. Although only a
short time in the Lords she has made a considerable name for herself.

She is an international businesswoman, co-owner of a very successful racing
establishment, chairwoman of the Chanthira Foundation, a large and
important world-wide charity, Co-Chairman of the 21st Century Fox
Corporation, she is also the Managing Director of the NewsGroup, an
Anglo-American newspaper corporation and I am sure there is much more...

Please welcome Her Ladyship, the Countess Harcourt!"

He started to applaud... a big smile! The guests were applauding then some
stood up which I thought premature...

A fellow behind me drew the chair away thankfully. I shook hands with the
colonel and moved to the podium.

I moved the microphone up a bit and smiled into the many lights.

I thanked them for the warm welcome saying I hope to you feel the same at
the end which brought laughs.

"First I'd liked to give you some family history from one side... the
Munros. In the Great War... my great grandfather commanded a Scots regiment
for several years in the mud and blasted trench landscape of
France. Although wounded twice... he survived to come back to my great
grandmother and give my grandfather his stories of the war. He said to his
son he hoped he wouldn't have to ever go through what he had.

A forlorn hope!

My Munro grandfather served in the Seventh Armoured Division in the Western
Desert for a year and half before being posted to the War Department
planning section. He fought the Italians and Germans in the desert at the
head of armoured battalion... finding them to be decent but tough.

My father who was a Martin was in the Royal Artillery for many years
commanding a battalion then he moved to MI6. He took my mother, a Munro,
with him into the Service! They were a team in many foreign postings for
over twenty years.

>Applause<

I have not worn a uniform... I will try to do my bit as best as I can in
the House of Lords.

>Polite applause<

Which brings us to the Defence Bill... It has been the fault of successive
governments that the regular armed forces were starved for funds to
maintain themselves as a modern and well equipped military force. Out of
date weapons or too few of those that are modern... Not enough ships to
support the new aircraft carriers... Airplanes that need much more time in
maintenance than they are in the air... Armoured vehicles that breakdown
too frequently... None of these things are hidden from the active serving
men and women.

>Louder clapping<

Failing to address these needs sends a message to soldiers, sailors, air
men and women our country wants them to serve but won't support them
properly.

>Rising applause and noise<

My husband Cho and I have certain hard and fast rules for the companies we
operate...

the people who do the work should be paid well and provided with the
appropriate care...

>APPLAUSE<

They need to be given the best tools necessary to do the jobs we require
them to perform...

>APPLAUSE<

And given the finest leadership we can find.

Our armed services are lacking all three...

the leadership at the top levels of the Ministry of Defence is lamentable.

>APPLAUSE<

Cheating and lying about money spent on the Trident submarines is clearly
shameful behaviour that is damaging to the nation. Moreover it is a
flagrant abuse of power!"

>Sustained applause<

"Members have said if the government needed money for the Tridents a
supplemental funding bill would have passed without a problem. So it was
done in secrecy... sneaking around like schoolboys doing a dirty deed.

>APPLAUSE<

I went on about dividing the Defence Bill into three separate bills so each
would receive proper financing. Pointing out as each bill was scrutinised
and debated they'd receive the sort in depth treatment they should. Nothing
going under the radar.

I gave a brief overview of the budgeting procedures in Parliament and how
the various services then used the monies.

I made points about the process needed to take in our strategic position
and where we have made commitments around the world. The global realities
are such that to project power you have to have `reach' which we did not
have now.

"I'm sure it is known to many of you..." My arm motioning across the room,
"... that in Afghanistan our forces needed to have U.S. Army helicopters to
move any significant number of troops around even for the shortest
distances.

If we can't lift our own we have created a dependency which is not healthy
for the Armed Forces."

>Applause<

The one item that was new to this... I stayed with the language agreed to
by Hillary Clinton and myself.

"As part of an appreciation of the total world situation and our role in it
we have to consider if we need to have a nuclear deterrent like the Trident
submarine fleet. As it stands now we have one nuclear missile armed sub at
sea at a time. Sixteen missiles with multiple warheads... for that we pay
billions of £'s per year. Oh yes... I've read the MOD information and
the budget numbers but they are designed to obscure the reality.

Trident has been over budget since its inception. Fiddling with the money
from other parts of the Defence Bill appropriations demeans the entire
process. We might as well hand the chequebook over to unelected
individuals!"

>SUSTAINED APPLAUSE<

"Perhaps we should determine if the Trident submarines are worth the
effort... maybe it's time to not have our own `deterrent?"

