Scrap CH THREE part 42

Scrap CH THREE part 42
A week has passed by, the Stewart children have settled back in school, the twins are trying to walk and getting into all sorts of scrapes, pulling things down on top of themselves and falling over at every opportunity, adding to the bumps and bruises of early childhood. Dawn’s mother has been busy knitting new outfits for them to wear now that the weather has turned colder and they are pulling at the restricting jumpers, which are itching like mad having been made from the finest lamb’s wool. ‘Don’t they look absolutely darling?’ She coos as she fumbles with her new Polaroid instant camera and clicks the shutter just as George falls flat on his face again. The picture is tucked under her arm to develop as Dawn props the child back to his seated position and leans him up against his more robust twin.
The outer layer is peeled off to reveal a rather wonky blurred image, and Mavis tries again. After several attempts, each one costing about ten pence, a decent picture is produced and the women are delighted with it. ‘We’ll get a frame for it,’ says Dawn, ‘what a marvellous camera that is. How many more can you take with that pack?’ Mavis looks at the discarded scraps of paper and realises that there is only one more after all the failed attempts. ‘Never mind, let’s have one of you with the both of them but we’ll have to make sure we get it right because it’s the only chance we have.’
George and Charlie struggle to get away but eventually Dawn has them in her grip, she fixes a big smile and Mavis presses the button, hoping for the best. As soon as they are released from custody the boys scurry off in their odd half crawling, half shuffling way and indulge in a competition to see who can pull themselves up onto the couch first. ‘Oh mum, that’s lovely,’ sighs Dawn, tears in her eyes, ‘do you know this is the only photo I have of me with the twins?’ Mavis did know this, which is the main reason she spent all that money on the camera. ‘Now we need two frames; I’ll take you into town and treat you,’ she smiles, ‘we can get another film pack while we’re at it. I can see this camera is going to be great for Christmas.’
As soon as the women have left the house for their usual Saturday trip to the shops Scotty gets dressed and slips out to meet his friend. They have things to do and they don’t want anyone else knowing what they are up to.
Jason and Rosa are waiting in the yard as the pals arrive and they go up to the ‘boardroom’ where Bettina is fussing about making coffee and seeing that the agenda is set out in front of each seat. ‘You’ve been busy,’ observes Frank as the girl hands out the coffee and places a large plate of biscuits on the table. A few eyebrows are raised as she takes a seat next to Jason and takes out her note book and pen. ‘I’m here to take minutes,’ she explains, and waits for her boss to open the meeting. He thanks everyone for coming and tells them he has some news.
‘Hayes are selling up,’ he begins, ‘and we have first refusal on the business.’ It takes a few seconds for this to sink in, then the others all start talking at once and all stop at once. Franks begins again: ‘Jay we’ve only been going a fortnight you can’t seriously be thinking of expanding already?’ Jason takes a sip of coffee, hands round copies of the proposal which he and Bettina have worked out and waits for a response. ‘This is an opportunity we can’t afford to let pass,’ he goes on, ‘if we don’t go for it then someone else will and we can do without the competition. Things are changing in the haulage world and we have to keep up. I’ve already had talks with the bank and they are happy to back us. Remember, we don’t personally have any risks because everything is owned by the Company. What with the container ports and the steel works there are new opportunities opening up and we need to be first in line to take advantage. ‘
Scotty reads through the scant details before putting in his thoughts. ‘Hayes own four tractor units, six flatbed trailers and two rigids with twist locks for container work. If he can’t make it pay what makes you think that we can?’ Jason explains that Jack Hayes is almost seventy and his sons don’t want to take over the business. ‘He just wants to get out and retire somewhere warm,’ he says, ‘that’s why he wants a quick answer. He can’t hang about waiting for other people to put in offers and he’s offering us lock stock and barrel including the house, yard and workshops for a price we would be fools to turn down.’
Rosa has heard all this from her brother before the meeting and is all for the venture. ‘It’s a good opportunity,’ she says, aiming her gaze directly at Frank, ‘the stock is not in best condition but we would be buying the goodwill which is more important in a way. We will take on the existing workers so nobody has to worry about putting anyone out of work. They’re a good bunch of blokes and used to the old ways of doing things. We can build this business and everyone will be better off for it. What do you say, are you up for it?’
Frank takes his pal to one side and they discuss the pros and cons of taking what to them is a huge responsibility. ‘Jay says we can’t lose and I believe him,’ concludes Scotty. ‘Well if you’re for it then so am I,’ agrees Frank. They return to the table and exchange handshakes with their fellow directors. ‘I know it seems a lot to take on,’ says Rosa, ‘but Jay has a great head for business and I trust him completely. We’re going to be one of the best outfits in the South East in time and we are in at the very beginning.’
Frank can’t help noticing that Jason has blushed slightly on hearing his sister’s endorsement but he trusts the young man too. ‘How about we go out for a meal to celebrate?’ Bettina suggests. They agree to meet at the Golden Lion at 7pm. There will be no trip to the Bay tonight and for once Dawn will be accompanying her husband, which hopefully will soften the blow when she finds out what he has agreed to.
Rosa will be tagging along with Jason and Bettina as, thankfully, her husband is once again away on business and her mother will always look after the baby. A twitch of excitement grips her stomach as she shakes Frank’s hand, the warm grasp lingering a little longer than necessary, and their eyes meet briefly but say a million things. Tonight will be a night to remember for all the best reasons.