Part Five     "Going On The Piste"

 
 
 
Tuesday 16th December Continued
 

Angela stood firm. “There isn’t an issue now. You can close the account.”

“I’m sure we can fix this.”

“I doubt it, I’m going along the road to another bank so if you don’t mind I’ll have my £50.03 in cash.”

“I’m afraid we’ll need proof of identity with a recent photo, such as a passport or driving licence. Do you have either of those?”

“No, unfortunately. So, what I'd like to do is to make a withdrawal of £50.02.”

"You can take fifty pounds out using a cashpoint."

"But I can't get the tuppence from an ATM, can I? Please deal with it."

“Certainly.”

Bank clerk nil, Angela Small 1.

Angela signed the slip as Tim Small and handed it to the teller. He processed the request, handing the money and card to Angela; he clearly hadn’t looked at the card.

Angela took the money but left the card. She turned on her heels and walked away, her head held high.

“Miss, you've left your card?”

“Keep it, you’re welcome to the penny too.”

She turned, joined the other two at the entrance and stepped into the street. Following Richard, Joan and Angela walked the few steps along the street and stepped into Richard’s own bank. Mr Doherty was waiting for them, a look of disgust on his face. He’d plainly been told to make himself available.

“Good morning Mr Smart, Mrs Small, Miss Small.” He didn’t mean it.

“Good morning Mr Doherty, I see that you received a call.”

“Yes, and I’m still not sure what it going on.”

“May we use your office?”

Without a further word he turned and opened the security door, plainly unused to being ordered around in his own branch. Once inside the branch manager’s office Richard outlined the problem. He explained that the accounts should already be ‘live’ on the system.

“So what is there for me to do?”

“I would like you to input Mrs Small and Miss Small’s signatures onto their relevant accounts then enable online banking for both.”

“Is that all?”

“No, I’d like you to transfer £1000 from my personal account to Mrs Small to tide her over. I believe Miss Small would like to make a deposit.”

“Cash and cheques can only be handled at the counter, but I’ll process the transfer now.”

“Thank you, could you print off a statement for both accounts so they have a record of the account numbers?”

“Is that all?”

“Yes, many thanks Mr Doherty.”

“That’s alright but I wonder why you requested me and not one of the staff.” He handed over the printouts.

“I didn’t, it was the head of personal banking who made the request.”

“I see, Good day.” He clearly had more important work to do, including buying a Christmas present for his wife.

Richard escorted the small group to the little hotel at the back of the town centre, near the harbour.

“Welcome, welcome. Would you like a table out of the way?”

Frances, the bar manager, always seemed to be able to judge his customers’ needs. Drink orders were taken, Frances leaving the three with a menu each, plus a spare. No-one questioned the extra. Five minutes later Elsie walked in, handing her coat to Frances and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you Frances, my usual please.”

“Certainly, Madame McPherson.”

Elsie sat down in a flourish and picked up the menu, putting it back down swiftly.

“Good afternoon Richard, Joan, Angela. How are you all today? Terrible business isn’t it.”

Before they could answer Frances returned to take the food orders. Seemingly forgetting Elsie’s questions, or maybe ignoring it deliberately, they made small talk. Joan was becoming more relaxed, perhaps because Richard and, eventually, Elsie were doing their best to stop her dwelling on the previous day’s event.

Lunch over, Elsie took over and suggested to Joan she could do with a bit of pampering.

“But I haven’t got the time.”

“Don’t be silly, Sandy’s expecting us in ten minutes.”

“Richard?”

“Go along, Angela and I will get some bits done. We’ll see you back at the cottage.”

Joan gave him a kiss, holding his hand as she did. Reluctantly she left the hotel, forgetting for a moment to button her coat or put on her gloves. The cold air reminded her quickly.

Richard settled the bill and took Angela back to the High Street, Where he guided her to a sports store and suggested she equip herself.

“But I don’t know what I need, or why. I also can’t afford it.”

“In reverse; don’t worry about the cost, you’re going on holiday and this girl will help you choose.”

“Hello, where is it that you will be going?”

“Salzburg.” Richard answered.

“Skiing?”

“Yes.”

“Come this way, please.”

