A Diamond in the Rough

by Marilyn Land

  “When we met at the tender age of twelve, I was all about diamonds and following in my Papa’s footsteps; it was a given, but it was a way of life that no longer exists. The War changed a lot of things. Marcus offered me a job when I was discharged; a job in a field that I once thought was my destiny. I can’t deny that I loved every minute of travelling to America and learning what the industry was all about and what it had to offer.

  “Somewhere along the line, I began to realize that the part of the diamond industry that my father passed onto me is no longer sustainable on an individual basis. The areas that I am now involved in are just not me; they don’t represent my interests. I’ve become bored with the process, and disappointed that instead of selling diamonds, De Beers’ advertising campaign is based solely on selling an idea. The ability to produce a beautifully cut and polished gem has nothing to do with it.

  “I would like to accept Joe’s offer; I think we are a good fit and would compliment one another. I intend to tell Marcus that I’m leaving De Beers, not because of the offer, but because I think it’s time. I don’t enjoy going to work anymore. When Marcus hired me, it was on the premise that I would take over his position when he retired; I feel that leaving would upset his plans, and I don’t want to do that. So my Love, that’s my quandary. What say you?”

  Lexi had listened intently; she had felt for some time that Jake wasn’t totally into his job. In fact, it was evident he was far happier working on diamonds in his workshop which he often used as a means of relaxation when he wasn’t flying. At first, she attributed it to Zoe’s interest in watching him work and ultimately asking him to teach her as his father had taught him. She soon realized, however, that many times Zoe wasn’t around yet Jake continued to frequent his workshop.

  “I haven’t seen you this excited in a long time. When I think back on other times you showed this kind of enthusiasm, it was always about something that had to do with flying. I think you should follow your heart, as I know that Marcus would want you to. He loves you Jake, and there is no way you could ever be a disappointment to him.

  “You know what I think? I think he idolizes you as much as I do.”

  Jake laughed out loud. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I’ve spent a whole week agonizing over this; I should have come to you immediately; I could have saved myself from so many disparaging thoughts.

  “Do we have any ice cream? Suddenly I feel like ice cream in a big bowl with hot fudge and nuts on top that’s so popular in the States.”

  Jake’s revelations were not in the least a surprise to Marcus. He recalled the night he told him and Elena that he had purchased a plane with all the passion and excitement he had once shown when he spoke of diamonds. Although Elena had viewed his interest in flying as a distraction for having lost Lexi, he had felt otherwise; the ensuing years had proven him right.

  However, Lexi was right too. He idolized Jake who could do no wrong in his eyes. In fact, the only way Jake could disappoint Marcus would be by not following his heart, by not being honest about his own feelings in an effort to spare his.

  Two months later, the partnership of Joe Hanks and Jake Lyons was finalized. Eagle Aerodrome continued to operate as a UK Civil Aviation Authority accredited pilot school. They began undergoing a much-needed expansion to accommodate the charter services. Two new jet planes were purchased; new hangers were constructed, and longer runways for the new jets were installed. New hires were in the works; pilots, mechanics, and an office manager for the charter services were needed immediately.

  While Jake dealt with the construction and expansion, Joe was kept busy interviewing the new employees they were seeking. As soon as word went out, two mechanics were quickly hired.

  Holly Reynolds was the first to apply for the office manager’s position, and by the end of her interview, Joe offered her the job. She was actually overqualified for the position, but as an accountant and a licensed pilot, he felt the opportunity each afforded the other could be a win-win situation for her and their Company as it grew and expanded.

  Joe hired two ex-RAF servicemen as pilots; both were also qualified to be flight instructors if the need arose. One of the men he hired had recently left the RAF having stayed on as a flight instructor after the War. Following the interview, they chatted for almost an hour, and finding one particular part of his story intriguing, Joe insisted he and Jake meet. He set the meeting up for the following afternoon.

  When Jake walked into Joe’s office, he was totally unprepared for what awaited him. As the two men stared at each other, Joe said, “Jake, I’d like you to meet one of our new flight instructors Tommy Butler. Tommy, this is my partner Jake Lyons.”

  After the interview, after Joe had hired him, as they compared stories of their service during the War, Tommy casually mentioned that he had learned to fly in the States and related that he and two other young chaps had experienced a year of southern hospitality at its best; it peaked his interest knowing that Jake had also been sent to flight school in America.

  He lost contact with both friends during the War, but had recently read a newspaper article about Andy Barbour, now a Barrister, announcing his run for Parliament. He had no word on the whereabouts of his other friend Jake Lyons.

  At first, Joe was inclined to tell him that Jake was his partner; on second thought, he opted to surprise them both. He was impressed with Tommy Butler; he seemed genuine—what you saw was what you got—and he liked that.

  “Is that really you Tommy? Hey man, you look great. How are you? Where have you been? What have you been up to? Wait a minute. Did Joe say you’re coming to work with us?”

  “Yes, it looks like I am. I had no idea you and Joe are partners.”

