by S M Mala
‘Do you know how much money we’ve lost on ‘Le Font’?’ she asked as Finlay had to glance away. ‘It’s too much for us to take another risk.’
‘How much money?’ Toby asked before frowning. ‘She probably spent it on being a nasty little bitch, that Juliette Lef-.’
‘Toby don’t you dare use that language in front of your mother!’ exclaimed Piers as he came back in with three bottles of beer and a glass, which he handed to Alice. ‘Let’s not talk about business. We never usually do and now is not the time to start.’
Finlay walked towards the doors, leading on to the garden, and unlocked them before walking out onto the patio. The large garden looked lush and with the scent of jasmine wafting towards him.
‘How much money have you lost?’ asked Toby again.
‘Over one million euros and counting,’ Finlay replied, not wanting to turn around but hearing his brother gasp loudly.
‘Oh my god!’ exclaimed Toby. ‘What’s that in English?’
‘A lot,’ Piers said as Finlay turned around to find his mother standing behind him.
Alice stared at him for a moment before stroking his face and grabbing his arm.
‘We’ve all made mistakes,’ she said quietly. ‘I’m not blaming you for this.’
‘But I am,’ Finlay frowned. ‘Had I known then how this would affect my future then I’d have seen what that scheming wife of mine was up to. How was I to know it would actually jeopardise the person I’ve fallen in love with?’ He knew not to look at his mother. ‘Don’t hate her, please? She’s very vulnerable and still hurting from the situation with Freya. I know you’re seeing her on Friday but don’t push her into a corner.’
‘Oh sweetheart, I don’t hate Sylvie, I really don’t, but I have to get some money back some way or another. There will be a knock on effect on all our businesses if I don’t sell an asset that we don’t need. And you know there’s only one company we can let go without compromising our current ones. I’m not doing it to hurt her or Piers. I just don’t have another option.’ She grabbed him and gave him a massive hug. ‘Finlay, you know I love you and I want you to be happy.’
‘I’ve never been happier or, equally, so upset in my life.’
Thursday morning she sat in the offices before walking slowly around the place then started to package up items at high speed.
Sylvie asked her mother to stay the night so she could get to work at the crack of dawn and put together all the things that needed to be sent out. She knew she could work at a faster pace than the others and wanted to make sure everything was ready.
Finlay had flown out and he wasn’t saying much about his trip. All she got out of him the night before was a vague mumbling about ‘Le Font’ and he had to tie up some paperwork. She knew he’d had dinner at his mother’s and said little else, other than asking what Daisy would like as a present.
She smiled when she thought about him before looking around and wanting to cry, knowing what she had to do.
‘Hello Sylvie, what are you doing in so early?’ she heard and turned to see Rosalind standing at the door.
‘I could ask you the same thing. It’s just gone six thirty?’
‘I wanted to come in early as I’ve an appointment with the consultant later on. Nothing to worry about just a regular check-up,’ she said with a bright smile before taking off her long Indian scarf and walking towards the kitchen area. ‘I see you had the same idea.’
‘Thought I’d help. They’ve been working so hard and I just wanted to-.’
The rise of emotion was hurtling towards her throat as she hung her head down and started to sob, before quickly wiping her face and taking a deep breath.
‘Oh my, what’s wrong?’ Rosalind asked, coming slowly towards her. ‘You’ve not been yourself for quite a while. This is having a terrible effect on you, I can tell.’
‘I’ve got to do something really awful, truly bad, but I have no choice,’ she said, sobbing into her hands. ‘I just want to make everything perfect for Finlay again.’
Sixty Six
All the paperwork had been gone through as he sat in ‘Le Font’s’ offices mid Thursday morning, knowing they were all looking at him as if he had done something wrong. Hardly anyone had spoken to him and he knew, as well as they, the company was in trouble but he didn’t want to help it.
He wanted it to crash and burn.
Checking the address, he put his things together and got up to leave, before glancing around feeling pleased to see the back of it.
