by Mark Stanley
"No I was just being polite."
She laughed again and again as the conversation became just plain silly as we wandered, very happily.
"What are we going to do about my parents?"
"I'm going to comply. I gave my word and I'll see it through, but I told your Father at the cricket, that if he couldn't deliver the PM job then I wouldn't accept anything else."
Victoria was looking at the grass as we walked.
"You know that they and the UN want you to stay on?"
"No, I said that I wouldn't and I'm not changing that. It takes too much of my time and also takes me away from you and the children and that's too high a price to pay and anyway I gave you my word."
"That's what I told Mummy, but she doesn't understand. She says she loves Daddy but that it's not our sort of love. The love that we have is very special, isn't it?"
"I completely agree."
We walked the perimeter of the house so that we could get the full perspective and it didn't disappoint. At the entrance we were joined by everyone else and we went inside. The hallway had to be grand, imposing and perfectly proportioned or the whole of the house would be unbalanced, it ticked all of the criteria.
"Stunning and astounding, quite simply the most beautiful house that I've ever seen and I'm not saying that because it yours Victoria. The outside is phenomenal, but in here..." Danny walked away.
"His gone off to try and find a few more descriptive words, he sounds as though he swallowed a Thesaurus."
"Don't be unkind all of the time Victoria, we pay the bills after all, but I think you're both too close to see it for what it is."
"No we know exactly what it is, it's our home Mummy. Of course it's beautiful, my husband created it in my image."
The work had really moved on and the plastering was well underway, I estimated that as many as half of the rooms would be ready to be decorated soon. We went onto the first floor the one that Victoria had designated the 'family floor'. This was where we would all be found. The older children had, in discussions with Victoria, decided on not only which bedrooms they would occupy but also how they wanted them decorated.
"How many bedrooms on this floor Mark?"
"Twelve Melissa, naturally all are en-suite and thankfully all can be interconnecting.
"No guests on this floor, not even parents?"
"No not even parents Daddy, we're a big family and very noisy, it will be more peaceful if you sleep on the next floor. As it is we already need nine of the bedrooms and so I want us to start as we mean to carry on."
"And twelve bedrooms upstairs?"
"No, Mummy, there are six bedroom suites, similar to down here, but then there are ten, more modest bedrooms, obviously all are en-suite. Above on the third floor are a mixture of staff accommodation and offices for various members of staff. In total there are forty four bedrooms, so we have room and Mark has designed it so that if we need to expand in the future then we can put a wing on at ninety degrees. There's also a kitchen on each floor which should ensure that your tea is hot Daddy."
"Do you envisage needing more room?" Danny looked at me.
"You're asking the wrong person."
"I can't see beyond the next couple of years, but I would hope that it will be big enough, it just depends how many children my husband will allow me to have."
"Still hoping for four?"
"No Mummy, I want at least six!"
I just shook my head and walked on down the stairs as I was interested to see what was happening down in the basement.
"The pool looks enormous."
"It's half Olympic size, so twenty five metres; we have the space so why not use it?" I was oblivious to the excesses, it was a house that had been designed for us of course but more than that it had to be fit for the future Stanley's.
"And this area Mark?"
I looked at where Melissa was pointing at an adjacent room. "That will be for indoor cricket nets and this will be a sports hall and it can be either tennis court, or badminton, anything really."
We walked down another staircase to the sub-basement, which was now almost completed, having been fully tiled.
"This is the garage, accessed via a lift, which is over in that corner. Over there are the washing and valeting areas. Obviously this will be known as 'Victoria's Ferrari's' as I don't envisage any other cars being allowed down here."
"But I saw what I thought we're garages on the other side?"
"This was to be the garage, but then everything went a bit pear shaped and we needed a lot more garage space. I don't want cars cluttering up the views and so they need to be stored somewhere, the local planning officer was very accommodating and as it was below ground he signed it off without too many issues. We've had to change the way that we plan to use the drains and we've had to invest in a major rainwater harvesting plant not an obstacle as we were always going to do that anyway but the area is well suited and so why not?"
"How many cars can you squeeze in?"
"It's been designed for thirty Range Rovers."
Danny looked at Melissa, they didn't comment. I know they think that so much of our lives are excessive but it really is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black they hardly live the lives of paupers.
"You say there are lifts for the cars I assume there are also lifts for you and the guests?"
"Yes two of them, each will hold six people. Then there are two service lifts for staff and moving everything back of house so to speak."
"It seems that you’ve thought of everything."
"I hope so, but time will tell at least we have size and so if it has to be adapted we can do that without, hopefully too much upheaval."
"Still on budget?"
"No but don't worry Danny we won't be asking you for the extra."
"Not an issue. Now that we can see where the money is going we're happy to underwrite it."