>Some applause<

"What if we phased out the Trident subs as they reach their end of life? We
have been living under the Nuclear Umbrella of the United States since
1945.

If someone attacks us there will be the terror of a full American
retaliatory response and the end of life for so many. Our few missiles
won't matter. America will have destroyed everything of value in our
enemy's country and likely far beyond.

>QUIET<

See... talking about the doom of civilization makes everybody quiet. If we
can move to being without nuclear weapons maybe others can too?

It is time for all nuclear nations to step back and consider... do they
need to destroy the planet? Do they need to have such overwhelming force?
All the self-fulfilling prophecies of nuclear weaponry hasn't made us any
safer.

What we stand for as a nation has nothing to do whether we have the Bomb or
not, it never has.

>Applause<

Let's give our armed forces the tools they need of the highest quality and
in abundance to do their jobs!!

>LOUD APPLAUSE<

Let's pay them what they deserve!

>Loud Applause<

The United Kingdom is a nation of laws and Parliamentary democracy with
good and decent people. We have sacrificed many times for the greater good
of the world as have our friends and allies... to leave for the future a
world where they might not have to fight wars...

That hasn't worked out but we keep trying.

>LOUD Applause<

If we need to fight then we do... two world wars showed we don't rush into
war but when we are IN... We fight for King and Country with all our heart.

We wouldn't be the same if we didn't."

>LOUD SUSTAINED APPLAUSE<

>CHEERS<

I was blown back a bit by how they seemed to jump up applauding.

The colonel had my hand, "Damned if you aren't the one!"

Some others on the dais shook my hand, my cheeks kissed.

As the guests calmed down I stepped back to the microphone...

"We have an important election coming... we can choose the party of
neglect, do-nothing and frankly...  incompetence...

Or we can make changes.

No political party is perfect... you have to accept their faults in a
personal thinking process to choose which you believe can actually lead our
country forward...

No matter your choice please go out and vote. It is your right and duty to
do so.

Thank you for inviting me and hearing me out." I waved my arm.

More APPLAUSE and CHEERS! Then they all stood up again! The clapping in
that room near to deafening.

I shook hands around the dais. At the steps I waved to the crowd... PJ and
Tara moved close.

The club fellow was at the steps, he was to lead us back through to the
front.

I got him to detour to the right. Terrance standing there hands out. Cheeks
kissed and a firm handshake. I was introduced to his wife, Melody. Cheeks
kissed. Terrance said he'd call me.

A thumbs up from me as our club man led us away.

The applause continued...

I shook some hands on the way out... like a politician... a few standing in
groups... I worked my way through. I did turn to wave... receiving hands
waving back, more applause and cheers.

A club fellow helped me with my coat... At the door my escort said it was a
terrific speech. I thanked him as he held the car door. Prasert away!

PJ sitting there with a shit-eating grin.

I did a two hand wave of `come on.'

He laughed, "Fay, you are getting very good at these things. Stump
speeches, gatherings of old military types, the House of Lords... It is a
light year from that balcony."

A fist bump! Tara grinning just as much as PJ.

She laughed, her finger pointing to PJ, "It's what he said!"

We were all laughing.

Prasert took us to Wandsworth after picking up Gil. I thanked him for the
lift. He grinned. Fist bump over the seat back. He was showing Kas how to
fist bump!

Cho and Carter at the Harcourt House doors... A big hug for my guy, fist
bump for Carter!!

I went up to look in at the Twins... sound asleep. Tha smiling, softly,
"They had a big full day."

Hugs!

In jeans and a big jumper on a settee with an Amaretto and espresso. Cho
with his cute grin, "So tell."

I gave him the story of my night. The finale had me gathered up in strong
arms for a big hug.

"You wowed them! What a nice success."

The cute grin there again, "So this means you get to do the Nobel speech!"

We laughed!! There were we thought more deserving candidates.

Dark bedroom, cool sheets, a warm husband... sleep.

I walked into the lamplight at the Stables... Roland nickered. I stroked
his neck, "Yes... another run!"

Andy got a scone and an empty coffee cup. I got a knee up. Tessa smiling on
Con. Gaby came close on Max. Okay!

A woof from Jaidee as he and Thames went off down a stable row.

We rode down the lane across the flats and up the slope. It was a smashing
gallop to the lock. My friends there, waves, `good mornings' all around.

