Sandy knew something was wrong ; she was very concerned. Alex hadn’t sent anything to her since her visit and he had promised her that he would . It was a chance for him to practice his reading and writing, but there had been nothing except the invoice in the Organic Vegetable delivery for four weeks.
Sandy was awake and thinking about Alex. Dark , unhelpful thoughts surfaced in her mind that would not leaver her alone or solve anything. It was so unfair that Alex could not be part of their family. She was his mother.
She wished he was asleep in his old bedroom and she could go and brush the hair from his forehead while he slept, like she used to, or at least that what she remembered. Except she hadn’t been a good mother to him, there were times she had hated him when he screamed. It was her fault that he’d been taken away. She had asked for help , if only she’d kept her mouth shut. It was all her fault.
The Twins did not know their elder brother, perhaps would never know him. Alex could die and it was her fault. Tears ran down her face , she closed her eyes, but her mind would not stop. Gerry Reid, she despised the man, yet she was totally reliant on him to keep her son safe. She and Martin did not want to trust Gerry , but they had no option .
She began to sob and the physical movement of her body woke Martin, he turned and put his arms around her.
” Shoosh, everything will be alright… it’s Friday, we’ll get another delivery today, maybe there’ll be more news.”
She wrapped her arms around Martin and nuzzled his neck. ” Oh Martin I hope so!”
” I wish Maria would visit again, she seems to be able to ” organise ” things”” Sandy looked up at Martin.
“Yes , she seemed like she knew how everything worked, I hope she’s OK , these are dangerous times. I’m not sure what would happen to all those children and the people who look after them if someone found out their whereabouts. How is your research going at the Studio?” Martin was awake, and he could hear the twins stirring so they wouldn’t have much time to talk. He leant up on his elbow and looked into Sandy’s eyes which glistened with her tears.
” Hoy, I was comfortable there” she smiled as she propped herself up on her pillow.
Sandy told Martin that whenever she thought she was onto something it always turned out a dead end. People she would talk to would just shut down whenever she asked about how the current legislation was being used.
The ” sensationalised cases” of Miracle Cures that had hit the Headlines, well she had tried to follow up on those, find out names and addresses. There was nothing. She had even interviewed a Top Celebrity Lawyer who cooed and purred about saving a young boy, and protecting his human rights. The boy existed and his parents existed , but there were no birth records, no health care records that Sandy could find. No record of him being treated for anything anywhere by Healthcare Professionals. Yes , it was a truly magnificent recovery; but from what? Sandy got the impression that she wasn’t going to be allowed to dig any deeper. Even Gerry, couldn’t help her. Assuming Gerry was on her side.
They both jumped when the alarm went off, it was the start of another day.
Sandy sat back in her high backed leather executive chair in her new basement office . The chair she suspected was a hand me down of Gerry’s but it was comfortable and her new Basement Office was to Sandy’s liking. It was state of the art and secure.
She thought about the three blissful days she had spent at Building 1 with Alex. It had been a wonderful time. Alex was a healthy little boy and they had both enjoyed each other’s company. She asked him to write her letters and she would send some in return. The secret compartments were theirs and theirs alone.
When the time came for Sandy to leave and go home , Sandy had consoled Alex telling him that there would be more visits although she didn’t know when they would be. But in the final moments of saying goodbye it was Sandy who had broken down inconsolably and Alex who comforted her in a way that was far beyond his years. Dr King came and spoke to them both kindly and said to Sandy that it was time to go and sent Alex off to play with some friends. Dr King put his arm around Sandy’s shoulder and suggested that they have a talk and some tea in his office before she left.
Tea in hand , Sandy listened carefully to Dr King. He explained that Alex was responding well to treatment, but a lot of the research into Alex’s condition had been destroyed or lost and Alex’s treatment plan had been and would remain a lot of trial and error. That would continue. The positive fact was that Alex had responded successfully so far and that Dr King and other researchers had gained a lot of insight into his condition through his treatment. There was, however , no guarantees.
Sandy had been so distraught at having to leave her little boy that she really hadn’t taken much of what Dr King had said to her at the time, but now back to her “normal life” she had time to consider what he had told her.
The previous night in bed Martin and Sandy had discussed the visit . Martin had lots of questions which Sandy did not have the answer to . How big was this ” resistance organisation”? When were these God- Like decisions put in place , removing sick children away from their natural parents and disposing them of so much rubbish. Martin and Sandy blamed themselves for not paying more attention to what had been happening. In reality however, a lot of the legislation had been put in place before Martin and Sandy were even born. They had no reason to know or care about it , until the legislation impacted their lives, which if Sandy had not been unfaithful it probably wouldn’t have.
Their initial anger subsided as they realised things would have been so different if Alex had been a fine and healthy boy. They wouldn’t have known about the ” Denaturisation Policy”. They would have continued to live their lives without even knowing that there was a problem. What was driving this idea of ” Denaturising” and where did it stop? They both became tired and emotional, and felt overwhelmed. They fell asleep in each other’s arms and hoped that the morning would bring them some energy and ideas on how to look at things anew. The end of the week would bring another Organic Vegetable Delivery.
Sandy’s mind wandered as she sat in her chair and she thought about Gerry. He was very important to the future, a lot of money was needed to keep facilities like Building 1 functioning. Sandy had wanted to tell Gerry and maybe show him some of the pictures she had taken but Martin was not so sure and felt that Gerry could be a risk, the less people that knew the better. Gerry could for all they knew be a powerful A1.
Just as Sandy was mulling this over , there was a message notification on her mobile, it was Gerry, please could Sandy pop into his office , he wanted an update on her new project. Sandy picked up her digital camera from her desk, she had decided to show some pictures to Gerry. The location ,date and time had been removed and the pictures were purely of Alex, there was nothing in the background, no people , no scenery , nothing to give any hint of where she had been.
When Sandy reached Gerry’s Office, she was just about to knock on the door when Millie bumped into her in the corridor. Millie was tanned and a bit flushed.
” Sandy, nice to see you , did you have a nice break? You look really tired, have you been burning the midnight oil, or have the twins not being sleeping? Millie was fishing.
” Hi Millie, well you know how it is , Martin and I did get away , but it’s not really like a holiday camping is it? I think I need a week in Marbella to recover.” Sandy was polite but not friendly.