Angela cringed when she saw the bill, but Richard just entered his PIN without worrying. The girl smiled, her commission from this sale would be very useful. Back in the street Richard carried the kit to his car. He had added a few bits for himself but otherwise this was all Angela’s. The young lady made to get into the car but Richard stopped her.

“We’re not done here, Angela.”

This time they went to the mobile phone shop and organised mobiles for Angela and Joan. Richard made a mental note to pass the numbers onto Tammy later.

“Richard, why are you doing all this?”

“Because you can’t afford it yourself yet.”

“What about the holiday? Mum and I always stay at home at Christmas.” She paused, wondering if she should add ‘and Dad’.

“Angela, you and your mum need a break — a real break. I promise when we get back things will return to normal-ish.”

They walked round to Sandy’s salon as Joan was coming out of the waxing room, her nails already gleaming from earlier treatment Sandy took Angela and put her in the chair.

“What’s going on?”

“Settle down dear, you’ll have permanent worry lines if you’re not careful.” Sandy had a way with words.

“What are you going to do?”

“The works. Elsie, can you arrange a pick-up in a couple of hours?”

“Certainly.”

“Right, here we go. Mr Smart, we don’t need you here, please take Joan home.”

Richard knew not to argue, the women were in command right now. Of course it didn’t matter to him, he had other things to do. Next stop was the sports shop, this time Joan was kitted out. She didn’t argue once.

An hour later they were back at the cottage. Joan was clearing the coffee cups away when the bell rang; looking outside she saw a delivery van. Five minutes later they were loading the fridge, freezer and cupboards.

“Richard, how can I ever repay you, after all I don’t even have any money of my own yet right now and I couldn't spend it anyway.”

“Joan, think of this as a gift. If you prefer then wait until you receive your pay, but I’m not worried. Please don’t think I’m flaunting my money, it’s just that you’ve had a rough time of late and deserve some TLC.”

Joan sat down and pulled Richard with her. She hugged Richard but started crying. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s just that no-one has ever done anything just for me before. Thank you. Thank you.” She released him, but only far enough so she could give Richard a long kiss.

After a few minutes Richard had detached himself and stood, still holding Joan’s hand. “Joan, I’m sorry but I have to get back to the house. Why don’t you come over later for dinner?”

“What about all this food?”

“You can treat me and Tammy tomorrow, if you want.”

“Okay, I’ll drive over at six, oh!.”

“What?”

“There’s the insurances, electric, phone, water and probably loads more to deal with.”

“We’ll sort those out tomorrow, Joan, I’m sure that’ll be soon enough.”

Richard drove to the McPherson house, offloading the winter sports gear. Leanne came out to help, then found somewhere to store them, but Richard had no idea where.

The school minibus brought Tammy home, that had never happened before. She went straight to her room for a shower and fresh clothes. Angela was dropped at the cottage a little later by Elsie who then drove home, satisfied with her and the salon's efforts. Joan hugged Angela as she came through the door then just stared.

“Wow.”

At six, the McPherson, Smart and Small clans, or at least those available, gathered in Elsie’s sitting room. Joan and Angela looked fantastic, they’d both had ‘the works’. Angela, hadn't told her mum until that point that she'd been in with Joanne on Monday lunchtime.

Sandy had targeted Angela’s hair, cutting it into a more feminine style, adding extensions and some blond highlights. Her eyebrows had been thinned and her ears were newly pierced.

Angela now had the option of not wearing the wig but still appearing female. Elsie urged her to leave the wig off, just to try it for now. Sandy also gave Angela a facial then made her face up, while a girl worked on her nails. All told, the effect was amazing. Joan, was still Joan but with a new fresh look, definitely better than before. Angela was a new girl all together.

As a group they headed for dinner, each chatting about their day. Tammy had expected to tell all about her first day at school as a girl, but stayed quiet as Angela gushed. Tammy finally talked to her Dad after the Smalls had gone home and Elsie slipped upstairs.

“What’s going on, Dad?”

“In what way?”

“You know.”

“No I don’t. Now, stop talking in riddles.”

“Are you in love with Joan?”

“That’s a very personal question.”

“So, no denial then?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Dad, answer the question?”

“Look, I like her a lot but it doesn’t go any further than that. She needs support right now and both Elsie and myself are giving her that. Any more questions?”