Over the river we rode to Barton Lane. A look at the property we planned to
give to the Iman Khan's congregation for their masjid. They'd need enough
space for a car park too.

We turned for the path to the underpass, north through the trees. A wave to
Terry as he moved the freshly milked cows out to the pasture.

Jerrold at his car door got a `good morning' as we rode past. A smile and a
wave. We went down the lane to the boatyard. Dennis had a big smile. He
stepped close.

"Your Ladyship, May is expecting... another little one!"

 I leaned down to shake his hand, "Wonderful! How is May?"

"We were at the doctor's yesterday! May is in fine shape... the doc was
pleased to be able to confirm our suspicions."

"Tell her we're happy for you both."

He would.

We rode north on the Thames Path until we were opposite the Fraser's then
over to the track through the woods... we walked by the yurts. Three cars
and a transit van parked. A quick stop in at the Recording Studio.

Celeste at the desk, she was the early one. I was glad I didn't `frighten'
her anymore. I got a big smile... Tab would be in at nine. The smile seemed
like it was going to stay... I'd ask Tab... Celeste was happy? A good
thing.

Next door Lotte grinned when I asked about Celeste... "She's got a fella
that is very nice, they are great together."

My look encouraged her. `It's Yone the security guy' which did surprise me.
He was a quiet one about this. Tessa and Gaby both grinning! Okay!

Across the lock, the lock man waving from the far end. He got three back.

Mr. Hardy was out so Roland nickered. We approached the grass... I could
feel his excitement!

I asked... Roland provided! A glorious run along the river... we didn't
pause until the Flats. Tessa and Gaby joined me walking our horses.

"Fay, Yone and Celeste? Everyone likes Yone... he's a good boss."

I said it was an interesting pairing, I hoped it was good for them.

The Breakfast Room had two happy babies, a nurse, a teacher and
husband... a niece flying out as I was trying to go in.

"Fay, I'm late!"

She was gone.

Kisses for my three and food for me. Cho's smile when I told him about Yone
and Celeste.

"Good! Everyone should `have somebody to love.' And no I'm not going to
sing."

We laughed. Chani asked why no singing... Popa said because he had a
terrible singing voice. I could see on her face that wasn't the end of
it. After the Twins went up I told Cho about Chani's face...

"She will try to find a way to get you to sing... bet on it!"

Cho kissed me, "If she can... Okay."

Cho and I were climbing into the AW139... Kellen lifted us up and away. A
straight line to Wandsworth. Allyn and Rae there with cars... onto The
Company's offices in Notting Hill Gate.

There was a Security woman at the door because of all the guests, she had a
smile. I squeezed her hand as we passed.

We had a press conference set for the canteen, the biggest open space. The
big screen was on... linked to Tehran.  The local news folks out in front
of us facing the screen. It was time... eleven here... fourteen thirty in
Tehran. Cameras all working.

Achmed here with us to do the translation for this room's occupants rather
than me.

Taj's top assistant, Maisil came on the screen at a podium with the Energy
Ministry crest. He was to introduce Taj.

Our news crowd here had been given briefing papers with information on the
principal people involved in both countries and the general information
about SolarToGo.

Sterling, an Under Secretary at the Department of Energy and Climate Change
was with us and a few of his staffers.

Taj on the screen... we exchanged greetings... he introduced several other
ministers whose departments were part of the project. I did Sterling and
Cho.

Taj led with the news of SolarToGo's contracts with the Iranian government,
what we would do... what they would do and where it would happen, a
location in southern Tehran and a secondary one in Isfahan.

My part was to explain what we were making, how much we expected to build,
the new manufacturing plants in Iran, some about the financing.

Taj had the projected employment numbers for Iran and data on local Iranian
companies who were participating.

I followed with what parts were to be made by SolarToGo and shipped to
Iran. And that we had a new research and development location in London and
enlarged manufacturing facility in Dartford that was complimented by
locations in Los Angeles and Bangkok. The plant in Bangkok would supply the
most to the Iranian manufacturing locations.

We did questions... it started a bit awkwardly given the translations but
we got a rhythm going... I answered at our end, Taj at his. The Farsi
translated and the reverse for English. We managed it for thirty minutes
then said we needed to end. Taj agreed with me that written questions would
accepted and answered.

If the news people left their email we would broadcast the questions and
answers. We ended with thank yous to all the journalists. Cho and I waved
to Taj. He smiling returning the wave.

We were out. Sterling was pleased... he didn't have to speak much... a grin
for that and our successful dealings with the Iranians.

