Edward cleared his throat. ‘The board of St Lazare has approached us with an offer of two hundred and fifty million dollars.’ He paused as a gasp went around the room. ‘This offer encompasses the vineyard itself, the château and bottling plants, as well as the wholesale outlets.’
‘Just like the French,’ Cordelia muttered. ‘They always were greedy.’
‘If they’re willing to pay that much, then why not?’ snapped Mary. ‘I vote we accept.’
‘Me too,’ seconded Philip. ‘Just think what we could do with all that lovely money.’
Cordelia eyed Edward’s foppish son. His fair hair was sleek and expensively streaked, clothes designer and immaculate as ever. Only the family knew of his brushes with the law and the expensive cocaine habit he’d once had.
‘You get into enough trouble with the money you already have,’ she said drily. ‘Keeping Jacaranda proudly Australian and in this family’s hands is far more important than high living, and as you are not fully involved in dayto-day company business, I suggest you keep quiet and let those who are have their say.’
‘I have what Jock left me in his will,’ he said softly. ‘That gives me a right to my opinion.’
Cordelia knew this to be true but now was not the time to get into an argument. She turned to the twins. ‘What do you have to say about this offer?’
The two men sat side by side, their sun-baked faces lined by the years they had toiled in the fields, for despite their wealth and position, they were truly men of the soil and understood little else. Their only concession to their enforced visit to Melbourne was a change into pristine moleskins and checked shirts. Their battered, sweat-stained Akubra hats rested on the table, their scuffed boots were hidden beneath it.
James, ever the spokesman for the pair, glanced at his twin and cleared his throat.
‘Reckon we like things the way they are,’ he drawled. ‘Jacaranda Vines has been going long enough without any interference from the French, and me and Mike don’t see why it shouldn’t stay that way. The proportional share in the corporation Jock left us won’t make any difference to our opinion.’ He lapsed into silence and looked down at his work-roughened hands.
‘It is an awful lot of money, Mum,’ said Kate as she glanced across at her sister Mary. ‘I know Mary isn’t the only one who thinks we should sell. We all had a bellyful of Dad and his bloody company while he was alive. Selling up and walking away seems like a bloody good idea to me now. But I suggest we think about what it would mean to us all if we don’t.’ She looked around the table. ‘This could be our chance to take Jacaranda into a future we all want. A future without having to look over our shoulders, waiting for Dad to pounce. We’ve worked too long and hard just to let it disintegrate. I vote we remain as we are, at least until we’ve given it a go.’ She turned to her sister Daisy. ‘What do you think?’
Daisy seemed to have her mind elsewhere for she blinked rapidly behind her steel-framed glasses as if to wake herself from a day-dream. ‘I can’t think why Dad left me those shares in the corporation. He never let me have anything to do with it before and it’s a bit late to start now,’ she said breathlessly.
‘Dad only split his fifty percent amongst us all to cause trouble,’ said Kate acidly. ‘He knew exactly what he was doing, and I wouldn’t mind betting he’s watching us now and thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of us at each other’s throats.’
Daisy shuddered. ‘You shouldn’t say things like that about the dead, Kate.’
‘It isn’t anything I wouldn’t say to his face,’ she retorted. ‘He was a bastard when he was alive, and dying is the one decent thing he ever did.’
‘This is all riveting, darlings, but could we get on? I have a rather important meeting at my club.’ Philip was leaning back in his chair, languid and perfectly at ease in his beautifully cut Italian suit and silk shirt.
‘God forbid you should keep a bunch of old queens waiting while we discuss something really important,’ snapped Mary.
Philip’s expression was malevolent as he eyed his cousin. ‘Takes one to know one, ducky, and with that outfit, you’re beginning to look more drag than Dynasty.’
Mary was about to retort when Edward interrupted. ‘I think this has gone far enough,’ he rumbled, pushing away from the table and standing up beneath his father’s portrait. ‘This meeting was called so we could discuss the French offer and the other options open to us, not so we could fight amongst ourselves,’ he said sternly.