  They both turned and looked at Joe who stood grinning from ear to ear. “Don’t look at me like that. I had already hired Tommy, and as we were talking he mentioned your name, and I just couldn’t resist setting up this little meeting.”

  That evening after the children had gone to bed, Jake gave Lexi an update on the expansion of the aerodrome and the new people Joe hired. “I met with one of the pilots today. His name is Tommy Butler.”

  Lexi thought for a moment. “Why does that name sound familiar? Is that your friend that I met years ago at the Savoy?”

  “Yes, it is. And he’s married to your friend Betsy Bromwell that you went to nursing school with, and they have four kids and another on the way. They live in Middlesex, but they recently bought a bigger home and will be moving soon.”

  “I can’t believe you waited until after dinner and after the children were in bed to tell me. How could you not say something to me the minute you walked in the door Jake Lyons? Do you have their number? I have to ring her up. My God, it’s been ten years or more. How are they? I remember when we said our goodbyes. Tommy said he was sweet on her. They actually kept in touch and got married. How wonderful.”

  Jake playfully tried to pull her towards him to kiss her, but Lexi playfully pushed him away. “Not so fast. You’re not off the hook yet. Can we get together? I’d love to see them.”

  “Of course, we can get together; in fact, I invited them to dinner Saturday night, and I told them to bring the kids. Tommy and I worked it out that we would tell you after the kids were in bed. I’m sure they’re having this same conversation as we speak. Here’s their number so you can ring up Betsy. Why don’t you give it a try now?”

  She took the piece of paper he held out to her but not before giving him a big kiss. “Thank you; thank you. I love you. You’re forgiven for holding out on me.” And she was off to make her call.

  During the months of renovation, contracts had been negotiated and by the spring of 1955, Eagle Charter Services was off to a great start. The two jets they ordered were due to be delivered by mid-summer; and it seemed as if everyone wanted to learn to fly considering all the applications they had received for their next class.

&nbs
p; The twins were growing up; they were good scholastic students. Living too far from the East End to send them to Hebrew School at the old synagogue led Jake and Lexi to hire a tutor to come to the house. Their teacher was a woman whose milder, gentler way of approaching their lessons than Rabbi Levin had been with Jake, resulted in Harry and Adam liking her immensely and actually looking forward to the days she came.

  Zoe no longer a child had become a young lady. To everyone, she was a normal teenager with many friends who attended parties and dances for young people her age, and who liked nothing better than spending time with her Daddy in his workshop perfecting her ability to cut gems. To Jake who knew his daughter better than anyone, he saw in Zoe what his Papa had seen in him. Passion—the powerful emotion he had for diamonds, she had for flying.

  For her fourteenth birthday after many discussions and considerations, pros and cons, Lexi agreed to Jake’s suggestion of her gift. She could begin taking flying lessons. She couldn’t solo until she was sixteen and couldn’t get her license until she turned seventeen, but by that time, the upside would be the vast knowledge, experience, and flying hours she would have to her credit. Jake planned to teach her himself until the time came for her to solo.

  As the decade of the fifties drew to an end, Eagle Aerodrome and Charter Services was totally solvent with no outstanding loans and turning a hefty profit. Jake and Joe had parlayed their friendship and partnership into a multi-million dollar enterprise. A new venture to kick off the New Year was in the works. Lexi had made the suggestion and Jake had followed through. Eagle MedAir, providing medical transport for doctors, patients, and supplies, was set to begin service in January.

  In an empty hanger, decorated for the season, with tables of ample food and drink, and a small band providing music, employees and their families gathered to celebrate Eagle Aerodrome’s success that each had contributed to.

  Jake had invited their family to join them, including Marcus and Elena whose pride in Jake’s accomplishments was written all over their faces. Mark and Sam, both physicians, welcomed the news of Eagle MedAir.

  There were other things to celebrate too. Marcus had finally retired. He was seventy-five years old, and he and Elena had celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary a couple of years back. Spending time with family and traveling was their sole agenda for the coming years.

  An already wonderful evening ended with a surprise Christmas Bonus for each and every employee. Jake and Joe predicted it was the first of many to come.

  When it rains, most birds head for shelter; the Eagle is the only bird that, in order to avoid the rain, flies above the clouds.

  High above the clouds, Eagle Aerodrome Services soared into the future.

  Happy 1960 to one and all!

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Time is not measured by the passing of years but by what one does, what one feels, and what one achieves. The bad news is time flies; the good news is you are the Pilot; to the Pilot—the sky is the limit; the sky is home.

  Zoe knew the instrument panel backwards and forwards. Through the years, Jake had answered her endless questions straightforward disregarding the fact that that for most of those years she was a child. She absorbed and remembered everything he taught her, often seeking further explanation if something was not clear in her mind. They had flown together many times just the two of them, and in retrospect, each flight had been a lesson in itself. Therefore, it was without question that she knew a good deal about aviation the very first time she found herself at the controls in the cockpit.

  At first, it seemed to her that it was going to be a long two years before she could solo, and an additional year before she could get her license, but once she was at the controls, these thoughts evaporated into thin air. She was flying, actually flying a plane; Zoe Elise Lyons was on her way to becoming a pilot, a pilot like her Daddy.

