H When hell is the favourable option
Page 27
Senor Reyes smiled ‘It was good to meet Mr Hathaway at last….’
‘Mm’ Replied James absently and unlocked the doors of the Merc.
H Chapter 74
Helping your friends…
When they returned home H went on up in the lift while Senor Reyes stayed in the lobby to make a call on his mobile. For just a second he fretted at the cost of ringing Colombia from a mobile….
‘Senor Carmena please…………Senor Jose’ Reyes’
He was put through in seconds.
‘Miguel’ he said affectionately ‘how are you?……..and the family?…..’ he listened for a while ‘then you must bring her to England for treatment…….I can help with the name of a good consultant and of course the Gulfstream flies to Europe quite often so why not let us bring the poor child over……it's no trouble Miguel, no trouble at all…….’
The mobile started to break up so he walked out of the door into the London air.
‘Can you hear me Miguel….? Good, good……yes, I wonder if you could help me Miguel? As you know my daughter is marrying an Englishman in a few days. He owns clubs and other companies and there is an opportunity to buy a casino and betting group……..yes…..the right time….that's what we thought. Miguel I remember you wanted to expand here and I wondered whether you would……. about twenty five million or so…..good……..I will guarantee it if you need…….no?…….good, good…….
There is just one more thing Miguel if you would be so kind…….it would help me if he did not know of my involvement in this. Ask your Manager to demand financial statements, business plans etcetera so that he has to workto get it…..you understand….?’
Senor Reyes listened then let out a small chuckle ‘Miguel you become more Machiavellian by the day…….that would be ideal’
They talked for a few moments more and Senor Reyes said ’I will tell them to have the Gulfstream at your disposal Miguel; you just ring Estoban at the refinery and he will arrange everything………..it is my pleasure …………goodbye my friend’.
He clicked off the phone and put it in his pocket. Looking out towards London he watched a plane ascend into a bright blue sky….and smiled.
You had to protect your own…….
Anyway…….
Anyway at all………..
H Chapter 75
Retired…
Sitting comfortably on two easy rocking chairs an old couple sat on their veranda looking out over the Padstow estuary; the reflection of the moon like a beacon in the sea. Nearly bed time they were sipping mugs of hot milky Horlicks with just a touch of sugar as they were convinced it helped them sleep.
Finishing their drinks, they went inside, washed the cups, locked the doors and wearily climbed the stairs to bed. Once undressed, Mabel Hathaway climbed in bed and her husband, Dennis, opened the window to let in the sea breeze and the gentle sounds of the breaking surf.
‘I love being here’ he said to his wife for the umpteenth time since they had found their ideal retirement location nearly twenty years ago.
And for the umpteenth time she replied automatically ‘And me dear’
He climbed into bed, kissed her gently on the forehead and within five minutes their eyelids were getting heavier and they fell asleep. Dennis dreamed of sailing boats with gleaming white sails that went up to the sky while his wife dreamed of garden fetes and sponge puddings....
In the early morning the wind sharpened and a muted breaking sound could be heard through the window. Dennis stirred slightly and half awoke. ‘Did you hear something love?’ he whispered to the back of his wife’s head. From somewhere within her dreams she replied but only moaned. He listened for a moment more but heard nothing and fell immediately back into a deep sleep..........
............. he stood proudly on the deck of Gypsy Moth IV. Francis Chichester looked him in the eye
‘Well done young Dennis. Without your skill we would never have made it round Cape Horn alive.....’
This is young Dennis Your Majesty.....he saved our lives....
Arise...... Sir Dennis........
Yes Your Majesty.....
He stirred again as he heard another sound and it roused him. He looked at his wife who was still sleeping soundly and wondered what to do? Part of him just wanted to curl up again and go back to his dreams and the other part knew he should investigate. He wondered whether he should wake her? Get her to ring the police if there was a problem? Get her alert? Ready?
No....it was more than likely nothing; but a quick peek downstairs wouldn’t hurt..... He got slowly out of bed so as not to disturb her, found his dressing gown draped over the back of a chair and wandered off downstairs. As he went into the lounge he heard another noise but from where he wasn’t sure.....?
