AA Lock Stock And Barrel 4

Isabel. Entrepreneur and asset stripper.
Edward Thorpe Isabel’s father. Deceased.
Josephine Thorpe Isabel’s mother.
Lucinda Thorpe Isabel’s sister.
Abigail Thorpe Isabel’s 2nd sister
Veronica Thorpe Isabel’s 3rd sister
Jacqueline Thorp Isabel’s youngest sister
Marjorie Tansley Lawyer to Edward Thorpe
Shula Isabel’s bisexual female partner.
Betty Edward Thorpe’s secretary.
Pete Machine shop supervisor.

As Isabel returned to check some information in the book she had open on the desk before her, Betty’s jaw sagged then worked soundlessly as the older secretary struggled to digest the shocking news.

“Digby!!?”

Isabel nodded without even looking up while Betty’s jaw continued working soundlessly like a stranded fish.

Marjorie smiled to herself as she finished making the tea and gently tapped Betty’s wrist to hand her the cup.

“Here take this. It’s as you usually like it, I presume you haven’t changed.”

“Wha -? Oh yes; thanks, I need this!”

Betty took a sip then eventually sat in her own chair and carefully placed the cup on her desk before finally recovering her composure.

“You’re Digby! Eddy’s son; Eddy’s little inventor.”

“That’s what he called me though he stole my patents.”

“Yes, yes. I remember that, but you were too young to hold title to a patent.”

“But I wasn’t; was I?”

Isabel finally looked up again as she nodded affirmation. “Yes, yes you were. You have to be over eighteen.”

“No Betty. That’s not true. My dad bullshitted you all, and nobody bothered to check.”

“What!?”

“He lied. Any individual can hold a patent for his or her invention. I’ve checked it out. That’s the beauty of computers and the internet.
A kid called Samuel Thomas Houghton aged five, received a patent for a sweeping device with two heads in 2008.
I was thirteen when I invented the multiple scullers to stop grain getting stuck as dust blocked the filters.”

“If that’s true Isabel, the company owes you money. Can you prove it?” Marjorie observed.

“The only proof I’ve got was Jed Larson the fabrication shop foreman. He showed me how to operate the plate hammer to shape the sections. Then he showed me how to cut and shape the twisted scullers.

It was me that worked out the optimum shape and pitch for the cornucopia end outlet. I even fashioned the crooked horn so the separated dust emitted at one angle and speed, while the heavier grain settled in the collecting boxes. And it was all self-operated by the normal air flow in the pipes. No extra fans or electric motors so no sparks and less fire risk.
Is Jed still working for us?”

“No, but he lives in the village.”

“Well, go and ask him, he helped me install the first one to the end of a discharge pipe one weekend. I only worked when dad and the men weren’t in the shop to avoid causing any trouble or holdups.”

“How come Jed worked at weekends?”

“He didn’t, he just lived in the old caretakers apartment at the end of the yard. He used to let me in on Saturdays cos it was company for him and he was interested. We often shared a cup of tea over the forge.

I liked old Jed and he didn’t rib me for being effeminate. Once he realised I was into engineering he wouldn’t have cared if I’d have turned up in a bloody ballerina’s tutu. Now, after I’ve completed these books, I’ll give the factory a tour, then I’ll call in on Jed before going home to Manchester.”

“Are your seriously thinking of keeping the works going?” Betty pressed.

“Well if these books are right, I’d be a fool not to. I’ll have to check out the works though. See what needs to be done to upgrade anything or improve efficiency.”

ooo000ooo

For the next hour, Isabel continued going through the books and only paused briefly when the second Secretary Pauline arrived to start work. She realised something was afoot when she saw the strange lady giving the books a thorough going over and she cast a concerned look towards Betty. Betty just gave her a cautioning look to suggest Pauline keep silent and Pauline took the hint. She settled quietly at her own desk to start the weekly wages accounts.

Eventually Isabel closed the last book and stretched to ease her back as Marjorie returned the tomb to the fireproof cupboard.

