The Long Way Home

by Phillip Overton

  Chapter 27

  December 1989

  Doug sat across the table from Richard at the Surfer’s Beer Garden, upstairs in Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise. Seated at the table with them were all the big guns in what Richard had promised was going to be the deal of the century. Doug felt like the small fish surrounded by the six sharks that circled around him, eyeing him carefully, grinning smugly through teeth that were bared, ready to rip him to shreds should he even think about questioning the deal that lay on the table.

  “So, are you in then?” Richard asked, bringing Doug back into the conversation.

  The other men stopped sucking the froth from the top of their beer and turned to look at Doug. The silence was long enough for Doug to feel their eyes of steel cast a last cold stare of distrust over him. They must still be wondering why Richard had felt the need to include him at this late stage of developments. Doug couldn’t remember all their names, but together they represented some of the most powerful people on the Gold Coast. Property developers and financial investors who had worked on some of the biggest projects the coast had seen over the last decade.

  Of course when they weren’t putting together a deal such as this one, they were out rubbing shoulders with other self-made multi-millionaires in corporate marquees during a Bear’s Australian Rules football match. Or playing a round of golf with Japanese investors at one of the many golf courses they had designed and built, hoping to persuade them into investing in what would surely become the next big development on the glitter strip.

  “Doug?” Richard asked again.

  “Yeah, of course I’m in mate.” Doug replied and there was a look of relief on some of the faces around him.

  “You know, I think you are fortunate to have a friend like Richard insist on including you on a big project like this.” It was Councilor Green who now spoke in his usual cool and collective manner. “Apparently the two of you have a long history together and from what I understand a very successful partnership when it comes to development and sales. I hear you are the best available when it comes to selling off the plan, I do hope for your sake that is true.”

  This was the part that Doug didn’t like, sucking up to the bigger players in the game. Councilor Green was perhaps one of the most influential members of council, he had a way of being able to talk down to people yet still have them madly scramble after his approval. They said if you could get an idea past Councilor Green, you could get it past council. He had a special talent when it came to working around red tape, and in this case it involved a bribe. Councilor Green put his hand on Doug’s shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze just before Richard spoke up again, leaving Doug with no chance to reply to what the councilor said.

  “Okay, can I have everyone’s attention for just a moment?” Richard asked the other men who had resumed talking amongst themselves. “As you know I invited Councilor Green along today to reassure all of us that we are on track with our plans to commence construction on the site next month. I thought by meeting here we could keep things low key ahead of next week’s final hearing approval when council will sign off on the development and we can get to work on the biggest residential housing project the coast has ever seen.”

  “Yes, yes, I can see where you’re coming from Richard,” Councilor Green interrupted him from his spiel. “I know we’re all easily excited at the thought of getting started on this little project, and I can assure you that it will be given the green light next Friday, but I wonder if you all truly do appreciate the lengths one has had to go to with this exercise to reach the stage we are at now.”

  “I’m sure we appreciate your efforts Councilor,” one of the other businessmen spoke up. “But surely everything is in place now. There can’t honestly be any more hold ups with the application?”

  “Gentleman as I said, council will formally approve the application when it meets again next Friday. So far we have appeased them with shared construction costs of all roads leading into the development, provision of land for a school and a day care centre, allocated more open green space, set aside land for community sporting interests and agreed to a lower percentage of retail development. You gentlemen are still set to profit handsomely from what I’m sure will become a much sought after address with some prime canal front real estate, and to think most if it was zoned non-residential due to poor drainage. This is why I took the liberty to ensure that we obtain the support of the two deciding councilors who will swing the vote in our favour, with a small enticement. I’m sure you’ll agree an extra $20,000 is small change indeed.”

  “What!” Doug exclaimed. “Who said anything about an extra 20 grand?”

  “Richard, could you care to explain to your friend the finer details of what is involved with a business deal the magnitude such as this at a later date.” The councilor said, brushing aside any thought he may have entertained about answering him.

  Doug shot a cursory glance at the councilor and the five others as an awkward silence fell over the table.

  “Doug,” Richard finally spoke. “I’ll fill you in some more on the developments later after Councilor Green and the other gentlemen have left okay, trust me on this one.”

  “No, I want to know now!” He retorted. “I want to know why I have to come up with my share of another 20 grand when I have already sunk $10,000 of my own money into this little sweetener.”

  A small collective chuckle went up from the councilor and the other four investors as Richard embarrassingly brought his hand up to his forehead, trying not to let the stress show across his face.

