‘He’s fast isn’t he, how come he’s so fast?’ I said, looking down to the end of the garden.
‘He’s young.’ Declared Charlie.
‘He’s always fast.’ Added Melisa, with a chuckle.
‘And he barely takes five minutes for tea!’
‘He’s always quick to recover too.’
‘Well answer me this Mel, given his height, how come he doesn’t have a stoop?’
‘He's had his spade customised, it's got a longer shaft. Always uses his own tools. Has quite a bag full in the van.’
‘Taken to chauffeuring him around I take it?’
‘We practically live in the van.’
‘Really.’
‘When I cleared out the back of all Mr Mackintosh’s stuff, Jack showed me his van, he has all this great flooring, he gave me a length off his roll.’
‘Does Jack know your father?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘You should introduce them some time.’
‘Why?’
‘Has Jack explained all the computer electronics in his van?’
‘No, just says it’s all for driver assist, self-drive.’
‘Ah! Actually, it’s more about counter measures shall we say, that’s why I think your dad might be interested.’
‘But he’s official, whilst Jack is...’
‘Your father is an independent consultant, brought in because the state apparatus has trouble keeping up with the private economy, he lets them in on what he thinks they ought to know. Comprende?’
‘I think I might be beginning to!’
‘Why are we doing this?’
‘A walk in the woods, when have you ever been known to turn down a walk in the woods?’
‘Another, “inspecting the works” I meant.’
‘Because Brinkley is insisting on attending this afternoon’s board meeting to hammer home the need for tight accounting. And he will also be nervous about the degree to which the Trust has been lending to the Park company over the water works. I need to be well armoured against attack, not to mention uncle.’
We walked down from the back of the house, on top of the now refilled new trench. ‘It leaves quite a scar on the landscape.’ Observed Charlie, walking in front.
‘Yes, we need to stop people using it as a path, especially if we try and plant new stuff, might be a project for young Tim in due course.’
‘Is it all on a new alignment?’ She said, coming to a halt.
‘More or less.’ I replied, walking on. ‘Once the contractors had realised there was an easier gradient to be had, they were only too pleased not to dig out the old piping. It’s probably modern diggers that make it worth while going deeper to get a better lie, meaning the pump doesn’t have to work so hard.’
‘Hey!’ She said, her voice now a little distant. ‘If you look back, you can see intermittent patches of better tree growth, over there and there.’ I wandered back a step or two. ‘I’m sure that’s where there have been longstanding leaks.’
‘More money saved then.’
In time we reached the restored pumping station, the only point in the parkland where you can hear the flowing river before you see it.
‘Very smart. What’s that?’ She said, looking at a new grey panel in the wall.
‘One of Eltham’s battery storage things, fed from the solar panel on the roof, supplements the mains, covers power cuts as well.’ I fiddled with the keys borrowed from the office. ‘We’ve kept the old back-up generator; it’s just been reconditioned. It’s the electric pump that’s all new, latest computer controlled what’s it! Oh look, it looks just like it does in the catalogue.’
‘What’s the yellow, hazard, electric, nuclear sign thing on the door for?’
‘Oh, just there to keep the curious away. Well, everything looks to be in order. Seen enough?’
‘Expensive.’ She said as I locked-up.
‘It’ll last well beyond my lifetime.’
‘Depends how fast you intend to age. I need to keep you on your toes. Let’s go back another way, where it’s more secluded.’
Uncle and I took our pre-meet at the veranda bar as usual. He opened with; ‘You look flushed.’
‘Tight schedule today, scratch lunch.’
How’s Charlotte?’
‘Fine. She’s here about, somewhere.’
‘Never stops, eh?’
‘She has projects of her own.’
‘Rather putting you in the shade these days.’
‘I’m a contented consort. How’s Julia?’
‘Your aunt is worried about me, damn near stopped me driving here today.’ Then, after a pause; ‘I’m not so old, all things considered, a man’s as young as he feels.’
‘What’s happened?’
‘You know perfectly well. Look, I concede Mrs Gregson is happier now their cottage is done and hence Gregson goes about his business more contentedly, which makes all our lives easier. And, the brickworks, well I’d probably never have got around to it. You force the pace, fine. I know I’m slow, but I’m not incapable.’
‘Pace yourself.’
‘Quite. But why this separate company though, A & C Restorations?’
‘Well, it’s just Charlie and I, quite separate from the Trust. Therefore, in the fullness of time, A & C can merge with Checkley, or Checkley take it over. Maybe one just subsidises the other, but the point is, neither will be subsumed by the Trust. Over time my influence over them is bound to wane.’
‘I see, and ultimately the Park might be more secure too.’
‘Indeed.’
‘Anyway, you’ll be with us within the week, we can talk more then. The two of you are going to be busy, there’s much to be done.’
‘Ah! Small fly in the ointment. Charlie’s parents will be roaming the county looking for a retirement property, we may have to take some time out.’
‘Damn!’
As we left the bar via the lounge, Ada Armitage could be seen deep in conversation with none other than Brinkley. I froze on the spot. Then I remembered the two had met over the matter of the railway station which never had trains. Larry looked distinctly sheepish as we approached their table.
‘Good afternoon young man.’ Ada said with a glint in her eye; ‘I’ve just been asking Lawrence, I may call you that, may I?’
‘Of course, dear lady.’
‘I was just asking Lawrence what he thought my shares might be worth, I shan’t break a confidence by telling you his reply, but I wonder what you think they’re worth Anthony?’
I was acutely aware of uncle’s presence beside me and Brinkley, glaring; ‘Whatever a worthy recipient is prepared to pay.’ It was the best I could come up with on the spur of the moment.
‘Most gallant.’ She replied.
‘We’re in the club committee room when you’re done.’
The business of the meeting seemed to take an age. Uncle took the chair as usual. I reported on the water pipe, the pumping station and the cost. I offered my view on the loan, the period of extension for repayments and a reasonable interest rate that the Park could afford, and I hoped the Trust would approve. Uncle looked pleased, Brinkley bristled. Lawrence then let off steam by outlining the discipline that the responsible staff must show in their accounting methods.
He then surprised us all saying; ‘Finally, changing the subject entirely, I’d like to take the opportunity of informing the board that the Arlington Trust has had a letter from our, other university.’ He then produced said item and began to read aloud; ‘From the “Faculty of Agriculture and Rural Sustainability, Floor Ten, Drake’s Tower, City Campus”. It’s from the “Placements and Apprenticeships Officer” of the “School of Horticulture”, which as we all know is actually located at the opposite end of the county, but they are of course looking to place students, I’m about to send out copies to all parts of the Trust, but I thought I’d just let you know...’
‘Well, I’ll be damned! The lad’s even better organised than I’d imagined. I’ll draft the reply thank you Brinkley.’
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