by David Woods
“Well, there is nothing we can do. I suggest we try to forget about it.”
“Easier said, than done.”
“You are right, but we must try.”
Venk was stunned by the response to his phone call. His hatred deepened and he contemplated another call asking for a lower figure, but what if he should be turned down flat again? He paced up and down his sitting room, weaving around his three piece suite. He became so angry and frustrated at his inability to extract just retribution or, extract money from the young couple.
A sleepless night followed and in the morning he rang the farm house again, hoping the boy might pay fifty thousand for his silence.
Lucy Van Meer answered. “I am sorry, you are too late. They left for England an hour ago.”
“Oh, hell.” After slamming the receiver down, he sprinted out to his car and drove like a maniac in the direction of Calais.
Chapter Twelve
As they prepared to leave Belgium the following morning Mrs Van Meer appeared nervous, looking around as she spoke to Brian. “Please look after my Anna.”
“Of course I’ll take care of her. Please don’t worry.”
The ride to Calais was enjoyable due to the sunny but cold day. They had wrapped up warm and were well prepared, but did not intend to catch the ferry until the following day. Brian had suggested a night together in a hotel, and Anna agreed it would be a good opportunity to spend some time together on their own. They found a suitable place, and as usual booked a room with a bathroom en suite. The evening and night were pure bliss for them both. The bath was large enough for them to enjoy each other’s bodies the way they had on holiday, and they made love until exhausted.
The early morning ferry filled up quickly with passengers and cars, but Brian had plenty of time to ensure the bike was secure before they were ordered off the car deck. Anna was excited at the prospect of seeing Brian’s farm and visiting the Kent countryside she had heard so much about, but a little apprehensive about meeting Brian’s parents. The crossing was calm and they sat in the café drinking coffee to pass the time. Brian remembered how lonely he felt the last time he made the trip back to Dover, but this time it was different with Anna beside him. They cleared customs quickly and set off towards Canterbury, where Brian rode around the city twice to show Anna the sites. She enjoyed the ride through Kent, and thought the scenery even better than Brian had described.
Arriving just before lunch, Anna dismounted and looked around the farm buildings whilst Brian unstrapped the luggage. “It’s so pretty here, all these trees and hills.”
“Yes, I like it. I’ll show you around tomorrow.”
John rushed from the house. “Hello Anna. It’s so nice to see you at last. Brian has told us so much about you.”
They shook hands. “It’s so kind of you to invite me.”
“Our pleasure, my dear.”
John helped her remove her rucksack and they walked in the direction of the house, closely followed by Brian loaded down with luggage.
Betty gave Anna a warm welcome and immediately treated her as one of the family. She had always wanted a daughter, but after Brian was born she could have no more children, a situation she and John had learned to accept. Anna felt at ease with both of them as they chatted over lunch, with Brian pleased to let them get acquainted whilst he got on with the more serious business of eating. After lunch Betty took Anna upstairs to show her around and help her unpack. She had prepared a room in the front of the house with a view across The Weald.
Brian and his father talked for some time about events on the farm, and the progress made in Belgium. The new farm worker had settled in well and had already made a fair difference to John and Betty’s workload. Winter was approaching and the cows were strip grazing kale, which meant they came into the milking parlour covered in mud and had to be washed with a hosepipe before milking. This was dirty work and they were glad to have extra help.
The next day Brian showed Anna around the farm and ended up at the old wooden barn in which they were going to start the business. Anna was very impressed by the farm and its modern milking parlour, but the old barn made her frown. “We have a lot of work to do here.”
“Yes I know. And we ought to get on with it straight away.”
The next three weeks were spent in feverish activity, and one of the first things was to buy a second- hand pick-up truck that Anna could also drive. They bought second- hand flooring sections for the barn floor that was just compacted dirt, and Brian laid them whilst Anna stayed at home to organise all the stationary and books they would need. She went with Betty into Maidstone where they spent all day shopping and seeing printers.
John had seen a factory sale advertised in the local paper. He and Brian went together and purchased enough racking in which to store the spares and with quite a bit over. With the aid of paraffin lanterns, Brian spent three days fitting this until very late in the evening. Anna helped as much as she could, organising food and drink and cutting up cardboard labels.
Brian was delighted that Anna was getting on so well with his parents. His mother seemed to be very happy helping Anna, who also did some cooking whilst Betty fed the calves.
John visited the old barn regularly, helping when he could and often said to Brian “You’ve found yourself a fine girl there my boy. Just make sure you look after her.”
Brian and Anna had very little time to themselves, and Betty said to John one night when they were in bed. “Let’s go out on Sunday afternoon and leave them alone for a while.”
“Good idea. We haven’t been out for a drive for ages.”
The following Sunday Brian watched his parents go up the drive and rushed into the kitchen where Anna was cleaning. “They’ve gone out for a couple of hours.”
“Oh yes, and what have you got in mind? As if I did not know.”
