The Catch Up, page 21
Jan glanced at the picture again. She really must find out who painted it.
Zac coughed and Jan brought her eyes back to study his face. “I’m awake,” she said. “Wondering who painted the picture behind you. I like it and wouldn’t mind one by the same artist. Just waiting for your observations.”
“I painted it, you can come and choose one after we’ve sorted this all out. You know what my observations are,” he said grumpily. “There’s no agreement on everything, so it’s up to each…each group, I guess, to see what they would accept.”
“That’s what I’ve said all along,” Jan said with a patience that was fast running out. “In a nutshell, the residents can’t stop the film company staying in the hotel as guests, or filming in the areas of the estate that are not exclusively for their use.”
“Like my own private land.”
“Exactly. The film company, however, cannot close anywhere to anyone that is normally open to them. Like the pool and gym. However…” Jan grinned as she watched Zac scribble on a notepad. No doubt he’d then ask her what she said as he couldn’t read his hasty scrawl. “I discovered that those areas are only open from six a.m. to ten p.m., correct?”
Zac nodded. “Yeah. So we can do cleaning and maintenance with as little disruption as possible.”
“So that unusable time could possibly be utilised by the film lot if, and it’s a big if, they could guarantee not to disrupt the maintenance schedule and be out and everything cleared up before the pool and the other facilities reopen.” She tapped her pen on the desk. “Personally, I’m not sure I’d trust them, but thankfully that’s not my decision to make.”
Zac let his breath out in one noisy gust. “Phew. Okay, so that’s a maybe. Next?”
“You aren’t owed any money by the film company nor do you owe them anything if the arrangement can’t go ahead.”
He nodded. “That’s good. Mind you, if they had asked for the money they paid to explore the possibilities I could have told them to take a hike. I did check it was paid for service rendered.” His lips twitched. “Blimey, that sounds a bit iffy, doesn’t it?”
“Just a bit.” Jan sniggered. “It’s as well I know what you mean. So now, onto some more concerns put forward by Mr D and others.” She glanced at her laptop screen and scanned the bullet points she’d made in her document. “They can be assured that hotel guests will not park outside the residents’ cottages or to the best of your ability in residents’ parking spaces at the hotel or leisure facilities. I’ve even added that the road markings would not be affected and if they were, they would be repaired, not at the owners’ expense.”
Zac rolled his eyes. “Ye gods. Some people.”
“Each to their own, I guess. As it states in their deeds, they can’t sublet, but you can rent out the cottages owned by the hotel as you do now.” Jan picked up her rapidly cooling mug of coffee and took a few sips.
“To be honest,” she went on, “I’ve spent all this time, on your behalf, merely rewriting what you and they know. Condensed it perhaps, but it’s nothing more than what could be found just by reading contracts and so on.” She scanned another page. “The film lot were told right back at the beginning that their demands were highly unlikely to be met, but they persisted. That’s their prerogative. The residents made their feelings known, ditto. You let them and listened. I’ve collated it. I’ll have paper copies of all this printed and everyone can have one to read. It’ll also be available as a PDF and emailed after the meeting.” She sipped some more coffee and waited for Zac to reply.
He grinned. “Let’s be honest, I didn’t expect any more, but as you know, it’s not just me who owns the place. This way no one can say I didn’t take due diligence or explore every avenue to get an outcome, whatever it will be. I suspect there will be a few more arguments and then we’ll go on as before. The film lot can stay here and film on my land, which is between here and Moss’ house. If they don’t want to… Ah well, I’ll chalk it down to experience. Talking of Moss, any idea why he maybe wants to have a meeting with me and your beloved day after tomorrow? It’s all flipping meetings at the moment. I haven’t managed a good game of golf for ages.” He let out a short bark of a laugh. “Going around the course with you and Thom doesn’t count.”
“I bet it doesn’t, and I haven’t got a clue.”
* * * *
“Well?” Moss fixed his eyes on Thom and sat back in his chair. They were sitting side by side in a pub not far from the industrial estate, each with a half pint and a sandwich in front of them. “What do you reckon?”