Millie was unsure, Marbella was her and Gerry’s favourite getaway. The green eyed monster raised it’s ugly head. What could Sandy mean?
” Hhhmm,,, well I’m sure you’re too busy now to take any more holiday. Gerry says you’ve got a New Project. See you around.” Millie breezed down the corridor and didn’t wait to speak further to Sandy. Sandy heard Gerry’s voice
” Come in!”
As Sandy entered the room , Millie gave a glance back at her , but Sandy took no notice and she closed the door gently behind her. Millie’s suspicious mind was the least of her worries.
Gerry stood up from his desk as soon as he saw Sandy , he’d already moved a couple of chairs to a small coffee table in front of large viewing screen. Sandy took the memory card out of the camera and gave it to Gerry. Gerry put it on the table and walked over to his office door and locked it. Leaving the key in the door.
” I don’t want any interruptions.” He returned to where Sandy was sitting and sat down while he put the memory card in the viewer.
” You’ve got it all figured out Gerry , haven’t you?” Sandy said.
” We can’t be too careful , Sandy, it’s my only son we’re trying to help. You have no idea what affect this is having on me.”
” Millie thinks you’re back to your old tricks again.” Sandy looked questioningly at Gerry.
” She can think what she likes, she’s got exactly what she wanted, exposure, she’ll just have to put up with her old dear of a husbands funny ways. I can keep her sweet.”
” Millie thinks you’re banging me” She was trying to shock Gerry.
” Well , so what , it’s a good cover, we might even manage a few nights away”. Gerry said coolly.
” A few nights away, not on your life. Whatever I’m doing , I’m doing alone.” Sandy felt slightly ruffled.
” I’m only planning ahead, let’s look at these pictures, this is like an ache I’ve never had before. How is my son?”
The pictures of Alex, rolled onto the screen , and Gerry was transfixed.
” Wow, he’s a good looking just like his father.” Gerry looked up at the screen and sat down in the chair next to Sandy.
” Yes, he’s a lovely charming little boy. Yes I suppose you can be charming too when you want to; with Alex it’s natural. Alex is quite the little leader, a very bright , helpful child. Sorry sounds a bit like a school report. but yes he’s a lovely little boy.” Sandy looked at Gerry and then up at the pictures on the screen. One appeared of his bare stomach with the scars.”
” What are they?” Gerry looked shocked.
” Well , he’s had to have some operations, and I’m pleased to say everything went well and appears to be still going well There’s no doubt that Alex has been through a lot and is OK at the moment. A lot of the research for these conditions had been destroyed since the Health Act and the information they can buy on the ” Dark Net ” is spurious, there’s a lot of information for sale. It’s very risky, they don’t know who they are contacting, or whether the Research is valid. They have some very good people to analyse it , but at the end of the day , it’s trial and error.”
Gerry began to flick through the pictures of Alex again, Sandy could see tears forming in his eyes. Gerry wiped them away with his hand.
” Can I keep them?” He said, looking at Sandy.
” Sure , yes I don’t see any harm, after all , you’ve kept your side of the bargain. He is your son. I think you want to keep him safe too. Even if someone broke into this office and stole them, I’m sure you’d think up some story to cover up . He’s just a boy. Also the resistance has the best chance if it is well funded and you seem to have landed on your feet with that . Long may it continue.”
” How’s your investigative stuff going.” Gerry recovered himself and gave his eyes a wipe with his hanky.
” Pretty well, I’m doing the background history on how all this came about. Most of it happened before I was born and the Political Structure was different. They used to have a thing called Parliament, that just seem to have fizzled away , and been replaced by , well that’s the difficult bit . I’m not too sure, a group of anonymous powerful people is my conclusion, but who? Laws are passed or more accurately enacted by our extremely large civil service. It works very effectively. The Health Act incorporated the “right to live clause” which in effect was the opposite .It’s quite clear that the intention was to reduce the burden on Society of what could be a blight to it. Non- productive people. There’s been a Global Consensus too which has won through on the “Denaturisation Clause”. In some Countries the ” resistance” is much stronger, mainly for religious reasons . Other Countries well it’s not clear what their Policy is because you cannot get access to information. And, of course, the Dark Net, is certainly influential in all of this. That’s the place anything including information can be bought or sold. It’s all opened my eyes, which I’ve got to admit have been pretty closed until now.” Sandy felt she summarised what she had been working on pretty well.
Gerry continued. ” When I was a young man , I supported all of this . I just didn’t see the potential for what could happen. The Politicians became more and more nefarious and irrelevant. They were painted as extremely corrupt or stupid. I knew, perhaps know of some of these anonymous people you talk about, but we were not sold it as a way to eradicate the less able. We were sold competition and winning were important to a strong Country. The State was not supposed to start playing God. The democratic process was slow and cumbersome, debate was pointless. Eventually, no one attended Parliament, and it was easy to transfer power to what I must say became a very efficient Civil Service.”
” Gerry , this job you’ve created for me , gives me the chance to help these people who are helping Alex.”
” Yes, Sandy , your Press Card is going to be a perfect cover. I’ll keep you straight, when you get too close there will be sabre rattling, but I’m aware of that and I can watch your back.” Gerry watched Sandy closely
Sandy’s eyes flickered, and Gerry could tell she had her doubts.
She replied very business like . ” I’ll keep you up to date on my progress.”
“Thank you and one day, I hope to meet my son, he looked up at the pictures. I can be Uncle Gerard, but I’m hoping it can be arranged.” Gerry was almost pleading.
This put Sandy completely off her stride; she knew that security was key in keeping Alex safe at the same time she understood Gerry’s need to see his only son. She looked at Gerry and all she could say was.
” Thank you for everything you are doing, one step at a time Gerry.” She stood up, looked straight at him and picked up her camera from the coffee table as she went to the door and unlocked it and left.
Gerry remained seated for a few moments looking at Alex’s pictures. He knew Sandy was right to be careful and he knew his reputation went before him as a ruthless operator. He hoped he could win her over.
The tortuous journey to the building Sandy would later get to know as Building 1, took a network of taxis and commercial vans. Sullen drivers/ chauffeurs who were remote and uncommunicative; they preferred to listen to their music rather than to converse with Sandy. She had been blindfolded at some points and she was sure that one of the coffees that she’d been offered had been drugged as she had fallen asleep in the back of a white van and woke up to find herself covered in a blanket. Sandy had lost all track of time and felt disorientated. She had been told not to wear any jewellery , not even a watch and carry only a small purse. Her suitcase had disappeared , and she actually became frightened that she was being kidnapped.
