‘There is obviously a concern that it could be met with vehement anti-Israel protests.
In addition, the Interfaith Society has invited Dr Rebecca Levinson to speak about her sabbatical year in Israel and we have received a lot of emails protesting about this.’
The Vice-Chancellor interrupted Polly. ‘But didn’t she do a lot of work helping impoverished communities whilst she was there?’
‘I believe so. But it has stimulated calls for boycotts of Israeli Universities with which we have several collaborations, particularly in Science and Engineering.’
‘Many of my union members are concerned about the policies of the Israeli government and would also support a boycott,’ injected Trevor Falstaff.
‘Yes, however, they don’t seem too concerned about other countries with shocking human rights records...I wonder why that is?’ commented Professor Ian French sarcastically.
‘My members have a right to express their concerns!’ shouted Trevor, his face red with a vein throbbing in his temple.
‘Looks like I’ve touched a nerve,’ replied Ian French.
‘Right, I am going to stop this now,’ said Andrew, raising his voice and his hand as the audience had started their own discussion with their nearest neighbours. ‘We are not here to have a political debate. We’ve been down this road before and no doubt it will be raised in the future.’
There were sighs and a general feeling of unease amongst the assembled audience. Polly paused for a few moments to allow them to gather their thoughts.
Polly’s heart was racing but she was pleased she had presented the information clearly and concisely. Due to the nature of her talk people had been highly engaged and focused on her every word. She hadn’t noticed anyone doodling or gazing into the distance. The assembled group was naturally shocked at her report.
‘Thank you, Polly,’ said Andrew. ‘Any questions or comments?’
‘Have we any feel for whether there will be violent protests on campus regarding the talk planned by the Interfaith Society?’ asked the Vice-Chancellor.
‘It’s difficult to say. I think there is likely to be a group who will protest outside the room. I would hope our security could handle the situation,’ said Polly.
‘The sad fact is that whatever we do we risk offending someone. The Office for Students feels very strongly that universities should uphold free speech and students should be free to debate matters without intimidation from either the left or the right,’ said the Head of Humanities Faculty.
‘I am conscious of the time,’ said Andrew looking at his watch. ‘Vice-Chancellor, how do you want to proceed on this issue?’
‘Yes, we are facing problems from both the far-right and the far-left. It brings to mind the demonstrations we had at the Conservative Society on campus,’ she sighed and rubbed her forehead. ‘Goodness, what a mess. As you know the government minister has recently restated his commitment to generating clear policy in this complex area and ending no-platforming. It’s the first intervention for thirty years on this subject. Therefore, we need uphold the principle of free speech and therefore I am going to agree that the talk goes ahead providing that we can arrange adequate security. Andrew, I’d like you to be present at that security meeting.’
‘Certainly.’
‘As for the worrying issue of anti-Semitism and racism, I would like it minuted that Corporate Governance takes this under their remit and set up a special whistle-blower line so that students and staff can report anyone they believe to be holding extreme views. I would hope that people would feel able to report any instances of leafleting of this disgusting material.’ Janet turned to her seated colleagues who all nodded their approval.
‘Polly, I’m actioning your department to take ownership of this. Do you feel you have the necessary resources?’
‘Well, I’ll speak to my senior colleagues but I’m sure we can handle it,’ said Polly.
‘Excellent, well not exactly excellent but hopefully we can take steps to nip this in the bud.’
‘OK, well, quickly, does anyone have any short items of other business?’ asked Andrew. He scanned the room and Polly went back to her seat. She was relieved it was over but a new area of work was just beginning. Hopefully, her department could act to stop the growing embryo of hate against certain groups which was threatening to take hold. It could not be allowed to develop unchecked, she personally would do everything within her power to halt it.