“No.”

Tammy walked to her room with wonder. A few minutes later she was in bed, fast asleep.
 
 
Wednesday 17th December
 

The following morning Tammy went off to school on the school minibus whilst Richard went into the study. Richard needed to catch up with paperwork that had been left since the previous week. Some of this related to his retirement and some to his divorce. Gerald, his solicitor, had sent a large bundle several days earlier, only now did he feel up to dealing with it.

It seemed that Tara, Richard’s wife, was not contesting the divorce but was prepared to do a deal. She was not, however, happy when she found out about the recent transfer of much of Richard’s shares, stocks and properties into Tammy’s name. Ironically, Tara couldn’t actually do anything since the original transfer, to Tom Smart, predated the divorce by several months, but this didn’t stop her trying to use the issue as a bargaining chip - despite her infidelity.

Neither could Tara understand how her son, Tom, had become her daughter, Tamara. She still blamed Richard and the McPherson household, Elsie in particular. Tara’s unsaid allegation was that Elsie and Richard were in a relationship, an understandable — if very wrong — guess given Richard’s close working relationship with Elsie’s late husband. His solicitor, Gerald, called whilst Richard was considering this.

"Good morning Richard."

"Morning, Gerald. I take it you have some news?"

"Yes, Tara and Alban Berisha were in court yesterday. He was remanded in custody while Tara was bailed until the end of Feb, that's likely to be the committal hearing."

"What date?"

"Monday twenty third of February next year. The charges have been revised too. Tara is now charged with conspiracy to money laundering, conspiracy to the importation and supply of a Class-A substance."

"So there is a drugs charge, after all?"

"Yes, it appears that the police consider the two months they spent together in the apartment sufficient that she must have known."

"That's a strong argument, it also adds weight to the infidelity issue."

"I'd agree. Terry, her solicitor, is quite worried; it's possible that any conviction could result in a heavy fine."

"The divorce settlement?"

"Yes, she could lose everything."

"But keeps her freedom?"

"Quite."

"You know, I'm not vindictive although I have a perfect opportunity to 'put the boot in', as they say. Is there anything we can do?"

"You could modify the divorce settlement so it helps her?"

"Could you talk to Terry about that, I'm open to reasonable suggestion?"

"Will do."

Richard had now received the paperwork from his employer that would end his thirty year banking career at the end of January if he returned the forms within the next week. The terms were generous and included share options, which he couldn’t exercise just yet.

The impact of the recession on the financial sector was huge, banks were being forced to make severe cutbacks. Richard’s retirement would generate a paper saving but in reality would cost a small fortune in pension payments, a reduced lump sum as well as the share options

At first sight the lump sum was less than generous but the bank was mindful of the divorce, Tara might make a claim on as much as 50% of the lump sum, so Richard's employers had made certain they would look after one of their own. The remainder of the actual sum due would be paid into a managed trust fund to cover Tammy's university years plus a provision for her GRS. There was separate provision for sponsorship of one transgendered sixth form student per year at St Andrews for the next 10 years, paid annually from gains on investments.

There was also a sweetener: Richard would be kept on as a consultant in the foreign markets, this would generate a retainer. More usefully, Tammy would remain on the payroll as Richard’s part-time assistant, ensuring her school fees were paid. The final element was Tanya, his PA in London, her employment at the bank would be reduced to two days a week but Richard would employ her for three more. All told, this was a very good deal for everyone except Tara.

Tammy would have to agree her part of this but Richard didn’t foresee any problems. He duly signed everywhere he needed to and put the paperwork aside. Returning to the divorce papers, he re-read his solicitor’s covering letter then signed the forms. At some point he would need to swear the financial statement but that could wait a little longer.

Finally, he rang his PA, and gave her an update, she seemed happy with the arrangement.

“It looks like I’ll be in Scotland for the foreseeable future.”

“What would you like me to do?”

“I think we can dispose of some of the London properties, but best keep the apartment in Docklands so we have somewhere to stay, we'll need parking for the car too. I’ll get Tammy to sign the release papers if you can get started on that.”

“Okay.”

“Can you talk to Gerald about forming a company in the name of Joan Small, oh, and one for Angela Small while you’re about it? I’ll fax you an authorisation for the costs. Tammy needs a company bank account, could you kick off the process?”

