A look into the wishing well 12

It had been with George that he was first a business man and if there was time, a husband.

He married Olive because he had to and his family had found him a beautiful girl from a good family. It was a good transaction as he saw all things. 

Everything was a good or bad deal. He always had to derive some profit from it. This time he had the wife who was talk of the town.

Now he was not so sure it was the way it should be. 

For sure he had almost lost Olive. Even now he was not so sure she could withstand the attacks and the exposures particularly on his character. He thought she must have a breaking point and then she will leave him. 

What would he do then? It mattered to him now. Olive, the kids - this is what made sense to him now. But no he would not let his brother crush him.

It was clear that his brother was out for war. Her mother's attempt to bring an end to the strife had failed. Benjamin was adamant that either victory is his or nobody gets anything. 

When Olive told George about the phone call, he played it cool. Just one of those women who now think they can make a quick buck of off me. Doesn't she know there are DNA tests and I can sue her for slander if she goes to the newspapers and makes the ridiculous claims. 

The next morning, the post arrived with a brown envelope addressed to George. When he got to it, pictures of a good looking little boy and then a picture of a teenager - invariably the same boy. 

Also inside the envelope was several strands of hair. The note read:

" George your wife could have been more polite rather than cut my phone so now I ask that by next week Friday I have $200,000 in my bank account and a house to go with it. 

If you think I am bluffing - I have enclosed a strand or should I say strands of his hair should you want to have a DNA test.  I would rather not go down that route if I were you because I will go straight to the papers and expose you yet again! "

Slightly caught off guard by the inclusion of the strands of hair, George thought that he had been Outfoxed and maybe there was truth in this lady's claim. Sure enough he had been reckless but not this crazy. He would have known by now and why now. 

"Blast it. I ain't going down without a fight. If it had been my child why conceal the fact and deny me my right to know my own child." 

There was a number in the envelope and he called it and a man picked it up and he intimated he was the said lady's representative.

"Just so you know... convey this message to your stinking snake in the grass, that she will not see a single cent of my money come what may. Firstly, I will sue for the fact that she concealed for all these years the existence of my child...I will secondly sue for custody of the child. I will with great ease demonstrate what kind of mother she is with this attempt at blackmail​.

The only free house she will get is the jail cell. 

Beyond that come Friday next week we will be waiting with the police. She better well pack well. 

To you and your crook of a friend...kiss my shiny behind."

 George slammed the phone down. He knew it was a high stakes gamble but he knew he had rattled her. If the claims were genuine sure enough the phone would ring. 

It did not. Not that day or any other day. 

Next step was to find out who was behind this. For sure those hired crooks would go into hiding at the threat of ending up in jail. 

George was sure it was Benjamin behind it. But he needed to be certain: it's not just someone who read the paper's and thought it was a chance to milk him for a few dollars. 

This was starting to get out of hand and it was taking a toll on olive. 

He partially listened to Olive. He shifted her and the kids to Penang in Malaysia. He opened a little office to give the impression that he was exploring the possibility of starting afresh there, but this was not the case. He was making ready to take the fight Benjamin. He wanted Olive and the kids out of the way. 

He came back to his house in Indonesia. Called the investigator he had hired to find out who was trying to hit him up for money. 

The investigator was a former detective and it proved easy to find the blackmailers. 

A petite lady, with a guy of average height walk into a block of apartments which George and the investigator have been watching for the best part of 2 hours. It was 9pm. 

They gave it a few minutes and go into the apartment block. Second flour room 22. 

They knocked on the door and a tall boy opens the door without even bothering to check...

The lady had run from upstairs but it was too late. The gentleman was too shocked to make a move as he was too relaxed in the lounge. 

The teenage boy asks who do they want to see.

"Sorry young man we are here to see your mother..." George politely said

"No she is not my mother but my favourite aunt...but I don't mind. She  has raised me anyway.."

The woman had a look of worry. She had gone pale. She and probably her boyfriend ( the so called representative) recognised George. 

The aunt asked the young boy to go to his room because they had some important business to discuss with these important people. 

Before he left George asked him how old he was. The boy had said 16 and George smiled. 

The was an awkward silence as the lady sat next to her boyfriend. George and the investigator sat down too even though they were not invited to sit. 

 

The investigator, who was a short and tough looking man spoke first: " so you know why we are here right?"

"We can explain..." The lady said, " but I know him but who are you?"

What does it matter I am here already, so you better believe that you will tell us what we need to know or else I am having someone's tail!"

The look suggested this short tough man had the motivation to do great harm, so they better play along.

The guy seeing the stakes are high jumps right in;

" A man approached us and offered us money to set you up. He didn't say who he was he just showed us the papers and told us all to say and do.."

"How did he look? " Asked George

He said he didn't remember. The investigator got up with his fist clenched as if he was planning to punch him.

"Wait wait! " The lady said. 

She basically went on to describe Rodney and she explained that she was an escort and he was one of his clients. That's how she was Asked to do this...

To be continued

A look into the wishing well 11

Olive and George now spent a lot of time together. They were brought closer by the sudden change in circumstances and the challenges that engulfed them.

