Raise The Price

by Mark Stanley

  "Indeed it is James, you're such a good boy and Holly too, and sadly the genes had weakened when Mark was conceived."

  My Father nodded, sagely as he put his arm around my shoulder and empathised with me.

  The theme was a 'Hoedown' rather fittingly for a load of farmers and their kin. The meal was to be typical Hoedown fare, corn cakes, jalapeño chilli, salsa and of course a truly wonderful barbecue. After the meal, the fun could start, with a caller, two fiddlers and the rest of a band, we could dance, jig and square dance with them all and we sure did partn'r! It was a most wonderful evening, us children celebrating our parents birthdays and marriage. We had all chipped in to buy a new Range Rover for Dad, a car he most admired and yearned for and flying lessons for Mum, because she wanted to learn and there was no better reason. Then Holly, as the eldest gave a speech. She spoke about the past, briefly and then right up to the future.

  "Last year, we were all together for Victoria and Mark's wedding, which was unforgettable for so many reasons and all the more remarkable as Mark had been such an idiot a few months before. I met his soon to be wife Victoria by the side of my stupid brothers’ hospital bed and we immediately hit it off as she's a really difficult person not to like. Then the wedding and now, well they have suddenly grown from three children to six and Mum & Dad have eleven grandchildren and their birthdays to remember. We're a close family as you can all see and I know that they wished that one of us three had followed them into farming. Mark's off trying to feed the World, James is trying to bankrupt the World and until last week Toby was digging around in peoples dentures for a living but now, well he wants to try something different and I'm tired of living so far away from my folks and my useless brothers so Mum & Dad, if you don't mind passing on your knowledge and holding our hands, we'd like to try our hands at being farmers here with you, if you'll have us?"

  I was as surprised as everyone else, my parents had had no indication that this was coming and were understandably shocked, the only person outside of my sister and her family who didn't seem shocked or even surprised was Victoria. I knew she and Holly had a deep understanding, but even so she's not even a blood relative, the cheek of it!

  "So when did you find out about Holly's surprise?"

  "When they came over for the wedding."

  "But that was a year ago!"

  "Billy, stop being so precious and put your cowboy hat back on, you look so sexy standing there with just a smile and your hat, now come over here with that six-shooter and entertain me cowboy."

  On Sunday, it had been quite busy. Adelice and Maria had taken over my Mother's beloved kitchen and had begun the task of feeding those that wished to be fed, which turned out to be everyone. To pass the time, we had initiated a game of cricket. Now the problem with playing cricket against the CPO’s is that they are fit and okay with both bat and ball, so we had drawn teams and Mum & Dad had taken on the job of umpires whilst we all played, twenty man aside. It was completely ridiculous but so much fun, if slightly over-competitive.

  After a late brunch it was time for the first lot to depart. It was the same order as the arrival had been and so we were left to second lot which my Mother relished, time to get Mark.

  "So, been starting any wars lately? Oh no, do forgive me Mark, I quite forgot you're with an organisation that tries to mediate did you not turn in the day that they were giving lessons on diplomacy?"

  Victoria just laughed as she sat feeding Henry listening to yet another of my Mothers lectures.

  "It's not like that. The issue in Niger was not of my making; well I don't think it was?" I looked at Tom, who looked back shrugged and then adding grist to the mill.

  "Might have looked like you were goading him."

  "Goading him! He was goading me you buffoon, he wanted a bribe!"

  "Don't speak to dear Tom in such an ungrateful way. We all know how you have the ability to upset anyone. Now, what happened in New York how did you upset him?"

  "I didn't he'd been hired to kill me Mother."

  My Mother looked at Tom who thought about it for a moment.

  "That's actually true."

  "Thanks, Tom for the magnanimous comment."

  "You have the ability to sound disrespectful even when you're thanking someone. Now what's all of this nonsense about you being PM, quite frankly I'd be sorely tempted to vote for the Liberal Democrats if you became PM."

  "Now, now Margaret, no need to go that far...we could just abstain."

  "Thanks Dad."

  "Why do you have to do anything why can't you just carry on building houses?"

  "Mother, for the hundredth time I'm not a builder, I'm a developer, there's a huge difference."

  "Do people buy your houses and then sleep in them."

  "Yes of course they do."

  "Then you're a builder. Now how's the new house coming on, are you building that too?"

  I sighed which got my Mothers attention.

  "If you wish to behave in such a flamboyant way you should have gone on the stage."

  Victoria spared me, as she spoke about the house which was an ever-present topic.

  "It's progressing really well Margaret, probably because Mark isn't building it!" At that, she actually poked her tongue out at me which surprisingly, seeing it was so rude got the tacit approval of my Mother.

  "The builders are pretty much finished, I think they have a small team, maybe fifty or so still on-site, but the electricians, plumbers are well into the second fix. The specialist carpenters and decorators have started and so it's looking as if we'll be able to move in after the summer."

  "That's excellent news Victoria and so concise, if only your husband could conduct himself in an appropriate manner as you always do dearest Victoria then life would be so much simpler, you must discipline him more Victoria. We saw that interview you gave in New York to that loud American. I must say some of your views well they seem to me far too far to the left. We can’t understand it, you went to good public schools but still you seem to have almost communist ideals. I will say that you played the piano with some aplomb but did you have to sing Mark?"

