Please remember to donate to Nifty, it gives so much to all of us. Any amount, large or small, is welcome in order to keep this free site available. Thank you, donations to the address below. Http://Donate.nifty.org/donate.html
Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 15
The marriage of Raul to Reya was a magical day for them both, finally after all their years together they became Mr and Mrs Raul Perez, in a ceremony before their families and friends, their only regret that Aly, Reya's younger brother and Woody's childhood friend, couldn't get leave from his deployment in Afghanistan, though they'd set up a Skype link and he'd watched the ceremony live surrounded by some of his mates, toasting the happy couple with cans of beer.
For all they enjoyed their day, the one who gained most was Juan, being dragged repeatedly from one relative to the next, being introduced as, 'our brother Juan', by a beaming Josef and Sofia.
Learning the names of all of the new relatives proved to much for Juan whose head was spinning by the end of the day, but he came home floating on a cloud, he'd been hugged by Uncle Woody and Aunt Jacqueline, dragged away by cousins Roslyn and Paul, cuddled by Aunt Beth and Uncle Dave, dragged away again by cousins Robby and Elly, whirled around by Uncles Pete and Jaque, then dragged into a triple hug with Uncles Billy and Jay, whilst Aunt Jolly fought to get her hug, cousins Jo, Willie and Jase again dragged him off for a pow wow telling him he was going to really enjoy Christmas in Lanzarote when all the families got together.
A little more than three weeks later and the children were excitedly sorting and laying out clothes for the household staff to pack in readiness for their departure to Lanzarote the following day.
Juan had been Christmas shopping with Josef and Sofia, though at first he'd had his usual panic attack seeing the never ending list of presents his brother and sister had told him he needed to buy.
When Josef explained he was allowed to spend up to one thousand euros on his credit card for Christmas presents he'd set about the challenge with methodical determination, marking off each person with the chosen item and cost until every name was covered.
At Montclair a similar packing frenzy was underway though Woody was oblivious to it, he was seated in his office on a teleconference link to New York and Torremolinas, at the other end of the links were PJ and Ramon in Torremolinas, Josh and Bryan in New York, they had continued to chat after most board members had departed.
Woody had secured approval to commission a new division of Woodruff, it would be called 'Woodruff Holiday Parks' and would be no easy task to put into action.
On a visit to England earlier in the year Roslyn and Paul had begged to experience something their friends in Montclair had talked about, a caravan holiday.
With the help of Mrs Albright at their parents London home he'd booked a seven day stay at a caravan park in Cornwall.
When they'd arrived Woody and Jacqueline hadn't been impressed, the site was poorly maintained, the landscaping fell into three categories, thriving, dying, dead, funnily the only thing in the first category were the weeds, they were doing fine, they were everywhere.
The accommodation was old, really dismal, well past its sell by date, but Roslyn and Paul had enjoyed a wonderful week making new friends every day.
By day two Woody and Jacqueline had made several friends whilst sitting on the deck area in a group watching the kids play in the pool.
Woody asked in idle conversation, what the group thought was wrong with the park and as the conversation flowed he became more and more animated, deeply interested in their comments.
Drumming down to the basics Woody summed up their comments, "You want a well laid out Park with good landscaping, good quality accommodation units that are equipped with the essentials for everyday living and kept in good shape, there has to be a shop and restaurant offering quality products and meals, maybe a spa complex but not essential, the communal pool and deck area have to be well maintained and a safe environment for children of all ages.
Jacqueline watched Woody and saw it immediately, she was fascinated as she always was, she never tired of seeing it, Woody had found a new project.
Over the next two months he had been immersed in his research, until finally he had a plan.
When PJ and Lenny arrived at Montclair for their late summer break Woody and PJ went immediately into a huddle as the venture, which PJ had only so far had snippets of information on, was explained to him.
It was Woody's plan to set up a series of Superior Quality Holiday Parks in the UK, lavishly landscaped and meticulously maintained, each within a secure gated community.