From the house we went down to the 'Village', this is where there forty traditional cottage style houses were being built, along with a nursery for the children of the estate workers and if there were deemed sufficient room, the workers children in the village of Shrimpton, which we now also owned. It all looked splendid and the houses were very advanced, they needed to be ready before the main house and looking at them now, they would be.
"Before we go over to the new purchase, can we go and have a walk around the village?"
"Of course we can dearest Victoria, whatever my beloved wishes to do, we shall all fall in line to ensure it is so."
We strolled the short distance into the village and were dismayed to find that of the four shops two were closed, permanently. The pub was still operating but the landlord had given notice to quit, but for some reason that information hadn't reached either of us. I stood talking to him for a few minutes and he seemed a really genuine guy who, through a lack of trade was losing money hand over fist. It was a very informative chat and I promised him that life would be different and that he should withdraw his notice and that we, I and Victoria would ensure that things would change, massively.
Our next stop was the village church and we spoke with the vicar and assured him that the repairs that had been requested were all in hand as well as refurbishment of areas that our surveyors had noticed. He was delighted and we made assurances to him that we would be regular attendees.
Then it was onto the new purchase. The first time that any of the party had been here. We wandered around for a considerable time. A lot of work was already being undertaken, building stables, refurbishing barns, covering barns and much more, establishing a horse breeding operation was a big and expensive hobby.
"What's that Mark?"
"That, is six acres of photovoltaic cells, solar panels to you. They'll produce enough power to provide electricity not only for the house but also the church, village, everything and still have a surplus."
Melissa said what we hoped she would. "All the bases seem to be well and truly covered."
Sunday and
we were in the pool. The twins had been swimming since they were a couple of weeks old and along with the other children, they love it. Victoria was holding Richard and Chloe had Henry. Flora was sitting on a step the side of me, pouring water over my head, much to her delight, whilst the older children were coming down some inflatable slides that Victoria had recently got. Danny and Melissa arrived, fully dressed.
"This is where you're all hiding."
"Hardly hiding Mummy."
"Well we had no idea where anyone was."
"In future I suggest you ask, because there are four members of staff on duty and all know where we are."
It was a terse start to the day and I could only hope that it would improve.
When we're at home, we always have a traditional Sunday lunch and today was to be no exception and Adelice was beavering away to ensure it was as perfect as all of her meals are. We were sitting down, flicking through papers when there was a chuckle and I looked up.
"What's tickled your fancy wench?"
"The Rich List is out now let us see what the headmaster has said about your last year."
I had appeared in it for the first time last year and now, a whole year later my wife turned avidly to the index to undoubtedly tease me.
"Ah drat we're listed together it's just not fair!"
"Well read it out tell me what it says?"
"Lord and Lady Mark Stanley are now listed as a single entity, after the wedding of 2015. We have given a value of Lord Stanley's company MSP, of £600million and he owns 75% of this. Brompton Estates have had an even more spectacular year undoubtedly aided by the appointment of Lord Stanley to the Board of Directors which now numbers two, he and his wife the Lady Victoria. Since his appointment there have been two colossal deals and the net worth of the company has doubled. We add to this, a substantial trust fund of a billion pounds that Lady Victoria inherits this year on her 30th birthday. In the last year they have contributed in excess of £90 million pounds to their charities as well as acquiring a new Airbus A350, so that Lord Stanley has some comfort when he is undertaking his UN Presidential role. They are presently developing Ascot Park, a sixty bedroom home, this along with other property assets and investments gives them a joint worth of £12.3 billion."
"Well it's not sixty bedrooms and I've now morphed into you!"
"It could just as easily being me morphing into you Billy and you're still taking advantage of an only child, you only want me for my trust fund, you should be ashamed of yourself!"
"I am indeed only with you for your trust fund but how did you work it out? Where does that put us in the list?"
"Number four but knowing you and lists there's only one place you want to be."
"Well I've got the Number One girl in the World so I think it would make a nice bookend."
"I had lunch with Ian Day during the week, do you know Ian?"
"No, I don't think I do Danny, who is he?"
"Ian is the Head of The Civil Service stroke Cabinet Secretary?"
"Oh that Ian Day."
Victoria started laughing and covered her mouth and coughed, theatrically, which caused me to smile at her antics.
"Quite. Well Ian was telling me that Christopher is being treated, obviously in absolute secrecy, by Michael Allen, the psychiatrist and that between us, the prognosis isn't great. I'm keeping my powder dry so to speak and we'll see what happens but it looks as if the job of getting him out of Number Ten will be a lot easier and accomplished with much less anguish then even I hoped."
Smug bastard sat with a satisfied, all knowing look and it was time for me to have a bit of fun.
"Danny, Melissa, have you seen The Sunday Times, Rich List today?" I held it up to show them the cover.
"No, where are you both?"
"We're at number four but there's a really interesting piece about you two, may I read it to you?"
Danny looked quite alarmed. Now let the fun begin.