"Your Ladyship, you and Taj seem to be on the best terms."

"We are... he wants good things for Iran and we for the UK. Self-interest
works for us both."

We shook hands. Eric came up behind us, he was introduced to Sterling.

Sterling to Eric, "The Company has become a multi-billion £ export
powerhouse... an amazing performance! We would like to have you and some of
your people over to the Ministry to give a talk to staff... Could that be
possible?"

Eric said it could as long as they had enough lead time on what the topic
would be. Sterling said that won't be a problem... "As an idea... maybe
your methods in dealing foreign companies and governments."

Eric said they could do that.

More handshakes. My arm around Eric's waist... Cho joined in on my right.

Eric leaned close, "You know SolarToGo is going to move to a totally new
level of public awareness... So be prepared for a further rise in
attention."

Cho smiling said preliminary contacts for the stock issue show interest as
high as for any company in the past thirty years. "It will sell-out in less
than a day far above the asking price. The trading after the first sales
are complete could be very interesting."

We did a lunch for family, Jian, Ting, Andrea, Catherine and Caroline at
Cowley House. Hugs and kisses.

Holding my buddy close, "We don't get to do this enough."

Jian agreed, "You keep me too busy." We laughed.

I sat on a settee with Caroline... this was a happy girl... like the Twins
she was having a wonderful upbringing by loving adults. Ting was dad, she
had two moms and an aunt... all being parents. She was thrilled to soon
have brothers or sisters.

"Aunt Fay, I have my own room and the babies get to be together." She
clapped her hands.

We had a delicious lunch from Mrs. Travers. There was strawberry trifle at
the end. Caroline grinning as she scooped out the last of it. A big rub of
her tummy with a contented smiling face.

We gave everyone love before flying back to Harcourt House.

Our babies in the Great Room came running as our coats were taken. I
scooped up my son for a hug and kiss. Cho holding Chani... we did a group
hug!

No rain so the Twins and Jaidee were going out to the Rêve! Cho and I in
the Office where we could see their having fun.

We talked about quite a few topics. I had several days of electioneering
coming... the election was coming down to the last week. I had ten visits
in these last days... then an assessment of where to spend my final
efforts.

A rollicking sunrise ride with Roland ended on the Flats. Cooldown was a
walk around the dressage and jumping arenas with part of the cross-country
course.

Charlotte was down now waiting for Sunny... walking her horse beside me.

Charlotte said Sunny was working hard to be ready for Badminton. The
competition would be at a level she had not yet seen... international and
national champions with the finest horses... very tough! The
Gloucestershire event had a very high level but not like Badminton.

"Fay, all that competition doesn't seem to faze her. I think it comes down
to something Cho told her about competing as in golf... she had to remember
all the time she was competing against the course not her opponents. She
had to keep her mind on that!"

A huge internal smile for Cho... `focus on your task' was his mantra!

Fist bump with Charlotte!

Today was a catch up day for me before more trips to support candidates in
across the country.

Gil, Ali and I in the Library, Fin was acclaimed a hero when brought in a
coffee and treats tray. Gil and Ali both hugged him. He was laughing as he
walked out.

Cho was going to New Orleans for Samir's run in the Louisiana Derby at the
Fairgrounds then onto California for racing at Santa Anita. Rando, Hansa
and Kaao were running in three races. A few days later Toes Tapping was
entered in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.

The first week of April would also be very busy on tracks in America.

We discussed the Twins going with him in April while I had to be here for
the new Parliament and a business trip to Tehran, Hanoi and Bangkok before
coming back to Oxfordshire.

Finally! The fourth straight day of campaigning and my last!

I was tired. So many stops across the country.

Damn I wanted Cho to be back!

The west coast race results were unbelievable!!! A million dollars in the
combined winnings!

Hansa blew the field away in the Santa Margarita Stakes, a ten length win!

Rando set a new track record for twelve furlongs in winning the San Luis
Rey Stakes. He showed he hadn't lost a step in turning four years old.

Kaao owns the seven furlong record time for Santa Anita Park, he destroyed
the field in the Santa Monica Stakes.

Toes Tapping was in the Florida Derby in less than a week, Monaco's reports
on her training left little doubt she was ready!

Stellar Black's next is the Wood memorial at Aqueduct! James emailed he was
wired, ready to roll! A mile breeze at the Belmont was an eye-popping
1:34.50! As Charles Hatton used to say... `the trees swayed!' Oh yes he was
ready!