There would be walking, running and biking tracks and trails, a supermarket style shop which he favoured franchising out to one of the leading supermarket chains, a high class restaurant, which again he wanted to have links with a notable high profile Chef, plus a family friendly eatery where dress was not so critical.
An English Public Bar, with themed events and links to an outside deck area.
There would be a large sectioned pool with fountains and slides surrounded by a relaxation area.
There had to be a proficient and enthusiastic entertainment team, offering a sufficiently broad entertainment package, consisting of a modern engaging style, carefully structured to capture the imagination and involvement of youngsters from all age groups.
The accommodations would be in Static Caravans or as they were also known Mobile Homes, not the run of the mill type of accommodation normally associated with holiday lettings, these would be stylish, cathedral roof type, central heated, well appointed, well equipped, two, three and four bedroom units with a minimum of two bathrooms, one of which would be ensuite to the Master Bedroom, high end furnishings, linens and electrical goods, sofas and armchairs rather than that awful built in seating which Woody and Jacqueline had suffered sitting on, each unit would be set in it's own plot with outside leisure space and dedicated parking.
The accommodations would all have access to private decking with quality deck furniture, Whirlpool Hot Tubs and free WiFi access.
The parks would be open eleven months of the year, only closing in January and would be a mix of residential owned units and holiday letting units.
The one month closure in January would address two issues, the first allowed the residential clients to avoid UK residential tax, applied to properties occupied throughout the full year, secondly it allowed for pre planned large scale remedial work to be carried out without inconvenience to residents or guests.
Woody had identified six sites currently around the UK where he wanted to launch the new venture, two in Cornwall, one in Devon, one in Somerset, one in Wales, one in Scotland.
All of the sites were old, tired, run down caravan parks, their owners either didn't have the vision or the inclination to do anything with them and were currently on the market at extremely reasonable prices.
Woody's business model forecast a total of 10 million GBP to purchase and landscape each park, a further 15 million GBP to purchase, site and link up an average 150 units per park giving an overall start up cost of 150 million GBP
Woody's cost analysis and revenue calculations made PJ an easy convert and they planned a board meeting for late November after Raul and Reya's wedding.
Woody promised, as usual a brochure package to explain the proposal would be delivered to board members one week before the board meeting, he in the normal course of events, would accept questions by email and telephone up to the day before the scheduled meeting.
The last page of his brochure package showed the following bullet points.
Each park 2.5 million GBP revenue per year. 6 parks generate 15 million GBP in revenue per year. 10 years to recoup outlay of 150 million GBP. Life expectancy 35 years. Payback after recouping original outlay, 375 million GBP profit.
The board members had been as enthusiastic as PJ in approving the new venture, in fact Ramon had asked if he could be hands on involved with the set up, now all Woody had to do was find someone to put his plans into action, but if all went well, by January 7th when they left Lanzarotte, he would have his man.
Josef and Sofia sat on the bed in Juan's bedroom watching intently and giggling as the well oiled machine that was Juan wrapped the last of their combined presents before they left for the airport.
In truth he'd wrapped, or re wrapped, all of their presents, deciding Josef and Sofia's efforts were far to shabby to pass muster.
They knew they were irritating him terribly but they couldn't resist a giggle when he scowled at them, they knew he didn't mean it, however much they irritated each other they worshipped each other in equal measure.
"We're done, now get off my bed, you're creasing it, I've changed my sheets ready for when we come home after New Year".
The house staff loved Juan, other than a paintwork touch up they knew they would be able to leave his room for the next twelve months and it would still be as it was the first time he stepped in there, clean, tidy, fresh.
Unlike Josef's or Sofia's rooms, which both looked like bomb sites.
Pauly, Reece, and the children were meeting the Torremolinas crowd at Malaga Airport FBO offices and flying out on one of PJs private jets.
When they arrived PJ and Lenny had beaten them by a few minutes, as they said their hello's and got their hugs, Ramon, Pip, Roco and Louisa were next to arrive along with Rual and Reya, as more hugs were exchanged the final members of the Torremolinas party rolled up, Leo, Rosa and Aly.