Rather than abandon George, she took every blow with composure. First, finding out she had carried children which turned out to be not her husband's. It did not crush her or break their relationship. Though it made her think about how her husband had acted in such a fashion. 

The next blow and much harder to take was that George already had a child. This was much harder to resolve because for a brief moment she toyed with the idea that all those times George barely spent time with her, he had spent with his other family. But she quickly realised that was not the case. George had never had the chance to develop any sort of contact or relationship with the woman or child. Besides, he barely knew her when he had the fling with her. It could have been any girl. 

She saw George's side of the story and saw the effect it had had on him. This story was not uncommon, families trying to keep their reputations when their young ones made such mistakes. 

The bell to entrance of the house rang unexpectedly at about 7:30pm in the evening. George was reading a paper and Olive was on the floor with the babies playing blissfully. 

They looked at each other in surprise; they both appeared to be not expecting anyone. A knock at the door of the room and the maid informed them that George's brother Rod was downstairs. 

When George got into the large reception area... Rod looked tense but he tried to hide it, he put a big smile on his face and walked up to George and said a big hello. He asked after olive and the kids.

"George listen we need to talk. If you can spare me few minutes, I would appreciate it." 

George lead him to the dining area where the maid had already prepared some tea and light snacks. 

"Thank you!" Said George as he closed the door for privacy's sake.

Rod began:" I know that things really have not been good with us. But neither have they been bad with us on a personal level. 

But we did choose to side with big bro in all the disputes we had as a family. I would understand if you held it against us. But really we had nothing against you George."

"So you think it's OK to try destroy my family and reputation, so that you can continue to enjoy your gambling and your women while I worked 80 hour weeks?" Was George's reply

"No no George you know it was Benjamin. Man you know how he feels about you and the company? He believes it is rightfully his to head. What did you want us to do? 

He held my vices against me and you know he controls how much I am paid..please understand!"

He looked at his brother as he pleaded with him..

"Please what are your intentions to us, I mean for Jonathan and me?"

"For me it's very simple.. I want to keep you as far away from the company as possible. I do not intend to keep you as employees and neither do I want to keep you as part of the company" came his reply..

A shocked Rod asked, " what's that mean. You can't leave us with nothing or penniless. That's going against mother's wishes." 

" of course it would be and my plan is to give you a share of the company but buy you out. I think you and Jonathan are not worth more than 15% each. That by my calculations means $5million  each." 

Slightly relieved at hearing that, he pushed a little further, " is that the same for Benjamin too?"

" That all depends on him really. I am prepared for a fight and I don't expect any offer I make to him will ever be enough." 

With that said, he bade his brother good night and he told him his lawyers would be in touch with him in due course. 

George of course knew how much power big bro had over his two other brothers. He knew it as a strategy to communicate before had his intentions as a means to draw out a response. 

Benjamin would here of it. Fear the worst because he does not know what deal he would get. He would then compel his brothers to not agree and ask for more or something of that nature. This is what George thought would be the likely outcome. But it was a wait and see game..

He didn't have to wait long before Benjamin made a move...

Revealed: Why young Tycoon is infertile.! 

Olive read the tabloid story, of course with added spice to make it seem as though George spent his entire late teenage life hoping from one bed to the next. She barely recognised the George they spoke of. 

The phone rings and at the other end is a woman's voice:

" Is this Olive? " the voice asks

"May I know who I am talking too?" Olive responded calmly.

"Well for now that does not matter. There is something that I need to tell you. You see, George also had one of his many reported flings with me. I was also as irresponsible as he was at his age..

But I conceived a child and I did not want to cause problems for George so I raised the child on my own with great difficulty.."

"So what has that got to do with my husband? And I don't believe you anyhow!" Angrily told the Lady 

" Don't get angry with me and don't cut the phone before you hear what I have to say?  Tell George I can go away for a $100,000 and a house. Or else I will go to the newspapers and I will sue him in court for support of his child. I know you don't need the further publicity and embarrassment. You have until..." Click 

Olive cut the phone before she could listen to the rest of the blackmail..

She slumped on the floor with her hands over her face. She had told George, let's just leave and settle in Malaysia. They had enough money to settle where-ever they chose to live. 

Now every leech and cockroach thought it was payday. They were going to bleed George dry. It was patently obvious that pulling the strings behind the scenes was Benjamin. He was going to bankrupt George. If he Benjamin could not have anything then neither should George. This was the start. Have George fight fires at every corner. 

Could Olive and George's love resist this onslaught?

a house in the woods 2

There was a moment Brigitte was talking about her boyfriends, that I cast my mind and tried to think of anyone I knew who had a boyfriend...not one it was near impossible..

Yes we all knew this was common in other parts of the world, for the celebrities in our film industry and Bollywood stars. 

These people had different rules that applied to them. They changed girlfriends and boyfriends like clothes. 

Our society in our town near Lahore was very conservative, after the age of 12, my mother tried to forbid me from playing with boys. I enjoyed playing cricket, football and the occasional fist fights...