  “My good friend,” the councilor controllably laughed. “When I said $20,000 I wasn’t implying that it was a grand total. There are two councilors whose services are going to require a lump sum payment of $20,000 each in addition to my final expenses incurred in this little exercise. Trust me when I say Mr Small that I have been involved in proposals where the business enticement expenditure has been tenfold of this project.”

  “Final expenses! What final expenses?” Doug demanded, the panic in his voice quickly fading into disbelief.

  Councilor Green stood to his feet and opened the small briefcase that lay on the table in front of him. He removed a black plastic folder from within and passed it across the table to Richard, totally ignoring Doug.

  “Inside you’ll find an itemised account of all additional expenditure not covered in my initial consultation fee.” Then he turned and addressed Doug and the other four investors. “Gentlemen, I’m not a man to count loose change. I like to deal with round figures. You’ll all get what you want when council votes to approve your development next Friday. I’ll get what I want when we meet again next Thursday and receive my final payment. Everyone walks away happy. I’ll organise through Richard a meeting place, perhaps over dinner. No offense Richard, this whole blue collar theme you have going has been a nice touch, but I don’t finalise business deals in beer gardens.”

  “None taken,” said Richard as he got to his feet and shook the councilor’s hand. “I’ll fill them in on the final figure when you leave and we’ll have it ready for you when we meet next.”

  “Thank you, that would be appreciated.” He said as he picked up his briefcase and shook hands with the other investors gathered around the table tucked away quietly in the far corner of the room.

  “Mind telling me what I’m missing here Richard?” Doug asked. Once again the councilors hand came to rest on Doug’s shoulder, squeezing it firmly before either Richard had the opportunity to answer him or Doug had the chance to get to his feet.

  “Once again Mr Small,” the Councilor towered over him. “I presume you are very fortunate that your friend has included you on a project such as this. Perhaps it is best that we leave it to him to represent you from here on. I’m afraid that at our final meeting I shall only be able to obtain a table for six. I do hope however that you are able to reward his faith in you when the development is complete, for all our sakes.” With that Councilor Green strode pr
ominently across the floor and out of the Surfers Paradise Beer Garden. It would be the last time Doug ever had to see him.

  “The final figure is $12,500 each.” Richard said, regaining the attention of the group.

  “No way!” Doug exclaimed, once again attracting the frowns of the other four investors.

  “I’ll phone each of you on Wednesday next week with a time and place for Thursday night. Keep in mind it will probably be an expensive restaurant if I know the Councilor well enough, so dress appropriately. You all know where my office is so you can each drop by prior to Thursday with your share. I want to make the payment untraceable so remember cash only, clean $50 and $100 notes. I’ll pack it in a briefcase and make the swap with the councilor during dinner.”

  “Don’t expect him to stay long after he has ordered,” one of the investors joked. “The last time I was involved in a deal with him, he ordered the most expensive dish on the menu and left soon after it arrived at the table. I remember having to pay the bill.”

  “Yeah, well don’t worry about that happening again.” Richard laughed. “I’m stuck with the bill this time, it is my deal after all. I’ll see you all later then.”

  “Goodbye Mr Manningham,” they all said one by one as they shook hands and left. All except for Doug, who sat dumbfounded.

  “Do you mind telling me what just happened?” He blasted Richard who was busy putting the black folder Councilor Green had handed him into his own briefcase.

  “Hey, keep your voice down.” Richard tried to hush him. Around them some of the empty tables were starting to fill as it got nearer to 5pm. “I’m trying to do you a favour here. The least you can do is stop acting like a total moron in front of the most important clients I’ve got.”

  “Ten grand Richard, that’s what you told me! So what’s this about another twelve? I haven’t got that sort of dough just sitting around in my pocket you know.”

  “Of course I know. I’m trying to do you a favour Doug. Can’t you see that? Everyone needs a lucky break somewhere in life.”

  “Well some lucky break this is! Why didn’t you tell me before now? Huh? Did you think for a second to check if I was still okay with this?”

  Richard stopped packing up his briefcase for a second and looked at Doug. His face was pale. He stood in front of him now, running his fingers through the wavy strands of brown hair that fell over his forehead. The stress was obviously getting to him.

  “Look Doug, I’ve already covered for you okay. Trust me on this one. You can get me the money later. For crying out loud, I don’t even care if I have to wait until you’re selling homes off the plan in a few months time to get the extra money to me. I’ve gone out of my way to include you because first and foremost you’re my friend. No one else wanted you in on this deal.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Doug tried to calm himself as he sank back into the chair. Richard made his way around to the other side of the table and sat down next to him.