He knew exactly where he was going as the cab took him on a twenty five minute journey further on down the coast. Then he glanced at his phone before smiling.
‘Stupid bitch,’ he said to himself, sitting back against the seat and feeling his heart racing at the thought of the encounter.
As the car drew to a halt, he paid the fare before stepping out and pushing his sunglasses on top of his head. The restaurant was small and he took a deep breath before walking in, seeing it was coming up after one o’clock and it would be busy.
He was met by a very pretty young woman, who escorted him to the garden area. All the time he glanced around the place, waiting and watching. The table was small and in the corner, as he’d asked for. Then he sat down and looked out at the beach view before smiling and thinking about Sylvie. He reached for his phone and saw her last message.
‘So where do you think? I can get a last minute deal but there’s no point booking a place until you tell me where you don’t want to go as opposed to where you do. I was thinking somewhere really hot like Tunisia but do you burn easily?’
Finlay started to laugh before returning the reply.
‘As you have accused me of having ginger pubic hair then you will know I have a tendency to burn but I do have gallons of factor fifty to ensure that I don’t. I will book somewhere with you tomorrow when I return. We’ll do it together.’
He sent the message then was surprised at the quick response.
‘I love you.’
Finlay smiled before his eyes looked around the place.
Then he saw him.
Marc-Philippe.
Finlay beckoned him over, knowing this was the perfect moment seeing that his wife and children were also walking into the restaurant. He thought of Sylvie before laughing to himself and getting to his feet.
‘Thank you for stopping work on this beautiful Friday morning,’ Sylvie said brightly before looking at all their gorgeous faces and knowing her heart was breaking into tiny little pieces. Her mask was truly up and her real feelings weren’t on show. ‘I have decided it would be best for all if I sell my shares to ‘Chambers Caplin’.’
The expression on their faces spoke volumes as she could see Pria was visibly upset, as was Elizbieta while Samina scowled. Rosalind touched her arm to continue.
‘I know you have been very loyal and hard-working but I can’t-.’
‘Sorry I’m late!’ shouted Toby rushing in. ‘Am I missing something?’
‘Toby can you come here,’ she said as he walked towards the packing area and stopped in his tracks.
‘She selling company to your mother!’ hissed Samina. ‘So to you, which mean you make us lose job.’
‘You can’t Sylvie! You mustn’t. I’ve got a flat and I’ll sell it so you can buy the shares,’ he shouted. ‘I was late because I went to the estate agents.’
‘You got home and live at parents? You typical Indian boy, you know that!’ sniffed Samina.
Sylvie couldn’t hold on.
She burst into tears as Rosalind put a comforting arm around her.
No words could come from her mouth as Toby walked closer and she knew the place was now silent.
‘Does Fin know what you’ve done?’ he asked gently as she shook her head from side to side. Then Stephen walked in as Toby turned to speak to him. ‘She’s selling to my mother.’
‘Really?’ Stephen replied and Sylvie noticed his tone was more of surprise than common knowledge. ‘
Why?’
‘Because it’s better for everyone if I do,’ she eventually said as Samina shoved toilet roll into her face as she wiped her tears.
‘I do you for harassment. Ugly face when cry give me nightmare. You stop cry and make normal ugly face, that much better,’ she said.
‘Give the woman a break! Can’t you see she’s upset, innit? Where does that leave us Sylvie? How long have we got?’ asked Pria as the others mumbled in unison.
‘In my list of demands, I have asked that all of you get paid until the end of the year plus your notice on top. That means you don’t have to panic about Christmas and by then you’d have found other jobs. I have rewritten all your CVs and have a list of potential employers plus you will all get excellent references. I will make sure you get new jobs and receive something for your hard work. The stock will belong to ‘Chambers Caplin’ so we’ll try and sell as much as we can over the next four weeks before we finish.’
‘Ya mean closedown?’ corrected Matthew as Sylvie nodded unable to utter the word.
‘This has been hard for me and I want you to know, I’m really very sorry,’ she gulped wiping her face again.