The journey lasted 6 hours. It was the fasted 6 hours I experienced. Brigitte was impressed with my grasp of the English language and thought it was better than hers. She made me laugh, she told me stories. I had very few to tell myself, so I mostly listened. 

I looked out on the vast motorways, the farmlands. The different cities we drove through, Birmingham, Coventry and finally we got to Manchester.

Brigitte was genuinely sad to get off. 

'Hey Farzana please give me your email address and I will take yours. We need to keep in touch..you must let me know how you are settling into life in Preston. Yes?'

"Sure thing," I said 

Brigitte got up and gave me a big hug and got off. 

It took us less than 45 minutes to get to Preston. 

If my information was correct, I would need to catch a taxi to the halls of residence of the university of Lancashire. That would cost me no more than £3.50. I searched for my purse in my hand bag, found a £5 note and kept it in had while I replaced everything into the bag. 

Again I noticed most of the taxi drivers where of south Asian descent.. And I don't know if it was my face or the way I dressed or sounded he knew where I was from and switched from English to Urdu. 

It unnerved me, he might know my parents or relatives or anything that could reveal my whereabouts. Until I was settled and confident I did not want anything to do with anyone remotely associated with my home country. 

I clammed up and said very little to him even though he was keen to talk. He got the message clear and said little afterwards. Besides the journey took barely 5 minutes.

'Madam that will be £3.30," he said in Urdu as we pulled up to Webster Hall. 

I quickly gave him the £5 note, got my £2.2 change, I thanked him and he left .

It was busy and the buzz of students filled the place. Quickly I went to the reception and found the administrator. 

There a three people in the office. Two ladies and a man. The lady is the one who dealt with me in a quick and professional manner. 

I gave her all the correspondence with regards to my accommodation, meals and weekly stipend..

"Aly could you please go through K1 scholarship files and look for a Miss Farzana Ali,' 

Once found she handed over to the lady who had requested it. She went to another side office for about five minutes. She came with a camera, took a picture of me. Disappeared again and when she returned she gave me an ID with my picture. 

" listen Farzana, this is your accommodation ID card. It is also a magnetic key card and will give you access the Webster Hall. It is also a key card to your room. Which is room number 16 on the second floor. Thirdly, when you go to eat in the residential dining Hall you will need to present this. OK? You understand? Don't lose it because the replacement cost is £5 to you "

"Yes miss I," I said timidly..

'No no, call me Shelly. I am in charge if running Webster Hall any problems come to me. If I have problems I will come to you. Please respect the rules. Now leave your bags and stuff in your room. You can refresh yourself. As you will need to do your academic registration. " 

I have given you a welcome pack with maps and details of all the things you need to know and do. Good luck and make the most of this. Don't forget to enjoy yourself while you study hard'

I thanked her, with butterflies in my tummy, I made my way to the second floor found my room. 

Closed the door and looked around. Wow..it had everything I needed, self contained. A big desk with a lamp to work on. A dressing table a drawer for my clothes. A small shower and washing basin cubicle. Enough sockets for plugs, TV aerial and Ethernet for internet. But I was told WiFi was available too. 

I just fell on the bed and laughed to myself. I could not believe I had made it this far.. I laughed to tears as I realised what it took to come here, to defy everyone's expectations.. 

Quickly I sorted my self out. I felt light and relieved. One part was done. I just had my had bag. I put on a pair of jeans which were slightly big and a tee shirt I thought would make me blend. It was almost 6pm and registration for today would end at 7pm. 

Took my map and tried to make my way to the student offices. It was noisy...it seemed every one was excited and fresh faced. 

A guy came over to me and asked me are you a 'fresher?' I had no idea what that meant. Again he asked are you in your first year.  I said I was and he gave a flyer..

'Come to the student Union when you have time. Its the fresher's fair week. Lots of clubs and societies to join. Lots of parties and drinks. It will be fun. Yes and you need to join the student union. It has many benefits. Read the flyer.'

Academic registration was a much longer process and more detailed. But I am glad I did it today. 

I was tired and jet lagged from the travelling. I wanted to sleep but I thought let me have a brief look at this "fresher's fair" thing. 

When I got there loud music was playing.. A lot of noise and confusion. There were plenty of tables with different signs and themes; People and Planet- let's save the earth; The Young conservative party society; Horse Riding club, the Debating society and it went on and on. 

The first table I walked past a lady gave me leaflet about 'sexual health' and tried to give me a multiple coloured bunch of condoms...I blushed! I knew what they were and what they were used for but no..this is embarrassing and it was not me. I declined them. 

"She laughed and said don't worry I understand but do be careful. For many students, its their first time away from home and they do all sorts of things as young people do. " 

I politely smiled and left. Did she thing I was that kind of girl? 

In Pakistan I had read about how girls in the west are so loose and get up to all sorts of things.. What a stupid girl to thing of me like that I thought... How dare she!

A look into the wishing well part 10

Mother was too clever by half and she knew what she was doing when she so dramatically changed the will. One way or the other it would force them to come to their senses.

