Heartless Reaction

by Dawn Marsanne

  ‘Not that you are being pessimistic,’ countered Ron. ‘I’ll need anti-depressants as well soon.’

  ‘If you feel you need them then I advise you to go back to your GP, that is not my area of expertise.’

  Maureen admired Dr Young. Not many people could stand up to Ron whilst he treated them with complete hostility and disdain, along with a dash of utter rudeness. She remained completely unflappable throughout. It was a masterly performance and Maureen wished she had half her confidence.

  ‘So, I assume I’ll be peeing all the time with these tablets,’ said Ron, holding it at arm’s length to read it without his reading glasses.

  ‘Probably slightly more often than usual, she said flatly. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to pay for this prescription and I’ll write to your GP to get them added to your medication list.’

  ‘Hardly matters compared with what I’m paying to come to this hospital,’ said Ron, rudely. ‘Drop in the ocean compared with your fees!’

  ‘It was your choice to see me privately,’ replied the doctor making some additional notes in his folder.

  Maureen vowed that this would be the last time she would accompany Ron if he was going to behave like this. The whole twenty minutes had been acutely embarrassing. Ron was sitting up on the examination couch and appeared to be tapping in numbers to the calculator function. It was quite unbelievable.

  ‘My secretary will be in touch with a date for the balloon angioplasty and stent procedure.’

  ‘Thank you, doctor,’ replied Maureen. ‘Is it a day case or will Ron have to stay in hospital?’

  ‘It depends what time of day the procedure is performed. If it’s a morning appointment the patient is usually well enough to go home later in the day but sometimes with an afternoon one we advise they stay in overnight.’

  ‘I see, well, thank you,’ said Maureen. She picked up her bag whilst Ron continued to scroll through his messages.

  ‘I would also add that stress can be very damaging to a heart in your condition, Mr Radford. You should take all steps possible to ease off on your workload.’

  ‘Really,’ said Ron. ‘Well, thanks for the advice,’ and he wandered out without saying goodbye.

  Once they were at a distance from the building and out of earshot, Maureen could contain herself no longer.

  ‘Ron, that was so embarrassing! What’s got into you? You were so rude. I could not believe how you behaved! I’m so angry with you!’

  ‘Listen, there’s a chance of getting some more equity in PersCure. We need to have a chat. It could be really huge. It’s so exciting!’

  ‘Did you hear what I just said? Sod the equity! You might not live to invest any more money! Your heart is struggling!’

  ‘No it’s not! It’s that doctor, she annoys me, puts my blood pressure up.’

  ‘But the angiogram! It wasn’t good. You need treatment.’

  ‘I bet I do according to them. It will be a nice little earner for them. Look, can you drive? I need to phone Sidney and a few other people.’

  Maureen took the keys and sighed. Suddenly she felt depressed. She realised that despite Ron’s affections and his generosity towards her with gifts and material luxuries she would always come second to his businesses. Had she made a huge mistake or had she expected too much from the relationship? They headed home in silence. She had a lot to think about and this afternoon they were supposed to be speaking to Pamela. It was turning out to be a horrendous day.

  Chapter 27

  Brett had phoned all the individual investors in PersCure who held sizeable chunks of equity, with one notable exception, Rex Dempster, his mother’s beau. Although he had committed a generous amount of money he had been added to the remaining tranche of smaller investors who had received emails and would be receiving paper copies, subject to the vagaries of the postal service. He was in the process of compiling a list of fund houses and venture capital groups to contact when his mobile rang.

  ‘Hi, Mum, everything OK?’

  He was dearly hoping for some news of a downturn in Rex’s health.

  ‘Yes, we are both fine,’ she replied. ‘Well, physically, that is.’

  Brett cursed under his breath. ‘So, what’s bothering you then?’

  ‘Rex wants to speak to you, here he is.’

  Brett had been expecting this call and had contemplated not answering his phone but it was better to get it out of the way. Rex could be a persistent type.

  ‘Brett, son, I’ve had an email from you this morning.’

  ‘Yes, that’s right,’ said Brett.

  ‘So, I’m a bit worried about one of the investors bailing out. It’s very soon after the launch of PersCure.’

