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Life's Illusions - Book Five - Chapter 27
Rosie was shaking her head, it shouldn't be possible, and yet the evidence was sitting all around her in tested samples, it was ready for bottling.
When they'd gathered in the winery Jimmy already had ten casks selected, but Rosie predictably jumped in with a question.
"How many of these are the ones you already sampled?".
Jimmy was smiling.
"One, the other nine are random, I have no idea what they're like, now it's down to you".
She still wasn't finished.
"The one you already sampled, leave it until last".
He'd nodded, then proceeded to carefully draw samples from one cask at a time.
Before she'd even tasted the first sample, simply from the bouquet, her eyes flew wide, and she'd uttered just one word.
"Wow".
They watched her intently, Jimmy was holding his breath as Rosie had taken her last sample then picked up the chalk to mark the cask, she was still holding the sample in her mouth.
When she spit, it was followed by a surprising statement.
"That one act was absolute sacrilege, I so desperately wanted to swallow it".
She'd marked the cask, hesitating at first, then with determination she wrote the number ten.
Jimmy was silently punching the air.
Rosie had her own marking system, five was the lowest mark where she considered it practical to keep the wine, anything below that had only happened once, and that had caused ill feelings that went on for weeks until Rosie had threatened to quit her role and Dale had called a family conference where Jimmy apologised.
Never had she marked anything above eight point five.
In all, eight of the ten sample casks received a ten marker, two received a nine point five.
She asked how long before he would start bottling if they decided it was a go there and then.
Jimmy had that information ready.
"Three weeks, I have three runs already planned, so what's your verdict?".
She stared at him, and he watched as the smile started, then turned slowly into a great big beamer of a smile.
"It's excellent, even the two I marked down slightly, I'm not quite sure what's missing from them but they're still miles ahead of the competition you're pitting this against, keep those two separate for now, I'll sample them again just before you commence bottling, it's good we have them, it will tell me what the prospect of future aging is likely to be".
Turning to everyone else she said.
"Tuck in folks, but please, savour it and don't spit, it's magnificent, I predict this is quite possibly our finest achievement, Daddy, Momma, I'll need your help in lining up some of the most severe critics for a formal tasting".
Dale looked stunned, Rosie was never this enthusiastic, usually, even with some of their superior wines, she was critical, he could still remember Jimmy's expression when she'd described that one batch which caused the family rift as little better than vinegar.
"Are you sure?".
She'd been completely straight faced when she answered.
"Somehow thanks to Momma, Franky, and Jimmy, we have a magnificent vintage, and I'd defy anyone to tell me differently, I'm predicting the uptake to be crazy, but what I'm now thinking is, if this is so much better than we expected, what are we looking at with our superior vintage?, I'd like to sample that in the next week or so, we might just find that is ready as well, and that would put us so far ahead of the competition".
Jimmy was almost bouncing around.
"I'll arrange it for the same time next week, just enough time for you all to forget what this is like".
They'd all been full of praise for Jimmy, but in true and honourable fashion, he put his arms around his brother and his Momma to spread the praise.
"I can only work with what I'm given, if the product's good it's because the ingredients were good, teamwork, the only way it can work".
Dale and Fleur had talked about Roddy in private, it had been Dale who brought it up.
"Has he mentioned how long he intends to be here for?, originally he was supposed to be aiding you, but it seems he now shadows Franky every day".
Fleur had been dreading this moment.
"He hasn't said, do you want me to ask?".
They'd been getting ready for bed, and Dale read perfectly what her response actually said, coming up behind her he engulfed her in his arms.
"Now be truthful, please, what am I missing".
Fleur turned to face him.
"They're in love, I don't know if they realise it yet, but I don't think he wants to leave".
Dale smiled.
"Well there you go, see how easy that was, so we find a role which will suit him, and we're sorted, but what about his family, won't they be hurt if he doesn't go home?".
Fleur admitted that was a grey area, she didn't know anything about them, Roddy had avoided the subject whenever she'd brought it up.
Dale hugged her.
"Looks like I need to have some one on one time with number two son, don't fret, we'll get it sorted".
Dale's idea of getting it sorted was a long way from what he'd thought it would be.
He'd been frustrated in the following days to find Roddy and Franky almost joined at the hip whenever he tried to speak with Franky, finally he'd said.
"Franky, can I see you in my office at three this afternoon, alone please".