She knew very much how vain and fickle they were. They enjoyed the adulation and praise of people of being such shrewd business men and how much wealth they had generated. But they absolutely did nothing at all but sit on their fat backsides and watch the money rolling in  

How little people knew. Of late and in general; George had engineered it in such a way that they were given the highest posts in their respective divisions that meant very little input was ever required from them. A good expense account, good renumeration and a nice office as far away from the activity of production as possible. 

The two brothers of the three were lazy enough and glad enough to have it this way. Benjamin still seething from knowing that though control was in their mother's hands, was not happy it would pass to George. 

He had seen through these payoffs to keep his brothers from the action. And he had demanded he too have oversight of all the divisions of the family business. In fact as the oldest in the family he should be running things anyhow. Will or no will and since it would only happen after their mother passed, he had served longest in the business compared to his other brothers ( anyhow he believed that if he positioned himself at the top he would wrest control even from his mother and finally take control as was his right).

He went to far as to place George with the small garment factory, which made the least money and was struggling at the time. 

The jewel in the crown of the family portfolio was the construction and property side. 

It was making money three four or five times of the other divisions put together. 

George, then as a qualified civil engineer had known how to play the right cards. Benjamin took over this and had general oversight of everything. 

The other divisions distribution warehouses for general retail products, a timber supply and the garments division. 

George not knowing much about garments took a trip to some of the best garment intense industry countries in the region and studied what they did best. 

On coming back took out a huge loan from the bank went overseas and bought the latest and best garment machinery. He hired an experienced expatriate at great cost in terms of salary to run the factory and to start to generate contracts from the big western brands. 

It was a slow start and the first year, that division made a huge loss. 

Benjamin exploded and tried to go full on attack mode on his young brother at the annual general meeting. Saying if he had been responsible for the whole company it is very possible they would be bankrupt by now. 

By and by more contracts were picked up with big foreign brands. Soon the capacity was limited and a new factory and much larger had to be built. Before you know it, there were three huge garment factories employing well over 500 people. Turnover was in excess of 10 million dollars a year. Again George showed why he had the Midas touch...

While their father was alive, he had a large family given his four wives his primary concern was to ensure that they were all provided for.  Being a just man and dedicated to his family he tried to parcel out fairly to each of his wives and children.  Huge plot of land there, some rice paddies, some animals here and there, a little shop to go with that. 

But his third wife, who mothered George and his brothers he did not have much to give while alive but his time and love. He spent more time with his third wife than with his other two. 

So he felt as he was providing for their needs he did not feel to give them much at the time. He had a shop and some virgin land which as the town grew would increase in value. 

While his brothers went to school George would be by his father's side and he enjoyed watching his father counting money in his shop, by four he could count very well. Father took notice. 

He taught him his alphabet and by five he was reading well enough. 

It could be said his brothers went to school but school did not go to them. They really didn't take to school as such. Benjamin made it clear he hated school and joined his father before he could gain any meaning qualifications. 

Jonathan and Rodney didn't fair any better. School just became a place to have fun and find nice girls to enjoy with. 

In running the shop with their father they proved good enough to order the other employees around but they did not show any sort of business acumen. 

Two weekends later, after that fateful meeting with their mother, another meeting took place. This time it involved Jonathan and Rodney, the two brothers with the most to lose if George decided not to treat them as shareholders but as employees. 

In fact the knife would cut deep both ways. If something happened to George and the organisation was handed over to Olive that would be the bigger disaster. 

Though the other option would hurt too. They really had not worked all their lives. How would they manage and what sort of employees and salaries would they get?

Jonathan had health troubles more than anything else. They stemmed from excesses of too much rich foods, too much meat and drink and not enough exercise. The doctors told him the same thing; you are digging your own grave with your teeth!

Change your diet. His wife fought with him but he carried on scoffing food like a pig!

One time coming from his favourite seafood restaurant, he had felt a sharp pain in his chest and collapsed! 

Rushed to the hospital with a suspected heart attack. Luckily it was a close shave. It was a blocked artery. The doctors had inserted a stent and told him the next around it could be worse. 

Each morning his wife administered to him a staggering amount of pills to take. Even if he wanted to work..he could not. 

Rodney on the other hand had developed the vice of gambling. He had always enjoyed the good times. Fairly good looking, he had the charm but he also could easily be charmed.

He developed the reputation of being one of the big high rollers in the town's casinos. Soon they were too small for him. 

Now he flew to Macau and the Philippines and the Casino boats of Goa. Rubbing shoulders with other big fish from as far as China Singapore Malaysia and India. 

He felt the big man in such company. 

And of course the women who serviced these big fish were not small town hustlers but big city high maintenance women who too wanted to live high life at somebody else's expense. That somebody happened to be Rodney.

"Rodney look how old my necklace is.  Rodney buy me this bag...Rodney I need money.. Rodney this and Rodney that.." They would say. 

For the pleasure and company of these women he paid and paid. When money was running thin, he sold some land and other assets and off he went. He would tell his wife he is on  business trips. 

