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Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 4
Josef's jet, carrying himself and Reece, was about twenty minutes from landing in Rome when the co pilot came back to tell them Juan's plane was slightly ahead of them, it was already descending into Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport.
Reece asked the co pilot to send back a message, Juan was to wait at the FBO Office for them, there was no courtesy in the message, it was a straightforward and implicit instruction.
In truth, Reece didn't feel inclined to be courteous at that moment, he was still extremely angry with both his sons.
As they exited the plane and entered the FBO Lounge to complete their immigration checks, Josef saw Juan, arms folded, wearing a distinct scowl, he knew immediately, this was not going to be pleasant, it seemed Juan had most definitely forgotten exactly who he was choosing to butt heads with, and more importantly, how such a stupid move had always ended in the past, disastrously.
Josef had spent some considerable time last night thinking about what his Poppa had said, he'd come to the conclusion, Reece was right, this wasn't the first time Juan's impetuous, poorly thought out decisions had caused problems, he knew he had to do something to stop it from happening again, but he was at a loss as to how to achieve it without seriously upsetting his brother.
Reece strode through into the lounge area ahead of Josef, he too had seen Juan's expression, but Reece was in no mood to pander to Juan, he stopped all conversation in the room with a barked command to his son.
"Drop the attitude boy, I'm in no mood at all for your petulance, we're only here because you put us here with your stupid, ill founded decisions, that and my own stupidity, blindly backing the pair of you, instead of agreeing with the person who deserved and expected my support".
Juan made to object, but he didn't get more than two words out as Reece cut him off.
"You seem to be labouring under the illusion I'm someone you can bully, someone who'll cower under your bluster, well think again boy, today you regress, today you fall back in line, you do exactly as you're told, of course there's an alternative, go back through that door, get on your fancy plane and get out of my life, forever, because right now I don't recognise you, you're certainly not the boy your Poppa Pauly and I raised, and to be honest, I don't like what I'm seeing, so alter your attitude, or fuck off, the ball is in your court, but make no mistake, today you will either put right the wrongs you have wrought, or you and I are finished".
Thankfully there had only been FBO Officials in the lounge, but even so, the atmosphere was oppressive, when Reece stopped talking silence rained, without another word he strode out to their waiting car.
Josef had stood silent throughout Reece's rant, he'd known what was coming, it had happened so many times in the past with Juan, and he certainly didn't want his Poppa directing his wrath at him, not whilst he was in that foul a mood.
Juan was in shock, he couldn't remember the last time he'd taken a tongue lashing from his Poppa, but it worked, he followed his beloved Poppa with glistening eyes, and before they reached the car he spoke.
"Poppa, I'm sorry, please, forgive me, I've been stupid, I should have let Josef be the one to decide the course of action, he's always been better at it than me, I jump the gun, I'll do anything you want me too".
Reece turned, he saw his son with glistening eyes, this time his voice was softer.
"You didn't listen boy, it's not what I want, it's all about doing what's right, that's all that's required of you, just as I intend to do, just as I expect your brother will do, when we get to Gregous, behave according to the values you were brought up to respect".
Juan only said five words but they melted Reece's heart.
"But you still love me?".
Reece pulled him into a hug.
"You silly boy, of course I still love you, being angry with you doesn't change that, it never could, I'll always love you, whatever happens".
Josef joined them in a hug before he said.
"Come on Bro, let's go mend some fences, and say a prayer for being so lucky to have been chosen as the sons of Pauly and Reece Caswel-Thorn".
They arrived at Gregous a little before midday.
At the main gates Reece asked their driver to stop whilst they asked for permission to enter.
The guard at the gate cottage looked totally baffled, but he did as Reece requested, coming back a few minutes later to say they were welcome to proceed up to the main house.
For Reece this drive never lost its appeal, once again, as the house came into view, he asked their driver to stop, got out of the car and gazed with wonder at the magnificent house in the distance.
When they finally arrived at the main house, it was Myron, the Butler, who greeted them, he came out of the house a few moments after their car stopped.
"Welcome home Mr Caswel-Thorn, Giovanni said not to hurry, you would spend at least ten minutes gazing at the house from the first bend in the driveway".
Myron leaned close to Reece whispering.
"He also said he was jealous, at least the house was loved".
Myron then turned to Josef and Juan, welcoming them and shaking the hands of each, though they thought it a little strange he shook each of their hands twice.