After my morning ride and breakfast the AW139 lifted me, Gil, Chelle, Tara,
Angie, Gaby and Ken northeast to Newcastle for two stops then Sunderland
for a big one with a Labour candidate trying to flip a long time tory seat
and finally Driffield. We landed in a grassy space off a football ground
just at four o'clock. We had walk about two hundred and fifty feet... wet
grass. Mist coming down or sometimes going sideways!

I got prepared this morning... Kentucky Heat bits top and bottom, grey wool
trousers, white cotton long-sleeved shirt under a heavy cable knit red
jumper, gold jewellery, `Joy' Black Doc Marten's on my feet!

The black leather car coat, black Hermès scarf and leather gloves. A
black baseball cap with the silver Apple on the front and Harcourt Racing
on the side.

Chelle moved to the side to get video, Angie went with her.

One of Fred's folks greeted us. There was a dais in front of the grandstand
so the crowd was under its roof... we were outside... there were quite a
few people around the sides, the stand was full. A big turnout!

The constituency chairman got things started... then Fred spoke about how
Labour wanted to make changes but not to the point of going overboard. They
wanted common sense returned to government.

"Things have been badly managed by the tories. They have grown fat after so
many years in power they no longer pay attention to the needs of the
people... not even their own."

I was introduced to a few cheers, catcalls and some applause.

Smiling, "This is my first visit to Driffield..." that got me `why come at
all you're not our type' which made me laugh.

"True enough I'm not from the northeast... part Hampshire and part
Scots... but do I have to be from `somewhere' in particular to know you
have been poorly served by your current MP?

I don't think so! He has supported a straight tory line which has done
nothing for you... nothing!

Has the NHS been fully funded so the local hospitals and GP's can do their
work of giving you all proper healthcare? The answer is NO!

Have farmers been given the help they need to get their crop to market when
the roads are in an appalling state? Or are the price supports working? NO!

Are the schools you send yours to doing the job educating them so they can
go out into the world prepared to work... seek out higher
education... begin a career? NO!

How many other failures can you name? There are too many!

Your MP voted for the grotesque Defence Bill! He went along so that our men
and women in the services will keep using old and second-class equipment
just so a few tory friends can make more money."

I motioned back over my right shoulder, "An RAF jet crashed off Grimsby six
months ago... the pilot was saved from the water so that is good but the
report on the jet said likely the engine failed because of fuel line
issues. The same model jet crash landed in Scotland last year in one
piece... they found metal fatigue in the fuel lines... the pipes burst so
no fuel went to the engine. They were too old. The pilot's own skill was
his life's saviour.

No money has been allocated to remedy that by the tory government."

The crowd was very restive, noises but no dissenters... someone called out
`SHAME on them.'

"You in this riding narrowly agreed to brexit in the referendum... how do
you feel now knowing some of the factories here will have NO goods
exportable to the EU? They will likely close.

The EU has said trade agreements with the UK are not at the top of their
list of priorities... America has said there will be NO `most favoured
nation' status for the UK. Each deal will have to be separately decided on
slowing down the process to a crawl.

Where are the tories? They think separating from the EU will make this
Kingdom better again... as if they can turn back the hands of a clock to
1900. Rubbish!!

Just don't listen to fairy tales from the tories!

What's on offer... only Fred and the Labour party offer you the future!

You can vote for the past or vote for your future..."

There were cheers and very loud applause! The people in the stand were up
clapping!!

Fred behind me quietly, "Damn... Your Ladyship you've got them going!!"

We shook hands...  for the crowd I lifted Fred's hand up. More noise!

I walked with Fred towards the helicopter... "Looks like I might have
helped a bit."

Grins all around in Fred's staff. Big thank yous! Hands shaken... I waved
from the steps going aboard.

Kellen got us going southwest to home! Another long day!

It was awesome to hug the Twins by the Great Room fire. They were all
giggly happy. Catherine and Caroline had come out to stay while I was
electioneering. Caroline with a big smile. They got hugs too.

"Fay, the babies always have such fun. Caroline is now a Rêve crew
member with her own outfit."

I applauded Caroline... a big grin!

"Delphine has Caroline writing in cursive!"

Caroline looked up at her name being used again, "Wow! Do you like it?"

Caroline sat beside me, "Aunt Fay, it is easy when you get into the flow."
She did a sweeping writing motion. A hug.