One time he was hit big in the casino and lost a lot of money and another disaster to befall him was the girl he was with this time was a pretty little thief. In a moment of pleasure or weakness or both he had revealed the pin code to the safe in the hotel room. He always kept some money in the safe which he would use to pay hotel and other bills. Well she stole his keycard and broke into the safe nothing was left except his passport and ticket to return.

He could call no one else but Jonathan. Of course Jonathan told Benjamin. Benjamin bailed him out but used this against him. First he cut his expense account quite considerably and he required him to pay him back twice the amount he borrowed. Insidiously, he took it a step further, by in effect holding him to loyalty to him or else his wife would find out about his proclivities. 

Now in Jonathan's patio as it was a warm and sunny Morning. They sat for breakfast. Jonathan's wife was a great cook and she laid on the food. 

But what a sorry sight for Jonathan - a bowl of high fibre grains with some fruit and low fat yoghurt and his morning supply of pills. 

It was unbearable for Jonathan to watch his brother, Sister in law and his wife gormandizing in front of him.

"To hell with the doctors..what do they know anyway. Their heads are full of useless information," Jonathan succumbed as he picked two fried eggs, some toast and a couple of chicken sausages. 

His wife tried to protest and Jonathan cautioned her-

" if you come one step closer you will find yourself swimming with the ducks in that pond".

Rodney laughed and told her not to worry it was just for today but you could tell Jonathan was in for a very long weak for starvation diet. 

"We have to speak to George. This could turn out very bad for us. Besides I have really not had any issues with him. I have simply behaved like Switzerland and not taken sides between his fight with big bro." Rodney lamented.

" oh come off it Rod. You and I know we aligned ourselves with big bro. Either we break clear from big bro. Take our caps in our hands and beg George's forgiveness or we fight and keep to big bros side " Jonathan stated it as he saw it.

A look into the wishing well 9

" That bastard!" As George slammed the Pam of his hand on the huge teak desk in his office..

Olive had broken down in tears telling him the threats that Benjamin had made against them. 

"So they have taken to hiring spies and private investigators to watch every inch of what we do? Those blasted rascals. 

They knew nothing of business and we just good for nothing errand  and bus boys. 

This company was going nowhere when I joined after varsity. I made the right calls with the big business decisions. 

If my dad had listened to them we would be out on our backsides in the street scrapping for crumbs" as he continued his rant...

" George I don't care much for the business or them. I care about you and the kids," Olive protested..

"They intend on throwing us into turmoil. You are one and they are many. And this country of ours does not respect it's own laws but money and corrupt men!"

"You know it George. You know it! " 

" They have been planning this for a long time. While you broke your back working to make this organisation what it is, they worked on lining the pockets of politicians, policeman and all sorts of unsavoury characters. I may not know much but I know this one thing: if you fight you stand every chance of losing. If you win, you will win at a great cost to us" 

George knew she was right but he had become the sought of man who would not go down without a fight. This brewing war at brought them together. 

Olive kissed George and said to him,

" I understand what you did was for us and mainly for me. I know you tried to give me your own children. But listen George, you are the father to those kids. No matter what. We will raise them together. "

George had sent a message to big bro in effect saying 'to hell with you. I will not go down without a fight. And no I will not tell mother to change the will. You my brother and those aligning themselves with you are a bunch of uneducated clowns.'

Early in the morning George's​ friend turned up unexpectedly. Still heavy with sleep George went downstairs and there he threw on the table the trashy tabloid newspaper headlines : Top business man had secret love child at 19. The sub headline continued to say and he callously paid off poor woman to disappear. 

George read the article and realised that the first of many shots to destroy his reputation by his brothers had started. They had sold the story to the newspapers. 

"Is this true?" His friend asked. That is how this family secret had been hidden away. 

"Man I was young. She was young. We did what we thought was best. As far as I am aware the child has grown into a beautiful woman. Her mother was able to marry well too. And if she decides to ask to meet me at some point in the future, I am open to it. I am a different man now."

"Hmmm.who would have thought!" As his friend laughed. " I thought only my family had crazy stories hidden in the closet. Don't worry I am in your side. They fight you...for sure they fight me!" 

With those words he left. 

George made himself a coffee and read the article again, slowly taking in every word designed to scandalise him. 

' I wonder how Olive will react he thought? 

She will say I told you so?' 

But how could he allow himself to be intimidated by a bunch of ignoramuses who knew nothing of creating anything of value but we're always ready to sit at the top table when honours were being awarded and they of course knew how to spend. 

Olive was not best pleased. The pleaded with George, to stop this before it got any worse. She suggested to move to Malaysia and make a fresh start there. He had great business contacts there and part of their business portfolio was there. They knew him and he could under cut his brothers easily. 

It was appealing and he thought about it. But no he wanted to fight his brothers and if it meant he was going down. Then as a man he must fight them. 

Their mother who had four children with their father was the third wife and his most favourite. It was George's brothers in this branch of the family who had become wealthy far beyond the other brothers and sisters. His fight was with his close flesh and blood. 

She called his three brothers, their sister and all their wives and husbands. Though physically weak due to age, she had great presence of mind. 