This was Aly's first Christmas home in several years, he'd arrived back on leave only yesterday following his latest tour in Afghanistan, everyone had been sworn to secrecy, he would be a complete surprise for Woody, the two boys, born within minutes of each other had been best friends all their lives, but everyone could see Aly wasn't himself, he'd been sad and short tempered since arriving back, refusing to meet up for dinner with Raul and Reya, even suggesting he shouldn't accompany them to Lanzarote, but he'd finally relented.
PJ had arranged for the second of his aircraft to collect Mr and Mrs Albright from London before traveling on to collect Woody, Jacqueline, Roslyn and Paul along with Pete and Jaque from Montclair in the South of France.
His third aircraft, on route from the U.S. was up to capacity, it had already been in the air for a few hours carrying Beth and Dave with their twins, Billy, Jay, Jolly and their triplets, along with Billy, Julia and Will Fielding, plus Josh and Bryan, Chris and Max, Brad and Royce.
In Lanzarote the party from London and France landed a few minutes ahead of PJs plane and were waiting in the FBO Operators lounge having cleared customs when the second group came through to meet them.
Woody greeted his parents and was part way through suggesting they get everyone loaded into the waiting cars, then suddenly his voice faltered, his mouth went dry, he was speechless when the last figure came through the door.
To Woody it was like a special Christmas present delivered early, he stared unblinking at the figure in the doorway, unsure at first if his eyes were playing tricks on him, then as if propelled by a rocket he launched himself toward his friend, hugging him and kissing his face.
"Oh my god Bro, this is the best present I could ever wish for, you came back safe, thank god".
For what seemed like an eternity the two held each other tight before finally pushing apart, to just gaze at each other, everyone could see the obvious tears in the eyes of both boys.
Woody was grinning like a Cheshire Cat, "Come on folks lets get moving, the cars need to be back here in a couple of hours for Billy's party arriving, Aly you're in with us, we have a lot of catching up to do, I want to know everything that's been going on with you".
That last sentence had caused Aly to look sad, worried, and it hadn't gone unnoticed by Leo or Rosa, they knew there was something their son was not telling, but he'd resisted any attempt they'd made to get near to him.
At Leo's request Aly had been given a bungalow of his own and as soon as they arrived at the house he'd vanished.
In the space between their arrival and the American party arriving Woody realised Aly had been conspicuously absent, cornering Raul and Reya he asked what was going on, he was completely thrown when Reya burst into tears and walked away into the house.
Raul explained, "We don't know Woody, since our wedding he won't speak to either of us, he seemed genuinely happy for us on the day, you saw him, you spoke to him, but the day after he was on a link with Leo and he looked and sounded terrible, when Reya and I joined Leo, he cut the link and now he won't have anything to do with us, Reya's breaking her heart".
Woody went off to find Leo, he needed to try and make sense of this, he knew Aly worshiped his big sister and he'd been a driving force in pushing Raul to propose, so why was he now shunning them?, it didn't make sense.
Leo was with PJ, Lenny, Rosa and the Albright's when Woody found them on the terrace, he didn't disturb them, he decided to wander down to Aly's bungalow.
Leo saw Woody heading towards the bungalows and getting up he called out, "Woody, leave him, he needs space, he's trying to deal with something, I'm not sure what exactly but it's eating him up, he needs to get whatever it is straight in his head".
Woody looked at Leo, it was clear he was considering Leo's words, then, "No, if he's struggling with something, I need to know what it is, maybe I can help, trust me Uncle Leo".
When he entered the bungalow, it was dark, every blind was closed, there was definitely something wrong, it seemed to Woody as if Aly was trying to shut out the world.
He found Aly asleep, curled in a ball on the bed in the master suite, it was obvious he had been crying.
On the bed beside him was a photograph, Aly and another Soldier, they were looking, not at the camera, at each other, the expression said it all, it was how Woody saw himself in photographs looking at Jacqueline.