Nevertheless, after the gruelling journey and with a curt instruction to remember a six- figure security code and to keep facing forwards and in no circumstance to turn around, she was deposited outside the gates of the facility.
Sandy was greatly relieved that the gates opened first time. In the distance, along a tree lined drive she saw an unattractive corrugated iron building which because it was painted white stood out against the grey sky that framed it. The building had the P. Neel Ltd Logo on it. There was a large sign pointing to various fields that advertised
” Pick your Own”
Building 1 looked out of place , almost as it had been stuck in the middle of the Countryside.
“Maybe there used to be a Stately Home here once, she mumbled to herself.” Glad to talk even if it was just to herself.
She continued walking as she had been instructed to and as she got closer she looked up at the imposing white building, there was no obvious door. A tall man in a white coat approached her on her right side. He appeared out of nowhere, yet he arrived by her side in a heart beat. He spoke softly to her as she turned to look at him.
“Good Day Sandy, we are very pleased that you have been able to come and see us. We are sorry about all the Security, but as you can appreciate, our real work here has to be kept secret. We are to all intents and purposes a Private Agricultural Research Company and you are our New Research Assistant from Lithuania. All your papers are in order and your arrival will have been noted by the Local Constabulary. That is how ridiculous everything is nowadays, but it is a good cover and we must keep the Authorities sweet.
” Hello, please to meet you. I don’t know any Lithuanian , I hope they don’t want to come and interrogate me.”
The man in the white coat smiled. ” I don’t think their Lithuanian is that good either, but they will just want to see you arrive, well the back of you arrive. We know where all their cameras are. The only view they will have is your hair and the back of your coat. If they capture any facial recognition data, then they could identify you and within a few hours we would be raided.
“Oh I see”. Sandy gazed in disbelief at the man. The man continued.
” We have some cottages on the Estate, which will be ready now. Do you want to freshen up or would you like to see Alex, he’s just in the playroom at the moment.”
” Please , I’d love to see my little boy straight away. I hope I don’t frighten him, he might not remember me , it’s been so long!”
“He’s been with us now nearly four years. He’s six and a half. He’s a very sociable little boy and he helps others settle in here too. He always enjoys meeting new people, at first we might just say you’re a new play assistant, but in a short time we can explain who you really are. We have shown him the photos you sent, but I’m not too sure about the workings of the six year old mind. They tend to live in the here and now and he may not have realised what we were showing him.”
Sandy looked up at the tall doctor who showed her so much empathy. She was very nervous. She really didn’t think that Alex would recognise her and she would find that very painful.
” That’s fine with me , he’s only little, it’s a lot for him to take in, it would be asking too much for him to remember me I suppose.”
As they walked along the side of the building, they came to small security panel which the Doctor put his palm against. The door slid open.
” My name is Dr William King by the way” he turned and shook hands with Sandy as they walked through the door. I’ve been looking after Alex’s case, and I’m pleased to say that although he has been through a lot that he’s doing really well at the moment.”
Sandy and Dr King went through the door; once they were inside it silently slid shut behind them. They both walked down a steeply slanting corridor, with small porthole windows at shoulder height from which you could see rows and rows of plants and for about ten minutes they walked down the sloped corridor which twisted and turned like a very large spiral staircase. The ground floor of the building was indeed an enormous cultivation area with plants growing in tightly controlled laboratory conditions. At the end of the corridor they came to another door, which was hermetically sealed and had a sign “Air-Lock” on it. Once Sandy and Dr King entered ,Dr King pressed some buttons on a key pad and Sandy felt the air pressure rise.
” Don’t worry , it’s just some Ozone, we need to ensure that we don’t bring any infections into the Nursery and to equalize the air pressure so that no air from outside enters the “Nursery Building”. The next phase is you will have to shower and your clothes will be treated with U.V. light. If you just come with me I’ll show you where to go.” Once the atmosphere pressure had been raised to the required level , Dr King opened the door into the “Nursery Corridor” and signalled to Sandy to go into a door on the left.
After she had showered and put on an overall along with some white sneakers. Dr King again accompanied her down the “Nursery Corridor” again at the bottom was another door which Dr King opened with his palm. Sandy was astounded when she saw what was inside.
It wasn’t the cold laboratory conditions she had expected on first seeing Building 1‘s harsh exterior. There were children everywhere, some obviously quite poorly , but they was a joy about the place. It was like the most magnificent children’s school, hospital and nursery combined. The were a significant number of adult carers and lots of activities going on.
The Doctor looked around and smiled broadly.
” This is our real purpose… as you see we are state of the art but also very homely, we try and make the children feel this is their home. We have all the medical support available when needed, we are very like the Hospices of Old, we like it to be a Joyful place, full of fun and laughter, some of the staff are ex- patients who have grown up and come back to work for us. We have set them up with false identities, they can live off site and we know we they can be trusted and I’ve just spotted Alex….” Dr King looked over at a little boy and called him.
” Alex!”
Sandy saw the little boy Dr King was calling look up from playing with another child. Alex stood up and ran over to the doctor, who picked him up and gave him a big hug. Alex had grown so much and what happened next stunned her.
After greeting the doctor, Alex turned his head to look at Sandy, he gave her a big smile and reached out to her with his arms and shouted.
” Mummy. You’ve came. I always knew you would! You sent me photographs , it’s you! Where’s Daddy?”
Sandy was overwhelmed , and reached out her hands to the little boy. Dr King gently passed Alex to her and they both hugged.
Sandy felt the tears come to her eyes and she did her best to stop them.
” Oh Alex, my little boy, how you have grown!”
Alex touched Sandy’s hair, he wanted to make sure that what was happening was real and not a dream.
” Mummy, mummy , yes I’ve grown very big now, William says I’m doing very well, I don’t have the fits like I used to and I’ve put on weight, look at my tummy!”,
Alex lifted his little blue tee-shirt and showed his small abdomen, which Sandy noticed was covered in little scars made by operations and puncture wounds from needles.
” Wow, that is a big tummy! You have been a very good boy haven’t you! Daddy couldn’t come this time, but he’ll be able to soon. Do you like it here?”