  ‘Well, as you know with all investments sometimes people need to liquidate assets and sadly one of our investors has realised he needs the cash.’

  ‘Well, he should haven’t invested if he needed the readies. I always have a bit put by, don’t I Veronica? I bet it was one of these youngsters who doesn’t know what he’s doing. No doubt he’s overspent, not budgeted and now he’s caught short...bloody typical, I might have known it....’

  Rex droned on with Brett barely listening. He was on familiar territory. Brett felt like putting the phone down and letting him speak to it uninterrupted rather like you did with a cold caller until they got fed up and rang off. Instead, he continued to delete some irrelevant emails.

  ‘Are you still there? Hello? Hello? I think we’ve been cut off, Veronica. Can you hear me, son?’

  ‘Yes, loud and clear,’ said Brett. ‘I didn’t want to interrupt you as you were on your hobby horse.’

  ‘No need for cheek, son,’ he replied. ‘I’m just worried that this investor knows something the rest of us doesn’t. I don’t want to lose my money. Are you going belly up or something?’

  ‘We are not going belly up, as you so charmingly put it. I feel confident that we can find a buyer for the stake.’

  ‘How much is it anyway, this stake which is being sold.’

  ‘Eight per cent,’ said Brett.

  ‘My Goodness. That’s a fair whack.’

  ‘So are you interested?’

  ‘Interested? No, I don’t think so. I want to see a return before I commit further funds. We need to keep some back in case we need to go into a nursing home. I don’t suppose we could rely on you to look after us?’

  ‘Er, well, I’ve not thought that far,’ said Brett, feeling rather uncomfortable.

  ‘Anyhow, I think it will be a while yet,’ laughed Rex. ‘I had one of those well-man, check-ups and the doc reckons I’m really fit for my age. I might even get to a hundred!’

  ‘Oh, well, you can look forward to a letter from the Queen,’ said Brett. If he had anything to do with it Rex wouldn’t be seeing a hundred or anywhere near that age. What a depressing thought. He thought about many years ahead of similar conversations where he was addressed as son.

  ‘Hello? Hello?’ said Rex again. ‘This is an awful line. I think your mobile is playing up, son. It keeps going quiet.’

  Brett couldn’t resist. He disconnected. He would reject all subsequent calls from Rex then text his mother later. Now it was time to calm down and try to regain some focus on his work.

  **

  ‘Well, it’s very kind of you to think of my well-being but I enjoy my job and I’m happy to continue for a few years yet,’ said Pamela.

  Maureen had wondered whether this would be her response.

  ‘You know, I’d retire at a shot if I weren’t so busy with PersCure and ClinTry. But I feel I owe it to the memory of my wife and daughter to continue. We are so close to a cure for brain cancer. It’s my duty to carry on, otherwise, I’d be putting my feet up. You never know what’s around the corner,’ said Ron.

  ‘Well, that’s true,’ said Pamela. ‘I have been feeling more tired recently. But it’s been a stressful time after Hubert...’ she paused, embarrassed in front of Maureen.

  ‘It’s OK, Pamela,’ said Maureen.
>
  ‘Maureen and I’ve been chatting about this and we want to make you an offer.’

  ‘An offer?’

  ‘You see, other businesses would just ask you to leave, give you the push that sort of thing. But we aren’t like that,’ he smiled and patted her hand.

  Pamela remained silent as she took in all the information.

  ‘We are offering you a generous redundancy package.’

  ‘But I’m still being got rid of,’ said Pamela.

  ‘Giving you a new lease of life, that’s what we are doing,’ smiled Ron. ‘We are only legally obliged to offer you the statutory redundancy package by law but we are going to double that. We are going to give you twenty thousand pounds.’

  Maureen’s jaw dropped. This was news to her as well as Pamela. They hadn’t discussed this at all.

  ‘Twenty thousand pounds?’

  ‘Yes, and it’s all tax-free. You can take that holiday you always wanted to.’

  ‘Goodness, I, well, I, it’s a shock. I can’t take it all in.’