‘Why not? It’s what we do best,’ said Mary tartly.
‘Shut up, all of you.’
Silence fell like a sledgehammer as they all turned to Sophie in amazement. It was as if they’d forgotten she was there. Forgotten she was an important player now – not a college kid.
‘My, my. Someone’s got out of bed on the wrong side this morning.’ Mary tilted her head to one side, her eyes gimlet sharp in her narrow face. ‘Missing not having a man around, are we?’
Cordelia noticed the momentary flash of anger in the girl’s eyes but applauded her silence. ‘If you haven’t anything constructive to say, Mary, then I suggest you hold your tongue,’ she snapped.
She folded her hands on the table in front of her. ‘I know that to sell would be the perfect chance to take our revenge on Jock for all the years he bullied and blackmailed us. It’s also the chance to have more money than any of us ever dreamed of – but what earthly good will it do us? We’re already independently wealthy from the vineyard. We own tens of thousands of acres of prime land as well as property in most of Australia’s major cities. Our shipping company is booming, and our road and rail transport companies are entering an era of growth and expansion. The new retail outlets are doing well since we took over from Ozzie’s, and the planned expansion of our supermarket chain is almost complete.’
‘We have to move on, Gran,’ said Sophie.
Cordelia’s pulse began to race. This wasn’t what she’d expected. ‘But I thought you understood what Jacaranda Vines means to this family, Sophie?’
The dark head nodded. ‘I understand what it used to mean, Gran. Things are different now Jock has gone. Times are changing.’
‘And we have changed with them,’ her grandmother said firmly.
Sophie’s dark eyes looked steadily back at her. ‘Not enough. The world market is a tough place, Gran. The French have been undercutting us, and with the majority of our wines earmarked for foreign markets, our home trade is suffering.’
‘The French are only undercutting us because they can’t compete with the quality and price of our wines,’ Cordelia said stubbornly. ‘Our champagne is as good as any of their highly priced fizz.’
‘It’s not just the French we’re competing against, Aunt Cordelia,’ interrupted Charles. He tucked his thumbs into his waistcoat pocket and puffed out his chest. ‘South America, South Africa, Yugoslavia, Romania … even the English are breaking into the market now.’
Cordelia grimaced. ‘Crook stuff it is too. Only fit for cheap bars.’
‘Not at all,’ he said dismissively. ‘There’s a growing youth market for cheap late vintage, and we’ve failed to corner it despite taking over Ozzie’s Bottle Shops.’
‘Then something should be done about it – and quick. Why wasn’t this discussed at the last board meeting?’
‘My dear Aunt Cordelia,’ he replied with a patronising smile, ‘one cannot discuss everything in an afternoon, especially with so much else at stake.’
‘We’re getting side-tracked, here,’ said Sophie. I don’t think we have a choice but to sell – Uncle Charles can explain better than I, and I think you should all listen very carefully to what he has to say.’
‘Quite so, m’dear,’ he agreed, puffing out his chest like a pouter pigeon. ‘Cordelia is under the impression that all is well with Jacaranda Vines. I’m sorry to say that is not the case.’
There was a murmur of surprise from the others, and he waited for it to subside before carrying on. ‘We are only jus
t discovering the full impact of Jock’s questionable business practices. In the last few years it appeared that all was well, but under that veneer of success lies a pile of trouble.’
He had their attention now.
‘The takeover of Ozzie’s, the upgrading and modernising of the winery and the money ploughed into the expansion of our supermarket chain and wholesale outlets, has effectively wiped out the profits for the last two years. The shipping and transport side of the business is booming but cannot produce enough profit to counterbalance our outlay. The Australian dollar has taken a battering in the world markets since the Indonesian and Japanese troubles, and our exports are only holding on by the skin of their teeth.’
He held up his hand for silence as loud protests greeted this summing up of their position. ‘Although we have invested heavily, the home market has taken a downward turn and our competitors smell trouble. There are several other wineries the French are interested in, and if these smaller companies come under the Lazare umbrella, we’re going to find it even harder to compete without another serious injection of capital.’