As he led them into the Grand entrance hall, he said over his shoulder.
"Great soldiers are safe until they threaten my master, then they could lose their heads, what time do you have gentlemen?".
Josef and Juan looked at their wristwatches with surprise, they were each wearing the others watch, and they clearly understood Myron's message, he'd swapped their wristwatches, he could so easily have cut their throats.
Myron led them through three lounges before they came to Reece's favourite room, he knew immediately, Van was teasing him, choosing this room with its view out to gardens filled with beautiful flowers, then, there he was, standing before the magnificent fireplace, except his expression wasn't one of playful confidence, Reece could easily see that, Van was visibly nervous, not at all sure what the outcome of this meeting would be.
Surprisingly, it was Juan who stepped forward and spoke first.
"I want to apologise to you, I unfairly, and wrongly, judged people you care about, I not only hurt them, in doing so I caused you to become involved in defending them, something which should never have happened, because they were, they are, innocent, that very action caused you hurt, caused you to question someone I know we both love dearly, I want to ask your forgiveness, please".
Van started to speak but Reece stopped him holding up a hand and looking at Josef.
Josef stepped forward to stand next to Juan.
"I echo my brothers words, I could have stopped this, got to the facts, but I didn't, out of a stupid sense of allegiance to my brother I let it continue, I'm actually ashamed of that decision, it's not in keeping with the values I was brought up to believe in, I was equally guilty of hurting the people you so valiantly defended, of hurting you by causing someone we both hold dear to choose between you and us, that's unacceptable, it will never happen again, I'm also asking for your forgiveness, please".
Again Van tried to reply,but again Reece stopped him.
"I have something to say, I'm sorry, very sorry, I chose to support my boys, I went against the very values and principles I'd always insisted they abide by, I was wrong, I hurt you, I saw that, it hurt me to see what I'd done, I never want to do that again, we all three came here today to ask your forgiveness, what we did, what we're asking your forgiveness for, cannot be forgotten, because we all need to learn from it, but it is your decision, it won't be the only time we get it wrong, but I hope we can always count on there being someone to hold us to account, and I hope we are all honest enough to admit our mistakes, so, please, Van, my love, will you forgive me, forgive us?".
They all stood there silently, until Van spoke.
"I'm sorry too, I was angry, very angry, I knew the moment I walked out of that room, I'd done the wrong thing, I'd destroyed the bridge, I needn't have done that, but I let myself get angry, I suppose we're not that different Juan, I could have done it so differently, I could have just driven the conversation to where it eventually ended up, with the facts emerging, facts that vindicated the very people I sought to protect, I inadvertently invoked a scenario where I set you three against me, I knew I'd done it, I knew I'd forced a decision which I could lose, but once I heard the answer, it hurt to much to try to rectify it, so I cut my losses and ran, that was wrong, I could so easily have taken you to task Reece, I know you're a good man, you would have reconsidered, but I didn't, so I'll accept your apologies, if you will accept mine".
Reece didn't reply he just walked across the room to Van and pulled him into a hug, Josef and Juan took their fathers lead and joined in.
Reece broke off addressing Juan.
"I believe you have something to tell your brother.
Juan smiled then said to Josef.
"You're CEO, in future, you make the big decisions, I'm good at field work, better than you, we should change the titles we hold, I'd rather be over the field operatives, can we do that?".
Josef looked at his father, grateful, he'd seen Josef's dilemma.
"Yes Bro, we can do that, I agree, you are stronger than me on field work, it's a sensible suggestion".
Whilst they were talking they didn't hear Reece whispering to Van.
"I do love looking at this house, but there's something I like looking at which trumps every other sight in the world, that would be you, naked beneath me, I love you Giovanni Gregous, and I'm going to fuck your brains out before this day ends".
Van just sighed and flushed a deep crimson, fighting hard to conceal the erection threatening to burst out of his pants.
The boys stayed for an early dinner before saying their goodbyes and heading to the airport.
Josef surprised both Van and Reece with a totally unexpected offer.
"I don't really need my plane for the next two weeks, Juan is collecting Pierre and the kids from Montclair and bringing them to Torremolinas to spend some time with us, if it helps you get Gregor, Brenda, little Andrew and Drew out here, then I'd be happy to leave it at your disposal".
Reece embraced his son.
"Thank you, that would be a great help, I was going to charter a plane, I'll send it back to you as soon as we get everyone settled...........".
