Andrea's Secret

by John Kelly

Taking the Eastern Freeway Warwick motored out to the Contented Acres Retirement Village in Doncaster. His meeting was with the manager, Jim Coutts, but the reason for his visit had nothing to do with Myra Applewood. On his arrival at the village, Warwick entered the foyer of the community centre, where residents gathered to exchange the daily gossip. Warwick walked to where Jim was sitting in his office waiting for him.

  "Did you bring the plans?" Jim asked, as Warwick closed the door and sat down. "Yes," Warwick replied. He opened his briefcase and retrieved a file. "They arrived by courier yesterday." Jim cleared his desk and Warwick spread the plans out across the top. "It's a very similar design level to this place, but scaled down a bit. The Draughtsman made one or two suggestions which I agreed to, but essentially it's the same." Warwick looked very pleased with himself. Jim Coutts perused the plans before him. "This looks good. Only sixty units though, I thought we were going for a hundred?" he asked.

  "The land dimensions only allow for sixty. I'm looking at the possibility of acquiring more land, but this will give us a good idea of what it will look like," Warwick replied. "Once we get the land, we can be more definite." Jim sat back in his comfortable armchair. "What's the latest on the land?" he asked.

  "My sister Andrea, has left the land to me," Warwick said, with delight. "I told her I didn't want any money. She wanted her daughter to be in on the deal, but left it up to me. I'm happy to bring her in with us, but I don't want to delay the project unnecessarily, in case we are unable to locate her. Once we've secured the land, we can move along," he said.

  "Have you had a look at this land recently?" Jim asked.

  "Yes, a few months ago, although only from the road. It's a fantastic location. There are pine trees everywhere, and it's only five minutes by bus from the local supermarket. But, because it's on the other side of the highway, it still retains that rural feel. The area has grown enormously since Andrea bought it sixteen years ago. Andrea never saw it as a residential prospect. The latest figures are based on its rural potential and undervalue the property. As a commercial or residential concern it must be worth over half a million. It looks like there is some crop growing there. Maybe the neighbouring farmer is using it. Doesn't matter, we'll take care of that in time," Warwick answered. Jim Coutts examined the plans further.

  "And there's no problem about re-zoning and getting a building permit?" he asked. "No," Warwick replied. "I've engaged a solicitor there to take care of that. His name is Frank Martin. He says it's in the bag." Jim smiled and opened up the side draw of his desk and retrieved two glasses and a bottle of whiskey.

  "Do the other members of the family know that Andrea has willed the land to you?" he asked. "No, we haven't discussed that. I don't see a need to tell them. I suppose it will come out in the wash sooner or later. I don't think any of them even knew Andrea owned it," he replied. "Let's see now," Jim said as he checked his calculator, "sixty units, each costing one hundred thousand, another two hundred thousand for the roads, that's six point two million. We sell them at two hundred thousand and collect twelve million, split two ways. Not bad, I'll drink to that! Your land and my money!" Jim said with a satisfied grin. "Here's to a fat reward for effort," Warwick said. "What happens if you cannot locate the missing daughter?" Jim asked. "We still proceed," Warwick answered. "The land is left to me," he said. Then after a moments reflection, added, "But we'll still keep looking for her. We do want to find her!"

  Reflecting in the enjoyment of plans for the future, the two men drank their whiskey. It was Warwick who changed the subject.

  "You know about this problem Doncaster Power and Gas is having with Myra Applewood, don't you?" he said. Jim nodded with a wry grin. "I'm acting for the gas company," Warwick continued. "What is she like?" he asked. "Is there some way we can fix this quietly, make it go away, sort of thing?" he asked. Jim took a sip of Whiskey. "She doesn't want any trouble. She's a very easy going woman," Jim answered. "If you want my opinion, if you want to nip the whole thing in the bud, just send her a letter of apology, and a peace offering. Perhaps you could offer her a month's free electricity and gas. I'm sure that would be the end of it," Jim said. Warwick thought for a moment. "She's in hospital isn't she?' he asked. Maybe I should go and visit her while I'm in the area?" Jim smiled. "She was in hospital. They let her come home this morning. Nothing much to it, as it turned out. A bit of heartburn I think." he said. "Is she here then? Could I see her?" Warwick asked. Jim reached for the Village internal phone book and dialled a number.

  "Myra, it's Jim Coutts at the main office here. How are you feeling?"

  A short pause!

  "I have a gentleman here from the gas company who would like to pop down and say hello. Would that be all right?"

  Another short pause!

  "Okay. His name is Warwick. He'll be down in a few minutes. Everything else okay?" Pause. "Right then, bye now!"

  Jim replaced the receiver. "Over to you, Mr. Diplomat. She's in Unit 170," he said.

  Warwick decided to walk the short distance from the village reception centre to Myra's unit. It gave him time to mentally collect and collate his much valued inter-personal skills that were so much a part of the business he conducted. As he walked past the duck pond, where several ducks were swimming, he was struck by the serenity of the village grounds. One or two residents sat outside their units chatting, another pottered in the garden. A few practiced their bowling on the synthetic green. 'A good place to be,' he thought. 'Perhaps this is where I'll finish up.'

  Minutes later, Myra answered the door, and invited Warwick inside. "I suppose they have sent you to wave your magic wand, and calm the waters," Myra said with just a hint of sarcasm. Warwick decided that appeasement was the best approach. "Yes, I suppose it's something like that. Firstly though, how are you feeling?' I heard you had some sort of heart attack recently?" he said.

  "It wasn't that bad," she said, catching just a whiff of whiskey vapour in the air. "It smells like you and Jim Coutts have been on the bottle already," she said, quite unabashed.

  Warwick was taken by surprise. Myra continued, letting him off the hook. "The doctor panicked a bit. They kept me overnight for observation. I came home this morning. Just a bit of indigestion actually. Can I offer you anything?" she asked. "No, I'd better not. I'm driving." He answered.

  "I didn't mean alcohol," Myra said. "It's evident you've had some of that already. I meant tea or coffee?" Warwick felt a tinge of embarrassment. He was surprised at how sharp Myra appeared, and a touch annoyed that he had so easily handed control of the conversation over to her.

  "Er, no, er, well maybe coffee, thank you. That would be nice." He said sheepishly.

  Myra put the kettle on and prepared two cups. "Well," she said, not wasting any time, "what do you want to do about this summons thing?"

  19.