Chapter 12
Ron Radford had a busy day ahead. He was on the train to London as he had managed to secure a meeting at the head office of ClinTry. He’d been making a lot of phone calls over the last couple of days and meeting with his accountant and business advisor. With the recent overhaul of his business empire, ClinTry looked like an attractive proposition. However, in order to fund it he would need to scale back his investment in PersCure. He also felt that it would earn him some kudos to keep the clinical unit open and operating in the area. A sort of benevolent gesture, saving jobs and keeping the Science Park alive with highly skilled enterprises. He quite liked the sound of Radford ClinTry. However, he realised he mustn’t start to take things for granted. He was used to buying out businesses in Persford but this was an entirely different mission. Some sort of financing would also be needed and his accountant was exploring this option with the bank today.
He really hoped he would secure a favourable outcome from today’s meeting as he was looking forward to sharing the good news with Maureen. Since the dinner party at the Shipton’s, he’d not been able to stop thinking about her. Could it really be the start of a new chapter in his life? He kept cautioning himself to take things slowly. Maureen was experiencing a messy divorce, according to his friend Gerald and had suffered some dreadful emotional abuse at the hands of her husband Hubert. She was vulnerable and damaged and would naturally want to protect herself from further harm. They were simply two mature single people who could enjoy each other’s company. No strings attached and no expectations. That was what he needed to keep in mind.
**
Brett Chandler’s morning wasn’t going so well. He was working from home sorting out various aspects of the business plan for PersCure when his mobile rang. He was surprised to see that it was his mother, Veronica.
‘Hi, Mum,’ said Brett. ‘Everything OK?’
‘Yes, we are both fine, Rex is almost back to normal.’
Brett’s heart sank at this latest news. It was a depressing thought that Rex would probably be around for a good few years to come.
‘Oh, well, that’s great,’ said Brett with little emotion.’
‘You could sound a bit more enthusiastic, Brett. The private physiotherapist he’s been using has worked wonders, amazing even. Rex is thinking of taking up golf again. It upsets me that you aren’t pleased about it.’
‘I’m working, Mum, you’ve caught me at a busy time. I was just concentrating on something.’
‘Yes, well, as you’ve mentioned work, I’ve something to mention to you.’
‘Really? What?’ said Brett, snapping slightly.
‘Well, Rex was really interested in your new venture when we last met. I mean this cancer company, not your consultancy. He shows a lot of interest in you. And, I think we mentioned that Rex has sold a couple of his shops as he wants to start taking things a bit easier.’
‘Yes, I think you mentioned that he was selling, what was it, his travel agency and what else, I forget.’
‘His second hand-car business. I do wish you would show a bit more interest, Brett. Your brother Troy is always chatting to Rex about his businesses, on Skype, of course.’
Brett was already bored with this conversation. He was once again being berated for not showing more concern for the odious Rex and being compared with his younger brother Troy who had lived in Australia for the past ten years about as far away as you could get from his mother and Rex. No wonder he was keen to fawn over him on the Internet, knowing full well he would never meet him in person. A few months a
go he made it quite clear that it would not be possible for him to fly over for his and Annabelle’s wedding. Not that Brett was bothered in the slightest, he and Troy had never been close. He would never have considered asking him to be his best man.
‘Mum, perhaps it would be better if I phoned you this evening when I’m less busy?’
‘Nonsense, it won’t take a minute, I’ll just pass you to Rex and you can speak to him directly.’
‘Mum, no, please, there’s no need!’ shouted Brett. God, he thought, this was getting worse by the minute. After a few moments silence and some muffled whispering in the background, Rex came on the line.
‘Brett, son, how goes it?’
This was Rex’s usual opening line and Brett was dying to tell him that he was not his son and hopefully would never be his stepson either. He merely grunted a quiet greeting.
‘Brett? Are you there son, I can’t hear you?’
‘Yes, I’m here,’ sighed Brett. ‘How can I help you?’
‘Well, I think the boot is rather on the other foot, son,’ said Rex.
‘Really, how’s that?’ said Brett, thinking that a concrete boot would be what he would order for Rex if he had those sort of contacts.