  ‘I’ve not finished,’ said Ron. ‘You know the car which the business uses to run about, visit properties, that sort of thing. The one outside in fact.’

  ‘Yes, the Fiat 500.’

  ‘That’s the one. Well, it’s yours. You can have it. We’ll transfer ownership to you. As a little retirement present.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say, Mr Radford, Maureen.’

  She looked like she was going to burst into tears, as did Maureen. This was essentially her business and she was sitting there like a poodle. Ron had assumed total control without the merest hint of what he planned to say.

  Ron offered his hand and Pamela shook it.

  ‘I’ll work my notice of course,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, that won’t be necessary, finish at the end of the week,’ said Ron.

  ‘Oh, well, if you are sure. But I can always be on hand if you need to ask me anything.’

  ‘Of course, well, we’ve got a busy afternoon,’ he said, standing to leave.

  ‘Bye Pamela,’ said Maureen.

  They reached the Range Rover.

  ‘Well, that went smoothly,’ said Ron. ‘I think I handled it very well.’

  ‘You should have consulted me!’ said Maureen. ‘I felt a complete fool!’

  ‘Why? We need to get a move on with things. Besides I want it sorted and out of the way before our wedding. Also, I’m going to be busy with PersCure. I’m going to buy the equity which has come up for sale.’

  ‘Are you? But you only found out about it this morning.’

  ‘I did and I’ve just phoned Brett to tell him I can buy it.’

  ‘What did he say?’

  ‘He said he’s got to wait until the others have responded.’

  ‘Oh, when will that be?’

  ‘He should know by the end of the week.’

  ‘I see. Well, you seem to be making all the decisions without me at the moment.’

  ‘Rubbish. You’ve got so much to sort out with Hubert’s estate. By the way, have any of the deposits come over to you yet?’

  ‘No, not yet.’

  ‘Well, make sure you keep on at him. These solicitors drag their feet sometimes.’

  Ron pulled out into the traffic and sped back home. The whole day had been like a bad dream. When they got back Maureen was going to have a gin and tonic or perhaps several and probably a soak in the bath. Ron could do what he liked. She needed some time apart from him.

  Chapter 28

  Maureen and Laura were spending the morning over at Welch Properties so that Laura could familiarise herself with the business and administration before Pamela left at the end of the week. Laura would also assist Ron with his own business matters from the Welch Property office until they made a decision whether to close the office in town and thus relocate it to Brensford Manor. Nowadays, tenants were more likely to search online than visit an office in person so an improved website could serve the business well. The atmosphere between Ron and Maureen had been civil but slightly cool since the visit to the cardiologist and the discussion with Pamela. However, Ron felt confident that soon Maureen would be back to her usual affectionate self.

  Ron was alone in the annexe at Brensford Manor, catching up with his phone calls. ‘Hello, Gerald, I’ve been trying to contact you. Where have you been hiding?’

  ‘Oh, we went over to France for a few days. I’ve not been using my phone much, trying to have a complete break.’

  ‘Good trip?’

  ‘Not bad, the weather was nice. Bit of a hold up on Eurotunnel on the way back due to a faulty train so we had to queue. Anything, in particular, you wanted to speak to me about?’

  ‘Oh, I wondered whether you’d picked up that email about the equity in PersCure?’

  ‘Yes, that was a bit of a surprise I must say. Why do you think the bloke wants to sell his investment?’

  ‘Not sure. He doesn’t have to give a reason. Just wondering whether you are interested?’

  ‘I might be, why?’

  ‘Well, good luck.’

  ‘How do mean?’ It’s a good investment, isn’t it? I think I could up my stake.’

  ‘Well, it’s your choice of course. For my part, I think I’ll stick with my current amount.’

  ‘You surprise me. I thought you’d have leapt at the chance.’

  ‘I’ve been evaluating my portfolio and I think I’ve taken on enough risk for the moment, what with ClinTry as well. Also, well, I have to plan for the future, in case I’m ill.’

  ‘Are you ill?’

  ‘Not at the moment but you never know what’s around the corner.’

  ‘No,’ said Gerald. His tone seemed less upbeat now. Although he was comfortably off his wealth would never compare with that of Ron’s.