Roddy had taken it badly, his first thought was that he'd outstayed his welcome, there could be no other explanation in his mind for Dale being so blunt, so whilst Franky was with his Daddy, he'd packed and called a cab, heading straight for the airport and the flight he'd booked online".
He'd left a note for Franky.
'I'm guessing you're Daddy is asking how long I'm going to be freeloading, and don't be upset with him, it's what I've been doing, I don't want to leave, but we have to see it from a practical point of view, I was only supposed to be here for two weeks, but then I met you and I've been here over six weeks, I should go home, but I'll be thinking of you every minute we're apart, and I'll find a way to get back here, trust me and don't lose faith, one way or another, I'll relocate, I don't just think I love you anymore, I know it, as certain as I am that the sun will rise tomorrow, I'm certain that I love you'.
Rosie had been to visit her Momma in the poly tunnels, they were strolling back toward the house together arm in arm when they saw the Taxi Cab, and the luggage being loaded into it, Rosie had a sudden feeling of dread, she'd dropped her Momma's arm, running toward the now departing cab, and she'd been sure, Roddy was in the cab.
Dale had sat looking at his son, and all he could think was how immensely proud he was of the man his boy had become.
"Okay, so why I wanted to talk to you, well it's delicate, and I didn't want us having this conversation in public, it concerns Roddy, is he intending to stay here?, I'm confused, I need you to help me out here, he was only supposed to be here for two weeks but we're now at six weeks and he's showing no signs of going home, does he want to stay?, I only ask because I see him as being an asset to us if he does, but I have to question, would his family not have a lot to say about that?, because I know how worried I'd be if you went off to some faraway country and didn't come home".
The door to his office bursting open had startled Dale and stopped Franky from answering his Daddy, but Rosie's words did a lot more damage.
"What have you done, why has Roddy left?".
Dale looked confused, Franky literally bolted out of the room.
He'd found Roddy's room empty, except for the note, it was where the family found him, sitting on the bed crying.
He'd glared at his Daddy.
"This is your fault, he's gone, rejected by another family".
He'd pushed past them, slamming the door to his own room behind him.
Dale and Fleur were totally in the dark, with Dale asking.
"What did he mean by that?, what does rejected by another family mean?".
Rosie sighed and led her parents into the lounge.
"His father called him a queer and has almost nothing to do with him, his mother tolerates him visiting the family home twice a month but makes it obvious she's putting herself out, and looks relieved when he tells her he's leaving, he loves them, but the day they found out he was gay they withdrew all affection, he lives alone in a house in Beauchene, he thought it was normal until he came here, that's when he found that very something he always believed was out there somewhere, Franky, but surprisingly he found something else he really didn't expect, didn't even know existed, a family that loved and didn't judge, I think we just shattered that dream".
Fleur was crying, Dale was furious, shocking both Fleur and Rosie when he barged into Franky's room, grabbing his son into a hug.
"I'm sorry, if I caused this then I'm going to put it right, get packing, it seems we're heading for Beauchene, we'll be bringing my future son in law home".
Dale was dialling on his cell phone as he rattled instructions to Rosie.
"You're in charge, get hold of Ruben, tell him he's number one on the vineyards, and get your brother back here now".
His next instruction was to a startled Fleur.
"Call Beth and Dave we'll need accommodation at Chateau Beauchene, you can tell them I've been a dick".
It was obvious his cell call had answered.
"Carry, apologies for no niceties, we need a plane from Sydney to Nice as soon as possible, ........ yes that's okay, Bill it to me personally, ............. I don't know, probably a few days but give us a week as an option, then we might need Joe to facilitate a kidnapping, ........... I promise you I'm serious, ............... I've been an idiot, not intentionally, but an idiot all the same, ..............I'll catch up with you when I've repaired the damage I've wrought, ................ yes you're probably right but I still say this parenting thing should come with a bloody manual, and that's just cost me another dollar, ................ thanks Carry, love to the family".
Eighteen hours later they were lifting out of Sydney, five hours behind the commercial flight Roddy was on.
From the information Milo had given him, Dale knew they'd be closing on him, but wouldn't catch up with him when they landed to refuel at Dubai, his flight would already be back in the air headed for Nice, but by then he'd only be about two and a half hours in front, and they were hopeful of making up time, which would see them landing into Nice a couple of hours ahead of Roddy's commercial flight.
Arriving into Nice airport Dale sent Fleur ahead to Chateau Beauchene before guiding Franky to the on airport Marriott Hotel where they could comfortably talk, and have Dale's favourite cup of tea.