Josef cut him off.
"Keep it for the two weeks, ask Gregor to bring it back, I'll need a day to go over the plans we have for him, he can brief Drew".
Josef and Juan both smiled at Reece and Vans expressions.
"Yes, I see the surprise on both of your faces, I discussed it with Juan earlier, we don't feel it would be fair to take Drew away from you, so Gregor and Drew are your permanent security detail, they will be on Guardian's payroll, they will jointly train and evaluate new recruits, operating within your household, it's a continuing program, we need a lot of new blood, it will be their responsibility to find, evaluate, train and pass them on as qualified".
The following morning Van received a message from Gregor to say Drew was being discharged and cleared to fly.
Reece made immediate arrangements for a nurse to accompany him, a private ambulance to deliver him to the FBO Office at London City Airport, then despatched the plane to bring him out to Gregous, another private ambulance would meet him when he landed in Rome.
Gregor, Brenda and little Andrew would meet him at the airport and travel out with him.
Both Van and Reece were excited, Gregous would be their home now, with Gregor and Drew to look out for them, and Brenda to run their house, then there was little Andrew, well that was just a bonus, a child to bring life to the stuffy old property.
Van and Reece weren't the only ones looking forward to the new arrivals.
Once Drew was settled in his bedroom, Brenda asked Myron to give her a guided tour of the house, he gave her a tour of the public rooms, then a less well known tour, which took in all of the secret passages.
Brenda was fascinated.
"I really love this house, it has a warmth about it, there's a calming influence the moment you step inside, but Myron, I hope you don't resent me taking over as housekeeper, I don't want you to feel I'm muscling in".
Myron was smiling, he liked Brenda.
"We have had a succession of housekeepers over the years, none of them liked the house, or it didn't like them, I don't know what it was, but you're the first to actually like the place, I've been here since I was a boy, I started service with Vans parents when I was fourteen, I have a good feeling about you, you'll be here for a lot of years, the house likes you, if you meet any resistance from anyone, let me know, I'll deal with it".
A few days after Gregor, Brenda and Drew arrived, Van took a call from Woody, asking if he and Jacqueline could visit along with their children Roslyn, Paul and Daniel.
Woody also mentioned that Pete and Jaques had wanted to come as well, but they thought it might be a bit of an imposition to all descend on Gregous at once.
Van was completely overjoyed.
"Woody my friend, we would love to welcome all of you, will Pete and Jaque bring the children as well?, I hope so, it's what this old house needs, the sound of youngsters enjoying themselves, I know Reece will be thrilled when I tell him, I look forward to seeing all of you".
Van couldn't wait, he found Reece in Drew's room, supervising gentle exercises.
Reece was as excited as Van had predicted.
"That's fantastic, I so want you to meet all of the family, it will be a good opportunity to get Woody's opinion on my plan to give Thorn Plaza to Josef and Carry, in fact, if you thought you could stand it, and we could accommodate them, we could invite Josef and Juan to bring the families out at the same time".
Van was laughing.
"If we could accommodate them?, Gregous has twenty eight bedrooms, not counting our master suite or Gregor and Brenda's suite, as Drew is occupying one bedroom that only leaves us twenty seven bedrooms, yeh, it will probably be a struggle".
As he finished speaking Van was laughing loudly, as were both Reece and Drew.
Then Reece stopped to say.
"You need to be aware, gossip travels fast in this family, if Beth gets wind of a family gathering she'll be here, invited or not, then you'll get a text from Billy which will say something like, what are we, chopped liver?".
Reece let Van dwell on what he'd said for a moment.
"I don't want to put you off, I just want you to understand, if you do this, before you know it, you'll be shoehorning people into rooms".
Vans face broke into a huge grin.
"I do believe I see that as a challenge Mr Caswel-Thorn, would you mind if I invite them all?".
Reece was laughing again.
"Knock yourself out Mr Gregous, let chaos reign".
Van spent the next couple of hours calling Beth in Montclair and then Billy in Chicago.
Just as Reece predicted, the mere mention of the family gathering in one place meant Beth dumped anything that would prevent her from being there.
Billy, almost burst Vans eardrums, shouting at full volume for Jay and Jolly, just to get their take on the invite.
Van was actually laughing as they bickered good natured back and forth, agreeing they had nothing that couldn't be put back a week or so.