  “Look I can’t stay long, its five o’clock already.” He said looking down at his watch. “I’ll take care of the other $12,500 for now. The others don’t have to know. I don’t expect you to understand how these deals work Doug, but I don’t want you to feel like garbage either just because a few jerks let their egos get in the way. Basically the six of us each put in ten grand to entice Councilor Green to work behind the scenes for us. He was pretty influential in getting other councilors onside, zonings changed and reports re-worded in our favour. Sure it’s cost us $35,000 in additional expenses and another $40,000 to get the votes of two of the most influential members of the council, not to mention another $20,000 that I personally have to make to Councilor Green as a final payment. On top of his original $60,000 that makes a total of $155,000 just to ensure the green light for this project. But when you look at how many millions my clients are investing in this development it really is small change. It’s going to transform the whole inland strip of the Gold Coast, and the man that is going to have exclusive rights to sell it to the public Doug, is you. Not those jerks we’ve been dealing with, you. Now think about that for a minute.”

  It worked. Once again Richard had put his mind at ease. All Doug had to do was wait for the stink to clear and then he would be left to do what he did best, find the right homes for the right people. There would be advertising, display homes and a sales office for him to oversee. It was going to be a whole new community for him to sell.

  “You know I’ve got the ten grand for you, it’s taken nearly two months for me to get it but it’s ready.” Doug sighed.

  “That’s good. Sally still doesn’t know anything about this yet does she?” Richard asked, a sense of normality now returning to their conversation.

  “Are you kidding me? I’d get a month of sermons from her with all the Christian stuff she’s into lately. It would bore me to tears.”

  “Yeah, tough one that is. What made her become one of them?” Richard asked, getting slightly off track.

  “I don’t know mate, a friend sucked her into it the same way someone sucked my brother into it years ago.”

  “Well you wanted a different life to the one you had back in Gosford, so I guess that’s what you ended up with. Look I really have to get going Doug, how about I meet you next Thursday afternoon so you can give me the money before I get together with the others to close the deal?”

  “And the other 12 and a half grand?”

  “Whenever you get it, you’ve got a friends handshake on that one okay.”

  “Okay, it could take a while though. I mean coming up with $10,000 was hard enough, and money doesn’t seem to be an issue to the other guys. If you ask me it’s ridiculous wasting all that money just to bribe a few greedy councilors.”

  “We’re not bribing them Doug. We’re paying Greenie to do that for us.” Richard laughed. “I’m glad we’re cool on this again. When it’s all over we’ll have some spare time to catch up with each other, you know, do some fishing, play some golf.”

  “Sounds more like it.” Doug replied.

  “Okay then, how about 4pm Thursday? There’s a nice quiet coffee shop at the end of Orchid Avenue with a black and white striped awning on the front of the building. I think it’s called Bellasiro’s or something like that but you can’t miss it. Find a quiet table inside and wait for me, remember I want it cash, nothing traceable and in a small, inconspicuous bag. Right now I’ve got to run, so I talk to you later.” He finished saying as he hurriedly got to his feet and headed across the room to the exit.

  “Okay, see ya Richard.” Doug called as he looked over his shoulder in time to see him disappear past a crowd of tourists that were entering the building. As he looked around, he noticed that the pub had become far more crowded than when they had arrived.

  Doug checked his watch. It was a quarter past five. If he left soon he could still be home by six. Instead he stood up and deliberately made his way over to the side of the bar that was empty, avoiding the small crowd that was gathering opposite him and sat down on one of the bar stools. He pulled a five dollar note from his wallet and slapped it down on the polished oak surface. One of the girls behind the bar noticed him and straight away made her way over to him.

  “Looks like somebody’s had a hard day, what can I get you?” She asked.

  “Just another beer thanks, whatever you’ve got.” Doug sighed, watching her gracefully turning the glass as she poured the beer from one of the taps behind the bar. In a moment she returned with the cold glass of beer and the change and sat both down on the bar in front of Doug. He took a sip from the glass, felt the froth on top of the beer tickle his nose and stared absently across the bar at the small crowd of tourists on the other side.

  “Looks like somebody could do with a little company.” A voice beside him suddenly spoke up.