"I'm going with you to meet him, I understand he's the one for you, that's not what's concerning me, I need him to see I'm okay with him, then you're both coming to Beauchene, you'll have a safe place to talk as a couple, because unless I'm way off target that's what you're going to be, now, your Momma's on her way to Beauchene and we have about an hour and a half left before Roddy lands so how's about you and I finish the talk we nearly had in Orange".
An hour later Franky was totally blown away, what his Daddy had told him was so far out of this world all he'd been able to say was.
"You're sure it's okay, it's really what you want?".
Dale had been firm.
"Oh yes, definitely, now let's get going, his flight should be landing in the next thirty minutes, I want his first sight to be you waiting in the arrivals hall as he comes through
Roddy had plodded slowly through arrivals and passport control, he had absolutely no reason to be happy, not until he did what he was determined to do.
He'd spent most of the flight planning, his first act would be to put his house on the market, then he would apply for an Australian immigration and occupation visa.
As he emerged into the arrivals hall he stopped dead, there in front of him was a beaming Franky, his arms waving madly, and next to him was his Daddy, also smiling.
Franky grabbed him into a hug.
"You plonker, Daddy only wanted me to sound you out about staying on permanently".
Roddy looked hesitantly toward Dale who was still smiling as he scooped them both into a hug.
"Let's get your luggage, you're not going home, we're all staying with family at Chateau Beauchene, and Franky has some pretty important stuff to share with you, but when you hear it remember, it's an offer that's all, you make your own mind up on what you want to do".
Roddy couldn't believe they were related to the owners of Chateau Beauchene, he'd looked longingly at it so many times as he'd passed bye, wondering what it was like inside, he was even more in awe when Franky told him that they'd be visiting family at Chateau Montclair, he'd thought Roslyn's association had been purely through business, but by far the biggest shock was hearing Beth say the bragging rights of having Fleur, Countess of Montclair staying with them was priceless.
He'd looked at Franky, saying.
"No, she's not, is she?".
Franky was laughing as he replied.
"Yes, she is, her Poppa, my Grandfather, is Jaque, The Comte de Montclair, you'll get to meet him, and my uncles as well, Momma's brothers, Marcel, he's one of the Vicomte's, Vicounts of Montclair, he lives here, the other one is JJ, he lives in Sydney".
They'd been given suites next to each other and despite being tired Roddy had later admitted he couldn't believe how Franky's family revelled in getting together.
Dinner had seen most of the Montclair family arriving, as Franky told him.
"It doesn't matter where you turn up, announced or not, it's not long before the jungle drums get going and family turn up for hugs.
As they'd been enjoying pre dinner drinks the first to arrive were Roslyn and Cecile, grabbing Roddy into a hug, Roslyn was genuinely happy for him.
"I've missed you Roddy, and don't think you can escape us by disappearing to the other side of the world, are you happy my friend?".
He'd answered honestly.
"I am Ros, truly happy, I found him, he really does exist, my man, he's not a myth any more, and I'm not letting go ever".
She hugged him closer.
"Didn't I always tell you he was out there somewhere, you'll be family and believe me, being a part of this family is like being wrapped in a cocoon, no one can hurt you".
As the evening wore on Franky guided Robby out to sit in the garden.
"Daddy told you I had some stuff to put to you, I'm nervous about telling you because I realise you could interpret the reasoning behind what's on offer as buying you for my sake, so I'm going to ask you to make me a promise, do you think you could do that?".
Roddy nodded, putting an arm around Franky.
"I'll make you a solemn promise, I'll listen, maybe question, but I'll trust you to be honest with me".
Franky sighed.
"Daddy wants you to work with Momma, Jimmy wants to buy another six vineyards that are on the market, but the quality of what they're producing is quite frankly rubbish".
He'd paused for a moment, almost unsure of how to go on, then suddenly forged ahead.
"I'd have another six Vinyards to transform, no easy task, that's where you and Momma come in, I'd need enough grafted stock to replant one third of each vineyard within the year, it's a mammoth task which most people would say couldn't be done, Daddy said its possible if you and Momma were working together, I admit, what you and Momma do is a mystery to me, but you have to focus on two things, this is not Daddy trying to use you, and it's not nepotism, not creating a job for my boyfriend, so there, you have it, and I'm shitting bricks".
He giggled, a real belly laugh giggle.
"Stop walking on egg shells Franky, I'm a darn sight tougher than porcelain, I told you I trust you to be honest with me".