Catherine said Jian was back in Bangkok, she and Caroline were going soon
to see the grandparents and have fun!

Fist bump.

Gil leaned close `Cho is on the way from Chalgrove.' Yea!

I was in the entryway... Monster hug and kiss! Loud `Popa's' Cho swept the
Twins close kneeling in-between. Catherine and Caroline got hugs too.

We had a marvellous dinner! The babies with massive smiles as the peach
cobbler and vanilla ice cream was served for dessert! Good food! Fun
guests!

Catherine and Caroline going up to London. Lots of kisses. Tom's car
rolling across the forecourt as we all waved.

Cho and I helped put the Twins down. I tucked Raggedy Anne close to Chani,
her eyes were sleepy. A hug and kiss. "Goodnight Mama." "You too Chani."

She got a kiss from Popa and Charlie one from me.



Gil took a call near the Abingdon lock... we walked our horses down to the
water... A wave to the lock man as we dismounted. Gil was still the saddle
listening. Tessa and Gaby took the horses to go over the river... Gil and I
by the lock top walkway entrance.

"Fay, the Labour folks are asking if you could go back to
Peterborough. They are saying Gwendolyn is in a tight race they feel sure
she could win."

"Is she having a meeting?"

"This afternoon."

Shit... the election is tomorrow... "Okay! Find where and get info about
the location... where can we land a helicopter, etc."

Gil brought her phone back to her ear... she went to it. I called
Chalgrove... an AW139 could be ready in ten minutes. I wasn't sure on
departure but not right away... "Tell Kellen it's Peterborough but a new
landing spot not determined yet."

Gil got the information... she mapped it... pointing to an open field
beside a swimming pool with a large car park.

"That's where the meeting is. I'll call the Lido folks now."

"You go back to the house and work on this. We'll go ahead."

Fist bump!

I re-joined Tessa and Gaby, remounted we went on through the underpass, up
into Lower Radley then a hard ride into the woods northward. Out of the
trees went turned to the Thames Path and the river crossings. The Sandford
lock man fully involved with a narrow boat at the upper end.

Roland was ready to run again... we tore across our neighbours land... I
urged the big guy forward... he loved it. I slowed him on the
Flats... Roland and I walked until the ladies caught up.

Andy took Roland and I ran up to the house. Gil in the breakfast Room...

"I'm waiting on a call back from Peterborough. The venue is a platform that
backs up to trees and a fence on the east side of the Lido, an outdoor
pool. I'm trying to get the Okay to land on the grass in front of the
pool."

Fist bump.

"Me too" from Charlie... done... Chani also.

Cho grinning with cup of coffee. I got breakfast and parked beside him.

"You're really into this! You want the tories out rather badly."

Nodding with a mouthful so I didn't act as a bad example to the
Twins. Chew... swallow... "Yes! We agreed! It's the only way brexit is to
be stopped and normal human decency is restored to government. I have to
make the effort!"

iPhone ring... Gil answered... talking... Gil's arm shot up then down in a
fist pump!

"Thank you very much!" A smile, "We got it! They are Okay with us
landing. I'm calling Gwendolyn's people to let them know and have some sort
of ring around that area so it is clear. I'll get the timing finalized."

"Call the Peterborough police to let them know... And tell Gwendolyn to get
the press notified."

Gil pointed a finger at me... another arm pump!

I was looking at an aerial shot... I called Kellen, she was ready. She was
looking at an aerial on her iPad. It was only about twenty minutes in the
air she said, "We should probably come in from the west over the car park
and Bishop's Road..."

I could see that on my iPad.

"Good! Gil be back at you on the time."

Kellen said whenever, she and the aircraft were prepared. She'd file a
flight plan.

Cho took the Twins up with Tha. I relaxed a bit.

Weather check... possible showers, some breezes, a bit cold. They had rain
overnight... it would be wet.

A two thirty start time... so we leave after lunch.

Delicious mushroom soup, grilled veggie sandwich inside me! Kentucky Heat
bits top and bottom, red wool slacks, a heavy black wool jumper over a
long-sleeved shirt, gold bits and `Joy' Doc Marten's again with thick
socks!

The black leather car coat, a black cashmere scarf, a black Apple baseball
cap and well lined black gloves.

I was further fortified with a Cho kiss.

Prasert dropped us on the flight line at Chalgrove. Gil, Chelle, PJ, Tara
and Ken.

Chelle grinning stepping aboard, "I'm ready Boss!"