  ‘The trouble with businesses, like your shops, is that the money is all tied up, isn’t it? It can be a bugger if you need some readies, well a large amount at short notice.’

  Gerald didn’t reply.

  ‘But I guess in your case you and Felicity are in good health so you can afford to be a bit more adventurous. You’re not likely to need a large sum are you?’

  ‘You know Ron, I’m so glad you called me. I think I need to have a rethink. I might be getting a bit carried away with PersCure. After all, I did commit quite a large sum and it did take a sizeable chunk of our liquid assets.’

  ‘I’m not trying to put you off, you know.’

  ‘I realise that. No, it’s just helped me think about things more rationally. I’m going to hold off investing more money.’

  ‘Why don’t you think about it?’

  ‘I don’t need to. My mind’s made up. I’ll leave the field clear for the other guys. I wonder who will be interested? Perhaps someone in the city or a there’s a businessman in Persford we don’t know about who’ll be interested.’

  ‘Perhaps,’ smiled Ron.

  ‘Well, I better be on my way. Felicity needs a lift to the shops. And thanks Ron, for the advice. It’s always good to chat.’

  ‘Anytime, bye, Gerald,’ said Ron. He chuckled to himself. What a gullible idiot Gerald was. It was so easy to lead him on that it almost seemed cruel. Well, that was one main contender off the list. He would have difficulty influencing the others but somehow he just had a good feeling about this.

  **

  ‘Well, it all seems quite straightforward,’ said Laura. ‘I’m used to dealing with spreadsheets and I’ve some experience of using a database.’

  ‘I can show you that in a minute,’ said Pamela. ‘We’ve also got all our rental properties listed here in this book. It’s good to have a paper backup. You never know when technology is going to let you down.’

  Laura flicked through the folder. There was a mixture of flats, houses and a couple of bungalows. She focused on one detached house. The address caught her attention.

  ‘This one looks nice,’ she said. ‘I wish I could live in a property like that.’

  ‘Oh, yes
, Bridlegate Gardens. It’s a lovely location out towards the countryside. Mr and Mrs Welch built those six houses a while ago. They decided to keep one, it was the show house actually and it’s rented out now partially furnished. It’s popular with staff moving to the University to rent for six months whilst they look for a property to buy.’

  ‘I see. Well, it looks lovely.’

  ‘Yes, it was a good piece of land to acquire. It was a bit of a mess before so although there can be some opposition to building more houses I think it was of benefit to the area.’

  ‘Why? What used to be there before?’

  ‘Oh, an old farm and smallholding but the old dear had let it go to rack and ruin. It was an eyesore really.’

  ‘She didn’t mind moving then? Sometimes when people have lived there all their lives they don’t want to leave. It can be unsettling.’

  Pamela didn’t respond and busied herself with the administration.

  ‘Yes, well, I’ll have to show you how we do the credit checks on people next.’

  ‘OK. You know what you’ve just been telling me reminds me of something my friend told me, she’s married to a builder by the way, well she told me recently about a case locally where an unscrupulous property company had managed to get an old lady to sign their property over to them for a bargain price when she was confused and didn’t know what she was doing. It’s dreadful what people get up to.’

  ‘Mmm,’ said Pamela clicking away at the keyboard.

  ‘I wonder where it was? I can’t remember exactly. I remember the name of it. Lane End Farm I think it was, yes, that was it.’ She looked over to where Maureen was filing away some paperwork, ‘Have you heard of that story, Mrs Welch?’

  ‘Er, no, I don’t think so,’ said Maureen without looking up from the filing cabinet.

  ‘So, this database,’ said Laura, inching her chair nearer to Pamela so she could see the screen more clearly.

  Maureen felt hot and flushed. Was she being paranoid by the events of this week or had Laura somehow been digging and had happened upon the history of Lane End farm? It seemed unlikely that she would be so interested in local news as she had always given the impression of being a bit of an airhead. Or had Ron been digging again, like he had over Councillor Long? But surely he wouldn’t have told Laura? Once again she felt unsettled and her thought processes muddled. Perhaps once the wedding was over, she could relax more and view things more rationally, she really hoped so.