“Good morning young lady. Sorry I didn’t acknowledge you when you arrived, I was concentrating on the figures. You’ll be young Pauline then; Betty has mentioned you.”

“Yes, I’m Pauline. Were the figures okay.”

“Yes, they were very good. I’m Isabel by the way and I used to be Mr Thorpe’s son before I transitioned. Betty tells me you do most of the accounting. Are your training to become an accountant?”

“I go to night school and I’m learning to use a computer.”

“Good. I use one in my other factory; this place could do with one.”

Isabel stood up and motioned to Betty and Marjorie.

“Well, cup of tea first then I think it’s time for a tour of the floor; hopefully, we’ll be back for lunch.”

“I don’t know much about the manufacturing side,” Marjorie confessed.

“No but the men will look askance if I just appear alone and out of the blue. You and Betty are at least more familiar faces and that’ll break the ice.”

As they drank their tea, Betty and Pauline kept stealing embarrassed glances towards Isabel but both were too afraid to cross the barrier and actually broach the subject of transgenderism. Instead, they clumsily offered observations about the factory, the workforce and what to expect. Isabel recognised exactly what the girls were doing, namely trying to prepare Isabel for any untoward comments. Eventually, Marjorie broke the tension and stood up to start the workshop tour.

“I know the men are curious, especially the machine-shop supervisor Pete. He’s the union shop steward.”

“Yes. Coincidentally, we met last night in the Drover’s Arms Hotel. He gave me the once over when I arrived this morning at the factory gates.”

“Did he recognise you?”

“I don’t know and truth to tell, I don’t care. I’ll just get my safety shoes and an overall from my car boot.”

Betty and Marjorie dug out some clean overalls and stouter safety shoes from the stores then met Isabel in the yard. Naturally, all eyes turned when the trio entered the workshop in PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and Isabel led them straight to the receiving bays where raw materials were delivered.

As Isabel led the girls around it became obvious that she knew her way intimately through the processes and even stopped occasionally to inspect some activity. Then she would take out her notebook and amend her notes. The men were accustomed to visitors coming ang going without talking much because the noise of the presses and hammers obliterated any speech.

Naturally, Isabel would smile and occasionally chat to some of the older men whom she recognised from her boyhood but all in all, the visit amounted to a slow progress as though a royal tour. As Isabel had forecast, the visit was over by lunch time and she left a note advising all section supervisors that there was to be a meeting after lunch.

“I’m popping out with Marjorie to visit my mother and any sisters left at home. I know some of them will be back at their own families by now, but it would discourteous of me to leave without saying goodbye. After this afternoon’s meeting, I’ll be returning directly to Manchester.

As Isabel and Marjorie left in their own cars, Betty braced herself for an invasion by the supervisors.

ooo000ooo

Pete as the union convenor, was the first to arrive followed by a curious but not hostile following of senior supervisors.

“Who was she Betty?” Pete asked.

“She’s somebody interested in the factory.”

“Is the factory closing?” Another voice asked.

“I don’t think so,” Betty opined non-committedly.

“Have the family told you anything? We haven’t seen anybody since old man Thorpe died.”

“I’m sure Miss Lucinda will inform you as and when a decision has been made,”

Pete asked again.

“That lady who was here, is she acting for a potential buyer?

“No. Definitely not. I can assure you she is not acting for any third party. I’m sure she’ll be revealing stuff this afternoon so please boys, out of my office with your greasy work boots.”

The supervisors left muttering uncertainly amongst themselves while Isabel and Marjorie pulled into the driveway of Josephine’s home.

“Hello mummy, I’m back, are my sisters here?”

“Hello darling. Abigail’s gone home but Lucinda and Veronica are helping to sort out some old family stuff. They’re upstairs. Jacqueline’s gone to Newcastle. There’s an open day for prospective students.”

“It’s mostly Lucinda I want but Veronica’s welcome. I’ve organised a meeting with the men at the factory.”
“Oh. That was quick. What’s the meeting about?”

“Well that’s why I want to speak to Lucinda. Oh hi! Found anything interesting.” Isabel finished as Lucinda and Veronica carried some old childhood possessions down the stairs.