” Yes , it’s so much better than the other nursery I was at , when I get ill they know how to make me feel better. That other place they didn’t know how to make me feel better, they made me feel worse. I was scared mummy. I have had to have some operations since I came here but I hope I don’t have to have any more.” Alex looked up at Dr King.
” I have lots of friends here, they told me that you would visit me one day and they were right! You are here!” Alex touched Sandy’s face.
” Yes , my brave little boy , I’m here!”
Alex’s eyes were large and round and innocent. Sandy thought how did we get to this?
Dr King intervened, there was a lot to do and Alex could show his mum around and introduce her to everyone. There would be tea and coffee and some food laid on If Sandy wanted anything she was just to ask a member of Staff , they would be glad to help. Alex could stay over night with his mum in the Estate Cottage as a special treat and Alex was delighted.
Sandy arrived at work one morning to be handed a message that she had an appointment with the Great Gerry Reid at 11.00am.The news had raised a few eyebrows in her highly competitive team, everyone was interested in everyone else’s business. Sandy knew exactly why Gerry wanted to see her. The expense claim, had increased tenfold, Ten thousand pounds. It was going to be the cost of visiting Alex. Maria had confirmed the arrangements. A rendezvous had been arranged, Sandy was, as agreed, going alone.
When she knocked on the door of Gerry’s Office. She heard him shout from inside ” Come In! The door’s open.”
” Thanks Gerry, you wanted to see me?” She smiled and closed the door behind her.
” Sandy. Good. I’m pleased to say the Powers that be liked your piece about Rehabilitation of Offenders at the Archaeological Consultancy your husband works at. Very Powerful Piece they said. Socially Aware. And surprisingly the figures were really good. They’ve told me they’d like to see more of that sort of thing. Coffee?” Gerry stood up and went to the back of his office where the coffee machine was. He continued with his back to Sandy.
“Yes thanks, black please.”
“It’s new ground for us, so you’d be working by yourself for a while, coming up with new ideas and then we can build a team around you… I just wanted to run it by you… It’s only fair why don’t you sit down?”
Sandy sat down in the big leather executive chair opposite Gerry’s desk. When Gerry turned and came back to his desk he handed her a mug of coffee .
“I think it’s a good opportunity for you.” He regarded her with an intense look, that meant he wanted information.
“Yes, it sounds good, I’ve got a weeks holiday coming up, I can start after I come back. If that’s OK?”
” A weeks holiday? I couldn’t help but notice that the expense claim this week is bigger than normal. Have you been able to arrange a visit to see Alex?”
” Yes I have,” Sandy nodded, she was reluctant to share this information but she could hardly deny it. ” I’m going to see him next week”.
” I thought as much, I suppose it’s all very hush , hush. ” Gerry stirred his coffee.
” Oh yes, we work on a need to know basis. I have one meeting point and even that can change at the last minute. I’ll be away for a few days. Martin knows and you do now. No mobile phones, they seem to know what they’re doing. I’m going to be totally off the radar.”
” I’d like to see Alex too one day, my son, I know you think I’m a heartless bastard, but this is gnawing away at my insides. I’m glad to help with the money. I hope the visit goes well, let me know when you get back. I’ve got an office for you, sorry but it’s in the basement. I’m just arranging for it to be converted, it’ll be state of the art.”
” Sounds fine Gerry, I’ll update you on my return. My own office wow!”
Sandy , no longer saw the big important Media Mogul, but the man concerned for the welfare of his son, Gerry had asked her directly which was not usually the way he operated, but she was not letting her guard down. The less said the better.
” Thanks for the coffee, I’ll head back downstairs if you don’t mind , tie up a few loose ends. I wont say anything to the crowd They’ll find out soon enough. I’ll let your secretary have the mug back.” Sandy stood up mug in hand.
” OK Sandy, let me know if you need anything. I’ll make the announcement when you’re away. You can move into your new office when you get back.”
” Sure. “
Gerry became the Media Mogul again , their connection had finished. Sandy left the office and went downstairs. The coffee was very good. She would ask for one of those machines in her new office too. Something told her she was going to need it.
Tedi saw the vintage Rolls Royce on the drive outside the House. It was always very exciting having visitors.
Cross had asked Mr Watts, who was a friend of Cross, and during his long and successful career had been involved with a lot of Public Relations (PR) Companies to recommend a PR Company to represent Tedi and the House and all the events that were planned.
Watts, as that was how Mr Watts liked to be known suggested a small Company ran by Letitia Morgan called LM Media.
Letitia, Watts and Cross were sitting in the office talking over the plans, when Tedi dashed up the stairs and in through the office door followed by three of four of the other dogs. They had all seen the Vintage Rolls Royce outside the house and were wondering who was visiting.
Tedi had a better idea how to behave and ran straight to Cross’s side and jumped up on his lap, but the other dogs were jumping up and yapping at the visitors. Luckily , Watts and Letitia liked dogs and didn’t mind, but Letitia’s assistant , a man who was a bit nervous of dogs and shooed them away which of course made their behaviour worse.
Cross knew they would get no work done unless the other dogs were removed so, he made a quick call and one of the duty gardeners came up and took them out.
“Sorry about that” Cross smiled. ” As you can probably guess this is Tedi and he is the reason we are here with the sole purpose to continue the Duke and Duchess’s legacy as they intended.”
At that , Tedi looked at each of the three people in the meeting, Watts, Letitia and the other Man whose name was Arthur and was there to take the photographs. Tedi put his paw on the table which meant “OK”.
“At the end of the day what Tedi says goes, I’m obviously here to do most of the talking and any paperwork, but please don’t underestimate this dogs role, he is extremely canny and seems to know instinctively what the Duke and Duchess would have wanted. It’s quite a story how he got here and you are probably aware of the details from the Press.
Letitia bounced up out of her chair. ” Oh Yes, it is quite a story and I’m so glad to meet you, you are quite a star! Tedi”
She stood up and rubbed Tedi’s chin which he loved and looked up at her with his big eyes.
Letitia sat back down and began to speak.
“Well, we see our job as making sure that whatever you want to do is presented to the Public in a timely and comprehensive manner, so that all your hard work and event planning is successful. For a small PR Company , we do have a Global Presence , which I think will help with attracting Global attention and make all your events a success and raise lots of money for the good causes that the Duke and Duchess had in mind. Publicity is key to ensuring a good revenue stream return on all your hard work and assets.”