She dropped her dish cloth and they ran upstairs to Brian’s room, undressing each other as fast as they could. The single bed was a tight squeeze, but they did not need much room. Brian felt as if he could eat her, and she was desperate to feel his naked body touching hers again. The made passionate love for an hour, and then just cuddled until they heard the car return.
Another couple of days activity and they were happy nothing more could be done. The barn was ready and some of the stationary had arrived. All their expenses so far had been recorded in a large book, and a spare room in the house had been converted to an office with a telephone extension installed. Anna rang the two manufacturers, and they reported their equipment and spares were ready for inspection and then despatch, so preparations were made to return to Belgium once more.
When the couple had left Betty felt lost. “The house seems so empty without them” she told John.
He could see she missed Anna. “Never mind, they’ll be back soon.”
“Has Brian told you if they will want to live here?” Betty said thoughtfully.
“No. He probably hasn’t asked Anna yet.”
Naturally Anna was pleased to see her parents again, and Brian left them talking while he checked the bike and sorted out his paperwork.
The silage machines and spares were ready as promised, and Brian looked at it all carefully before handing over a cheque. Anna checked the invoice was correct and they went through the same procedure with the other manufacturer.
Brian and Anna spent the next four days visiting machinery dealers to ascertain what additional machines they could sell and showing them leaflets from England.
It was time to leave again, so they loaded the bike with more of Anna’s things and set off for Calais, checking into the same hotel as before. After another night of bliss they left for England on the ferry, arriving home before any of the consignments of machinery. These arrived a week later, which gave Brian time to visit the dealers in Kent and Sussex, some of them placing orders. By the time all the equipment had
arrived he had arranged for half of it to go straight out, and a local haulage contractor agreed a price to do the job. The spares were a different matter and took Brian and Anna three days solid work to sort out and rack.
Brian received a telephone call from a local dealer, who had sold a forage harvester to a farmer who wanted to use it on his short stemmed kale, and could he have another machine? They were delighted and celebrated with a cup of tea in the kitchen. Anna rushed upstairs to type out the first invoice.
By the end of November nearly all the machines had gone, and Anna ordered another consignment. The spares were selling well and after six weeks in business, the bank account was looking good. Brian visited British farm equipment manufacturers and arranged to buy a range of different machines to be despatched to Belgium.
Anna drove home alone in the car they had just bought, leaving Brian to use the pick-up truck or his bike. She was away for a week, paid for the next consignment of forage harvesters and was there to receive the British machines. Mr Vogler checked them off with her and paid for them. Brian missed Anna badly and was pleased when she telephoned to say she had concluded the business, and would return in the morning.
During the next six months the business really took off, and Brian and Anna found themselves working from early morning until very late. John and Betty were amazed at the way the business was going, but started to get concerned about the amount of work the couple were taking on. They both looked tired and Betty had noticed them getting irritable.
After one Sunday lunch John looked at both of them. “Have you two looked in the mirror lately?”
They both looked surprised. “Why.”
“You’re both looking worn out. You must do something about it.”
Anna replied. “Yes you are right. We must talk about it.”
The four of them discussed the situation for the rest of the afternoon, and decided the company could afford to employ staff. They interviewed a possible salesman, engaging a keen young man called Colin Brown. They bought him a car and sent him off to visit the dealers in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, which eased their workload, and enabled them to think clearly about future expansion. They decided to take on a person to work permanently in the barn, preparing spares and machines ready for transport. This would leave Brian and Anna to answer the phone, do all the paperwork, visit the local dealers and chase up supplies.
The Belgian manufacturers had to increase production to cope with the spring rush. Colin Brown had a great deal of success and moved further west into Dorset. When Anna reviewed his performance, she found he was making a healthy profit so they employed another representative to cover the northern home counties.
Mike Thomas was a farm worker, who Brian thought should have some knowledge of the subject. He started off in the office to familiarize himself with the day to day work, which allowed Brian and Anna to return to Belgium.
As the weather did not seem to be a problem, Anna wanted to take the bike. Their first visit was to the silage machinery manufacturer. Mr Vogler, whose company was named after him, appeared to be under pressure and looked worried. The machines coming from England were selling well, and he had almost doubled production of his own machines in order to satisfy the export trade to England. All this had increased his workload, and he did not have sufficient staff. He was delighted to welcome Brian and Anna and they talked about their mutual problems. He could increase production but lacked the finance. Brian and Anna discussed this over lunch and decided to make a suggestion, bearing in mind the large amount of money still in Switzerland.
They had another meeting with Mr Vogler. “We have a proposition for you” said Anna. “Sell us twenty per cent of your company and invest a proportion of the money in the company. We will invest a similar amount in proportion to our holding.”
He appeared shocked, saying nothing for a moment. “I will think about it and let you know in a couple of days.”
“Good. We will look forward to hearing from you.”