‘Rubbish,’ Cordelia exploded. ‘If we’re in such dire straits, how come my monthly income hasn’t been cut?’
Charles looked at her from beneath his bushy eyebrows. ‘Your other investments have kept you afloat so far, but sooner or later, if you persist in ignoring the true state of the affairs, your income will dwindle.’ The murmur rose to a climax with everyone talking at once. He again held up his hand for silence, and when finally it was achieved, he continued his catalogue of woes.
‘Jock ran this company for almost seventy years. You don’t need me to tell you what a bastard he was. In the beginning we saw him as a saviour, but in his last few years it seemed as if he was determined to leave us with nothing. In his will he left shares in the company to family members, giving some a vote on the future they’d never had before. But that will be worthless if we hang around much longer and ignore the truth. We all live in luxury, as Cordelia has reminded us, and that is part of the problem. The company has to support the ten of us, plus our dependants, as well as any modernisation and expansion to the plant. What with divorces, drying-out clinics, private airplanes and high living, the money is fast disappearing. If we don’t do something, and quickly, we will all go down.’
Voices were raised in sharp protest and anger but he commanded silence immediately when he began to speak again. ‘If we vote not to sell Jacaranda Vines, or at least part of the corporation, we will need capital to invest for the future. We have two alternatives. One is to go on the stock market and become a public company …’
‘Never,’ interrupted Cordelia. ‘This is a family concern. Everyone will just have to tighten their belts. We can sell off the supermarkets and the bottle shops, even think about getting rid of some of our real estate. We’ve been in trouble before, we’ll get over this.’
Charles took a deep breath, pressing his lips together as if to keep his temper and his retort under control. ‘No, we won’t, Cordelia. The knives are already out, and we won’t get the full market price. Going public might mean handing over the family business to strangers, but if we wish we can still retain a majority share and have a say in how the company is run.’
He mopped his brow with a very white handkerchief and she suddenly realised how much this in-fighting was costing his health. ‘So what’s the other alternative, Charles?’ she said quietly.
‘Sell the whole damn’ shooting match. Get rid of it once and for all. Lazare can have the bits they want, and if anyone here wishes to maintain a say in the running of the new company then I’ll make sure they’ll be guaranteed an executive place on the new board. We can sell the other companies off piecemeal once the dust settles,’ he finished.
Sophie took up from where he’d left off. ‘There is a third choice and that is to do nothing,’ she said firmly. ‘But if we do that, we’ll be playing into Jock’s hands and be broke within the next five to ten years.’
Everyone leaned forward, their expressions anxious as she carried on. ‘Either of Charles’ two alternatives will see Jacaranda Vines into the new millennium. The price will be the loss of its original character as a family corporation, and I admit it will be hard to see the end of an era. But other vineyards have gone the same route, and flourished. If we sell to Lazare it will mean some of us will have a place on the board of a prestigious company which has proved in the last ten years to be a strong force in the marketplace. It is from that position that the reputation of Jacaranda Vines can be steered into the next millennium. For those who no longer wish to be a part of the company, it would mean a hefty windfall, giving them the freedom to live their lives out of the shadow of Jacaranda Vines.’
Cordelia stared at her beloved granddaughter. ‘A shadow over your life? Is that how you see your inheritance?’ Her voice was soft and cracked with emotion.
Sophie looked around the table before turning to her grandmother. ‘Sometimes,’ she confirmed. ‘It’s all I’ve ever known, Gran. Grapes and vines, fermenting and bottling, storage, picking, tasting … they were all learned before I could even read or write. My life was mapped out for me before I had time to consider what it would mean, and sometimes, although I love what I do, I feel there’s no escape from Grandad’s influence.’