Letitia smiled and continued.
“In line with what I’ve been told by Watts , I’ve put together a plan, and already have a lot of interest from the big Media Players. So today , if you are in agreement , we are keen to do a photo shoot and set the scene for what Tedi’s day is like,” A day in the life of the ” Richest Dog in Britain.””
“Hhhmm, I’m not too sure I like the idea of ” Richest Dog in Britain”. Cross gave a concerned look at Watts.
” It could lead to a lot of unwanted attention and begging letters or worse attract criminal activity. Let’s stick to his pedigree and his “normal” life as a dog. He does have one you know.” Cross said. He continued. ” Tedi might be the “Head of House”. but he’s also part of the team, as time goes on we want to introduce his team. They all have a story to tell.”
“Well, maybe “Head of the House” is a better idea, I take your point.” Letitia smiled.
Cross said ” We probably won’t get all the photos done today, I’d like some shots of our grounds aswell as the inside of the House”
” Of course , that’ll be fine , Arthur, where would you like to start?” Letitia turned to Arthur, the photographer and general assistant.
Arthur spoke. ” Well that’s a really good shot, with the picture of the Duke and Duchess on the wall behind, Tedi will just need to sit on some cushions and then if he could do that paw thing. I think that would go well with the caption ” The Head of the House”.
” Good Idea, well I’ll let you get on , while Mr Cross and I sort out some details.
” OK”
So Arthur set up his equipment and took the picture of Tedi at the desk and then he followed Tedi around the House taking photos of Tedi in various poses, after an hour Tedi was very bored and was fed up of being poked and prodded so he headed back to sit on Cross’s knee. Letitia and Arthur packed up their things and said goodbye. They had some more dates in their diaries to get some more pictures and come back with more proposals.
Cross suggested to Watts they go downstairs and have some dinner, Tedi thought this was a very good idea and joined them.
He wasn’t able to say to Cross, but he had got a bad feeling about Arthur and wasn’t too happy that he would have to spend more time with him, but the blonde lady had been nice.
The village meeting was arranged for the following week and it was with some pride that Mr and Mrs Graham sat in the front row of seats and watched as Tedi accompanied by Cross walked into the noisy skittle alley where chairs had been hastily arranged and a table laid out at the front so that Cross could present his plan to the villagers. The whole village had turned up and it was very noisy and a lot of people were drinking as Cross had arrange for a bar to be available with a couple of free drinks for everyone.
Mrs Graham leaned over to her husband.” Doesn’t he look well, I think they’ve had his hair trimmed. He looks very smart. And that coat, my quite the little Lordship he his now!”
Tedi hadn’t noticed the Graham’s when he had walked up the aisle between all the chairs. However, when he heard Mrs Graham’s voice, everything changed. He launched himself over the table and headed straight for her lap.
Mr Graham laughed and smiled ” He hasn’t forgotten you, despite him living in the big House!”
Tedi licked Mrs Graham’s face and she laughed and rubbed his tummy. Tedi was in seventh heaven. He looked over at Mr Graham who patted him on the head .
” Yes , Tedi we missed you too, you know you can come and visit anytime.” He looked at Tedi and Tedi wagged his tail. Though Tedi knew with all the Security Arrangements this would be very difficult, though he was beginning to get fed up and wanted to see his friends. So he would figure a way to do it. Cross wasn’t always going to be able to keep an eye on him.
Cross was at the front table and decided to continue with the meeting as Tedi had settled on Mrs Graham’s lap and didn’t look as if he wanted to be anywhere else.
Cross coughed and hit the table with a gavel that had been left for the purpose of quietening down the meeting.
” Quiet Please, thank you all for coming. I thought that it would be good for you all to get together as with the Estate now being managed for the good of all, it’s best that we all move forward together. To those of you who have lived on the Estate Grounds for a long time, you will remember the great Pet and Livestock show that was held every year by the Old Duke and Duchess and we would like to reinstate it and make it as successful an Annual Event as it was before.”
There was a cheer from all the people in the crowd and they listened to Cross and began to make suggestions, there was a great deal of discussion and lots of offers of help and people willing to volunteer their time and ideas to make the event a success.
“Any ideas of what date and how long we should have the event? Three days would be good.” Cross asked.
” Yes , but if you want it to be International , Five Days is better, it’s a long way for people to come for a long weekend?” someone piped up.
Eventually it was decided that , Spring, either late May or Early June would be best and that three days would be best as in actual fact the preparations and clearing up would mean disruption for about a month, and that part of the fun for the International entrants was being able to stay for a couple of weeks beforehand and the important thing was that the infrastructure was in place for them to be accommodated along with their animals.
Later that evening , as Cross had finished the meeting and was chatting to the villagers, he walked up to Mrs Graham’s where Tedi was still sitting.
” Well lad, are you coming home with me , or do you want to have a sleepover ?” Cross smiled at the Graham’s.
” Oh can he ? That would be lovely! Mr Cross!”
Mrs Graham, gave Tedi a hug and Tedi looked up at her with big eyes. He was delighted.
” Now that we’ve had our meeting, I’ve got some PR people coming tomorrow, so Tedi will need to be back at the House for 11 am tomorrow, will you be able to bring him up. I think we’ll be doing some photos and things.”
“Of course , yes, we’ll bring him , and I’ll make sure he’ll look his best for his photos!”
Cross watched as Mr and Mrs Graham walked out of the meeting with Tedi proudly walking beside them on their lead that they had brought, hoping indeed that Tedi might be allowed to have a sleepover with them.
Mrs Graham had bought some sausages, so Tedi would have a good breakfast. Tedi had plans to meet up with his old mates and he hoped Freddie would be around. Though he had heard what Cross had said and he knew he had work to do so he had to be back at the House on time.
The next morning , Mr Graham brought Tedi for a walk around his old haunts and Tedi , the way dogs do , left lots of markers on the lamp posts and fences around the village , letting all the other dogs know that he was still around and that he was ready for some adventures if they were willing. Fortuitously he bumped into Freddie, who kept asking about the size of the fridge in the big house. Tedi couldn’t help winding him up and telling him it was so big that you could play fetch in it and that only Tedi had the key, as there was pheasant and partridge and goose that only Tedi was allowed to eat, though if Freddie came to visit he would let him have some.