  “I didn’t expect you to approve of my playing so I’ll take that Mum.”

  She shook her head at me whilst giving my Father the exasperated look. “And that’s the problem Mark; you’ve always been too easily satisfied.”

  "I love your parents; they're so much fun, so different to mine. They were so surprised and so delighted about Holly & Toby coming back, it'll be so nice for them and everyone. I've been thinking, when everything has settled down, to give Holly & Toby some space, I’ve invited them to move into 'The Meadows', they'll have, their own space and be able to oversee the stud, which your Mother would adore. Gerry could watch over the farm and then they could still go back to stay at the farm to visit their friends, what do you think?"

  "I think that you're wonderful and generous, but that you're determined to make my life hell by having my Mother close at hand."

  Chapter 20 – June

  June was always going to be crazy and as it turned out, even I didn't know how crazy. It all began with the boy's Sports Day. Today was a must attend day, of course we would never have missed but with no Daphne it’s doubly important. We had been picnicking with the Burns on rugs laid at the perimeter of the athletics track and encouraging our respective children to eat, but with little success. Simon and Victoria had walked off to see one of the Burns competing in the long jump; Lucia and I were wandering some distance behind.

  "Can I tell you something, something in absolute secrecy?"

  I was slightly alarmed as she looked so worried. "Of course."

  "Danny Brompton is pestering me?"

  I frowned. "What for?"

  Lucia looked exasperated. "Sex, he wants me to fuck him!"

  We stopped as I didn't want to get too close to our respective partners after such a disclosure.

  "It started at the wedding reception. It was quite late on, I'd gone to the loo and on t
he way back, I went up to check on the children, I know they had a babysitter but I still like to check..."

  I smiled and nodded to try and give her some encouragement.

  "...As I was walking back down the hallway to the lifts, he appeared out of another room, I don't know if he had been waiting for me or it was a coincidence, but he was there, all charm and wit. He's quite an attractive man for sixty, not my type but I could see plenty who wouldn't turn him down. We chatted for a couple of minutes and he stepped back into a small recess and...well...grabbed me."

  "What do you mean grabbed you?"

  "Pulled me in and tried to kiss me and then he shoved his hand up my skirt. It would have been really difficult to fight him off Mark but thankfully the lift chimed and he let me go. I walked off and got into the lift leaving him behind and made sure that I didn't get cornered the rest of the night."

  "And has he tried since?"

  She nodded. "Towards the end of last year, when they came over for your Charity Ball, he watched and waited until I wasn't with Simon, came over and asked me to dance. Well I couldn't say no, could I?"

  I shook my head in agreement.

  "We were dancing and he just said it?"

  "What?"

  "That he knew about you and me having an affair and that unless I agreed to sleep with him he'd make sure that Simon found out."

  I stopped and stared at a race taking place as I thought through this unwelcome disclosure. "He can't tell Simon, because if he does Victoria will find out. Now I can't reveal why, but this would be against an agreement I have with him and Melissa. They somehow found out about us and have been blackmailing me every since."

  "Oh Mark, no!"

  Again I nodded and pursed my lips as we started walking again. "Leave it with me. They're coming over for Royal Ascot and I'll have a chance to speak with him then."

  "But that's too late Mark. I couldn't risk it; I've already slept with him."

  The end of Sports Day, traditionally heralds the start of 'Long Leave' more commonly known as half-term. It's a week off and after much pestering from the older children; I had invited and they had agreed to come to Malawi in Africa, to see the work that the UN and specifically their Father was involved in. The BBC had also been keen to film it and so we were leaving on the same evening to ensure that I could fulfil all of my commitments. Victoria had railed against me taking the children and not her so now with the young children safely at home, we were flying to Kamuzu International Airport, close to the capital city of Lilongwe, where I had an appointment with President Mutharika on Sunday and then we were off into the rural countryside to instigate a new project. The children had all been extensively briefed about the country and the issues that they and we would face.

  "HIV is pretty much endemic and the UN Agencies are working extensively with the Government to help, but it's a big task. One of the biggest issues is that there are over a million orphaned children, because their parents have died of HIV."

  "A million Daddy?"

  "I know Lulu, we can't do much for them apart from trying to improve their lives and that's what the programme that I'm involved with does."

  "Are they still really poor?"

  "Yes Charles they are. Most Malawians rely on subsistence farming, but the food supply situation is precarious because of the climate. They have lots of water but it's not in the right places and so their crops wither and die. This week we'll be involved in helping one village to start to irrigate the fields and to help with the setting up of a school?"

  "Just us?"

  "No not just us Charles. There are some specialists coming in with some equipment but a lot of the work will be manual and all of our CPO’s have volunteered."

  "Did they really volunteer Daddy?"

  "I'm hurt Lulu by your question, of course they volunteered, go and ask them." So she did returning a few minutes later with a smile.

  "See."

  "I still think you made them, the same way you make us volunteer for some jobs!"