Then he looked slyly sideways at Franky.
"So I'm your boyfriend am I?".
Franky smiled.
"Do you honestly think I'd travel halfway across the globe for a fucking wannabe?".
They'd talked for nearly two hours before the yawns had gotten the better of them and they'd headed for their respective suites, but on the way there Roddy asked something which sent Franky into a real spin.
"Will you sleep with me Franky".
Franky's look was that of a deer caught in headlights, and Roddy smiled pulling him close.
"I said sleep Franky, nothing more, cuddle in close, I want to know you're there when I close my eyes, and there when I open them again, right now it would be like all my Christmases came at once, I think I could die happy".
Franky actually started laughing, so much that Roddy ended up joining him.
"Okay, but don't die on me, I don't want to be known as the Black Widow, sleep with Franky and you're a gonna".
They'd undressed as far as their underpants and spooned together.
Despite all their reservations, they'd drifted off to the most contented sleep either had ever know within moments.
At breakfast Roddy had found himself seated next to Elly who was chatting away until Roddy mentioned he was going to put his house up for sale later that day.
Elly was fascinated to find out he owned what the villagers and townspeople called the old Squires Mansion, it had actually belonged to the Beauchene Estate in times past, and she surprised him with.
"Give me a minute, but save my place, I think I might be able to save you some time, effort, and money".
Roddy had been puzzled, watching as she went to speak with her twin Robby, but a couple of minutes later she was heading back, and Robby was with her.
Robby launched into excited chatter.
"Seriously, you're selling the Squires Mansion?, can I have it, please, just name your price, we don't need any surveys, I love that building, it must have been you who pipped me to getting it last time it was on the market".
Roddy laughed now.
"So you were the reason I had to up my offer, well I guess you were meant to have it then, if you're serious the answer's yes".
Roddy held out his hand to shake on it just as Pauly joined them, saying.
"Well, if I hadn't thought you were an honourable guy before I certainly would now, shaking on a deal, almost non existent these days, but to me it's as binding as a signed contract".
Roddy smiled.
"Couldn't have put it better myself, to me it is a contract".
Roddy looked thoughtful for a moment, then.
"Pauly would it be cheeky to ask for a look around your setup, I'm fascinated by what you do, I wonder if there's any part of your process which would aid what we do".
Instead of Pauly it was Elly who responded, throwing her arms around her younger brother.
"Oh he'll make time for you Roddy because that's who our little brother is, the genius and saint of us three, I already see him blushing but it's true, he's the reason this business is such a success, Robby and I are walking disasters, he keeps us grounded".
Roddy dug into his pocket, pulling out a bunch of keys and passing them to Robby.
"Go take a look around, if you still want it after you've seen it, we'll talk money, until then I'll consider the deal open, unsealed".
Roddy had listened avidly as Pauly showed him around the growing sheds, soaking up his words, storing everything away for later, when he would need it in his and Fleur's experiments.
Pauly had devoted over two hours to Roddy before announcing.
"Okay, I don't want to appear rude but now I have to get on, you're welcome to shadow me but I have a full day's work to pack into a few hours so please don't be offended if I don't answer, it's just that I tend to zone out sometimes".
Roddy was laughing.
"I'm hugely appreciative of what you've given me so far, I'll get out of the way now, but seriously, thanks, I'm pretty sure a huge amount of this will be of benefit to us".
He'd left Pauly and walked back to the Chateau, finding Dale, Fleur, and Franky entertaining more family.
Juan, Ralph, Berto, Maria, and their boys had called in for a visit.
They all stood up as he approached, with Franky introducing him.
"Roddy, meet my Uncles Juan and Ralph, and my cousins Berto and Maria, and their rug rats, Eduardo and Carlo".
As he finished speaking it was almost as if someone had fired a starting pistol, they moved in automatically for a hug.
By the time they all had their hugs he was laughing.
"I hope I never get tired of how this family says hello".
As they were chatting Robby came strolling toward them with a beautiful girl on his arm, and again the hugs happened.
"Uncle Dale, Aunt Fleur, Franky, Roddy, everyone else already knows this beautiful young lady, but I'd like you to formally meet my fiance Louisa, now we have our house sorted, it's looking like you'll be getting a pretty important invite quite soon".
Turning to Roddy he'd said, more of a question.
"That's assuming we still have a deal?"
Roddy smiled.
"I gave you my word, of course we have a deal, I'll get the place cleared for you".
Roddy saw Louisa give Robby a look, which he took immediately.