All Freddie could say was ” I’ll come ” . So as Mr Graham and Freddie’s owner chatted , the two dogs made their plans to have a get together soon. They all said their goodbyes and Tedi went back to the Graham’s house for his sausage breakfast and a big drink of water.
The sausages were delicious and Mrs Graham brushed Tedi’s and made him look very handsome , then put him on his lead and they walked him back to the big house, where they had a coffee with the cook in the kitchen , just like the old days and Tedi ran off upstairs to find Cross.
Cross was waiting for him , and introduced him to the PR people and also Mr Watts , who was a friend of Cross.
The payments were being processed each week . On Monday morning, Sandy would pass the Bank Details that were on the invoice she had received the previous Friday to Gerry’s secretary in the form of an expense claim. It was a hand written note which was duly shredded once it was processed. Gerry’s secretary took no interest in the process, she just did as she was asked. Over the years she had got used to the need for confidentiality and discretion in all areas of her work concerning Mr Reid. Gerry would move the funds himself on his computer. For the last six months the delivery van had arrived at Sandy and Martin’s door.
Sandy felt that she and Martin had kept their side of the bargain and she had one burning desire. Sandy wanted to see Alex. The week Sandy received a handwritten card from Alex to “My Mummy and Daddy”, it nearly broke her heart. Alex was being taught to read and write. Sandy had in turn sent pictures of her and Martin and the twins with little notes to her little boy. Updates on Alex’s Health had been positive and Sandy just wanted the chance to hold him and tell him, he was loved, she wanted him to come home and be with his little brother and sister. That was Sandy’s dream to have him back. Sandy told Martin her plan and left a note asking if this was possible in one of the secret compartment of the boxes being returned. . It was a few weeks before she got her reply, but she was delighted when she read that the meeting could be arranged and more information would follow. There would be additional costs which had to be covered and complete secrecy would have to be maintained.
Another few weeks passed and a new delivery driver appeared on the doorstep. It was Maria Turner, the lady who had first approached Martin. Martin recognised her even in the rather dowdy work clothes she wore. Sandy invited her to have a cup of tea with them as she usually did when she received a delivery. They all sat down at the kitchen table and Maria began to tell them about the process of visiting and seeing Alex.
” I’m afraid , it can only be one person, so you will have to decide which one is going to go.” Maria grasped her mug in her hand and looked from Martin to Sandy.
” It’s going to be me. ” Sandy looked at Martin. ” That’s best isn’t it?” Martin nodded.
Maria continued ” We have to be so careful. If the authorities locate us; then all our good work is ruined. ” Maria looked across at Sandy. ” The less people who know what we are doing , the better. I want to help you, I was in your position ten years ago, my child, my daughter was taken from me. I never saw her again.”.
” I’m very sorry, do you know what happened to her? ” Sandy said.
” I think so, like so many of them who don’t escape the State’s clutches she was killed, or denatured as they call it. I fight now to stop this inhumanity, this attempt to create a perfect society. Our organisation is a business , an ethical business . We have to finance our work ourselves. I’m so glad that you can afford to pay for what we do , I never could have and my daughter died.”
” I’m so sorry for your loss, I won’t go into details but money is now no object to us, let’s just say that we have a rich benefactor, a very rich benefactor. We never have to explain why we need the money , we ask and it is sent to you. I’m desperate to see Alex, how soon can it be arranged?”
“If you can pay, it’ll be expensive. We need to protect our locations and our people.” Maria turned her head and looked at the kitchen clock.
” Will I be able to stay with Alex, you know for a few days?” Sandy asked , sensing that Maria was preparing to go.
“Let me see. I’ll have to confirm the arrangements to you, I won’t know until next week. I’ll bring your delivery again next week. I should have some news then.” Maria drank the last of her tea and stood up.
Martin said to her ” I’ll show you out”
Martin spoke to Maria in the hallway.
“Maria, how long has Alex got, you have doctors looking after him, don’t you?”
” Oh yes, doctors and nurses, we have a fully equipped hospital on site. Some of the children need round the clock care, but not Alex, he’s in our school. His medications are doing the job. A lot of the research is interrogating old records from before the ” Health Act” We are trying to piece together a lot of the old research archives which the then Government destroyed. It’s a slow process but it does bring benefits. We’ve made inroads into many conditions, and this will help us in the future. We are undercover at the moment but our time will come.”
Maria continued ” Alex is doing really well , he rarely fits due to his meds and he’s a very active , bright little boy. I hope the information we are sending you shows that. Sandy will meet the wonderful people responsible for his care, she will be impressed and perhaps they will be able to tell her more about his prognosis. We believe all life is important and the State cannot play God with our children. People do not realise what is going on. I shall speak to you next week about the arrangements, but for now I wish you Goodnight. .”
Martin opened the front door for Maria and watched her walk down the driveway and get into her van. He closed the front door and went back in the kitchen. Sandy was just washing up the cups.
“Alex is going to school I can’t believe it! My little boy!” Martin smiled at Sandy.
“Yes, and we didn’t even get a chance to send him off on his first day. Oh why Martin, why has all this had to happen?
” I’ve no idea. Something seems to have gone terribly wrong. There is no such thing as perfection, we’ve been blind, very blind.”
There was a cry from upstairs.
” I better go, Mabel has got a bit of an upset stomach. I don’t want her to wake Simon. Sandy turned and went upstairs to comfort the child and Martin went into the living room and turned on the television. Millie’s face flashed up on the screen.
Gerry was as good as his word and the News that the Media Wedding of The Year was happening was confirmed and Sandy and Martin’s invitation dropped through their letterbox a few weeks later.
Martin was furious and at first refused point blank to go. Sandy thought better of it and realised it would be best if they both attended and put a brave face on it.. Gerry had made three payments into the covert Bank Account that appeared on the invoices with the Weekly Organic Vegetable delivery. It was important to keep him sweet. Make everything appear as normal as possible. Martin knew she was right.
Gerry had a lot of friends in the Media and seemed to have invited them all. The Wedding had been brought forward, largely because of work commitments as Millie had won a hardly fought for promotion and would be presenting a Major Series for Sunshine Media. The work would mean a lot of assignments abroad initially. The Wedding itself was going to be a very lavish affair as Millie’s parents saw it as a chance to unbridle their wealth, as her grandfatherly father kept saying , “You can’t take it with you”.