Thom chewed his cheese sandwich as he thought over the last hour. “In principle I think it’s a great idea. The office we’ve just visited would be perfect. But I’d need to know more before I could commit. We’ve both got stuff on and I’ve got another TV show to film which will start in a few weeks. Might be earlier now to all intents and purposes the film is finished for me. I’ve got a few days off and one more day or so, I think. So far anyway. And hope it will all be Lois-free. She’s been very quiet lately. May it last.” He’d got very little else to do in the film and would be called back if need be. “So, the building,” he continued. “New, well thought out. Space to do all we need, space for storage and even, dare I say it, space to do some filming. But, A, could it all be done there, B, how much money would be needed, Cc, what does Arietta think, D, isn’t it a lot for us to undertake, E, what—”
“Whoa, hold your horses.” Moss ate a few crisps that were part of the garnish on their plates. “One thing at once. I have discussed it with Ari, of course I have. It’s something we both want, and therefore most of the money will be ours to put in. If you and Jan come in with us, we negotiate how much you need to donate if you like.” He grinned. “Donate, waste, invest, who knows. We’ve talked it over with our financial advisor, accountant and solicitor and we can sort out a partnership. The building we checked out would be perfect for now. We’re not going to be big, just a nice wee Scottish production team specialising in what we want to do. I drove you here the pretty way. It’s less than an hour to drive if we come the boring but better roads. You’ve said often enough you’d like to spend more time here, get on with finishing doing up your cottage, and well, here’s your chance.” He picked up his drink. “Plus I have an idea in mind for a TV series that I think would work. If you read it over—I’ll get a copy to you when we get back—tell me what you think and then, well, that’s another area to work on.”
“Another carrot to dangle in front of me?” Thom asked wryly. He really did have a lot to consider.
Moss smiled. “If you like to call it that. Anyway, have a think, chat with Jan and let me know. If you’re for it, then I’ll speak to Zac as well.”
Thom nodded. He loved the idea, but would Jan? “I’ll talk to her when we get back and see what she says. I know…” He hesitated. “Look, you know how we ended up splitting last time. Over both of us wanting different things work-wise and not able to compromise. Well, I wasn’t. Hell, Moss, I don’t want that to happen again, it was sodding awful, childish and well…you know. That means we do need time to discuss this as well as other things. And it’s the ‘bloody not a cat in hell’s chance of compromise’ meeting tonight that she needs to chair. I’m not saying anything until that’s over and done with. If you need a fast answer, I can’t give you one.” What it would mean to him and Jan needed careful thought.
“That makes sense. I’ve asked Zac to be available the day after tomorrow. If that’s not time enough, I’ll push it back. I’ve got the option on the building for a month anyway.” He grinned. “I paid the rent. If we go for it, we can rent or buy.”
“If you fell in a midden, you’d come up smelling of roses.”
* * * *
By the time she had to get ready for the meeting, Jan was on tenterhooks. She’d heard nothing from Thom other that, ‘all okay, see you before the pistols at dawn’ stuff. By that she knew he meant the meeting which he’d also called duelling people-groups. She personally decided there were a lot more names for it, including ‘who would spit the dummy out the most’. Really, a lot of those involved were acting like spoilt babies. They needed to put up, grow up and not act up. If only she could say so. Instead, it would be more of a ‘here’s the summary, over to you’ speech, and…And what Jan had no idea. There really wasn’t an answer to satisfy everyone and she failed to see how that wasn’t apparent to them.
Jan changed out of her comfy multicoloured leggings and oversized sweatshirt into a pair of smart trousers and a silky shirt, put on some makeup and decided she would do. She wasn’t looking forward to the next couple of hours, but once the meeting was over and done with, she’d be about finished at the castle. Then Portugal?
That was something she wondered. If Thom and she were to be a couple, a proper couple, would she go? Would he be able to join her? What would happen when it was time to go back to Hong Kong? Could they have a long-distance relationship and make it work?