  The meeting had gone very well. I'd met the President on a number of occasions and had a lot of respect for him, he doesn't hide away from his countries problems and is a great democratic reformer trying to put his country of the right path after decades of underdevelopment, corruption and the explosion in HIV/Aids. On Sunday we had been invited to stay at the Presidents house and then on Monday we had met up again with everyone, bright and early, back at the airport. On Sunday the hold had been emptied for everywhere I go I try to do so with as much aid that can be fitted in. This trip was no exception and so when we got to the airport we were met with a convoy of trucks loaded down with men and equipment. We were meeting the specialists at the village and so without more ado we left for the six hour drive. We were all excited and the journey didn't dissipate that. The President had insisted that we take an armed patrol with us, but even Tom was cool, Malawi isn't a Niger. On arrival it was late afternoon and just time to meet the villagers and the other guys who had all travelled up from a different area. Then it was off to the tents, under the mosquito nets and sleep, ready to start in earnest the next day.

  It was back-breaking work. We had invited people from neighbouring villages to join us, for the idea was that we would show what they needed to do and then as a cooperative they could impart the knowledge, as always knowledge is power and we needed to ensure that they knew it and how best to use it. The boys were up for every challenge the week held and were tireless. Every evening we would meet up with Victoria and Lulu, who were helping with the school and setting it up interacting with the children and visiting orphanages trying to ascertain what was needed and where. Meals, as always, when I travel for the UN, are communal and the villagers were invited to join us. We ate what the locals ate and we worked side by side with them. On our final night the villagers and their neighbours threw us a party, which we all thoroughly enjoyed, but all too soon Saturday arrived and we were due to leave but first the surprises for us as well as them.

  About two hundred locals and all of the enlisted help walked up to the fields that had received our love, care and sweat over the last few days. Then, with great ceremony, the village elder turned on the tap and we all waited to see if it worked and to everyone's great joy the water flowed. This got the biggest smiles from these incredibly deprived but essentially happy people and as the water flowed we all congratulated each other with handshakes and hugs. To power the motors we had installed a small array of photovoltaic panels, these served two purposes. During the day they powered the irrigation pumps and at night in the main meeting hall power and lights so that people could congregate, read and do things which have never been possible in the evenings as without power people tend to go to sleep very early.

  Some of the guys were staying on for a few more days to supervise and to ensure that the work in the other villages began, as well as continuing to train the more adept members of the villages who were to be put onto the UN payroll as area supervisors to ensure that the work could be continued. Of course when you finally have enough food for your own needs you then want to make an income so you need transportation. A bicycle is recognised throughout Africa as a symbol of wealth and we were able to provide six bicycles to each of the three villages. More would follow as the cooperative grows but it was a start.

  As morning turned into afternoon, we made an emotional farewell to these fantastically friendly people. Real friendships had been made and we promised to return to see how the work was progressing but for now we had to leave and return to the mundane. As we got into the cars they began singing a song to bid us farewell and then we were gone. As we got back to the airport it was already dark as Captain John and his crew welcomed us back with an excellent meal which was enjoyed by all. As the children sat eating, one by one they fell asleep and were taken to the rather lavish bedrooms, a far cry from what we had lived in for the last few days but with memories that would last for a lifetime and an insight into my life and that of some of the people this gre
at organisation try to help.

  "Billy, you've grown muscles on the muscles, come here and show me how they ripple!"

  "Harlot, be quiet wench and tend the children whilst I go out and kill a bear."

  "I can do cavewoman, comeback to bed and I'll show you how."

  "If only it were that simple. I need to go and earn some crusts to pay for your Royal Ascot outfits."

  "So powerful and such a great provider, aren't I the lucky girl. Are you sure I can't tempt you?" At this she threw back the sheets and began writhing naked on the bed.

  "I've got to go."

  "All talk and no action Billy, but you will be performing tonight!"

  In the helicopter, I used the time to ring Robert.

  "Hello?"

  "Markey Mark, back from darkest Africa not been eaten by a lion then?"

  "No but you might be if the results go badly on Wednesday."

  "Well there's no danger in that, Nipper will piss up but that's a given. As to the other two; I think that Lady Victoria will win but I've no real idea with Carlyle Beau he's well but until we see the effects of the draw it's impossible to be able to say but if he's drawn well, then I think he'll win."

  "That's good enough for me. Are you and Katie still joining us for lunch?"

  "It's a tradition nowadays, of course we are. Who else will be there?"

  "Normal crew, plus Victoria's parents."

  "Hmm, I think they're tricky beggars."

  "You don't know the half of it."

  "And I don't want too. I hear that you're in the Royal Procession on Thursday you must be mixing with the big chiefs now Markey? Biggest race day of the year and you're with Her Majesty what does it take?"

  "Easy, marry Victoria."

  Since the fallout with Robin & Julia Morrison, we had asked and Ascot had readily agreed to move our pitches. The Morrison's had sold out of Royal Quest at a very early stage and had received a pittance, compared to his current value but neither Victoria nor I had any wish to gloat and more importantly, eat in an adjacent space. The one issue that I still faced would hopefully be resolved today and then I could relax, not only for the week ahead, but also the future weeks and years.