“Right.”

“Finally, we’re off to Austria in a few days, so I don’t expect to hear from you before January.”

“Enjoy your trip, I’ll email or fax anything important otherwise I’ll call in the New Year. Bye.”

“Merry Christmas.”

He next phoned Sarah's shop and checked that she wasn't busy. They talked business but this chat was more about promotions and bargains designed to get customers in the door. They spoke for fifteen minutes before she had a customer, her third of the morning.

Richard made it to the sitting room in time for coffee, brought by Thomas, Elsie’s butler. There was a copy of The Telegraph for him, plus a plate of ginger biscuits. The crossword took ten minutes, slightly longer than normal.

Elsie found Richard just after an early lunch.

“I’ve had a call from the Police about John.”

John McPherson was Elsie’s errant son, who most recently had assaulted Tammy in the town centre, followed by an attempt at the theatre.

“What’s the latest?”

“He’s been bailed but is under a curfew, he’s only allowed out between eleven and three and has to sign at Wick Police Station every day at two thirty. He’s lost his flat so is now in a bail hostel in Wick.”

“What a waste.”

“Quite. The magistrates were concerned about his mental health so have asked for reports, in the meantime he has been warned to keep away from all of us.”

"Do we know why he was at the theatre when he was supposed to be remanded?"

"Apparently the magistrates made a procedural error, he had to be released after one night."

"Great. Do you think he can rebuild his life?”

“I don’t know, I really don’t.”

That was the end of that conversation. There had been enough tragedy in such a short period, this was the one issue closest to Elsie.

***

Richard’s meeting at the school was at one, presumably lunch was provided? He still wasn’t convinced this was a good idea but thought it might be a useful distraction.

“Richard, so good of you to accept the position.”

“Harry, I didn’t think I had.”

The Chair of the Governing Body ignored that remark and proceeded to introduce Tammy’s father to the other members of the Finance Sub-Committee. Fortunately the meeting was over in just over two hours, including time for a few sandwiches. One thing was clear, several members of the sub-committee had little grasp of budget control and planning.

Richard decided wait around so he could collect Tammy at three thirty after her last class of the day. He had just managed to find his way back to the office when Tammy appeared, early, heading for the minibus pick-up point.

“How was your day?”

“Pretty quiet, seeing as tomorrow’s the end of year party.”

“Any problems?”

“No, I’ve met with all the prefects. My coursework was surprisingly up to date so it’s been relatively easy.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Well, there was just one wag, again, but I don’t think there was any malice, just a tongue before brain issue. By the way, did I tell you about the Governor vacancy?”

“No, but I’ve dealt with it anyway.”

Tammy wasn’t sure if her father had accepted or dismissed the offer but did get the impression that she should have said something on Monday, or even Tuesday. It didn't cross her mind to ask why he was in the school, such things just had a habit of happening.

At six they were at the cottage with Joan and Angela. Dinner was simple but well cooked. It also looked as if the cottage had been cleaned, Tammy asked Angela about this.

“Mum was a bit bored so we decided to go through the place. We’ve also bagged up Dad’s clothes to take to one of the charity stores. Mum said it was therapeutic.”

“I haven’t had to do it myself but I can guess it could be.”

“Jill came to see us, just long enough for a coffee. She said we were seeing closure, Mum seemed to understand what she was saying but had a cry anyway.”

“Did you work it out?”

“Yeah, but Jill says I still have some anger towards Dad. I don’t know. I really don’t.”

“Are you coming to the party tomorrow?” Tammy changed the subject.

Angela considered the question before answering. “I’m not sure, how’s the school?”

“Fine, I think they’re over the shock, although some of the lower school stare; most of them never met me as Tom anyway. Any girl would get the same response in an a previously all-male bastion.”

“It doesn’t sound so bad.”

“It isn’t. I hope you’ll be there tomorrow for the party. Remember Angela, it’s just the sixth form not the entire school.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Okay.”

Joan had begun to receive letters from the various people she’d told about George’s death, and some she hadn’t. She’d also had a phone call from the school asking for her new bank account number, they were promising to process salary and pension payments quickly.

Richard told her to leave everything else for the following day.