The Big Day arrived and Sandy and Martin dutifully attended.
” Hello Martin, thank you very much for coming.” Gerry cornered Martin at the bar.
” How’s the World of Archaeology? Still trying to persuade the Powers that be to dig up a few more Car Parks in the hope of finding another Royal Corpse.”
Martin smiled, Gerry appeared a bit tipsy.
“Ah yes Richard the Third, that was a Biggy. Old hat now though, we do ground surveys now. We do very little digging , we can see exactly what’s in the ground. No need for all those hairy arsed volunteers and no dirty fingernails for me.
“The old ways have gone. .” He made a gesture to look at his neatly manicured hand.
Martin took a sip of beer and looked around to see Sandy. He caught her eye, she looked concerned but Martin winked at her to reassure her.
” Still I remember the story, it was a good one, Richard the Third in the Car Park, even Shakespeare didn’t think that one up. So hard to get a good story nowadays. People love digging up ( excuse the pun) old facts, so if you have any good archeological stories, let me know we might be able to do something.” Gerry continued , oblivious to Martin’s lack of interest in someone who knew little about Martin’s work.
Martin knew that it was the alcohol in Gerry’s system talking.
” I always talk through my ideas with Sandy, she’s good at her job. I hope she gets the break she deserves one day. We both work hard, but it’s Sandy’s money that keeps us going and yours too with what you’re doing for Alex.” Martin was trying to get to the heart of the matter with Gerry. He wanted to thank him.
“How is he ? I don’t get much of a chance to talk to Sandy during the day, I’ve been busy with all this Wedding stuff too. Mills had me running around like a headless chicken over the last few weeks. That young lady got exactly what she wanted. I’m her trophy husband, she gets my contacts and I’m so damn cash rich I find it quite an embarrassment. So damn easy to hide too. Mill’s father is a bit of a gambler , all this cash is untraceable, it’s the dark economy. If the Mafia still existed he’d be part of it. At least you don’t have to worry about that. I’m glad to help out whatever way I can with your son.
“Well , yes, we really are very grateful Gerry, it came as a real shock what has happened.” Martin almost choked on his beer.
Martin wasn’t too sure that Gerry knew that Sandy had told Martin the whole truth.
Gerry appeared to sober up very quickly, his tone changed.
” Yes Martin, let’s stick to our stories, it’s safer for everyone. We’re going to do the very best for Alex, just let me know if anything changes or if you need anymore help. I care for Alex as if he was my own son.”
Martin was not comfortable with this conversation and just manage to mumble.
” Okay, Gerry, that’s good to know.” As Sandy arrived , drink in hand , she had been mingling.
” I can see you two have had a good chat, I know how difficult that is , talking to Martin can be like getting blood out of a stone.” She touched Martin gently on the cheek. ” Sometimes I think he’d rather read a book.”
” Weddings aren’t really my thing!” Martin smiled.
” Not mine either Martin!” Gerry laughed at his own joke.
” Anyway Sandy, I was just saying to Martin that if you need anything more don’t hesitate to ask. You know Millie’s going to be away travelling a lot. If you need help with anything , just ask.”
” I’m very grateful Gerry, we both are. I’m not sure what direction that this is going to take , so yes we’ll certainly keep you in the loop whatever happens. Money isn’t a problem anymore, I suppose it’s just a gambling debt to you.” Sandy regretted immediately saying this, but it was too late.
The office gossip was all about the High Rollers that Gerry and his now Father- In- Law were . They were big league Gamblers . It was a different World , one that was invite only.
” Yes, definitely, no problem. Ah Mills!” At that very moment Millie arrived, excited and breathless. She put her arms around Gerry’s neck and kissed him.
” I’m so happy , it’s the best day of my life!” Millie gushed. ” What an amazing bunch of people! I’ve just been talking to the guy who’s the Top Presenter at MBO Media. He thinks I’ll do a great job. I’m so hyped, how did he know ? He was giving me some tips, did my Naughty Gerry let the flea bitten moggie of out of the bag! It wasn’t supposed to be announced until next week!” Millie was questioning Gerry’s decision to release it early.
“Mills, it’s good to keep the rumour millstone turning, I hope you played thel little miss innocent , that you didn’t know. I couldn’ t help myself I’m very proud of my Mills, he put his hand around her waist and pecked her on the cheek. I hope you kept up the front though , the formal announcement is a biggy, it’s going to get a lot of attention..” Gerry looked quizzically at Millie.
” Yes , Yes I did. He was fishing wasn’t he? No we’ll wait , we’ll wait for the big announcement. Today is our day. You can call me wifey now…. not Mills.”
” OK wifey” Gerry smiled again.
Millie was very excited.
” I cannot believe at last I’ve got this ring on my finger, what an amazing day. Hey Sandy, come and see the Champagne Fountain, it’s so beautiful.”
Millie grabbed Sandy’s by the arm and they both ran off to the next room to see the ten metre arrangement of Champagne Glasses and bowls of fresh chilled strawberries which had been sculptured into and exotic fountain which filled and refilled the best Champagne into fresh glasses at the bottom , the glasses were replaced as the guests took their drinks by a team of waiters. The guests meanwhile could pick at the champagne drenched strawberries as desired. There was a lot of activity in the area and the arrival of the bride brought a round of applause and cheering.
Gerry and Martin stayed put by the bar.
” She’s got a lot of energy that girl, I’m not sure what she see’s in an old soak like me. Didn’t even try , she did all the chasing.” Gerry sighed.
” Well, not a lot I can say Gerry, except, you and Millie are helping Alex, and if you weren’t in the position you are in . I don’t know what Sandy and I would do.”
” I’m glad to help. It will keep me focussed on what needs done. I’ll keep Mills and her family sweet and the money flowing . I hope one day that Alex can come home , or at least be somewhere near that I can see him. Do you think that’ll be possible?”
” We’ll have to see, it ‘s against the Law, who knows, Alex shouldn’t even be alive”.
Martin hadn’t thought that Gerry would want to see his son. He felt stupid, of course the fatherly instinct was there. Except there was another possibility that Gerry wanted to find out who had Alex and uncover an illegal organisation. That would be a scoop for Gerry, or if he was an A1 , it might be his way of protecting the status quo. He after all was a carrier.