For Woody the light in his brain half came on, but he was still confused.
He sat on the bed next to Aly who was startled by the movement, looking up at Woody in the darkness, Woody being only silhouetted by the light coming in from the open door, "Stevie, Stevie, is it you, I thought I'd lost you".
Aly's voice was an almost sob, Woody put his hand on Aly's arm to calm him.
"Aly, it's me Woody, it's okay Bro, we can figure this out, you just have to tell me, trust me, christ, we used to know everything about each other, I cried on your shoulder when Rosy died, I need to know what's going on".
Woody hadn't been prepared for the reply.
"Fuck off you bastard, why trick me, get out, get out now".
Aly threw Woody's arm away from him almost pushing Woody off the bed.
Woody started to object but he didn't get to speak, Aly's foot caught Woody in the chest propelling him backwards through the doorway into the lounge where he landed, crumpled, winded.
As he tried to get himself up he was struggling to breath and talk.
"Aly it's me, Woody, tell me what's wrong, trust me, please Bro".
Aly's face was a rage, "Get out I said, now go before I hurt you, you bastard, I'm worthless, I wasn't there, I should have been there, not him".
Woody stepped gingerly forward but the balled fist caught him square under the chin, sending him crashing through the glass door which splintered around him, out onto the lawn, landing him at the feet of his startled children who, with Josef, Juan and Sofia had come to investigate the shouting.
Woody's head hit the patio table as he crashed through the door onto the patio, he registered the children were there but he couldn't do anything, blackness enveloped him.
Aly was stood looking on, tears streaming down his face, Roslyn and Sofia were screaming, Paul, Josef and Juan were trying to lift a bleeding Woody when Leo, Pauly and Pete arrived on the scene.
Leo was the first to speak, "Oh my god son, what have you done, you've hurt him badly".
Josef looked at Aly, at the tears, he was sobbing.
Taking Aly's hand, and to the amazement of everyone, Josef led Aly back into the bungalow, through into the bedroom, "Lie down, we need to get this under control, come on, I'll stay with you, you're not alone, Woody's okay, he won't blame you, you're Bro's, he'll understand".
Pauly stood in the doorway, he'd followed Josef and Aly, he watched as Aly drifted off into sleep, Josef never stopped talking, softly, gently, seeming to wind Aly down.
"Josef come away, I don't want you getting hurt".
Josef, gently raised himself up, keeping contact with Aly, "It's okay Pops, he won't hurt anyone else, he's popped now, he's hurting, but I don't know why, he didn't mean to hurt Uncle Woody, he wouldn't, he didn't know what he was doing, I think he'll sleep for a while now, find out how Uncle Woody is, I'll be alright, honestly Pops I will".
Later to Reece, Pauly would question why he had instinctively trusted his son, and be surprised he couldn't answer his own question, but he had, he'd left Josef there alone with Aly while he checked on Woody, who was now the focus of the whole party.
Woody was groggy, he had a cut on his head but Jacqueline had managed to stop the bleeding.
As Woody struggled to get up he asked, "Where is he, is he alright?, he didn't mean to do that, Aly would never hurt me, there's something seriously wrong, we have to know what it is".
Pauly answered him, "Josef's with him, don't ask me how but Josef calmed him, he's sleeping now, I'll keep an eye on them, don't worry Bro, we'll sort this".
Jacqueline convinced Woody to rest in their room for a while and led him off as the others talked quietly, shocked by Aly's outburst.
Woody rested, dozing on and off for about an hour, emerging from the bedroom he asked Jacqueline where Aly was, her reply sent him into an immediate panic.
"He's gone Woody, he convinced Leo and PJ to let him fly back to Torremolinas, he left for the airport about ten minutes ago, he wouldn't let anyone go with him, he insisted on taking a taxi".
Woody was running out of the door as he shouted to Jacqueline, "Call the pilots, tell them to stall him, I have to speak to him, it can't end like this", at that Woody jumped into the nearest 4x4 and screeched out of the drive onto the road.
