(aka Bike, est. 2007) Part 2171 by Angharad Copyright © 2013 Angharad
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A while later, Jim phoned me back. “The council didn’t even know it was their land.”
“Oh, so what do we do now?”
“I told them we were interested in developing the site.”
“Did they ask what for?”
“I told them we had several ideas in mind but couldn’t disclose anything until we had an idea of price and availability. They were going to send a surveyor out to look at it tomorrow. I asked about the lot next door and they’d obviously looked it up by then because they said something about the chapel–he suggested we’d have to relocate them in similar premises to acquire that one as well.”
“I wonder if there’s anything that size in the red-light area.”
“Now now, Cathy, that isn’t very nice.”
“We’ll suggest to the chapel when they find out we’ve bought it that we’re going to build a drug rehab centre there.”
“That should appeal to their Christian charitableness.”
“We’ll see, won’t we.”
I left the subterfuge to be managed by James as he had a London number and could thus be a developer looking for land for projects. It was however, a week before he got back to me.
“The council say it’s under offer.”
“To whom?”
“I dunno, but it smells to me.”
“I suspect you’re right, James. It couldn’t be the church by any chance.”
“I don’t know but I’ve had a mate trying to get into their computer records. I wondered if they had one of their people in the council offices?”
“If they did and the council discovered they’d had a breach of confidentiality, plus lost out to a higher bidder, his balls would be toast.”
“Yeah, but that would just make him a martyr to the cause.”
“We’re speculating, but it’s quite possible.”
“I’ll speak to my favourite counsellor.”
“You know someone?”
“Oh yes, and he owes me one.”
“The most useful sort of politician.”
“Absolutely.”
I left James to pester a politician and see what he could find out. Some councils run on a cabinet system which could just as easily be described as a cabal because outsiders are kept out by a clique of elite members who make all the decisions. Now if one of the church mob were in this elite group we’d be up against it.
Two days later, James called with more information. “The church has put in an offer for the land.”
“There’s a surprise.”
“They want to buy the vacant lot but it seems the owner of the land their place is built on isn’t the council.”
“Oh, who is it then?”
“You’re not going to believe this.”
“C’mon just tell me.”
“Stanebury Holdings plc.”
“And who are they when they’re at home?”
“Their chairman is a certain Viscount Stanebury.”
“So let me get this right, the chapel is on our land and they’re looking to buy the lot next to them which is owned by the council?”
“That’s it.”
“I wonder how we got hold of it?”
“I can tell you that, I found a short piece on it back in an archive. The original owner went bust and it was confiscated by the bank who sold it to their subsidiary holding company for a peppercorn. They agreed a twenty five year lease with the church, an’ guess what?”
“What?”
“The lease expired six months ago.”
“I think I might need to speak with my pa in law.”
“It could be very useful to do so. I’ll await further instructions.”
I left a message for Henry to call me. He did but I was out collecting the girls, Jacquie told him where I was and he promised to call that evening. It was therefore about eight that Henry called and I was thankfully just finishing my dinner. I’d not had a chance to speak to Simon about it as once I got home from collecting the mouseketeers I was distracted and suddenly dinner was ready.
“Henry, thanks for calling back.”
“It’s always a pleasure to speak to my favourite daughter in law.”
“How many have you got then?”
“That would be telling.”
“Do Simon and Stella know they might have half siblings elsewhere?”
“Not that I’m aware.”
“You’re not just pulling my leg are you?”
“Darling Cathy, I would love to be touching any part of your delightful legs.”
“I think I’ll pass on your generous offer, Henry.”
“Damn, was I too forward?”
“Only by a few miles.”
“You see what your beauty does to a red blooded male?”
“Do you see what your flattery does to a harassed mother of millions?”
“No, tell me.”
“It makes me want to go to bed, Henry.”
“I’ll be straight round.”
“I wouldn’t bother, I meant to sleep–I’m so tired.”
“Oh poor you, tell that wretched husband of yours to get you more help.”
“It’s the help that caused the problems–but that’s another story.”
“Oh do tell.”
“Not tonight, Josephine. Now to another matter.”
“You break my heart, dear lady.”
“Well just use some cement, that sticks stone together, doesn’t it?”
“Now I’m mortally offended.”
“Behave, Henry, I have important things to discuss.”
“Oh alright, what do you want to know?”
“Stanebury Holdings plc.”
“My goodness, a blast from the past.”
“Do you still own the company?”
“The bank does, why?”
“You’re registered as its chairman.”
“If you knew that why did you ask?”
“I wanted to check my information.”
“What else?”
“The fundamentalist church who caused all the trouble a while back is built on your land.”
“My land?”
“Yes, or that of Stanebury Holdings, and unless you renewed the lease recently, that is up for renewal.”
“Don’t tell me, you’d like me to refuse and knock their church down?”
“They seemed quite happy to knock Tom down and try to injure Danni and me.”
“I’ll make some enquiries, I might be the chairman but I don’t have much to do with the company other than it has an office here somewhere.”
I explained that I was thinking of buying the land next to them and building something annoying there or just suggesting I was going to and fencing off the site to stop them parking on it. He thought that was a bit petty. I suppose it was but they really annoyed me.