When they turned up, there was a general hubbub. The family lawyers also turned up. 

When everyone had settled in the large dining area, she turned up. George had only spoken to his sister and her husband - whom George had got to run one of the warehouses for the family. It was general business chit chat. 

Olive kept silent and glared at Benjamin. He felt uncomfortable for the first time as he was the one who would stare down people until they cowered in fear. 

Their mother started in a frail but steady voice -

" So after all these years, we are now airing our dirty laundry in the papers...hmmm? To make matters worse, the trashiest of the lot. 

We broke our agreement... this was supposed to remain secret. It was not perfect but it worked out well both the child and the mother are no worse for it. 

Benjamin why is this?"

"I have no idea. Someone somehow managed to get this information and leak it to the press!" Big bro said with serious face. 

"And you think that person is not around this table?"

"Mother you better ask George himself. I am of the opinion he shared this with one of his friends. Not aware that his friend would betray him and sell the story to the papers. We kept our word and we, I mean us his brothers who worked hard to save his reputation and the honour of this family." 

"Are you not surprised he has never once said thank you?"

George looked at Olive and she looked at him. She shook her head in disbelief and laughed as if to say ' this is crazy!'

"George. George. Why?" His mother shouted, " have you not done enough harm to us and then inflict this indignity on us!"

"Of course this is utter nonsense cooked up by a bunch of clowns. Look at them mom? They are my brothers and your sons but what a bunch of good for nothing loafers. They are being led by the nose by big bro. He is the one who leaked the story. He has the most to gain."

By this time there was a general uproar, a tumult. His brothers didn't take too kindly to being called clowns and loafers. They threaten to beat him senseless. One of the wives suggested they throttle him there and then; and be down with his shenanigans. 

"Ask his wife mamma? She is the one. She is trying to cover up her affairs that led to the mixed babies! Don't you see mamma she wants us to look bad so we don't have time to ask her questions?"

" How dare you say that about my grandchildren! Get out of my house this instance"

Benjamin interjected, " mother please calm down. You know my wife cares much for you and the reputation of our family. This is what we are hearing people say in the streets. Please mother. We might as well have adopted those children!" 

Their mother's response was clear, " unless you want to leave with her, she must get out at once."

Highly embarrassed, she walked out of the room while big bro stayed. 

" No listen carefully," mother began, " I asked the lawyers to come for a reason. I see the fighting will not stop. Whether I am alive or gone. But at least I can do something to swing the balance in whichever way I choose. 

If my husband was still here, I am sure he would agree with what I will do.

This would have been easy. My husband split his properties and lands wealth between his four wives and their children. From you, this branch of the family has come great wealth and recognition across the country. My husband's name is known across the country because of you... I say this loosely but if I am to be blunt then it is because of George. George is his father's heir. 

He may be the youngest. He may be the most reckless but he is the one that took the risks that made the company what it is today. 

You boys look at your fat well fed wives and remember without George you would not be covered in such splendid jewelry or wearing such beautiful clothes!" 

Big bro could barely contain himself on hearing this. 

Mother concluded; ' your father had always been a traditional man and in any other circumstance the controlling interest would be assigned to the eldest. The three brothers remaining would have an equal share but not to the extent of the eldest. 

He changed that and felt George should have the controlling interest even though Benjamin was the eldest. 

Now I have gone against his wishes and changed that in the will. 

Now George will get 100% of everything when I am gone. I mean a everything. You will of course remain employees. I have put it in the will that he keeps you from poverty by ensuring you are employed. 

Of course it is up to him to decide if he wants to give you shares in the company.

As it stands you are all rich men enough with your properties and side businesses. This should not concern you right? 

That is all I have to say..if anything happens to George you lose it all and passes into Olive and the triplets. So mind yourselves."

The most stunned was big bro. For a while he did not move from his chair. Everyone else was muttering this and that. 

George and olive did not hang about, they left almost immediately. 

To be continued

A look into the wishing well 8

Olive was relieved to walk out the fertility clinic. She felt short of breath as if she was having a panic attack. She stood in the parking lot, trying to compose herself. He heart was still beating rapidly. She still could feel the scars from the C - section delivery when she ran her hands across her midriff.

She thought for a moment what this would mean? But no these were her babies... She could not risk losing them if a big court case came about. But why had George not been straight with her? It would not have come to this.. And the other child?? Nothing, he had said nothing. My George, I had come to love him and given up on other suitors and Pierre in particular because I believed George was the man for  me? Was I wrong? 

One part of her felt sympathy for him and another part felt rage. Why had he not told me? I am his wife and even though this was covered up by the family, at least I deserved to know, she thought. 

In all this she kept thinking of Pierre. What if she had not treated him as badly as she had? What if she had run away to him in Paris? But she had burnt that bridge with such finality and with such humiliation for Pierre - he would not feel the least bit of sympathy for her or welcome her with open arms.

Money meant nothing to her and as long as she was in the arms of the man that loved her, nothing else really mattered. She could adjust and face whatever hardships as long as she knew who was supporting her. 