At the airport the taxi dropped Aly at the Departure entrance for commercial flights, that confused him until he got directions to the FBO building for private flights, Woody was later grateful for the taxi drivers lack of sense, it had delayed Aly by a good twenty minutes allowing Woody to reach their plane before him.
He told the pilots to usher Aly onboard and close the door from the outside once he boarded, he also told them to disappear for a while, saying he'd ring them if he needed them to come back to the plane.
Woody stood out of sight in one of the bedrooms until Ali had been ushered aboard and he'd heard the unmistakable sound of the door closing.
Coming out from the bedroom behind where Aly was seated he saw his friend jump in shock at the sound of his voice, "You can't leave yet, not until you explain all of this to me, convince me it's for the best and I'll let you go but only if you convince me".
Aly sat, head down, hands covering his face, his voice was low and muffled, "I'm sorry Woody, I didn't mean to hurt you, I would never, you must know that, I don't know what came over me, I need to go, that way it won't happen again, please let me go now".
Woody stayed behind his friend, wanting to reach out and wrap his arms around him but he held back, "Nice try Bro, that's not what I asked for and you know it, now come on, spill, I have to know and you have to tell me".
Aly was clearly sobbing, "I can't Woody, you won't understand, you'll hate me".
Woody walked in front of Aly, "Hold out your right hand palm up, do it now !".
Aly slowly did as Woody had instructed, there on his palm was the scar from when they were five years old, Woody did the same, displaying an identical jagged scar before turning his hand over and clasping the scars together, palm to palm exactly as they'd been all those years earlier except then they were fresh wounds pouring with blood, "Say it".
Aly was shaking his head trying to pull his hand away but it was held firm in Woody's grip, "I said, say it, you remember, I do, it was a solemn pledge, don't you dare fuckin break it, now look at me and say it".
Aly looked up into his friends face, through tears he quietly said, "Brothers forever, whatever, for life", Woody repeated the same words, then dragged Aly out of his seat as they clung together both now sobbing.
"There is nothing, not a single thing you could tell me that would stop me loving you, there is nothing I wouldn't do to help you, to keep you safe, now tell me, it's the guy in the photograph isn't it?".
Aly nodded, unable to talk, he just looked pleadingly at Woody, desperate for him to understand.
"You're lovers, is that it?".
Aly collapsed back into his seat now wracked with sobs, Woody could just make out his words, "Not any more, he died".
In an instant Woody was beside Aly holding him, "I'm sorry Bro, why the hell didn't you tell me, we're a team, I'm here, tell me please, I want to share whatever you're suffering".
Aly pushed back and looked at Woody, "You don't understand, I'm gay".
Woody looked mystified, "And?"
Aly went on, not believing he was hearing this, "You don't care?".
Woody still looked mystified, "Care about what for fucks sake?, you're not making sense Bro".
"I'm gay Woody, I'm a poof, a faggot, you didn't sign up for that when we made our pledge".
Woody's mood changed in an instant to anger and it was easily recognisable, now he was shouting, "So what, you think we should have sat down and drawn up a kind of pre nup for our pledge?, what, blood brothers by condition, how fuckin pathetic do you think I am?, I, no, not I, we, made a pact, I'm still in, and always will be, there are no conditions, as for the gay thing, so fuckin what?, you like dick, I like fanny, end of".
Woody sat back, his tirade over, arms crossed, obviously annoyed.
"I'm sorry Bro, I've been so mixed up since...........".
Aly couldn't go on, the tears started again and Woody was there holding him, "Tell me about him, Stevie, that's his name isn't it?".
Aly looked shocked, "How do you know that?".
Woody tutted, "You called his name just before you put my lights out".
For the next hour Aly poured his heart out, Stevie had taken the Patrol Aly should have commanded on the day of Raul and Reya's wedding.
Whilst Aly watched his sister get married and drank beer in the mess hall, Stevie died in an ambush, shot by a sniper, they cried together, clung to each other, then cried some more, at some stage the aircraft door opened and Ben the pilot popped his head in, Woody nodded to him saying, "Let the crew go Ben, there'll be no flight today, we're going back to the house shortly".