  “Crikey!” Doug jumped from the fright of the stranger who had suddenly appeared beside him. The sudden shift of weight on the bar stool sent him toppling backwards onto the floor, much to the delight o
f the crowd gathered on the other side of the bar who hollered and cheered as the stranger helped him to his feet.

  “Sorry there,” the stranger apologised. “I didn’t mean to scare you like that. My name’s Peter.”

  Doug took his hand and shook it cautiously. “Doug,” was all he replied, feeling somewhat embarrassed. He sat back down and smiled the best he could at the people on the other side of the bar who were still looking at him. The girl behind the bar who had just served him was carefully watching him out of the corner of her eye as she poured a couple of beers for some guys who had just sat down at the far end of the bar.

  “Big day eh?” Peter spoke.

  “Yeah, you could say that.” Doug replied.

  “I noticed you’ve stayed behind after your friends have all left. You must have a lot on your mind, there’s that look of worry that’s written all over your face. So typical of a man standing on the edge, sensing that his life is about to change but unsure if it’s for the better.”

  “Beg yours?” Doug questioned him.

  “They were your friends weren’t they?” He asked, motioning to the now empty table by the window that looked out over the mall below in Cavill Avenue.

  “I wouldn’t exactly say they were my friends, not all of them anyway.” Doug pondered for a moment.

  “But the solid guy with the longish brown hair is, am I right?”

  “Richard?”

  “I know who he is.” Peter replied.

  “Okay, how do you know and why were you watching us?” Doug demanded, not budging his eyes from the man as he raised his glass and swallowed another few mouthfuls of the cold amber fluid.

  “Oh, let’s just say I’m an observer in life. I’m not interested in whatever you men were talking about, just making sure that you are okay through it all.”

  Doug stared hard at him. He sat comfortably on the stool beside him propped at the bar, wearing his cream corduroy jacket. He had a fair complexion, thick heavy eyebrows and a face that was smoothly shaven yet still bore a dark five o’clock shadow. His hair was short, black and neatly combed in contrast to Doug’s that was wild and slightly curled from constantly running his fingers through it to brush it back from his face.

  “I’m sorry but should I know you from somewhere?” Doug asked him, puzzled.

  “I can’t say if you would remember but yes, we have met before.”

  “When, where?” Doug asked, eyes dancing curiously, trying hard to remember where he might have met this Peter character before. He did look somewhat familiar. He studied his face hard, his skin looked so perfect that it was hard to say if the guy was in his 30’s or early 40’s. Doug finished the last of his beer and put the empty glass down on the bar.

  “Oh, a while back now Doug. Way back when your son was born.”

  “Simon?” Doug asked excitedly. “God, I haven’t seen him in nearly two years.”

  “It’s funny isn’t it Doug. You can be so busy and surrounded by people all the time that you can forget how lonely you really are. It’s even possible to forget about those who matter the most.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” Doug sighed. He hadn’t realised it had been so long since he had seen Simon.

  “It puts it all in perspective when you look at it that way doesn’t it.” Peter said before letting the conversation slip into silence, leaving Doug to ponder the thought some more.

  “Hey, let me buy you a drink.” Doug finally spoke up after a minute had passed, noticing that Peter sat at the bar beside him without a drink in front of him.

  “No that’s okay thanks Doug, I don’t drink.”

  “Nonsense, no one comes to a bar and doesn’t expect to have at least one beer.”

  “I only stopped by to see you.”

  “Well that won’t stop me shouting you a beer.” Doug said as he reached for his wallet and pulled out a $20 note. He held it in the air, attracting the attention of one of the girls behind the bar and held up two fingers while pointing to the empty glass in front of him.

  “I suppose I should tell you Doug that life as you know it is about to change.”

  “Change in what way?” Doug asked as he watched the girl behind the bar talking to a man he presumed was the manager.

  “Just because the best laid plans can come undone doesn’t mean there isn’t a better one waiting for us around the next corner.”

  Doug just looked at him not understanding what point he was trying to make. Meanwhile the girl behind the bar along with the manager had made their way over to where the two men sat alone.

  “I’m sorry sir,” the manager spoke to him. He was a tall, muscular man with short, blonde peroxide hair. “But I’m afraid I can’t serve you anymore alcohol, I think you’ve had enough.”

  “What!” Doug exclaimed. “This was only my second one this afternoon. What do you mean I’ve had enough? I’m only trying to buy my friend and I another beer.”

  The manager pointed to the sign on the wall behind the bar.