‘Got a bit of spare money coming my way, once the paperwork is signed and sealed. A tidy sum, I’ll have you know.’
‘Well, congratulations, what are you going to do? Take a cruise, round the world trip?’
‘We might take a little holiday but as you know, I’ve always made sure my money is working for me, getting a good return, no good spending it all and not putting a bit by. You youngsters think that money’s for spending, not saving, I know what you are like.’
Rex was now on his familiar spiel and Brett hadn’t the energy to argue. He’d gone downstairs and was now in the process of putting a coffee pod in the machine whilst Rex rambled on regardless. He would need something to revive him.
‘So, I thought about what I could invest it in and it was staring me in the face,’ he said smugly.
There was silence at both ends of the phone. Brett frowned.
‘So, do you understand what I’m getting at?’
‘Er, no, not really. Are you buying a bigger house or something?’
‘Ha! Don’t be ridiculous. My goodness, you are a bit slow today! I’m surprised you’ve had the gumption to set up your own business if you can’t twig what I’m talking about.’
Brett rolled his eyes, the guy was so rude he would love to give him a hard slap when he next met him.
‘Surprise me,’ he said tactfully sipping his espresso.
‘I’m going to invest in PersCure, that spin-off cancer company you told us about. It sounds like a brilliant investment, a good projected return and as you’ve been busy setting it up I thought it only right to help you with some of my hard earned money.’
Brett nearly choked on his coffee and placed it down to avoid spilling it. This was a bolt out of the blue. Of course, they wanted to raise cash for PersCure but did he really want Rex’s money?
‘Well, this is a...’ he paused, ‘ I don’t know what to say... are you sure, it’s high risk. There are no guarantees, I need to emphasise that. The prototype drug faces lots of hurdles before it can get to market and we know it’s going to be viable.’
‘I do understand you know, I’m not a complete idiot. How do you think I made all my money? I might not have a Ph.D. but I learnt what I know from the university of life, you know.’
‘You have said,’ replied Brett.
‘So, as I’ve a lot of experience I thought you might like me to look at your business plan. Give you some advice. Set you on the right path, so to speak. After all, you’ve never run a business have you? Your mother told me how you always spent your pocket money the day you were given it and always came back for more!’ Rex chuckled cruelly.
Rex, was Mr Know-it-all, constantly blowing his own trumpet. Brett was fuming at his arrogance.
‘It’s kind of you to offer but I think we have everything covered. We’ve taken a lot of advice on our business plan. It’s not just written down on the back of an envelope.’
‘Now, no need to be sarcastic, son,’ said Rex. ‘I’m just offering. You might do well to listen to your elders and betters, you know.’
‘Would I?’
‘So, can you email me that prospectus then? I need to check carefully what I’m going to invest in. It’s a six-figure sum we’re talking about, not peanuts.’
‘I’ll get on to it right away. I must stress that the closing date for initial investment is only a few weeks away, so if you’ve not got the money ready then I’m afraid you might have to wait until we release the next tranche of equity.’
‘Oh, there’s no problem, I’ve always got a balance of liquid assets I can dip into,’ said Rex. ‘Take it as given that I’ll be able to come up with the money. I’ll look forward to working with you,’ and he disconnected the call.
Brett sat down at the kitchen table. It wasn’t coffee he needed it was a stiff drink but it was out of the question so early in the morning. If Rex invested he would be contacting him all the time, offering his views on what PersCure should do and he knew nothing whatsoever about drug research or development. Still, it was good that he wanted to add his money and he should be grateful that he was willing to risk it on such a venture. If the company did fail and he lost all his money then it would sour their relationship sufficiently that he would never have to speak to him again. Brett chided himself at this cruel thought and realised he needed to get things in perspective. His mother and Rex lived over a hundred miles away so it wasn’t as if they were going to be popping round for coffee every week, it could be a lot worse. He ought to be able to cope with the odd phone call.