They moved along the bar ” Another drink Martin?”
” No thanks Gerry, I think I better be heading home, rescue my wife from the Champagne Fountain.”
Gerry remembered the night he’d spent with Sandy, yes , she liked Champagne. It had been a very enjoyable evening. Gerry looked at Martin and turned away.
Later when Sandy and Alex were in bed , they talked about the evening and both agreed that they thought that Gerry could be trusted. They were, however, unwilling to let go of control. There was still a risk that Gerry was an A1 who wanted to stop the organisation that in effect he was financing.
Gerry’s desire to know where his son was perhaps genuine or it could put Alex’s rescuers very much at risk . Gerry saw Alex as his only son, Martin understood that for a father it was a strong bond and Gerry would do anything to protect him and it was understandable that one day Gerry would want to meet Alex. Sandy was unsure how that could happen, but they were both tired, so Martin turned out the light and they both went to sleep. The twins would be up at six o’clock wanting breakfast and to play, so it would be best to get some rest.
Oh just reading another article about Nurses and Medical Staff being demoralised,by having to treat patients on trollies in corridors.
The visual popped into my head of an overcrowded hospital in a third world country with patients in a small room with multiple small metal beds with unlaundered bedding and being fed and looked after by desperate relatives.
Another vision popped in but that was significantly worse and does not bear a mention here.
So I got to thinking how would it be if things were not this bad,would we be bored at having nothing to complain about?
For example,if everyone got the right healthcare to the right standard and the right time. Wasn’t that the goal?
That the roads would be maintained without perilous potholes and traffic disruption kept to a minimum.
That a good public transport system existed so that those that chose not own a car, could still travel from A to B.
That employment would be enjoyable and secure and not endanger health and be rewarded at such a rate to enable an employee to fulfil whatever economic desires they had ambition to achieve without damaging the environment we all live in
That those ,whom , for whatever reason, could not work, would be supported and encouraged to contribute to the greater good if they so desired and be recognized as members of society who had something to offer but were just finding it difficult to figure out what it was.
That crime and criminals have a system that investigated efficiently and discouraged illegal behaviour that if it was felt to be dangerous either to an individual or to the greater society would result in separation from society in the form of incarceration.
Of course overcrowded private jails would not be acceptable and incarceration would be a last resort.
Finally, a right to live in decent accommodation with guaranteed leisure facilities nearby and the time to enjoy them would be a right not a privilege.
Instead we have developed into a melancholic,hypercritical,man eats man society,with apparently no wealth or resources and constant requests for more Public Money to spend on White Elephants such as MP’s and Lords Expenses.
We are on a debt spiral where money goes into a black hole of solicitors fees,political corruption and nepotism for close relatives or lovers.Where a label or title is worth so much more than ability or application.
The plot if it ever existed has disappeared down the road screaming and shouting frantically being searched for by decent people.It will take a long time to get it back.
The office door shut firmly behind them , Gerry and Sandy renewed their conversation.”
“Alex , your son is very much alive”. She stared at Gerry.
“That’s impossible , they wouldn’t allow it.”
” I don’t know who “they” are, but you are right they have already tried to kill Alex once, wipe all trace of him from this Earth. Miraculously he has been saved by the people who are now looking after him. That costs money and you and your Child Bride are going to supply it.”
“Never! What are you suggesting that you are going to blackmail me?”
” Yes, I suppose that is what you’d call it, but there’s nothing else we can do, Martin and I don’t have any spare money and what we do have can be monitored . It wouldn’t take long for them to find out what we were doing. I need you to put the first thousand pounds into this account tonight before 5 O’clock today.” Sandy handed Gerry a piece of paper with a bank sort code and an account number on it.
” I don’t have that kind of cash…, we just came back from holiday, Mills has expensive tastes, I couldn’t write you a cheque for 10p.”Gerry looked at Sandy like the Poker Player he was. Sandy knew he was bluffing.
“Arrange a loan, play poker, win it on the horses…I don’t care, just make sure that cash is in the account tonight. Or and I have nothing to lose…. you and your precious Mills will never walk down the aisle, as she’ll know that you are definitely not marrying material .Not to mention Mummy and Daddy saying no way. ”
Sandy moved forward in her chair in body language that said, I’m finished.”
The Conversation with Gerry had been a lot easier than she had expected, she continued.
” Indeed, as I said the sooner the wedding the better, the sooner you have that idiot’s money the better, you never were much good with your own, if the office gossip is true.
Gerry looked at the piece of paper.” Alright , I’ll transfer the funds tonight, but tell me how long has Alex got?”
Sandy gave him a look of disdain. ” Gerry, you’ll pay as long as we need you, how long is a piece of string, maybe one year, maybe five. Currently he’s very healthy”.
“That’s not what I meant. Alex is my son as you’ve just told me. I wish the best for him.”
” The people caring for him seem to know what they’re doing, I’ve got some photographs and they all show him improving. I’ve researched his condition and all I can find out is very old information , they stopped all Research once the Health Act was passed and that was thirty years ago. I think the organisation do their own research, I’m not sure. It’s our only option to keep Alex safe. “
” Can I see a photograph of him?” Gerry pleaded.
“Alright” Sandy took a photograph from her jacket pocket and handed it to Gerry.
” Good Grief, yes he’s mine alright, how old is he? Definitely got the Reid chin.” Gerry held the photograph in his hand.
” He’s six, and that is the most recent photo.”
” Can I keep it?” He held it in his hand , obviously reluctant to give it back.
” I’m afraid not , the less evidence lying around the best. The photos will be kept in a safe place. I don’t want them getting into the wrong hands.” Sandy reached her hand out to take the photograph.
Gerry handed the photo back to Sandy.
” You won’t believe me Sandy, but I’m glad to help.”
Sandy knew that she had achieved what she had set out to do, she nodded to Gerry and stood up and left the office without saying anything else. She suspected that Gerry had some feeling for Alex and that had surprised her. She knew Gerry well enough to be wary that he was putting on a front to play on her emotions. Martin had said not to trust him and she didn’t, but she had Gerry exactly where she wanted him, whether he cared for Alex or not didn’t matter to her. Gerry supplying the money to look after Alex was her concern and so far so good. She couldn’t wait until Friday and more news about her little boy.
thenotsomightyom 