On the drive back Aly surprised Woody by saying, "I'm not re enlisting, I can't do it anymore, my times up in six weeks, when I go back, I'll put my papers in".
They were silent for a while until Woody said, "You have to explain, you know that don't you?, Reya is hurting really badly, she doesn't understand why you won't talk to her, she'll understand if you explain, your Momma and Poppa are hurting too, they know there's something wrong, they're worried for you, I'll be with you if you want, I'll always be here you know".
As they pulled into the driveway past the security guards Leo came out of the house, Aly looked at Woody, "I'll be okay Bro, I need to talk to Poppa".
Getting out of the car he walked over to Leo, Woody could see them talking before Leo put his arm around Aly and led him into the house.
Woody sat for a few minutes before Jacqueline came out and seeing him got into the passenger seat Aly had vacated, "Are you okay Woody?, I was worried, did you sort it?".
Looking at his beautiful wife he smiled, "I'm definitely alright my love, in fact I was just sitting here thinking how lucky I am, a big part of that is because of you, and yes it's sorted nearly, I suspect he's sorting another part of the problem as we speak, I can't share this Jac, other than to say he lost someone very precious and he stupidly tried to deal with it alone, it's not because I don't want to share it with you, it's just not my place to share it, though I suspect you will know and understand real soon".
Jacqueline nodded, content to rely on Woody's word.
Together they strolled into the house and out onto the terrace overlooking the ocean, below them sitting in the garden they could see Leo, Rosa, Reya and Raul, all with their arms around a sobbing Aly.
After dinner that evening Aly found Woody and Jacqueline playing cards with Roslyn and Paul on the terrace, as he approached Woody asked his children to go find their cousins whilst he spoke with Uncle Aly, Jacqueline made to leave as well but Aly asked her to stay addressing his words towards her, "I'm sorry I put you through so much stress earlier, Woody didn't deserve what I did and neither did you, please forgive me".
Sensing he wasn't finished Jacqueline didn't interrupt, she just nodded acceptance.
"I know Woody won't have told you what happened, I don't have any doubt about that, I want him to explain it to you, I'm too worn out to do it again, I'll leave you now, I'm exhausted, I'm going to have an early night".
They watched as he descended the steps from the terrace to his bungalow.
For the next hour, Woody explained everything to Jacqueline, she dabbing the frequent tears from her eyes.
After tucking in the children, on the way back to their bedroom Jacqueline stopped, pulling Woody up short as well, "You shouldn't let him be alone tonight".
Woody understood, "You wouldn't mind?".
She smiled and kissed him, "Go, he needs someone to hold him right now, I'll see you in the morning".
Entering the bungalow for a second time that day Woody stripped to his boxers and climbed into bed behind Aly, putting his arm over his friend and pulling him close, he heard Aly whisper, "Thank you Bro", as they drifted off to sleep.
The following morning Woody awoke alone in the bed, Aly was nowhere to be found in the bungalow, Woody had a mild panic until, after dressing, he found Aly deep in conversation with Josef by the pool on a lounger.
As he approached them Josef got up to leave, greeting Woody with a 'good morning' and saying to Aly, "Remember, anything, okay?".
To Woody's quizzical look Aly said, "That is one wonderful child, he reminds me of you, he's so genuine, no hidden agenda, what you see is what you get".
Woody looked at Aly, his face saying what his mouth didn't.
Ali answered the unasked question, "I'm better than I have been in weeks, thank you for last night, it's been a while since I felt that safe, I actually slept and woke feeling refreshed, I know what I'm going to do now, I'm putting my papers in when I go back, I have Stevie's funeral to plan, he wanted to be cremated and scattered somewhere in Europe, he didn't have any relatives, he grew up in an orphanage, never even went into foster care, straight into the army after school, he always said France and Italy were his favourites, when that's done I'm taking some time off before deciding what the rest of my life should be".