I discussed it with Simon and he told me to see what Henry said when he’d investigated a bit more. The next morning I had a call from John Seagrave.
“Lady Cameron?”
“Which one?”
“Oh–um, Catherine?”
“That’s me.”
“Oh good, Lord Stanebury asked me to call you.”
“In what regard?”
“Oh sorry, I work for Stanebury Holdings.”
“Oh good.”
I explained my position and how I wanted information about the land on which the church was built and I mentioned that the church was looking to buy the vacant lot which I’d been interested in.
“What vacant lot?”
“Next to the church, south of it I suppose.”
“There must be some error, the council don’t own anything there, they sold it to us in 1999.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. We buy land in less salubrious parts and wait for them to pick up, sometimes after years and then either sell them on or develop them ourselves or with a partner.”
“So you own the church site and the adjacent lot.”
“Yes.”
“You haven’t renewed the lease to the church have you?”
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.”
“Business confidentiality, I suppose?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Would that apply to a director of High Street Banks.”
“I’m afraid it does your ladyship.”
“Could you let Henry know the current status of these properties?”
“Henry?”
“Lord Stanebury, my father in law.”
“Of course I will.”
“As a matter of some urgency and might I advise you if the lease hasn’t been renewed that you don’t do so until you speak with Henry.”
“This is most irregular.”
“Yeah, but just see it as doing little me a big favour, and also Henry, who never forgets a favour.”
“I’ll see what I can do, Lady Cameron.”
“Thank you so much Mr Seagrave.”
I sent James an email–The council don’t own the vacant lot, SH do :) C.
Comments
The plot thickens.
Catherin is on a mission and has locked onto a target. Sinner man where are you going to run to, judgement day has arrived. The living Goddess representative on earth is your neighbor and she is not amused.
HE HE HE [evil laugh]
With those with open eyes the world reads like a book
Hell hath no fury.....
Like a pissed off mother. I truly love to see Cathy on the warpath.
Dallas
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
Good way of saying it
But Cathy probably is going a little on the petty side on this. Doing it legally at least. ... and not being a fan myself of religious extremists I can't help but clap my hands in glee at the possibilities.
You don't piss off mother nature.... and you don't piss off mother Cathy either!
I don't think Cathy...
... is being petty, people like Curry with percieved power, are the ones that cause more of the damage than those that do have the power, as those have watch dogs, think if that had been Danni's freind Cindy that he tutned up at the door of, Cathy didn't realise immediately that Curry should have had police with him.
He could have had a loving family split up just because he wanted to, he used his position at the HSPCC not for best of intentions, but because he had to force his beliefs on others.
Then there is Swithernbank, his teaching credentials were suspect as the 'University' that they came from sells certifications, he's volitile, with a short fuse, so shouldn't be around children.
And what was that about Mama Bear protecting a cub, well that 'church' is not only metaphoricly attacking the Sleuth, but sending the 'cogregation' to phisicaly assalt not only the cubs but older members of the family aswel.
Land and property deals,
Meat and drink to some but sweeter is the desert best served cold
Well done Ang,
Still lovin' it.
Bevs.
Just Desserts
I would love for Cathy to end up owning the Freehold for both lots. Then I would like to see her collect the rent. I don't want to see her kick the congregation off the leasehold, Those people for the most part won't change. If they move elsewhere, they'll be just as nasty as always. Maybe she can work some changes from within. I don't see any good coming from this mess unless some people change.
Portia
Well the goal is to move them to a place they can do some good
*snicker*
If they live according to their credo the church will survive.
Somehow I don't think so.
We have our share of such hypocrites here in the States. They remind me strongly of the Westboro church folks here and I would gladly see somebody wreck their little bigoted little asses.
Kim
Fundies
As a Christian I would love to get ahold of the land that the Westboro Baptist Cult is built on and then donate the building to the local Fire Department for a training exercise.
Other Mega Churches
The are two Mega Churches in the Atlanta area that very much try to spread their word. One we refer to as Fort God and the other is Six Flags over Jesus.
Much Love,
Valerie R
And of course there is Lakewood "Church" in Houston
Occupying a former basketball arena. Try that for a nice close-nit congregation.
The Tlot Shickens
And - why do I think the church doesn't know it's "squatting"... (Kinda forgot they were leasing the land - rather than owning it...
Of course, I could be wrong, but if the lease were paid "Up front" rather than monthly or so - it could easily be forgotten they owe.
Wonder what happens next. Probably find out on Saturday. LOL (Tomorrow's a travel day.)
Annette
The 'Church'...
... probably does realise ist lease is up, and also doesn't wish to be tied to another 25 year lease thus attempting to purchace the adjacent lot.
How times change
it was not so long go Cathy would never have dreamed of using her position to get someone to do something they didn't want to do... Amazing what a bit of revenge can do isn't it ...
Kirri
at least she knows better than
to try to use her blue light for evil or revenge. Doing it with money is just as satisfying. Maybe launch a few accountants at the church's finances. Could be some good stuff in there.