She accepted she had made a choice. She had chosen to love George and George was the one she would love. With a woman logic does not come to mind, her heart had said George. 

Going home she had resolved, that she would speak to him and find common ground. She would forgive him. She had to forgive him, her choice was that it was the only choice she had. She had not spoken to him in months. 

George had tried for months and months to talk, to try reconcile their differences. To find a way but Olive would not yield. He had stopped sleeping in the same room in the same bed as he could not take the cold treatment she was giving him. 

Today she would wait in the reception lounge until he came home so she could talk to him. She waited til the early hours of the morning and finally fell asleep. 

Again the following day she waited for him and he did not turn up. So she asked the night watchman the time her husband usually turns up? And when was the last time she saw him?

"Madame" he said, " It's been more than a week since he last came, but he has called twice to make sure everything is OK." 

Rather disappointed on hearing that Olive went to bed that night trying to figure out what to do next. 

It was Friday morning and Olive was making preparations to go to the offices of her husband to iron matters out and to ask him to come home. She would forgive him.

She expressed enough breast milk for the triplets and told the maid if they got hungry she should use the powdered baby milk. 

Before she could even step out the front door, Benjamin, George's older brother walked in. Smartly dressed always. Well groomed but with a strong smell of smoke and perfume. His moustache and small intense eyes gave him an unkind and sinister look.

He was charming but could be short tempered. He was well known for his short fuse and volcanic eruptions in anger. 

'Olive, where are you rushing too?' Benjamin said with an engaging smile and he gave Olive a kiss on the cheeks.

'My brother is one lucky man. You get more beautiful and younger by the day.. Surely there must be a secret. Hmmm?

" oh no big bro. It get it from my mother I think. And it is so nice to see you. I was about to pop out.. " Olive said

"Don't worry Olive it won't be long I came to see my little nieces and nephews. I was in the area and I thought I would pass by. I have not seen you since they were born!" 

Olive knew somehow this was not the real reason he passed by. Benjamin or Big Bro as he was normally called hated George. That he did not try to had, even in his most diplomatic language it was clear his dislike for his younger brother was deep. 

At that time the maid brought tea to the patio. The nanny brought the kids in their cots for their uncle to see them. He acted delighted and seemed smitten by them. He told Olive it was great her genes were so strong that the family would have three gorgeous children. 

When the nanny left and it was just Olive  and Benjamin. There was silence for a while until Benjamin broke it.

He looked at Olive and this time the smile was not there. 

" So you were going to George's office? " he asked.

Shocked that he knew olive asked " how might you know that I am going to see him? I could be going shopping?"

" cut the crap Olive, you and I know George has not slept home for over a week. We know the hotel he has been staying in and for certain he has not come home to you. 

I know its worrying but he is OK. Married couples go through these things time to time "

Olive blushed but said nothing.

"Listen Olive. You have beautiful children. And I would hate to lose my little nieces and nephew. And it would be especially devastating for George too. To lose children twice is too much for any man to take."

Olive had gone pale, she knew there was a threat in it somewhere and the blackmail was just starting..

" why should we lose our babies and too who? What do you know that we don't  know big bro? And you of all people are blackmailing us with what?

" well olive those are not George's babies. And should things go, let's say wrong for us or should I say me, then it will go wrong for you.

The real father will find out about the children and the mother and we will encourage him to file for custody too. It could be messy?"

"What is it you want me to do?" Almost in tears Olive said as she looked at the clock.

Benjamin's response was calm and calculated, " our mother is poorly and she is adamant she keeps our late father's wishes by making George the one holding the controlling interest in the company. This should not happen! 

George must tell mother to change it to me. It is only right, fair and culturally appropriate as the eldest brother to control the company. Don't worry George will get his share. As long as I am in charge. 

If not he has every chance of losing these kids and you too my dear. So please talk to him..."

To be continued

THe dark side of the moon part 3

We make our way to the moon

We patched the remote access codes of our control system to ground control so that they could recalculate our course to the moon. 

Our onboard computers could do it but they pretty much worked like the GPS systems of old back on earth - they calculated a route based on some inconsistent data and space maps. Though correct, the route could be long. 

Luckily it added only an hour to original planned arrival. We were now being flown from earth and very little input was required from us. We called it 'space cruising'

Jack was preoccupied and troubled by what happened. He had flown hundreds of missions, countless but he had not seen this before. Space rarely afforded you the chance to be wrong. 

Is it systematic or mechanical. Computer error or input error...no no this can't be.

Justin now totally relaxed takes a long look at Eve. He wants to say something but seems to get preoccupied in his thoughts...

'What Justin?' Eve says. ' don't ask me about my boyfriend because you know what the answer will be. And no I will not go on a date with you.'

"Well you are plain wrong. Remember the doctor you told me about when you had a leg problem.  I think you said he was a great physio...can you refer me to him?"

Eve laughed. 

"Oh come off it Justin. I know and you that the 'him' is a her. And you should just get to the point. If you want date just ask but don't pretend you have some problem that requires physiotherapy."