"Lord & Lady Brompton, parents of Lady Stanley, are tax exiles and as such would normally not be of interest to this publication but we do so as a matter of public interest and so we are including them in a new list, entitled the Panama Connection..."
Danny was now ashen.
"...Named after the publication of documents from an eminent law firm who have been a front for tax evasion not that we are accusing Lord and Lady Brompton of any such unsavoury behaviour. We are not privy to their tax returns and so it would be wrong of us to try and connect them with any wrongdoings but a casual observer might question why they are associating themselves with a law firm in a notorious tax-haven? The documents that were published suggest a great deal of wealth has been accumulated throughout the World and they own a large number of highly desirable office buildings in Hong Kong, New York and Tokyo, all major business centres. We have given these buildings and the holding company where they sit, a nominal value of £7.8 billion pounds and we invite Lord and Lady Brompton to clarify the tax position."
"Bastards!"
"You are a shit Billy, you never told me what you were planning and now look what you've done, they've hot-footed it back to St. Tropez, yay!"
"I didn't plan anything it was just an article that I saw."
"Don't bother with the innocent look Billy, you knew exactly what the reaction would be."
Chapter 18 – May
Plans had had to be changed and I'd eventually gone to the Far East first and then onto New York, where Victoria had joined me. It was a very low-key affair, just me and Victoria, oh two nannies, three children and sixteen suitcases as well as four dress bags, all for a five night stay. The other children were at school and I'd had to promise them that we would all be spending a lot of time together in the summer. Of course even the Empire Suite couldn't accommodate all of us and so we had made some alternative plans, which meant that it just accommodated me and Victoria, after all, I had been denied her body for seven weeks and I was desperate to get reacquainted.
"You look incredible."
"I know I do Billy, but thank you for noticing."
"Amazingly everything is...the same, apart from, that part that shall not be mentioned!"
"Which I pushed two enormous boys through; you'd also be a bit bigger if you'd done that. Anyway, when I finish, knocking them out, as Simon so considerately puts it, I'm going to have the most beautiful designer vagina in the whole World. Anyway why are you so surprised, I’ve being swimming and in the gym endlessly for weeks trying to get back into shape for you and the ball."
"I know you have and I still love it and ever part of you, because you are just wonderful and I am crazy fool in love with you."
"I know you are and who can blame you, for I am your Goddess."
"What time do we need to be there tomorrow night?"
"They've asked that we arrive at 7.50pm?"
"Why so exact?"
"To get the most impact, it's a massive night for the Museum and for Vogue, so I want to make sure that we play our part."
"Does Tom have all of the arrangements?"
"Of course, and he and John will be inside with us and there will also be Secret Service so don't worry Billy it's all under control."
"In that case I think it's time to have my second helping before I go to work."
"Billy..."
As well as the ball I also needed to be in New York this week as on my last visit, a few weeks earlier, I had spoken with the Secretary General about an idea that I had to raise funds for the whole of the UN not just my own baby and he had asked me to return so that I could address the full General Assembly. This was the week and after reacquainting myself with Victoria’s body I’d been in the office running over the speech all morning. Even now after so many speeches I still get nervous when addressing hundreds of people at the UN, today would be no different.
“So are you going to tell me what it’s all about?”
I shook my head.
“Not even a clue for your adorable wife?”
I shook my h
ead again. “No you’ll have to wait…” I looked at my watch. “…Another twenty minutes. Take your seat, listen well and give me your critique when I return.”
She straightened my tie and with a kiss and a slap on the arm I walked out onto the podium.
Her critique of my speech consisted of three words.
“Fucking hell Billy!”
"So you didn't forget that I've produced another two heirs then Billy?"
"No my darling I didn't but nor did I want to buy you more jewellery, for I have already shorted the market in diamonds and emeralds."
"You're very generous Billy and I love jewellery and I wouldn't have minded one jot if you had bought me yet more very lavish, very beautiful, but most of all very expensive trinkets. Billy, I hate to ask, but is there a reason why I'm being taken down in a lift with a blindfold on, it's not a new perverted game is it?"
"No."
"Pity."
"Almost there."
The lift door opened.
"Where?"
"Patience."
We walked through the Reception of The Carlyle, amusing other guests and staff alike with my blindfolded wife being guided incredibly carefully. Of course we had picked up some rubberneckers, who wanted to see what the fuss was about but I couldn't stop that. We got to the front of the hotel and we came to a halt. I removed Victoria's blindfold.
"Thank you for being the best wife any man could ever have and for presenting me with two beautiful boys, this is for you." I indicated the box, on the road, before I then indicated to the crane driver that he should lift the box and reveal the present. Victoria smiled, bit her lip and clung to me in high expectation, until the box got higher and she saw the wheels. Now the eyes were wide and she ducked down to see under the box, much to everyone's amusement. The box was now at window level and then it was off entirely. Victoria stood, open mouthed and wide-eyed as the most beautiful car I have ever seen was now revealed. I held the keys and passed them to her.