‘How much money you make Sylvie? You rich so you can open smaller place and employ us,’ said Samina as Sylvie smiled for a moment. ‘If Piers Caplin can do, and he not have no idea, you can.’
‘I need to protect my daughter’s interest and by working here, even though it has been wonderful, I was doing it to get over the death of my husband and somehow focussing on other things, when I should have been concentrating on my child,’ she said, in all honesty. ‘I have to get a job too. It’s not as if I can stay at home. God knows who’s going to employ me?’
‘I’ll employ you,’ Toby said, in all seriousness. ‘You could be my housekeeper or something.’
‘I hear your brother got in first,’ laughed Dan as Sylvie felt herself go red.
‘That’s because he’s a devious so and so,’ mumbled Toby before bending down to look at Sylvie. ‘Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?’
‘I don’t think she is,’ mumbled Rosalind. ‘I think if she told Finlay what she was doing he’d have something to say and Alice… you know she’d be-.’
‘Enough,’ Sylvie said gently. ‘Let me do what I have to do. Later on today we’ll finish early and go to the pub. I’ve booked a room at the local so we can all sit down together and chat, then you can go home the normal time.’
‘Why you do it? Why you do this?’ asked Samina, who was getting upset. ‘That Finlay Chambers has something to do with it. He brain watered you, that why you do it.’
‘He didn’t brainwash me,’ Sylvie laughed. ‘I don’t want to go through the same thing I did with my husband’s family and by doing this, there will be no resentment. I just want a peaceful life.’
‘What?’ Finlay said, getting off the plane and seeing the calls from Toby, Rosalind and even Samina. ‘She’s going to sell it to my mother?’
‘Oh Finlay, she was so upset and crying her eyes out when she told us,’ Toby continued. ‘She’s obviously thought hard about it and thinks it’s her only option. I put my flat up for sale this morning hoping I could get some money.’
‘Toby you didn’t, did you?’ he said, gently to his brother, seeing how he wanted to help. ‘Look has she gone? Can you keep her in the building until I get there? I know she’s seeing mum at eleven.’
‘She left ages ago, really upset. I think she needed some air. I expect she’s heading there now. There’s nothing you can do. It’s a done deal.’
‘It most certainly isn’t!’
Sixty Seven
‘Thank you for coming,’ Alice said as Sylvie stepped into her office.
She looked around and there was no sign of Henry the lawyer.
‘I’m a little early,’ Sylvie said apologetically. ‘I wanted to get this over and done with as soon as possible.’
Her heart was racing and she smiled, before feeling sick again, then realised Alice was directing her towards the sofa.
‘Let’s sit here,’ the woman said and they sat opposite each other. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘No I’m fine. Just give me the papers and I’ll sign them. I know you’d have agreed to all I requested.’
‘Can I talk to you beforehand?’ Alice gently asked as Sylvie avoided eye contact. ‘Finlay has just called me. It seems you didn’t tell him, like you said you were going to do.’
Immediately she looked up and knew he’d been calling her on the mobile but she didn’t have the nerve to speak to him, until she’d done the deed.
‘He thinks I’m forcing you,’ added Alice. ‘Sylvie, why are you doing this? I know what you said the other day but it doesn’t really make sense and-.’
‘You need the money don’t you? To make sure that the debt from ‘Le Font’ is covered so it doesn’t affect the other businesses isn’t that right? Toby told me. So by doing this then you’ll have the cash and everything is sorted with profit. It’s the least I could do. You see -.’
‘Hello,’ Piers said, standing at the door as she frowned for a second. ‘You’re early.’
‘What are you doing here?’ she replied and turned to Alice. ‘Did you invite him?’
‘I heard what was going on and wanted to know your reasoning. Here!’ He had a stack of papers in his hand. ‘You need to sign these to sell your shares.’
‘Do you mind Sylvie? As it was his business I asked him to be here to make sure that those boys of mine see I’m not forcing you. Come and sit next to me.’
Piers walked across the room as Sylvie stared at the table knowing he wasn’t going to make it easy for her.