  Jake’s busy schedule at work, Zoe’s school commitments, and the weather to contend with did not afford them a great deal of time, but they flew whenever they could.

  He considered having one of their flight instructors take over to prepare her to fly solo, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Secretly, Jake was pleased. She was a natural and by the time she was old enough to get her pilot’s license, he had no doubt whatsoever that she would ace the exam.

  An article in the London Times caught Jake’s eye; Paul Zeller died. The lengthy article identified him as the son and grandson of the proprietors of Zeller Jewelers one of the oldest establishments in Hatton Garden. They had been in business for seventy-five years at their landmark corner location when the store was demolished in one of the Luftwaffe air raids during the Blitz on London.

  Paul Zeller and his brother Phil left London at the turn of the century and struck out on their own settling in Cape Town, South Africa. For over forty years, Zeller Jewelers was a well-known fixture on Adderley Street in the heart of the business district.

  Seizing the opportunity to increase their profits, they ventured into gem cutting and polishing by opening the Annex, which they operated as a separate entity hiring gem cutters fleeing Europe and the Nazis. Upon the death of their parents at the end of the War, they sold the store and the Annex and returned to London. The Hatton Garden location never reopened.

  Jake tore the article out of the paper. The funeral had been held a week earlier, but the name of the funeral home was listed, as well as the synagogue where the services had taken place.

  He decided to go to the synagogue first. Finding the main doors locked, he walked around to the side of the building and entered. A woman in the office called out to him. “May I help you?”

  “Good Morning. My name is Jake Lyons, and I’m hoping you can help me get in touch with Phil Zeller.” He pulled the article from his pocket. “My uncles worked for the Zeller brothers, and I would like to offer my condolences.”

  When the woman hesitated, Jake added, “I will be happy to leave you my name and number to have him contact me. If you are not at liberty to give out information to strangers, I thoroughly understand your position.”

  The woman said. “I know Phil and Lena personally. Please have a seat while I try to reach the Zellers, and I’ll leave the decision up to them.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  She returned and handed Jake a piece of paper with a phone number and address in the Hyde Park area. “Ring them up. They’re expecting to hear from you.”

  He walked out to the street in search of a phone. He could have asked to use the phone in the synagogue, but the woman hadn’t offered, and he didn’t want to press his luck. At the corner, he stepped into the booth and dialed the number. Phil Zeller answered.

  Minutes later, he pulled up to the house, walked to the door and lifted the knocker. Lena Zeller opened the door inviting him in.

  Jake never made it to work. He spent the better part of the day learning about Benjamin’s arrival in Cape Town and how it was actually his uncle who ran the Annex. “Hiring your uncle was a business decision Paul and I never regretted.

  “We didn’t know anything about diamond and gem cutting. In retrospect, it was presumptuous of us to open a business we knew nothing about. Ben was a godsend, and we prospered because of his expertise and vision. When Sydney came to Cape Town, we welcomed him too with open arms. Except for a short period of time towards the end of the War, the Annex was a huge success.

  “We originally came up with the idea of the Annex as an extension of Zeller’s. With our own cutting and polishing facility, we envisioned larger profits and the ability to deliver a finished product to our customers in a more timely fashion. Ben, however, saw it as a separate entity allowing us to pick up other accounts. At that point, the two businesses were separated, and Zeller Jewelers became an Annex account. Ben had full control of day-to-day operations, managing all our accounts, and hiring additional cutters.

  “Although the War nev
er really had an affect on Cape Town, when Sidney died, Ben hit a rough patch. His friend Franz Schiller never let up on him until he finally came back around and returned to the Ben we knew and loved.

  “When Franz died, he told Paul and I he planned to leave Cape Town after the War and join you in London. Sadly it wasn’t in the cards. Ben was a good man, an honorable man. He helped so many people, and he was well respected in the town. His memorial service at the synagogue was attended by an overflow of the many people whose lives he touched.”

  In all that Phil had told him, there was nothing that offered a clue to the diamonds. He learned, however, that Ben had been the main force behind the Annex in spite of the fact that the Zellers were the owners. The appraisals on Annex letterhead should have gone to the owners of the diamonds. Why did Ben have them?

  “I cannot thank you enough for all that you have told me today. I never really knew my uncles having only met them once at my Bar Mitzvah when they came to London. When I arrived in Cape Town after Ben died, you and Paul had already left and there was almost no one for me to speak with about them. I met the Rabbi at his synagogue and Jamilia Botu who I learned had taken care of both my uncles when they were ill. You have shown me a different side of their lives.

  “When Ben’s personal effects were shipped to me in England, among his papers was a card with the name Shiloh written in Hebrew. Would you have any idea what that could mean?”

  “We had an account at the Annex with the name Shiloh but I don’t recall seeing the name written in Hebrew. I have no idea who the account belonged to or where they were located. Most accounts were businesses and were listed as such. I do recall, however, that Shiloh was by far our largest account at the Annex, and we did business with them for years. Ben handled all of that.