The Stone Page 17

  ‘We can’t offer those sorts of pay increases dad, it will bankrupt us.’ Richard glared at Edmund, ‘it’s just not feasible. I vote no!’

  ‘I can see what you are getting at Edmund, and it is very bold, but there have to be difficult solutions for difficult problems, Richard.’ His father said calmly.

  ‘Tell me then Edmund, how would you implement it?’ Richard asked.

  ‘I would use the carrot and stick method, By getting the yard staff together in a formal meeting and hopefully one of you standing at my side showing support, I will offer the proposed pay rise to them. For the ones with families, it will appeal to them first.’ Edmund explained

  ‘That’s obvious.’ Richard said scornfully.

  ‘Yes but here comes the stick. In return I will expect them to do a weekly stock count of a designated area, and this must be very accurate. The sheet will be pre-printed; one of the girls will type it out for me.’ Edmund explained further to them.

  ‘Yes but Edmund....’

  ‘Let me please finish Richard,’ Edmund said, whilst his father gently restrained his son, by giving him a smile.

  ‘I can see where this is going Richard. This will make them more responsible, as well as showing what the consumption levels are.’ His father said.

  ‘Yes, yes dad, but how do we know if the count is accurate?’ Richard remained sceptical.

  ‘I’ve thought of that, Richard. I will tell them that I’m doing constant stock checks, and carry out my word. Any bad eggs will soon break.’ Edmund said

  ‘How do you propose to stop this alcohol consumption?’ Richard had calmed down somewhat.

  ‘I intend to be firm as well as fair. I propose to you that we give the men a beer allowance, the same as the breweries do, then at the same time ban drinking on the premises. Obviously the long-term heavy drinkers are going to need some help. I’m very sorry about this, but firstly I will try to wean them off the drink for a period of three months. But if this does not work, unfortunately they will have to go, it is for their own health that I shall give as a reason. I need your backing on this one.’ Edmund looked to the senior partner for support this time.

  Old Mr James stood up.’ Well done, Edmund, you came through the fire and I personally was not disappointed. Richard and I will discuss this further and get back to you very soon.’

  Edmund was back at work without anyone noticing, and it was still only nine am. The trucks had been loaded for the afternoon run and all seemed normal. At lunchtime Edmund was walking out of the yard gates to buy a sandwich, when he heard his name being called. Joyce, one of the office girls was waving.

  ‘Perhaps it is the brewery on the phone; he thought.

  As he walked into the office she said ‘Mr James and Mr Richard want you to join them for lunch. They’re in Mario’s across the road, they’re waiting for you.’

  Edmund had never been in Mario’s, but he knew that he liked Italian food. He opened the door, and in the far corner, dimly lit, he made out two figures, one was waving at him. He sat at the table, already he was starving, with the thought of some pasta. They were drinking a bottle of Chianti and Richard was about to pour some in the glass in front of Edmund.

  ‘No thanks, Richard I don’t drink, just water for me.’ Edmund tried to smile at him.

  ‘Edmund, my father,’ Richard turned and smiled at his dad, ‘seems to have great faith in you, and you have certainly surprised me, and that’s not easy. We have discussed all of your proposals and we want you to go ahead and give it your best. That is all we can ask at this stage.’

  ‘Thank you Richard, and you Mr James for your confidence in me, I promise to do everything in my power to make this work. And before you ask, I expect you to see real results in less than a month. I really believe that.’

  ‘Shall we say that the first meeting with the yard staff is to be next Monday after loading the lorries?’ Richard asked.

  ‘Richard will join you at the first meeting, won’t you son?’ Mr James Senior smiled at Edmund.

  ‘Yes dad I will’ and for the first time Edmund saw Richard smile.

  After that it was down to a huge plate of fresh spaghetti with the best homemade Bolognaise sauce Edmund had ever tasted. It was down to the small talk then, and he made them both laugh about his time on the pirate radio and his adventures in France.

  A year had passed since Edmund made his proposal to the partners. Initially there had been some difficulties to overcome, and the biggest was to convince Richard that he had the company’s interest only at heart, but as soon as he witnessed the huge improvement in the staff’s attitude Richard was sold. They had to lose two of the long-term staff sadly; alcohol misuse over such a long period had taken its toll. Try as he might to change them, it was just impossible, and he had to let them go.

  With Richard’s approval, Edmund introduced an incentive scheme based on the business improvement, and two of the drivers did some selling as well as driving. The whole place was buzzing.

  At Christmas at the end of the second year, Edmund was invited to Richard’s home in the New Forest. It wasn’t the first time he had visited his home, but he felt something had changed in Richards’s tone. It was much friendlier. It was nice to be accepted as part of his family, with his wife and two girls. Old Mr James had taken a back seat now, and because of the excellent trading enjoyed by the company, he was able to construct a good retirement package and prepare for a well-earned rest. In the last year Richard was branching out into property development, and he was rarely seen at the wine business. He seemed very happy to leave the day-to-day running to Edmund; finally admitting the he could do it better anyway.