“Just cleaning out. We found some of your old toys as well. Your old train set still works.”

Isabel felt the slightest ripple of nostalgia but quickly suppressed it for fear of betraying any feelings.

“Is it still all boxed up?”

“Yes. Dad must have had one of the engines out.”

“Well, just leave it for now. I’ll sort it out sometime.”

There was no urgency to clear the house for Josephine anticipated staying until she died. Isabel and Marjorie joined the others around the kitchen island worktop and Isabel explained briefly.

“This morning I had a good look at the books and the factory’s on a pretty sound footing. I’m quite confident I can run it successfully.”

“Will you be coming back to Northumberland?”

“Only temporarily, but I have to go back to Manchester tonight. Once I’ve sorted things down there I should be back on Wednesday.”

“Are you staying for lunch?”

“Of course mummy. But mainly, I’d like Lucinda to accompany back to the factory this afternoon. I have to meet the workforce then stop at the bank with Marjorie to sort out authorities for the cheques and stuff. I’ve arranged that Marjorie will continue countersigning cheques while Lucinda or I can be the other signatories. Lucinda, are you up to attending the factory say twice a week, until I get settled into the job.”

“Will you be running it full time.”

“I was hoping you’d be happy to do a couple of days a week just doing general management then I’d come up each week for a couple of days and we could liaise together by skype or some other comms service for anything else. My biggest issue is sales and marketing. Attending exhibitions and stuff and winning contracts.”

“I’d be more than willing to help with sales. I did marketing as part of my business degree at Uni. Dad didn’t do much about sales, he just let the local contractors come to him if they needed repairs or new plant. We are the agents for several plant manufacturers for this part of England. Apart from the patented stuff we manufacture, he didn’t much seek out other opportunities.”

“Yeah, well that’s something he was a bit remiss about. You can’t just stand still as technology moves on. Somebody’s bound to invent another widget or gadget that does the job better.”

After they finished their meal, Lucinda accompanied Isabel back to the factory where Marjorie was organising the meeting. The men were gathered in the canteen when Lucinda and Isabel arrived.

Isabel wasted no time on niceties for she wanted to create the impression that there was a new dynamism and the management had not become moribund. The factory had ceased operating to avoid noise and only the dull roar of the forge suggested that the factory had life. Isabel stood on a small box and spoke briefly.

“Good afternoon Gentlemen, my name is Isabel Thorpe and I’ll be the new manager for Thorpe engineering. Now you’ll no doubt have some questions. If I can’t answer them, I’m hoping Miss Lucinda Thorpe as the new deputy manager, can.”

“Pete, the works convenor immediately shot his hand up.”

“Are you related to Miss Lucinda’s family then? A cousin perhaps.”

“I’m closer than that, I’m Miss Thorpe’s sibling. Some of you older staff might remember Edward Thorpe’s oldest son Digby. I was Digby.”

Inevitably, the silence was deafening, so Isabel took the opportunity to explain.

“You older men will perhaps remember me as the kid who sneaked into the factory at weekends and messed about on every machine as I tried out ideas. Old Jed Larson used to indulge me; you’ll remember old Jed”

Isabel’s reference to old Jed Larson caused a few older hands to nod their heads and smile. Jed had been popular and her reference to Jed had reinforced a favourable link. However, the men were still unsure and Pete cleverly wove a question that alluded to Isabel’s transgenderism without bluntly causing offence. Pete had been on several union courses and transgenderism in the workplace had been much discussed.

“Miss Thorpe, ma-am, are you familiar with engineering and manufacturing, I mean; you know. It’s all very well being the manager; but on the shop floor like?”

Isabel smiled. She had been anticipating some allusion to her femininity and running an engineering concern. She looked down from her box and grinned. Her tour of the workplace the previous day had shown her that not one innovative machine had been installed since Digby had run away as a teenager. Yes there were certainly modern replacements, but nothing that did anything new.

“I’ll tell you what Pete. Take me to any machine in this factory and ask me to make something.”

ooo000ooo