Woody was tentative, this could sound wrong but he wanted to say it, "Come to Montclair Aly, bring Stevie, we have a family plot on our land, it would be nice to know where he is, it's a lovely peaceful place".
Aly pondered, "Let me think on it Woody, I'll definitely come and stay for a while, I'll let you know about Stevie, thanks Bro".
Walking into the main house Woody headed for their bedroom where he heard the shower running, stripping off his clothes he snuck quietly into the bathroom and surprised Jacqueline with kisses slipping his hands under her arms to fondle her breasts before they made passionate love under the warm cascading water, later they headed back to bed where they again made long and leisurely, passionate love.
After lunch the girls decided to do a little last minute Christmas shopping, which for Woody was perfect, sat on the terrace with a beer he mentioned his search for someone to head up the new venture.
Ramon was enthusiastic asking how the search was going, had Woody narrowed it down any, reminding him not to forget his offer of a hands on role.
Winking at his father who was in on Woody's plan, he told Ramon he didn't really need to search he already had his man earmarked, it was just a case of finding the right time to pitch his offer.
Woody couldn't resist, "So Uncle Ramon, pretend you are the guy I'm pitching to, I'd be saying, I don't need to look around, I'm looking at the guy I want, the guy I trust, the guy who's already proved countless times he can do this with his eyes closed, you know how to create a need, how to drip feed information designed to excite our future customer base, you know how to motivate staff, in a nutshell you are my man, so what would you say, would you accept?".
Both Woody and PJ were waiting with baited breath whilst Ramon, considered his answer, he knew there was something not quite right here but he couldn't see it, as for an answer he said, "Yes I would accept, after that litany of praise I could hardly decline could I?".
By now Raul who'd been watching and listening with a smile was actually rolling around on his seat laughing hysterically, "Oh Poppa, sometimes you are so gullible, you were just played by a master, and he was trained at the hands of the Maestro, I believe congratulations are in order, you just accepted the position to head up Uncle Woody's new venture".
PJ and Woody were grinning, Ramon looked puzzled, then suddenly the light came on, he looked at Woody in shock, "Woody Thorn you are every bit as devious as your bloody father, what did I just do?".
Grinning Woody replied, "You just accepted the position of Chairman, Woodruff Holiday Parks, I meant every word you know, I was never looking for anyone, I decided ages ago you were my man, you'll take up your new position effective January 1st Mr Chairman".
PJ spoke up, I think we better call Josh and Bryan over since they just lost their European President".
Ramon surprised them all saying, "Actually they just lost their President and Vice President", turning to a clearly shocked Raul he said, "You think it's so funny now?, if I'm doing it so are you, congratulations Mr Vice Chairman".
Josh came over at PJs beckoning, a smile on his face, "I'm guessing you're about to tell me I've lost my European President, well about bloody time Woody, I thought you'd never get around to it".
But Josh's face was a picture when he realised he'd lost, his Vice President as well, "Oh well it looks like Roco just did a double leap, let's face it we've all known for years he was capable of so much more, both of your sons trained under a master Ramon and it shows, I guess someone should give Roco the news".
Finding Bryan in a group with Aly and Roco he joined them, looking at Bryan he said, "That management problem just took a bit of a wobble".
Bryan looked baffled, they'd already talked this out, Raul would move up to President and Roco would become Vice President.
Josh now aimed his comments at Roco, "Seems we have a bit of a problem Roco, you'll be leaving your role as Junior Vice President on January 1st".
Roco was stunned, "Why", he clearly didn't know what to say, they were sacking him, he'd worked his balls off for years to earn that position, he looked as though he would burst into tears at any moment.
Josh thought he'd better put him out of his misery, "Well, as good as you are, even you can't be both Junior Vice President and President European Operations Woodruff Leisure, which from January 1st you will be, congratulations Roco you earned this, you so deserve it".
The Christmas and New Year vacation was one of the best they could remember culminating with Pips birthday party on January 6th, the night before they departed, once again, scattering all across the world.
TBC
ARB Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.