‘Hello.......? Is there anyone there?’
The creak behind him made him jump and his pulse started to race as anxiety started to flow through him. His heart was old but it still worked.... He turned round quickly but there was no-one other than the shadows dancing in the room from the palms that waved outside. Taking a deep breath he tried to calm his nerves but his hands were shaking. He moved gingerly from room to room until, as he approached the dining room he was sure he saw something move furtively behind the half closed door.
‘Is there anyone there?’ he asked with a voice that was reluctant to speak ‘Who's there?’ he said, trying to be more assertive but he was now starting to shake with fear.
He didn’t know what to do? What do you do? Do you go in and look? Do you ring the police? For a split second his dream came back and he was the brave sailor, saving the ship and so he decided to look....
Leaning forward he extended his arm and pushed the door open. He knew he should put the light on but a part of him didn’t want to see....
‘Who's there...?
A hand touched his shoulder.
‘Dennis...what are you doing? Asked his wife behind him
Dennis leaned against the wall to try not to slump to the floor in a faint.
‘Dennis?’
He struggled to talk to her as his heart was pumping so fast ‘Thought.......I .....heard.......something....’ he gasped
‘In there? She said and walked past him into the dining room....
A part of him knew what was going to happen. It knew..... It was like seeing an accident in slow motion. He knew......
‘Nothing in here....’ she called to him.
He was too old for this and was suddenly weak and weary. She came back out ‘Come on, back to bed. I think you’ve been sailing the seas again......?
He nodded slightly in acknowledgement.
In bed she went quickly to sleep but he stayed awake for a while and listened.......
Half an hour later he dozed off......
........over there Sir Francis, an iceberg....
..........without your keen eyesight young Dennis we would have been scuppered....
....well done.......promote you to captain on next voyage......take over the helm.....safer with you young Dennis.....
Deep in his dream he knew something was wrong. Here he was in the Arctic and yet he was hot? He watched as the icebergs started to melt like snowmen on a warm winter’s day. Waking with a start, sweat pouring from him he saw the room glowing red. He started to panic and shook his wife ‘Mabel! Mabel!’
She woke instantly.
‘Quickly, quickly!' he pulled her arm frantically. 'We’ve overslept’ He pointed to the hot sun coursing in through the window ‘We should be at the market getting the fresh fish....’
H Chapter 76
H
After losing yet another game of poker H lounged back and put his feet on his desk.
Ah fuck!
Ah well....
Nah...ah fuck was more appropriate.
More games of losing the 50 - 50, 60 - 40 and 70 - 30.
He sighed a deep sigh and closed his eyes that were a bit sore from staring at the monitors.
The computer pinged and he watched as an email came up on the third monitor. He smiled as he read it. It was from his mate Harry Kee who had written
Thank you for that Alzheimer's joke you just sent me. It was quality...
H giggled to himself.
'Why are you giggling?' asked Benny who had walked in and he hadn't heard her.
'This email, its funny' He enlarged it so she could read it.
'Why is it funny? You send him a joke, in bad taste I may add, and he says he enjoyed it. Why is that funny?'
'I haven't sent him one....'
She burst out laughing. 'I shouldn't, but I like that....'
'Quite' said H 'quite'
He dragged his feet off the desk and she sat on his lap, her arms circling his neck and her head on his shoulder.
He closed his eyes again.
'I hope I can get the loan' he said.
'Well daddy is quite important to that Bank so I am sure they will at least give you a good hearing'
'I hope so. It would be one hell of a step up the business ladder'
'I know' she said softly 'I know'
'I would have the clubs, a casino, the betting shops and my own internet poker site. No matter how much I lose, I get the money...'
'You may want to look at the maths of that again James....'
He thought for a moment. 'I got a bit carried away'
She kissed him lightly on the cheek
'I want to succeed in life......' he said.
'You will.........'
About the Author
David C Jaundrell lives in Shropshire, England and has an MBA.
Retiring in 2006 at age 59 he started to write the H series.
He also writes short stories and poems (‘Black Dog’ was adopted by the Black Dog Institute) and became known for succinct song lyrics taken up by local bands.