So many questions.
Blast and damn. Before she could even start to think about how to solve them, for now, the meeting had to take priority. Satisfied with her appearance—businesslike but not too formal—and as ready as she would ever be, she left the cottage and swung into the buggy to head to the conference room booked for the evening.
It was ready and set out as she’d asked. Groups of comfortable chairs sat in semicircles around coffee tables where refreshments would be put nearer the time for the audience to arrive. If they were an audience. Jan wasn’t sure what she should call the attendees. In her mind she might think of them as punters or protagonists or even the bloody-minded lot, but officially? Perhaps attendees was the correct expression.
She put the paper copies of her findings on the tables, set up the video for the results to be screened and grabbed a coffee from the lone pot on the long sideboard. Put there, she knew, by Zac, or on his request, so she could have a drink whilst she arranged things. It would sustain her more than the water already on each table.
Half an hour to go.
The main door swung open and Arietta walked in. Jan smiled at her. “Hello, stranger, where’s the men?” She’d thought that Arietta would come with Moss and more than likely Thom would accompany them, seeing as he’d been out with Moss, she assumed, all day.
“According to the text I just received they’ll be here in about ten minutes,” Arietta replied. “Anything I can do? “
“Grab a coffee if you want one. There’s nothing else to do except wait. The rest of the refreshments will be brought in later. I’ll deliver my verdict, wait for the ruckus to subside, if it does, then the bun fight can begin.”
“Not literally, I hope. Be a waste of good buns.”
“Who knows. Ah, I hear footsteps.” The door swung open again and Ernest Donaldson entered with another three owners. They were followed by Alex and Sasha then Zac.
No Lois? Could we be so lucky?
The door opened again. Sod it. Lois walked in, dressed very casually for her in a long skirt and a floral top that she tugged at every few seconds. It was obvious she wasn’t very comfortable in it. Jan wondered why. It might not be as clear cut in line as a lot of her usual clothes but it suited her. Without looking to left or right, or acknowledging her sister and brother-in-law, she sat beside an empty table, poured a glass of water and downed it in three gulps. She glanced around as she put the empty tumbler back on the table, saw Jan, paled and bit her lip. Then swallowed, turned and began to study the folder in front of her.
What was that all about?
Zac wandered across the room, and must have noticed Lois, because he stiffened, gave her a slight blink-and-you’d-miss-it nod, and headed to Jan.
“All set?” He didn’t allude to his attitude to Lois, so neither did Jan. It was nothing to do with her unless Zac told her it was.
Jan scanned the room and was about to mention it appeared everyone except Thom and Moss were there, when the two men entered. After a swift glance round they headed to the table where Arietta had seated herself—and very carefully made sure anyone who approached her knew the empty seats were reserved. She’d even made sure there was one for Jan and one for Zac, if they got a chance to use them. Jan hoped they would, even if it was only to grab some of the food that would be offered. It had been a long while since she’d had lunch and that had merely been a mug of soup and a slice of crusty bread. She’d been too churned up to eat after that.
Jan smiled at Zac. “As ready as we’ll ever be. Waste of time, you reckon?” she said out of the corner of her mouth, having made sure no one would be able to lip read—or overhear her words.
Zac shrugged. “You’ve done your best, no one can do more.”
Jan walked to the front of the room with him, and stood back a little as Zac tapped on a table to get people’s attention.
“Thank you for coming.”
Jan zoned his voice out, curious to watch peoples’ reactions to what she was damn sure they had either just read in the files given to them, or guessed. As Zac spoke, she watched Moss nod, Ernest Donaldson scowl and Alex stare stony-faced at no one in particular. Lois didn’t lift her head and appeared to study her fingernails.
Wondering if they’re long enough to scratch someone’s eyes out? Bitch is me. Wonder what’s wrong with her, though?
The wondering didn’t last long, as she vaguely heard Zac begin to sum up what had been covered and brought her mind back to the present. No doubt she would now have questions to answer.