"Actually, it's a bit of a cheek I know, but if you're just going to get rid of the furnishings, we'd rather you didn't, apparently I'm informed you have impeccable taste, unless of course you were intending to take everything with you".
Roddy couldn't believe his luck.
"How's about I give you everything in the house, once I've taken out my really personal stuff, as a wedding present from me".
Louisa actually grabbed him into a hug again, and he said in jest as everyone laughed.
"So that's how you get a girl to cuddle you, well I never would have guessed".
She kissed him on the cheek, then leaned over to kiss Franky's cheek, whispering.
"You're so lucky, he's beautiful inside and out, I'm looking forward to being your cousin".
Franky had whispered back.
"I think we're both lucky, come visit us whenever you can".
Franky was sat later that evening with Pauly and mentioned Louisa, and was surprised to hear.
"She's an absolute god send, my brother was a womanising slut, until Louisa, and don't get me wrong, she hasn't done anything except be herself, but her arrival transformed him, I can still remember the night he met her, I've never seen him act the way he did that night".
Franky was intrigued, urging Pauly to go on.
"We were out celebrating one of the staff birthdays, we'd had a few, and a group of girls entered the bar, they were rather shy, timid even, and a group of yobs surrounded them, Louisa was sort of shielding her friends, but one guy was pushing the boundaries, I wasn't happy about what I was seeing, but I was left on the sidelines when Robby walked up to the guy and smacked him down, quite literally, laid him out flat, then apologised to Louisa for the greeting she'd had, he told the bar tender anything they wanted was on his tab, then excused himself, and I got it so badly wrong".
Franky was frowning, confused.
"How did you get it wrong?".
Pauly smiled.
"I assumed it was his way of getting her into bed, I'd seen him operate over the years, and there'd been many, all like moths to the flame, but I was almost dumbstruck when she came over to our table to thank him, he was like a schoolboy, a trembling wreck, he arranged their taxi cabs, saw them safely dispatched then came back to our table looking like the cat that stole the cream, that's when I knew the truth".
Franky still looked confused.
"Robby was in love, I keep hearing this story, it'll happen, one day when you least expect it, and I must admit, that night really gives me hope, if Robby can find it, then hallelujah, there's hope for me".
Franky was laughing now, as he said.
"Touche, keep believing cousin, I am also living testament, one day it will happen, trust me, looking for it is futile, when it comes it will knock you sideways when you're least expecting it".
That night they were guests at The Inn at Montclair, Aly and Bo, now in their late sixties had set aside their private dining room for family, and as they got into the cars to leave Chateau Beauchene Juan had said to Franky.
"Torremolinas should be almost at touchdown around now".
Roddy looked confused, but Franky just laughed.
"See, I told you, the jungle drums have been active, expect more family, the Spanish are coming, I'm guessing about another ten of them, don't be surprised, it's natural".
At The Inn at Montclair Roddy had met Josef, Carry, Vinny, Paulette and their youngsters, Andy and Jacky (Jacqueline) a definite tomboy.
Later that night Roddy said with genuinely moist eyes.
"I understand that you're not all related, but this love as family, I've never known anything like it, it's not false, I've seen real gripes expressed, but even an outsider like me can see that disagreement is confined, if an outsider tried attacking them, they'd be protected".
Franky stiffened, Roddy saw it and was worried he'd said something wrong, and in truth he had, as Franky explained.
"Firstly, don't ever describe yourself as 'an outsider' you're family, it doesn't matter if you're with me or not, we're not an entry on condition type of family, you'll always be family, there's nothing you can do to not be part of the family now, but secondly, if anyone gets attacked we pull the wagons in close, all around the world we're ready for anything, and only a fool would take us on, we have principles and moral guidance, but we don't take prisoners, you attack one of us and we all come out fighting".
Franky turned to face Roddy before asking in a clearly worried tone.
"Are you going to accept my Daddy's offer?, I don't want to push you into anything, but I will admit I'm nervous, you've not said anything since I explained what he told me".
Roddy pulled him in closer.
"Yes I'm going to accept, and I don't have any reservations now, it might have looked silly when I left to come back here, but for me it was the right thing to do at the time, I did tell you I would find a way to come back to you, and your Daddy's offer gives me exactly that, I'm going to tell my parents tomorrow, you're welcome to come with me, but I have to warn you, they won't welcome you, and I suspect you might be upset when you see how relieved they'll be that I'm leaving to live on the other side of the world".
TBC
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Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.