Finally they accepted, with a question.
"Are you inviting the monsters, that would be our strange offspring, only we were thinking, if you were, we might just send them on their own, then we could stay here in complete peace and serenity, you've gone quiet Van, seriously, just joking, we wouldn't put anyone through that experience, see you in a couple of days, we're really looking forward to it".
Unknown to Van or Reece, in France at Chateau Montclair, the messages started arriving.
As soon as it was confirmed all of the Thorn siblings were gathering, much sooner than they'd been counting on, because they'd thought it would be Christmas, this was nearly four weeks ahead of schedule, and there was only one thought in all of their minds, they were all asking the same important question.
'Will they be ready in time?'.
Jacqueline knew what the questions referred to, but she didn't know the answer.
She spent almost an hour on the telephone that afternoon before she could finally reply to every message with the same text.
"It will be a push, but I have their assurance, they will be ready, they'll arrive during the morning after we all arrive at Gregous.
For Josef, Carry, Juan and Pierre, it was like firing a starting gun, they arrived that same day just before dinner, with their four children in tow, and an added surprise were Ally, Bo, Piers and Milo who had been visiting Toremolinas and staying at Thorn Plaza.
And, two days later, the rest of the family started arriving.
Surprisingly, Billy, Jay and Jolly were the first to arrive with their boys, no longer the overactive youngsters everyone remembered.
Far from being the monsters Billy had led Van to believe, they were eighteen year old male beauties, with impeccable manners and breeding.
All three were graduates, working executive positions within the family brokerage business, add in they were fiercely protective of each other.
Van marvelled at their attention to their parents, when they exited the limousine bringing them to Gregous, they almost clashed trying to help their Momma who was carrying Jace's son Ary, out of the vehicle, but they deferred to Jace being the first in place, the other two, Jo and Will, moving to help their Poppas.
An unknown quantity was David, brother of Jace's absent wife Abby, whom no one talked about.
Next to arrive were Woody and Jacqueline with their brood, Roslyn, Paul and Daniel.
Again, no longer children, Roslyn now a Marketing Executive at Montclair Wines, Paul worked with his Uncle Pete as a Financial Executive, and Daniel, a successful Artist, displaying his works at the most prestigious galleries around the world.
In typical family fashion they too, all exhibited impeccable manners and breeding, it was almost a re run of Billy, Jay and Jolly's arrival, the youngsters vying to help their parents out of the car.
There were two other cars behind theirs.
The first held The Comte, Jaque Montclair and Pete Montclair, with their children, The Vicomte's, JJ and Marcel of Montclair, and The Comtesse Fleur of Montclair.
JJ and Marcel worked with their father Pete, alongside their much loved cousin Paul, Fleur worked with her cousin Roslyn as a Marketing Executive for Montclair Wines, but she did just as much with her father in learning the running of the Montclair Vineyards and Winery.
In the last car were Beth and Dave with their children, Twins Robert Paul Morton and Elly Dianne Morton, plus their youngest, Pauly John Morton, all of whom worked for the family business at Beauchene, a short distance from Montclair.
In all thirty five family members had arrived.
In most families there would be simmering jealousies, perhaps dislikes, maybe some open hatred, but not this one.
There were biological offspring, partly biological offspring, and completely non biological offspring, though in the case of the later that could be seen as a politically incorrect label, but the parents of the children saw only their offspring, it didn't matter whether they were biologically linked or not, they were loved, cherished, that was all that mattered.
Dinner that evening had been a fabulous fun time, the staff at Gregous had worked hard to serve a meal fit for a King, but they hadn't been prepared for the younger family members to rise, as if on cue, and literally take over the clearing up.
In the kitchen, the Cook, her two assistants and the three servants who had served table, were all sat down with a cup of hot chocolate whilst China and Glassware was loaded into the dishwashers.
When the dining room had been cleared, the kitchen was tidy and the dishwashers working, the youngsters carried coffee and liqueurs through to the lounges for the older members of the family.
Although it was something repeated at almost every mealtime, that one, very first act, earned them untold privileges from the staff, who had never before been treated with such respect by any guest at Gregous.
Next day was, 'the day', and Van was getting a little paranoid, everywhere he went, there seemed to be groups of people whispering, he'd heard that reference several times, 'the day'.
Reece, knowing what was planned, was partly factual in his explanation, saying the family were most likely trying to think of ways to thank him, for his hospitality.