  ‘Management reserve the right by law to refuse service to anyone who is intoxicated or acting in a disorderly manner.’

  “I’m sorry sir,” the girl now spoke as she took the empty glass away from in front of him. “But I’ve watched you for the last half hour fall off your chair and sit there talking to yourself.”

  “What!” Doug exclaimed.

  “They can’t see me Doug.” Peter said while he patted Doug on the back. “But you see me, don’t you.”

  “Are you completely nuts?” Doug snapped, motioning to the stool beside him. “I’m talking to my friend Peter here, now what is the problem with getting both of us another beer?”

  “Fine, that’s his name is it?” The manager humoured him. “Well maybe it’s time you and your little friend Peter called it a night and went home.”

  Doug looked around the bar, it was dead silent. The bar had actually become quite crowded but there wasn’t a person within 10 metres of him. They were crowded four deep on the other side of the bar while at the far end of the side where Doug sat with Peter they were huddled up together trying to keep well clear of him. Most of the tables in the room were now full. Every eye in the Surfers Paradise Beer Garden was trained on him.

  “What’s going on Peter?” Doug asked him.

  “I told you Doug, they can’t see me.”

  “And exactly why can’t they see you?” Doug asked as he brushed away a bead of nervous perspiration that traced its way down his forehead.

  “Angels only ever reveal themselves when God requires us to intervene on his behalf Doug.” Peter spoke calmly.

  “So you’re an Angel?” Doug was stunned.

  “Right, that’s it!” Exclaimed the manager as he came out from behind the bar and made his way toward him. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave or I’ll throw you out myself.”

  “Don’t be surprised when Richard doesn’t show up at the coffee lounge next Thursday.” Peter said calmly as the manager tapped Doug on the shoulder. “There’ll be someone who needs your help, put their troubles before your own and things will turn a corner. The pieces to the puzzle are finally starting to fall into place Doug, you can’t keep putting off God any longer.”

  “Oi, on your feet, let’s go.” The manager said gruffly as he pulled Doug to his feet.

  “Wait on, let me just get my wallet,” he said as he grabbed the $20 note along with his wallet and shoved them into his trouser pocket. He looked up pleadingly towards Peter again but there was nobody there. The stool where he had sat was empty!

  The manager grabbed Doug under his arm and strode him across the floor to the entrance. Doug scanned the room for any sight of Peter. There was no one even resembling his appearance to be seen at all, only a sea of faces stunned into silence while watching Doug being thrown out.

  “Okay, I’m going.” Doug protested as the manager let go of his arm and pushed him out through the doorway at the top of the wide concrete stairwell that led back down to the Mall, half expecting
to see him tumble down the full flight of stairs. Doug quickly gained his composure after tripping on the first two steps and stopped to straighten his shirt and tie.

  “Don’t ever let me see you come back here again,” the manager yelled behind him in one last attempt to humiliate him. “Do you hear me, you bum!”

  A few onlookers outside stopped momentarily to see what was going on before continuing on their way. The sun was quickly disappearing from view behind the tall high rise apartments that littered the coast. Doug checked his watch, it was nearing 6pm. Sally was going to be upset with him again, he’d told her he would be home by six and he still had to drive all the way back to Coolangatta.

  He tucked in his shirt, picked up the little bit of dignity he had left and made his way down the stairs, still trying to get his mind around what had just happened. It was then he remembered after Simon was born how a guy in the viewing area at the hospital wearing the same coloured jacket had vanished just as mysteriously as he had appeared. ‘Could it be?’ He thought to himself. He had either completely lost his mind, or had amazingly spent the last half hour talking with an Angel. He chose to believe the latter option and walked off in the direction of his car.

  Back inside the manager had returned to his post behind the bar just in time for the six o’clock happy hour to begin. The room was once again its usual loud banter as locals and tourists kept the girls behind the bar busy pouring drinks. All three sides of the bar were crowded at least three people deep and the music had been turned up a little.

  “Get it all sorted out?” One of the girls behind the bar asked him.

  “Yeah, he was just a nutter who needs to get back on his medication if you ask me.”

  “It seems funny though.” She called to him above the noise as she poured two more drinks.

  “Funny that he was talking to an imaginary friend, or funny that I booted him out on his backside?”

  “He was with those businessmen over by the window earlier this afternoon, he seemed normal then. It’s just funny how he went all weird after they left.” She mused.

  “Well it ain’t to me, I’ve seen it all before love. People with a low alcohol tolerance can get real blind, real quick.”