A hug.

Kellen smiling from her seat! We took off going northeast at speed. We
closed up to Peterborough quickly... Kellen came in above the River Nene
then a railyard... car parks, the pool ahead as we settled to an asphalt
path in front of the Lido building.

There were several police constables there, I thanked them for their help.

A staffer waiting to guide us around the Lido to a path that came up behind
the platform. Gwendolyn's constituency fellow right there.

"Your Ladyship, it is fine of you to do this. We have a considerable number
of news folks and a big gathering."

I could see that already... they were spread out in a huge semi-circle
around the raised platform.

Some steps up at the back... Gwendolyn smiling shaking my hand.

"Your Ladyship... We're very close... thanks for the return trip."

"You're very welcome! Let's push you over... Okay?"

A sun-burst smile on a gloomy afternoon.

The constituency chairman led off. He warmed the crowd a bit... then
Gwendolyn took the front.

She is a good speaker, organized, hitting her points very hard! She didn't
take any guff from kibitzers, answering them right away with strong
rebuttals.

The crowd was in her hand, cheers and applause.

"Our last speaker has been here before... please give your attention to Her
Ladyship, Countess Harcourt."

She was clapping... the crowd did too!

I stepped forward... I didn't want to belabour any points already
covered... so I worked on two things... brexit effects and the way forward
with a Labour Party majority.

The crowd was listening, responding as I hit my highlights. I was aware the
mist was coming on stronger so I moved to end.

I encouraged them all to have their say with friends, at the pub or on a
street corner or shopping. Let them hear you and get them out to vote
tomorrow.

"The only way forward for the Kingdom is for a big change at
Westminster. Vote for Gwendolyn and return a Labour government ready to do
the work needed to get our country moving again."

I waved to them and thanked them for coming out.

Cheers and clapping continued for several minutes.

I got Gwendolyn next to me... we waved goodbye to the crowd.

Her constituency chairman chivvied the press up close so they could get
some question time.

I made sure Gwendolyn was involved with any questions even if they were
addressed to me I would bring her into the answer. The press folks seemed
to get it after a bit and they we were asking better questions aimed toward
labour policies.

One did act like a jerk... Daily Mail... big surprise... he asked about
Ti's death.

I waved him off but added... "You need to pay attention to your
colleagues."

There were smirks and a few laughs at his expense.

Gwendolyn knew her stuff, good clear responses, she could extend her
answers with those pesky things... `facts!'

We gave them plenty of time before quitting as a light rain came in.

Gwendolyn walked with me to the helicopter.

"Your Ladyship, I can't thank you enough. This was a great way to end the
campaign."

"Glad to help. Best of luck tomorrow!"

A big hug for her, hand shaken with all her staff and her constituency
chairman. He said what I had done across the country is going to have an
impact... not just here.

"You've drawn so much attention to our candidates... national press for
this riding... it's out of this world."

I shook his hand, "It helps to have an excellent candidate out front."

"She is indeed. Thanks again!"

Kellen lifted us up and away into the gloom. In fifteen minutes we could
see the lights on the Harcourt House landing grid. We softly settled to the
grass. A big thanks to Kellen.

I got a big smile, "It's been fun flying to new places, odd landing
spots. I liked listening to your speaking. You really are trying hard."

Fist bump!

Cho and Carter at the door. Hug and fist bump given. Carter's grin... he
liked my doing that. Offbeat... not very aristocratic... showing my fun
side.

The Twins, Jaidee and our crowd at the fireplace. Hugs first then Warmth!
Drinks! I went for an Irish Coffee! Cho said that's a good thought. Gil and
Chelle went with us to chase the cold off.

Kendall smiling... he went to it as Fin made Shirley Temples for the
youngsters.

I leaned back into the settee... well Labour and the Lib-Dems got their
money's worth out of me. We'll see which way the country goes. The last
polling numbers had Labour up in many places but who knows...

Cho looking me with Charlie on his lap.

"I suppose if Labour doesn't get a majority they will go to bed with the
Lib-Dems?"

"Maybe... or the SNP... how much they have to give in a coalition depends
on the vote totals. There would be a lot negotiations... let's hope for
better."

I shrugged with the not knowing until tomorrow.

Gil handed me an envelope... an invitation? A cocktail party at Clarence
House in support of Prince Charles' `Business in the Community' charity.

There is a link to what we had been doing everywhere in all our businesses,
demanding ethical and responsible business practises which is why this was
in my hand...