He made himself another coffee and took it outside to the terrace. The garden was in full bloom. Annabelle seemed to have green fingers and a natural talent for choosing attractive combinations of plants. One border was planted in classic style with the heights graduating from tall at the back to shorter towards the front. Towards the bottom of the garden, there was a wildflower section which attracted many bees and butterflies. Just sitting looking out on their green sanctuary made Brett feel calmer and his recent conversation seem less irritating.
Some emails pinged into his phone and he checked whether there was anything important. He was pleased to see some information he had requested from their accountant and he would study the contents very shortly. He decided to give Matt a call. The phone rang and he was expecting it to switch to voicemail but then it was answered.
‘Brett, hi, everything going OK?’
‘Yes, fine, couldn’t be better. I just thought I’d phone you with some good news.’
‘Well, I’m always ready to hear good news,’ joked Matt.
‘I’ve managed to secure some extra funding. Six figures, it might be more.’
‘Really, well that is good news. Anyone we know.’
‘Rex,’ said Brett.
‘Rex, Rex who?’
‘You sound like one of those knock-knock jokes. Rex my mother’s boyfriend. Although he’s not much of a boy.’
‘Excellent! Well done!’
‘Thanks, I think I managed to win him over. I found out he’d sold some of his businesses and was looking for a home for some of his money and I managed to persuade him. Gave him a bit of the old sweet talk.’
‘That’s good news. You certainly know how to drum up business, mate. Gave him the hard sell, did you?’
‘Certainly did. He was a bit reluctant, but, well, you know me!’
‘I certainly do,’ said Matt smiling.
‘Right, well, I must go, see you soon,’ said Brett. ‘Busy, busy, busy, as ever.’
Matt didn’t want to burst Brett’s bubble but he knew that he’d just been told a bit of a story. Although he’d not told Brett, Rex had in fact already contacted Matt for some information recently and had enthused about how keen he was to invest. It sounded as if the mone
y was burning a hole in his pocket. Would Brett ever change? Probably not but providing these were the only embellishments he was indulging in it didn’t really matter. Since marrying Annabelle he had matured considerably, however, there were odd instances when his old bravado showed its head. Providing he didn’t lapse into his old reckless ways there shouldn’t be any harm in it.
Chapter 13
Chat room Efirst forum
Warrior, Nimrod and Orion are online.
Warrior: Greetings fellow fighters for the cause. I feel a new era beginning.
Orion: Ready and waiting for action. Silent for too long.
Nimrod: Me too. Got news.
Warrior: Spill. Can’t wait to hear it.
Nimrod: Did as u said. A few targets identified. Action taken.
Warrior: Good work. What result?
Nimrod: 2 soon 2 tell. Think has had effect. Shaking things up. Creating alarm.
Warrior: How so
Nimrod: An email was sent around.
Orion: Sounds good. Time to escalate?
Warrior: Need 2 plan
Orion: Yes I know. Just getting impatient. Had a bad day.
Warrior: Need to ramp up slowly. Increase tension. Nimrod, Can u get goods?
Nimrod: Think so. But slow. Will take a while.
Warrior: No rush. I can help with supply.
Orion: What about recipe?
Nimrod: Got it from Warrior.
Warrior: Practice run?
Nimrod: Need to think about it. Don’t have experience.
Orion: I want 2 help. Sounds exciting.
Warrior: We don’t want exciting. Not at this stage. I will help.
Thor has joined the conversation.
Thor: Hi all!
Warrior: We r getting ready. Not long now
Thor: Ace. Count me in. Time to kick the fuckers.
Warrior: Calm down. We don’t want to raise suspicion. Any new recruits?
Thor: Yes 2 new. They r keen.
Warrior: Trust them?
Thor: Sure.
Warrior: We need to take it easy with them. Could be a trap. Don’t reveal details to them yet.
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