  A good long Christmas lunch, and Edmund was bursting with rich food. Richard had promised the girls a long walk in the forest with Bertie, their golden retriever, just as soon as he and Edmund had finished in the study. They sat down at the oak table; Richard’s abrasive character was gone. Edmund held on to the stone as Richard opened the conversation.

  ‘Edmund, I have to admit to misjudging you. My father saw your qualities much sooner than me. I expect you noticed that there wasn’t much that we have in common, but I realise now that it matters for very little. I know that we wouldn’t be where we are today without your intervention. You did all the work, and we, dad and I, have taken all the benefits. I’m going to change that, and change it now. I’ll come straight out with it. Edmund I want you to become a full partner in the business. When can you give me your answer?’

  Edmund could see that it had taken a lot for Richard to say all that. Richard was looking at Edmund for any clue to his answer, but he sat still for a moment looked at him, then took a deep breath and spoke.

  ‘Richard I am truly pleased that you’ve made me this offer, but I cannot bring any cash to buy into the partnership.’

  Richard’s face lit up. ‘No Edmund, that’s not what we want from you. We want your commitment and expertise, just like we’ve enjoyed from you before!’

  ‘Then, before I give you my answer, I need to ask you two questions.’

  ‘Ask away’ Richard leaned back on his chair.

  ‘The first one is for your father to tell me in person that he wants me to join the partnership. The second is that you allow me to qualify as an accountant. I’m already halfway there from a job in my past, so I guess it will possibly take two years.’

  ‘To answer the first one, dad is already on his way here with mum. And the second; we will employ an assistant for you whilst you qualify.’ Richard quickly responded.

  ‘Before I finally accept Richard, I hope you realise that taking me into the partnership, I shall automatically be entitled to a third of the business, sink or swim.’

  ‘Actually, Edmund it will be a half, as dad is stepping down, as you step up.’

  Now it’s October 1971. Edmund had qualified in the company that had become very strong in the area. Most of the large hotels in Bournemouth had accounts with James & co. The people who worked for him were enjoy
ing great rewards for their effort. So much had been achieved.

  Edmund had called Richard to a meeting at the usual little Italian restaurant across the road. It was quite a painful time for both of them as dear Mr James Senior had passed away only a few months before. Obviously Richard was hurting the most, but Edmund had loved his father, especially for the confidence Mr James had had in him.

  ‘Richard, I have something important to tell you’ Edmund looked serious, and Richard’s face dropped, fearing the worst. ‘I don’t think its bad news. We are being courted by Whitbread.’

  ‘What does that mean Edmund?’

  ‘Surely you know that we’re causing them some pain in this area? They can only mean one thing Richard.’ Edmund explained.

  ‘Buy us! Surely not; we are too small for them, Edmund.’

  ‘And they want to be bigger, surely. You’re in the property development business, and you must have thought that this might happen one day.’

  ‘What sort of money are they offering?’

  ‘I have sat back on this one, Richard, but I have a suggestion. I think we should meet up with our lawyer and discuss it with him, and then we ring this guy. Do you want to think about it first Richard?’

  ‘Meet me tonight at my home, Edmund. I’ll get Alex to join us there; please don’t speak to anyone until then.’

  ‘What do you take me for, partner?’

  Alex Macduff, the youngest full partner in Vizards in London, was a tall Scot whom Edmund had got to know since becoming a partner of James and co. He liked him very much; they were almost two of a kind, enjoying success solely from their own efforts. He knew that he could trust Alex with his life.’

  At the end of the meeting, Alex said to Richard, ‘I know that your father started the business but you aren’t particularly interested in it, are you Richard?’

  ‘No, but I’m still hurting with dad passing on, Alex. But you are right we must move on. Do you think that we or you, Alex should make the first approach?’

  Alex looked at Edmund. ‘No, you two make the first approach, take the last year’s accounts with you and my suggestion is to meet on neutral ground, so they don’t try to pull a fast one. They’re not new to this game of takeovers, but you are.’

  ‘Alex, if it proceeds, I don’t want to forget the staff in all this, will you remember that, when you do your legal bit? Is that ok with you, Richard?’ Edmund asked

  ‘Yes, Edmund that’s fine with me. Said Richard, and put his arm over his shoulder.’ They all laughed and promised to meet up again in Alex’s office at the next stage.

  It was Alex to leave Richard’s house first, so Richard asked Edmund to hang on for a minute.’ You know, Edmund, I’ve got all this, and you’ve got a little bungalow in Southbourne, yet you think about the staff. My dad was right all along about you; you enriched both our lives and now, well....’

  ‘Well partner, let’s go and make some money, what do you think?’ Edmund cleverly interrupted him.

  Richard hugged him, with tears in his eyes, ‘My dad would have been so proud of you Edmund.’

