Angel on my Shoulder

by Carl Leckey

  All talk is about the expansion of their business into funerals. Despite the brave face they put on for our benefit I feel they are particularly apprehensive about their first funeral tomorrow. No mention is made of the change of circumstances regarding landlord and tenant. I have a feeling Jean is gradually bringing his impulsive future wife under control. The next day I spend teaching my wife to drive. By early afternoon I feel she is competent enough to drive around the block on her own. Her solo drive completed successfully she drives myself Yvette and Jean to the café for a celebratory meal. Denise and I are celebrating her ability to drive. Jean and Yvette are celebrating the success of their first funeral.

  The expression on Yvette’s face when Denise takes up her position in the driving seat is a sight to behold. Not a word does she utter on the way to the café. We are enjoying the excellent meal, prepared by the French cook. Marcel pops his head around the door when he recognises me he enters. Marcel apologises for disturbing me. “Adam! I’m sorry for bothering you while you are having your supper. I have been around to your place to see you, when you were out I guessed you would be here.”

  I invite him to join us. “Sit down Marcel join us have you eaten?

  The cook has duck on the menu this evening, its excellent?” He replies. “No thank you. I am on my way to Mothers. If dinner at Mothers runs to usual routine, she will try to make me eat more food than I saw in my entire army service. I will attempt to do her offerings justice.” He smiles and greets the rest of the company. Marcel explains his reason for dropping into the café. “It’s about the trip tomorrow. The automobile you ordered for me has just been delivered, it’s a beauty. I have left your Rolls at the depot. Thanks for letting me use it, it’s a wonderful machine but not very practical for me to be honest. I needed a vehicle with lots of storage for my equipment.” “That’s ok. I’m glad you like it Marcel. I’ll use the Rolls myself tomorrow, we may as well travel to the meeting in style.” Marcel explains his reason for travelling on his own. “I want to get away as soon as I am able after the meeting. I plan to go to the farm and carry out a thorough survey on the house by the lake. I have a tent, the weather looks good. I will stay the rest of the weekend and return to the depot Monday to report on my findings.” I exclaim. “What, you are going to sleep in a tent. Good God?” He confesses with a smile. “Camping was my hobby before the war this is the first opportunity I have had to see if I still like it.” I reply. “Camping eh Marcel? I had enough of tents in the army myself. But a man has got to do, what a man has got to do.” The rest of the company look at me oddly until I explain. “Oh! It’s an American expression I picked up from the doughboys during the war.” Feeling slightly foolish I inform Marcel. “The old man will be glad of your company. Will you let him know we will be over next week to see him and I will settle the deal for the property then?”

  Denise requests. “Marcel will you also inform him we will be bringing Daisy with us, he will be so pleased.” I add. “Look Marcel! You have a free hand as OSCADA’s head of construction. If it takes longer to do the survey don’t worry, stay on and complete the task. Thanks for letting me know what you intend to do I appreciate it.” When I give him permission to make his own arrangements he adds. “If that’s the case I will visit Monsieur Gabrielle’s depot and compile a report on the potential for development.

  Harry has done the ground work and we already have an agreement with him regarding the takeover of his company. You will be pleased to know Adam he admitted after we had signed all the paperwork he is glad to have the business taken off his hands.

  The employees are pleased with the alternatives as well”

  I have another proposal. “Why don’t you drop in and see Suzanne while you have the car. I believe you get on well together.” When he appears hesitant I add. “I tell you what Marcel? That’s a good idea. I want to keep her on our side she can be a bit prickly. Yes! It will do me a favour if you go and see her. While you are there Marcel would you do me a favour? Find out all about that wartime air strip that’s alongside of the depot?

  I would like to know who actually owns the land it’s located on.

  Is it included in the lease Suzanne has with the French government? Another item you could discuss with her. Harry informs me we haven’t had sight of the agreement she has with the government yet.

  “Suzanne is a shrewd business woman. I have this feeling she has something up her sleeve.” I laugh. “Mind you I don’t blame her; I like a game of cards with a worthy opponent. Be discreet Marcel. I am not asking you to spy for me. It’s all in the great game of business.