‘Where do I sign?’ she asked immediately, reaching for her handbag and pulling out a pen. ‘Just show me and I’ll do it.’
‘Didn’t I teach you to read things beforehand?’ said Piers with a laugh. ‘Are you not listening to anyone, anymore?’
‘I am listening,’ she said, grabbing the papers and flicking through them, her eyes glancing over the scheme she had set out to protect her people.
‘Aren’t you going to look at the money?’ Alice asked and she noticed the couple glanced at each other.
‘I’m sure it’s all fine. Can you witness this for me?’ she said as Piers leaned forward and she scribbled near crosses where her name was in print, just wanting to do it and leave.
‘Yes that is your signature,’ he said, before sitting back down. ‘So now it’s all done and dusted?’
‘Yes,’ Sylvie said and bit back her tears. ‘Everything will be fine and … and…’
Again she couldn’t hold it and burst into tears.
‘Sly, what is the matter with you?’ Piers said, getting up and sitting next to her. ‘You didn’t have to sell your shares. Why would you do such a thing?’
‘It’s legal and you will do as you said, won’t you Alice?’ she asked, wiping her tears away with her fingers. ‘You have to, you really have to.’
‘What is it she has to do for you?’
‘Sylvie, tell Piers, he needs to know as I… well I know it’s going to upset a few people,’ replied Alice. ‘Actually a lot of people.’
Composing herself she smiled at Piers whose look of concern took her by surprise for a moment.
‘I’ve asked that the guys are paid until the end of the year and then given their notice on top, to protect them. I’ve also requested she doesn’t sack Finlay over any of this as he has been pre-occupied with one thing or another. My last request is that she doesn’t close ‘Le Font’ down, as I know it was them or me and now I’ve sold they can carry on.’
‘You what!’ shouted out Piers making Sylvie jump. ‘Are you mad?’
‘No I am not mad!’ she barked back. ‘It seemed the logical thing to do.’
Sylvie glanced away, hiding her lie as he grabbed her face.
‘Piers, leave the girl alone will you? Can’t you see she’s upset?’
‘Sylviana Mather I know when yo
u’re lying and you’re lying right now. Spit it out,’ he said, coming closer to her face as she shut her eyes. ‘What are you not saying and why let that scrubber keep her business and let go of yours.’
‘Because she said if I didn’t do something she’d make sure that Finlay loses his right to see his son and she’d do it!’ blurted out Sylvie before slapping Piers’s hand away. ‘She came to see me and made a valid point for fighting Finlay, knowing full well that as a mother she still had the upper hand, scrubber or no scrubber.’
‘Why that nasty little bitch!’ hissed Alice. ‘That madam can’t-.’
‘She can do it because she’s hurting and she wants to hurt him. He’s done nothing wrong and the thing is… oh god this is really horrible. Juliette says she loves Finlay but she’s not in love with him and, to her, the business is more important than their relationship. If she loses it she has nothing and then he’ll have no son. He’ll hate me forever if I didn’t agree and I don’t want him to be unhappy. Finlay deserves much better than that. He’s a good man, he really is.’
‘So you’d sell your shares and she keeps her business?’ said Alice aghast. ‘You’d do that for Finlay?’
‘Oh god, I don’t want to lose the business but I don’t want to lose him. I only got the shares because I leant Piers money when there was a cock up, so they’re really not mine. The money is paid back so, to be honest, the money you’re paying me isn’t mine. It’s sort of interest if we’re honest.’ She gulped hard. ‘How hard will it be for Finlay if he loses contact with his son? I could stop it and I have done. I had to let something go I loved and it was the business. I didn’t want Finlay to suffer. Please don’t tell him.’
‘But I now know,’ Finlay said, standing at the door as Sylvie jumped up, immediately looking at his furious face. ‘You should have told me!’
‘Why? I’ve caused enough trouble as it is,’ she said tiredly before putting her head in her hands. ‘I want it to all go away.’
‘But you didn’t have to do that,’ he said, stepping into the office as she couldn’t look at him. ‘Not for me.’