The transport, emblazoned with the name, The Compagnie des Cristalleries de Saint Louis, arrived a few minutes before noon.
Whilst the family were enjoying a buffet luncheon in the large dining room, several rooms away, in the entrance hall, a small army of workers toiled relentlessly, until finally, the company's specialist installation team pronounced them ready, delivered and installed to their satisfaction.
The niches were filled.
In the central niche stood a Dark Blue Patrimoine Potiche, either side in the flanking niches stood a matching pair of Dark Blue Savane Potiches, three spectacular Crystal masterpieces, all of them bore the 'G' of Gregous.
When they were being unpacked they were beautiful, but installed, bathed in the spotlights, they were awesome, magnificent, at almost three feet in height, the eyes were drawn immediately to them as soon as you entered the room, they sparkled their greeting, it was impossible to ignore them.
In the dining room, Myron approached Jacqueline, whispering in her ear, the room fell eerily silent, every eye, including Vans, was riveted on her response.
Jacqueline looked around the table and nodded.
A collective sigh sounded out, Van looked surprised, completely baffled even, he was totally unaware of what was happening.
Jacqueline stood.
"Van, I must apologise in advance, we, as a family, wanted to do something, a gesture, offer to you a significant welcome, we weren't sure we could pull it off, but we have, and now I'm nervous, hoping you will accept our gesture, it's meant, offered, with true love, but we've invaded your hospitality, invaded your home, in a way which worries me slightly, I hope you will accept what we have done with the same spirit in which it is meant".
As if on cue, the whole family rose from their seats.
Van was completely baffled, but he took the hand Jacqueline offered.
Jacqueline led him toward the entrance hall, nothing was said.
As soon as he came into the entrance hall, he saw them, and stopped dead, rooted in his tracks, his eyes riveted.
They were truly magnificent, the complete epitome of what he'd so long been searching for.
Turning back towards the gathered guests, who were nervous, unsure if he would accept their collective gesture, he said.
"I thought the gods had blessed me when I was fortunate enough to find Reece, but this, this shows they blessed me more than I could ever believe, a partner who loves me, and a family who would do this to bid me welcome, I don't know how I can ever repay you for your wonderful generosity, I've looked longingly at similar Potiches, but I could never afford them, I know roughly how much they would have cost, it's a small fortune, I can only say thank you".
As Reece put his arm around a clearly emotional Van, Jacqueline answered for the family.
"Fortunes, as you are aware, are not a problem for us, finding the justification to spend such an amount is usually the problem, it doesn't present itself too often, but we all agreed, in this instance we were fully justified, we couldn't let this pass without showing you how we feel about Reece bringing you into the family, this is from all of us, the whole family, to you, and to Gregous, it's our welcome gift, we hope in a hundred years time the inhabitants of Gregous will gaze at them, and recount how they were given, and received, with love, from family, to family".
As Jacqueline finished speaking the entrance hall was filled with applause.
That evening as everyone was chatting in various lounges, Reece realised Van was missing.
He had a hunch where he'd find him, and he was right, Van was in the entrance hall, just gazing at the Potiches, but he wasn't alone, Myron was with him.
Reece stopped and listened.
"I'm so proud of you Giovanni, all these years you've been too afraid to love, afraid you'd get hurt again, I thank the gods for bringing such a wonderful man into your life, someone not afraid to profess his love for you, and you have the family you always wanted, have you decided where the portrait is to be hung?".
Mention of a portrait puzzled Reece, but not for long as Van replied.
"No, I haven't, I thought the last lounge, it's Reece's favourite, he likes to look out on the garden, the flowers, I thought it might be a place where he could feel Pauly is with him, but I want to talk to him about it first, it's Reece's decision not mine".
Reece couldn't help himself.
"You'd do that for me?, have Pauly here".
Both Van and Myron spun to face him, Myron made his excuses and left them alone as Van replied.
"Why not, he's an important part of your life, you didn't stop loving him when he passed, I don't think you could, you love wholeheartedly, he'll always be with you, I want you to feel comfortable, I have no worries about Pauly, I wish I'd known him, I hope he would approve of me, I thought we could have him in the lounge you like best, there's a portrait of a stuffy old man looking out from the back wall toward the garden you like looking at, I've never been keen on that portrait, I'd much prefer to see a friendly face, but take your time, think about it, we can put him wherever you feel is best".