Cordelia watched her face. Sophie was animated now she’d revealed her true feelings, and as she hurried to explain how much she was looking forward to working for another company, and what it would mean for her career, Cordelia realised she was in danger of losing her. The dreams she’d held so dear were drifting further away with each word. Jacaranda Vines was doomed unless she could make Sophie see things in a different light.
‘I say we take an informal vote now and meet again in twenty-four hours.’ Edward looked around the table. ‘All those in favour of selling Jacaranda to St Lazare?
Cordelia watched as Mary, Charles, Philip, Sophie and Edward raised their hands. No surprises there, but the odds were stacking up against her. She and her brother Edward had the majority holding; Mary had her own, plus what Jock had left her. Sophie owned six percent through Jock’s legacy, Philip eight. He was a force to reckon with if it came down to an all-out battle and the proportional share was added up with the votes.
‘Those against.’
Cordelia lifted her hand and was swiftly followed by Kate and the twins. She glared at Daisy who after a swift glance at Mary, timidly raised her hand.
‘We have a hung decision,’ Cordelia said triumphantly. ‘There will be no changes made. Jacaranda Vines will remain a family corporation and proudly Australian.’
‘It’s not as simple as that, Cordy,’ Edward said regretfully. ‘The charter Jock drew up all those years ago states that in the event of a draw, there must be a further meeting called within the next twenty-eight days. And if a decision is not reached by then, the Chief Executive must look to the holdings in the company. If the result is still hung, I have the casting vote.’
‘Over my dead body,’ she said firmly.
‘Probably will be,’ Mary mumbled.
‘I heard that,’ Cordelia snapped. ‘I might be old, but I’m not bloody deaf. Neither am I about to be shoved six foot under.’ She pushed away from the table and grasped her walking sticks. ‘Sophie, would you come with me up to the apartment? The atmosphere in here is intolerable.’
Sophie nodded. ‘But if you think you’re going to change my mind, you’re wrong. I’m quite determined to accept the French offer.’
Cordelia smiled inwardly as she headed for the lift. We’ll see about that, she thought.
*
The meeting had thrown up few surprises for Sophie. This family of hers had a predictable kind of loyalty, and even something as serious as Jock’s deliberate destruction of the company hadn’t shaken them from their customary stance. After a lifetime of being bullied into submission it was hard to change, and Sophie had warned Edward and Charles of how the voting would probably go. The only s
urprise was that Philip had voted on the same side as his brother Charles, but she wouldn’t put it past him to change his mind at the next meeting out of spite.
‘Dollar for ’em?’
Sophie smiled down at the old lady who had more or less brought her up. ‘There’s a lot to think about, and with a family like ours it’s enough to give anybody a headache. I’m sorry if they wore you out with their squabbling.’
Cordelia shrugged. ‘At my age just being alive wears me out, but I must say I do like a good row. Airs all the grievances, shows us in our true colours. Can’t pretend to be proud of my family on the whole, but some of you have redeeming qualities, and for that I suppose Edward and I should be grateful.’
Sophie stood in silence as the elevator took them up to the penthouse suite. As far as she could see, her mother Mary’s only redeeming quality was that she lived several hundred miles away in Sydney. Dad had shot through before she was born, and apart from a grainy photograph Sophie knew nothing of him. Mary had never enlarged on the subject, and Gran knew even less. As for her own generation, the twins lived in a world of their own and were difficult to get to know. The aunts were fun, especially Kate with her sharp tongue and soft heart, but Uncle Charles was pompous, and Philip was all right only in small doses. His ‘in your face’ homosexuality was frequently tiresome, and she wondered if it was his way of defending himself.
Jane was waiting for them, a glass of gin and tonic in one hand, a cigarette in the other. They kissed the air at each other’s cheek. Sophie had never understood Gran’s decision to share her home. The two women seemed to have little in common, and although she quite liked Jane there was something secretive there which made Sophie distrust her. Yet it was none of her business what Gran did, and Jane had always been kind and friendly whenever Sophie had spent the school holidays at the apartment.
‘Meeting go well?’
Jacaranda Vines Page 3