  I would like to keep my cards close to my chest on this one for a while. I have my reasons. Do you mind?” Marcel smiles. “Not at all, it will be a pleasure. I don’t mind admitting I admire the woman it is not often you come across one so er? Yes I believe your description of Suzanne is a correct. Shrewd! I like that. I am sure she would appreciate it also.” Marcel blushes slightly and adds. “I do get on with her as you describe it.” I detect he is impatient to be on his way to his Mothers but does not wish to appear rude. I give him the opening to leave. “Thanks for dropping in Marcel. I should point out we normally don’t work weekends at OSCADA?” He replies. “This is not work in the true sense of the word Adam. I consider it a pleasure.” As he rises to leave I remark. “We look forward to seeing you at the hotel Friday afternoon. By the way, make sure you bring your dinner suit. Alec and his chef are planning to make it their first big posh dinner party. A little bird told me he is even arranging to have a string quartet playing as we dine. Where will it all ends I ask myself?” I laugh because I find myself using this expression quite often.

  He looks at me strangely and replies. “I wouldn’t dream of travelling away from home without it. If you will excuse me Ladies

  I’ll get on my way before Mother sends out a search party?”

  Shit there I go again assuming I know people. I forgot Marcel was an officer and moved in high circles before the war. When Marcel has left the café Denise remarks. “I hope you are not match making again Adam my love?” “Me! Good God Denise whatever gave you that idea?”

  Jean observes. “Don’t you ever relax Adam? We came out for a quite meal and I have just witnessed you getting involved in about three different deals.” I reply with a laugh. “I thrive on it Jean. We have to grab the opportunities when they arise. I will be relaxing soon if my plans come to fruition. Tell you what will make me take it easy?” “What’s that Adam?” Jean enquires. I reply. “That is when you and Yvette tie the knot. What’s happening on that front anyway?” Yvette answers sheepishly. “We have told you before. We have written to Father Peter. Up to date we are still waiting for a reply. We wish to marry as soon as possible before this gets any bigger.” Yvette points to her stomach. Denise gives me a knowing look. When we return home I remember the letters Collette tossed over the wall. As I leaf through them I identify the first six as mostly of a business nature. I will to pass them on to Harry to deal with. Another handful contains pleas for employment and offers of services from a variety of companies and professions. The one letter that interests me personally is from my old army mate Dave. It is the first time I have heard from him since we parted after demob. He is happily married to his widow Molly the kids are well and he loves them as his own.

  His agricultural machinery business is doing well. However the letter includes a sad piece of news. He has been on a business trip and took the opportunity to visit our old commanding officer Colonel Sanders. He describes him as a drunk and a shadow of his former self. The Colonel is practically unrecognisable as the man we knew in the war due to the drink. How could this happen to such a competent man? He left the army with great plans for a future running his own transport business. In fact it was him that planted the idea of creating OSCADA into my mind. I will attempt to help this good man back from the brink of disaster when I make it to England. Another thought. If the Colonel hasn’t set up his transport company as he intended,
what has happened to Jake my other army mate? When I last saw him he was going to work for the Colonel as a driver. Strange the way we lose track of each other. We lived in each other’s pockets for a couple of years in a daily death threatening situation then we part maybe never to set eyes on each other again. Then there is my mate Sam? I have lost touch with him also. I wonder has Toot kept in touch with him. They were bosom pals they were both regular soldiers. The last news I had of him was he was being posted to India.

  Friday arrives.

  We have arranged to leave about noon to drive to the big meeting at the OSCADA hotel. If all goes as well as I have planned I should be able to step aside and leave the running of OSCADA to my partners and managers. I have a feeling of pending relief. My own success has squeezed me out of the job I love doing, driving. More and more of my time is being spent in offices wheeling, dealing and making big financial decisions. I have an uneasy feeling Suzanne was correct when she called me Monsieur OSCADA the business eater.

  My life is rapidly becoming a kind of monopoly game with players, property and business to acquire at all costs.

  It is time for me to concentrate on sorting out my personal life and enjoy the fruits of my endeavours and my unexpected inheritance. I need my guardian Angel on my side to make it all work without it turning into a disaster.

  Next morning I am in the process of putting our overnight case into the Renault when Bill arrives in a truck. He leaps out of the cab and approaches me waving a piece of paper.

  “Thank goodness I caught you Scouse. Have a look at this, Harry showed it to me when I arrived with Hazel.”

  I take the letter and begin to read the contents while enquiring.

  “Why didn’t Harry bring it around himself if it’s so urgent?” Billy explains. “Come on Scouse you know he can’t drive properly yet?