Reece couldn't believe it.
"Thank you Van, I don't know what I did to be so fortunate, but I'm not going to worry about that, I'm just going to enjoy being with a wonderful man who doesn't fail to keep surprising me with his loving ways, I was feeling guilty about not having a picture of Pauly, I think your suggestion is perfect".
Van put his arm around Reece's shoulders.
"I know love, that's why I took the chance and asked Josef to bring it, I know I'd like to think if I died, you wouldn't stop thinking of me, wanting to see me, remembering the happy times we had, I know I would have to have pictures of you around me if you died, I don't really care what anyone else thinks, it's our home it's where we can be happy, Pauly is an important part of how that happiness came about".
It was the following day that Reece sought Woody out.
He found him in the garden talking to Roslyn and Fleur about an upcoming event to promote Montclair Wines.
As Reece approached them Woody shooed the girls away telling them he wanted to chat with their Uncle Reece.
It surprised Reece who said.
"Actually Woody, I wanted to sound you out on something, I'm not sure how the family would feel about me doing it, I need your advice".
Woody loved Reece, so he could never do wrong, he smiled as he replied.
"Reece, you are not capable of committing an act that would deliberately upset people, so if it upsets anyone, it's either inadvertent, or they're mistaken, as it happens, I have something I want to discuss with you as well, so go ahead, you first".
Reece smiled, he loved Woody, always had.
"It's The Nest, Thorn Plaza".
Woody's interest was suddenly peaked, but he let Reece carry on.
"PJ and Lenny left it to me, they did it because I was the oldest family member left in Torremolinas, only, I'm not going to be there very often now, so I thought I might give it to Josef and Carry, but I wanted your opinion".
Woody was surprised, but he thought he might as well share his idea with Reece.
"In a way what you are thinking about is similar to what's been running through my head for a while, but I've got a plan, I've not shared this with anyone else, I'd rather keep it to ourselves until I get something to actually tell them, is that okay with you?".
Reece smiled.
"Of course it is".
Woody went on.
"You know Momma and Poppa left me most of the properties, in fact, The Nest was the only one I didn't get, I think that was to do with it being Pauly's childhood home, they felt they couldn't take that away from you".
Reece could tell Woody was thinking, he just stayed silent until Woody carried on.
"I got the apartment in New York, the house in London, the apartment in Paris, the mansion at Shell Key Florida, the apartment they bought back from Pete in Madrid, the plantation estate they bought from Uncle Billy's aunt in Barbados, technically, I got The Christmas House in Lanzarote, though Jacqueline controls it with the planes and the collection, then there's two houses in The Hamptons, the Villa at St-Tropez, Billy's original apartment in Chicago, which Momma bought back from him, and the house in Palo Alto, California, which Momma bought back from Beth and Dave, eleven in all".
Hearing him reel them off surprised Reece, he knew there were a lot of properties, and no one in the family had been at all concerned that they were all left to Woody, but the number of properties still surprised him.
Woody carried on.
I want to put them all into a Trust, make them available to all the family going forward, but only saleable if a committee of family members agree it's time to sell them, it would mean all of us putting money into a fund to run the trust, I thought Pete's company could administer that, what do you think?".
Reece almost breathed a sigh of relief.
"I think it's a fantastic idea, in fact, you can add The Nest to that portfolio, make it a round dozen, after all, it's probably the most important property when we think of PJ and Lenny, I'd like to think it will always be protected, that one day, if I wanted to, I could still go there, yes Woody, I really like the idea, count me in".
Woody smiled.
"Pauly always said you were a terrible business man, you didn't ask how much we all put into the trust".
This time Reece smiled as he replied.
"I doubt you will ask enough to even dent my pocket money so knock yourself out Bro".
Woody loved bantering with Reece.
"I thought ten million each, that would give us a working capital of fifty million, which Pete should be able to increase for us".
Reece considered it then nodded.
"That sits okay with me, I'm in".
When Woody finally put his proposal to the family they were all in agreement, it was a good idea, Josef and Carry would continue their residence of The Nest in Torremolinas, Raul and Reya would continue their residency of the London House, all the other properties would have a skeleton staff to keep them ticking over.
The future seemed rosy, but there we go again, life's illusions, they let us believe these things, only to be knocked for six.
In a small, cramped, dirty apartment in Rome, someone was planning to change all that.
TBC ARB Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.