She did. A very disgruntled Ernest went on the attack immediately.
“Why didn’t Miss Fraser there say all this? Why did you? Just so you could gloat and say really we are worth nothing?”
Jan took a step forward and gave Zac a warning glance to tell him to keep his mouth shut.
“Mr Moncrieff spoke because he, like you, is involved. He gave you my findings. I’m here to clarify anything you wish me to.” They had discussed whether she or Zac should speak first. He’d chosen to, though Jan hadn’t been sure it was wise. Now she was certain it hadn’t been, but it was too late to do anything about that.
“I think it’s clear what can and cannot happen. There is nothing in my findings to denigrate you, or indeed any owner, visitor or casual passer-by. What is and is not contractually allowed is set out. Whether anyone wants to avail themselves of any of those options is up to them. If the film company choose to stay here as guests, that is their prerogative. Ditto if they chose to use such facilities available to guests. Whether they want to is up to them. They know what is permissible, as do you. It’s in black and white in front of you.” She pointed to the screen, where the salient details were in bullet points. “And in your files.”
She smiled and bet it didn’t reach her eyes. What was it with the man? Did he think he’d been thwarted and therefore was about to have a hissy fit? If anyone should react that way it should be Alex, surely?
“Harrumph.” Ernest sat down.
Jan hid a genuine smile. She’d often wondered if people really did go harrumph. Now she knew they did.
Alex got to his feet. “Thank you,” he said to both Zac and Jan. “It is indeed very clearly set out. I will consider what I wish to do, if anything, within the limits.” He sat down again and whispered something to Sasha, who nodded.
“We will be in touch,” she said flatly. “I also say thank you.”
There was silence. Jan glanced at Zac, who cleared his throat.
“Refreshments will be brought out any moment. Meanwhile, if anybody has anything else to say or wishes to ask, Jan and I are here.”
“And don’t I wish we weren’t,” he muttered as he sat down. “Why do I have an itch down my spine? As if someone is going to throw a poisoned dart at me. I tell you, I’m over it. I took on running the place as a favour to my dad who couldn’t persuade his company it was a good investment and he thought it was. Mind you I love it, always have. Sadly since I took over, I’ve had nothing but grief. It’s a bloody shame. It’s a fabulous venue, I love the castle, I want it to succeed and be on a par with any of the big venues in the country. It’s got everything anyone could want to enjoy a break but—”
“Like every Eden it has its serpent?” Jan suggested.
“You got it,” Zac replied. “This Eden seems to have more than one at the moment. Here’s one coming.”
Jan twisted in her seat to see Lois walking towards them.
Oh, shit, what now?
“Lois,” Zac said flatly. “What can we do for you?”
She ignored him and turned towards Jan. “I wish to speak with you,” she said in a small voice. “Alone.” She cleared her throat. “Please.” The word appeared to be forced out.
Jan reckoned it hurt her to plead. She waited until she was certain Lois didn’t intend to say any more. “Why?” she asked bluntly.
“I, er, I wish to ask you something, to tell you something, but not with him around.” She gestured to Zac, who snorted but didn’t speak.
All of a sudden Jan was weary. She couldn’t deal with Lois at that moment. “Tomorrow?’ she said in a take-it-or-leave-it way. “I’ll be in my office in the Du…Effie Barnet House until around lunch time.” She’d almost said the Dung Heap, but had stopped herself in time.
“Then may I come around ten?” Lois asked, still in the same small, uncertain voice. “I would appreciate it. It, ah, well, I wish to apologise and explain. But in private.”
Jan nodded. “Ten it is.” She had no intention of starting the clear-up until later in the morning. She needed that to regroup and clear her mind. Now she might not get the clear mind, but with luck she would get clarity about the Thom and Lois situation.
Lois bobbed her head and walked out of the room.
“She can’t think much of the refreshment then,” Zac said. “Or the company.”
Thom stared at Lois’ straight back as she made her way forcefully but, he thought, with dignity out of the conference room.