On their return to Anna’s parents, Anna talked to them whilst Brian worked on his bike. She then went out to the barn and sat on a bale to watch Brian. “Brian, when are we getting married?”
He put his rag down and sat beside her. “Any time you like, love.”
She kissed him. “Do you mean that?”
“Yes of course. We haven’t had time to think about it before.”
“No. And we haven’t had time for anything else either.”
“Why don’t you speak to your parents about setting a date?”
“I will do it now.” She ran across the yard. Brian felt guilty about making her work so hard and not having any fun. He was determined to organise things so they could have a honeymoon of her choice, even if it meant taking on more staff.
That evening they planned the wedding. Anna’s mother became very excited, and it was agreed the ceremony should take place during the first week of September. Brian said. “Where would you like to go for our honeymoon?”
Anna’s answer was immediate. “Switzerland.”
“What about Zurich.”
“Perfect. In the hotel where we stayed before. It was so nice there.”
“Good. I’ll look forward to going back there, too.”
Later that night Anna crept into Brian’s bed and whispered. “We have not made love for ages. Please be nice to me.”
Brian responded eagerly and they made love tenderly and passionately, before falling asleep together.
The next morning Anna’s mother looked at them both. “You look much better this morning. You must take care of yourselves.
Brian wondered if she knew they had shared a bed all night, and suspected that she did. He left Anna while he visited the other manufacturer. When he returned Anna greeted him with news that Mr Vogler wanted to see them in the morning. She had spent an enjoyable day with her mother making the necessary arrangements for the wedding, and in the afternoon went shopping to choose a wedding dress.
Mr Vogler was smiling and looking much more relaxed when they met him the following morning. “I agree to your proposal. You will of course become partners in the company?”
“Yes of course.”
Financial terms were agreed and Mr Vogler presented the couple to the staff, some of them looking worried. Brian took Anna to one side. “Please explain to all of them there will be no job losses and that the company would need all of them and more.” When she asked Mr Vogler if she could address the assembled staff he agreed. They all appeared reassured and smiled as they left.
That evening Brian asked Anna where she wanted to live.
“In Kent” she said instantly.
“Only my parents have suggested we convert rooms in the farmhouse to a flat.”
“That is a good idea and very nice of them.”
“Brian was pleased. “Mum likes you around for company.”
“I think she is wonderful.”
“My Dad likes you around because you’re beautiful.”
“Do not be silly Brian.”
They returned to Kent to break the news to John and Betty, who were delighted and John immediately started planning the flat.
Mike Thomas was sent out selling north of London, and they took on a permanent office worker with experience in accounts and wages. The business continued to expand and the old barn was bulging with equipment and spares. He had bought a second-hand generator that provided light and heat. New machines filled the meadow and Brian became preoccupied with the local council’s objections to his use of farm buildings. It will only be a matter of time before we have to move into bigger premises he thought. Still all the time we can hang on here, it will be much cheaper.
Most of the work on the flat was done by John and Brian in the evenings, with Betty and Anna decorating. It contained a sitting room, bedroom, kitchen and tiny bathroom. It was finished just in time
for the wedding and as the furniture was in Brian suggested they should try out the new double bed. They moved in together a week before the wedding. A third salesman was employed just before the wedding and took over in the office whilst they were away.
Brian drove their new Vauxhall to Belgium with his parents in the back. The car was overloaded, with suitcases strapped to the roof and in the boot. When they finally arrived, introductions were made and her parents welcomed them with overwhelming hospitality. The house was bulging at the seams with Anna’s relatives, so Brian offered to sleep in the barn. Anna’s mother was unhappy about the idea, but admitted that she and her husband would have to sleep on the floor of the sitting room. Brian picked up his case and walked across to the barn to save further argument, but the truth was he enjoyed sleeping in the open air, and soft hay made a nice bed.
Brian woke early to a warm sunny morning with hardly a cloud in the sky. He helped get the cows in and watched them walk in to the cowshed and in to their own places with their names written on the wall in front of them. They stood waiting to be milked and he thought what funny creatures of habit cows were.
Breakfast was consumed in relays and Brian steered clear of all the activity. The ladies were fussing over their wedding clothes and hats, whilst excited children were running about. He noticed his father trying to communicate with a tall blond lady wearing a wide brimmed hat, his arm waving and obviously trying to make a point.
The wedding was held in the village church which had a beautiful spire, white washed walls and was decorated with flowers inside and out. Brian wore the first suit he ever owned and his father acted as best man. Anna looked stunning in a long white dress with her two bridesmaids in matching apricot dresses. Brian stood in the church feeling uncomfortable in tight shoes and a close fitting collar, as he hated new clothes and could not stand wearing a collar and tie. His discomfort was instantly forgotten when he looked around to see Anna walking up the aisle. She smiled and winked when she saw him, and thought he looked very smart in his suit. She held his hand that helped both of their nerves as the minister commenced the ceremony.