  It’s now 1975, and four years since the takeover by the brewery. Edmund had achieved all he could have achieved there. The new owners had closed down the operation in Pokesdown, and incorporated the operation in their main southern distribution centre near Southampton. Of course all the staff lost their jobs, but they were well compensated. Alex had done a really good job for them. Each of the staff received several thousand pounds as well as a good severance package.

  Edmund, for his trouble was given a minor directorship with a short contract. That soon came to an end, and Alex secured a good deal for him too.

  This was a time for Edmund to review the next direction that his life was going to take, and he considered that he would try to make a life back at his roots, the hometown that he had left eleven years ago. The local estate agent for the bungalow was a firm called Ruddock and Partners on the high street. The agent that he met there was a young man called Brian Mulholland. He explained that his main operations were in property management. Edmund said that he wanted his house to be looked after whilst he was away. Brian explained they could do an absentee management scheme where they looked after the property on a minimum basis.

  He said that he would arrange the services to be monitored, the heating would be checked in winter and there would be a simple maintenance of the garden in summer.

  ‘What happens to the bills, like rates and utility bills, Brian?’

  I would suggest a direct debit for everything and a forwarding address and a phone contact number for emergencies. But with good management there shouldn’t be any problems.

  ‘When I get a date, I will set this up with you Brian. Just one more thing, how much is it?’ Edmund asked.

  ‘We can do this for £50 per month on a standing order with a review every twelve months. Is that ok Edmund?’ Brian offered. They shook hands, now he could go back, after such a long time away.

  Edmund knew that in Brian’s hands, he was professionally looked after, and with Alex on the legal side he had two great allies for going into the future.

  17: Glasgow Beckons

  Glasgow Airport

  Back at home, Ellie knew that she had to make a decision about the coming weekend. The last conversation she had had with Gary had not been the nicest one. The fact that a woman had answered his mobile when she rang still hurt quite a lot. It’s all down to trust, she knew that, but the big question of the day was; was his excuse good enough to calm her fears? It was decision time, and she knew it.

  She turned on the computer and looked at the possibility of flying to Belfast on Saturday, staying at the Europa hotel on Saturday night, flying out to Glasgow on the Sunday and then flying back home on the following Wednesday. The benefit of going over to Belfast would be the opportunity to see if Gary was hiding anything from her.

  Good idea. But what would she say to Gary if he was to discover her ploy, it could destroy their relationship forever. Also, the whole trip could prove rather stressful, not to mention expensive.

  She even considered to hiring a private detective, at least there would be no recognition problems. But she rejected that idea as being a bit ‘low life’.

  Ellie sat on her sofa and was deep in thought, she held her stone in her hand, and suddenly her mind was clear. I am not the jealous type, no I’m definitely not! I will, and I must trust him. She walked towards the full-length mirror. You’re worth more than that Ellie. Make all those stupid jealous tendencies disappear and forget all that forever!

  ‘Vizards, can I help you?’

  ‘I do hope so, my name is Eloise Monks, and would you please pass a message on to Mr Macduff.’ It was the day before her appointment and she was in the Glasgow Airport lounge.

  ‘Certainly madam, as soon as he gets out of his meeting, what should I tell him for you?’ The receptionist asked.

  Just tell him that I have arrived at the airport and I am making my way to the Ramada hotel and I look forward to meeting him tomorrow at ten.’ Ellie explained.

  The taxi dropped her outside the hotel and the moment she started up the steps, the tall concierge picked up her bag and carried it to the reception. She had booked a suite at the hotel, and she wasn’t disappointed. The concierge led her to her room, opened her door and it made her feel so comfortable! As she closed the door, she looked around at the panelled bedroom the furniture was exquisite.

  The adjoining room was the sitting room with a leather suite and a mahogany table. She approached the table, which had a bottle of Lansing Black Label in a cooler with two glasses. At the side was a simple calling card. It had Vizards on one side and a little hand written note on the other.

  ‘Welcome to Glasgow, see you tomorrow, Alex.’

  ‘Please call me Ellie, I would really like that.’ She said as she walked into his office.

  ‘Thank you Ellie, from now on please call me Alex. I really think that we are going to get on well, I have cle
ared my morning for you, and I hope you will join me for lunch. Do you have a favourite meal Ellie?’

  ‘I like Italian best of all.’ She said

  ‘Good’ he said and picked up the receiver next to him. ‘Maggie, can you book a table for two at Fellini’s at twelve thirty. Ring me back if there is a problem, otherwise we don’t wish to be disturbed. Thanks.’ And then he replaced the receiver.

  ‘Firstly Ellie, I must ask if you have any preconceptions of what you might expect to hear today?’ Alex asked her.

  ‘Yes of course I do, but I would rather get on with the meeting. I promise you that I won’t get upset with anything I might hear.’ She felt calm and in control, the stone was working once again for her.