I reached across to Cho with it. He looked...

"So should we go?"

I turned to Gil... she said it would fit in before going to Washington for
the Medal of Freedom ceremony.

Gawd...  Hillary's thing! I know I made a face.

Cho laughing, "You are going to roll with it ... right?"

"Of course! So this..." my hand waving to what was in his hand, "...do we?"

"They do support ethical ideals as we do in all our businesses..."

Okay! Gil said she'd respond in the affirmative.

Carter at the door... dinner!

I suddenly realized I hadn't eaten anything for quite some time!

Oh yes! Italian! Spaghetti with veggie meatballs! Thick delicious red
sauce, bits of olive and garlic!! Crusty small ciriola loaves!! Maxine's
work and delicious! Little boats of green and black Sicilian olives.

AH! Carter brought out bottles of Emidio Pepe Trebbiano Montepulicano from
our trip to the Abruzzi Mountains. Cho grinning!!

Everyone was eating with gusto. The Twins got help eating their first
spaghetti... twirling lessons. Oh yes... they picked it up quick!!!
Meatballs cut in half were perfect bitesize for them.

Charlie loved the little ciriola loaves bursting with flavour... butter
melting in or for dipping in the wonderful red sauce.

It was terrific to watch Chani and Charlie eat... so dexterous with their
utensils!

Sipping a spectacular wine, the food... Okay... I was doing very well.

The dessert cart came out... Torta Tenerina!! As it was served Charlie
turned to me... I said `chocolate' without a sound. His face became a huge
smile!

His fork bringing the dark goodness upwards didn't pause... straight in!

Me too! Watching our son enjoy! He and Chani loved chocolate anything!

"Mama so good!"

Fist BUMP!

It was quite good... We got Sue to come up to take a bow for this!

Afters around the fire. The Twins had a puzzle...they didn't show us what
it was. Fine.

Gil got a call from Petra and Gary and Nina... Cho and I moved into the
Library switching them over to the Conference App.

A fellow had tried to scope out the Minetta Street area... he was spotted
out on Bleecker Street watching this morning. Mara's trip to school went
out the other way and around behind him. She had a hoodie on obscuring her
face in case he might know it.

The Security folks got some clear Hi-Res shots of his face, they were sent
to our people at Fox Tower where they had retained a huge database of
Russian faces from the earlier penetrations of the Russian computer
systems. He came back as a Russian FSB agent.

He stayed out of Minetta Street proper so Gary ran a little game on
him. Two of ours dressed as homeless, a man and a woman. They accosted him
wanting money... he tried to brush them off... they grabbed him, roughed
him up a bit, knocked him down, stole his wallet and ran off.

Gary showed us a snap of the fellow sitting on the sidewalk where they left
him looking a bit shell-shocked. He got up and left after that
experience. He also mentioned the fellow was not armed.

They'll be watching for his return and any others.

Gary said they'd mail the wallet back to the address inside with a note
saying someone had seen the attack and took the wallet away from the
homeless ones. A nice touch.

His name on file and a search done for more information.

Cho and I thanked them all for the work. We were laughing.

We told them it's likely they were checking up on information from some
source we didn't know but we would follow it up with our contacts in
government.

The security level on Minetta Street went up a notch.

When we were out Cho and I discussed it. I believed they would want to have
some sort of check done on Yevgeny. How had they homed in on Minetta
Street?

I checked the time in Washington and emailed Theodore. To make links easier
we'd given Theodore an email account on one of our systems so all
connection was encrypted by us.

He got back to me quickly. His email said his last contact with his Russian
`mules' was three days ago... he would reconnect tomorrow morning. And he'd
check with the FBI on anything the Russians might have going in New York
City.

I thanked him.

He replied he hoped our `homeless ones' had fun! ;-)

I replied it seemed so. ;-)

Cho smiling, "Well... it would be prudent of the Russians to want to know
where Yevgeny was... he certainly should be considered a risk by them even
if they completely believed the `cover' story."

I was nodding, "Gary's last email said they were adding assets to Minetta
Street for undercover work. I guess some of ours will have a bit of
entertainment."

Cho's chuckle made me vibrate. Kissing!!

The Twins puzzle was done... it was Jaidee on the Rêve quarterdeck
grinning with a bit of tongue sticking out. What a darling boy! Chani and
Charlie loved it!!!

Charles had taken the snap!



Comments are welcome.

Please send to: ABecker60@yahoo.co.uk