"Ok then can I have her number?" Justin made the play. 

"Certainly not!. I am not going to pump my physiotherapist to you. She's single but not desperate.' Eve put paid to that. 

The space craft entered the moon's orbit as per programme, or should that be as per reprogram. 

Jack's neurotic​ nature had meant for the last couple of hours he had been calculating fuel loads, Velocities and weights to sort of try and explain the issue they just had. 

Justin on the second orbit around the moon had already started the decent protocol, several burnouts to change the angle of the craft. The laser beacons had been located and the range finders were in use. 

Several lights in the general darkness of the moon began to appear. Several mining  outfits were in operation and they related in general to the big space nations and of course the largest and most powerful corporations on earth. The united states only intimated, as the first nation on the moon, that they continued to have a few research and military related based on the moon. It's interest in mining was in minority stakes in American companies on the moon. 

This was of course not true. Zeneca, the largest mining corporation on the moon was an American government outfit through and through. The mine and related installations spread over 12 square miles both below and above surface. Tunnels and interconnected chambers.

From the actually mines themselves, to the power generators, to the oxygen supply units, to the carbon scrubbers, you name it it was there. The designers had wanted it to be totally self sufficient come what may. 

The landing site was fast approaching. The lights, the platform and the communication mast, were the pieces of equipment which came into sight and additionally the huge fuel tanks right next to the landing platform. 

5,000 feet above the surface, Justin would do a very tricky but also risky maneuver; rotate the space and land it facing upward in the dock. 

Once rotated and slowed down, the four support legs would deploy to allow for upright landing. 

The landing was accompanied by a blast from the main booster rocket. Once landed safely, the supply capsule would disengage automatically and move through a dedicated tunnel system to one of three receiving warehouses.

The crew change passengers would be moved from the space ship from a self detaching capsule through a service chute, which would bring them to the landing and take off area. 

They would be assisted out of their suits as this whole area was pressurised and had an oxygen supply. 

The men would have a quick coffee, receive brief handovers from those who were leaving. 

To be continued..

a look into the wishing well 7

Just as the maid was clearing the table of the remnants of the tea table, George walked in.

His mother had called him to come from where-ever he was because it was important that they talk. 

It had meant that George cancel his scheduled meetings for the rest of the day. He had to come up with some creative excuses to break some of the commitments he made months in advance.

"Hello mother what brings you to our home this fine afternoon?"  Were the first words to come out of George's mouth.

"Do I not have grandchildren to see? Will you deny me this pleasure.. Away with you. I will come when I please. I am still your mother," she said. 

Before sitting down George kissed his mother on the forehead before doing the same with Olive and stroking her hair. He sat next to her. 

"George I am old and I cannot keep up with this fighting amongst you and your brothers. They came with these rumours that the children certainly couldn't not be yours. "

George was about to say something but his mother raised her frail hand to stop him.

"You must listen. I don't ever talk much. Olive has explained the situation to me. But I a traditional and superstitious woman. Those are not children from your own loins.

You may fool anyone but me."

" You must also be mistaken to think we had Dutch or whatever heritage in us. Neither Olive. Our families have known each other for generations. " 

"Mother Please!" George tried to stop her mother

Olive sensed the tension and excused herself to feed the babies.

While she breast fed the triplets her mind was in turmoil and while feeding the little boy something struck her that reminded her of Pierre. His eyes or something about his face. 

But no babies usually look like everyone in the family she thought.. maybe it's just my mind. I have been thinking about Pierre these last few days. It's affecting the way I see things. 

As she walked back to the dining room she could still hear George and her mother speak and she stopped in her tracks as she heard something that made her go pale..

George, George! I never thought you would have four children by now. My dear I had accepted that you had lost the first one and I regretted that we sent that girl away. I was talking as a mother and I know what it feels like to carry a child for 9 months and then someone takes away your baby. 

I never thought to ask you because I believed you were young and didn't want to be burdened by a child at such an age!" 

Olive walked in and George appeared shocked and surprised. His mother did not even look up even after knowing that olive had stumbled on on the secret.

"George? Tell me is that so? You have another child? When? How? I thought you could not have children" Olive visibly shaken said

" It's not what you think and it is more complicated than you think," was George's response.

Now that it was out in the open George tried to explain to Olive what happened and how the family dealt with. 

Olive didn't understand why then he was infertile? 

This part, not even his mother had known. He reminded his mother once when he screamed and told her that he pulled a muscle...well it was something worse. This is what had caused the infertility. He had delayed in seeking treatment. 

Olive concerned had asked​ did it not impact on her. George reassured her that the infection was treated but because he took long to treat it that's why he is infertile.

And olive thought that was the worst of it until he told her about the first failed IVF. That was his sperm used but it had not worked. 

The second attempt was not his even though he had said it was his! Frankly he had no idea.

Olive collapsed on the chair in total shock! George went over to comfort her. Utterly devastated and not able to compose herself. The rage she had through years of self control and discipline kept under wraps, returned. 

She was not the type to hit people but anything close by could be used as a projectile.

She moved George out of the way she picked up a vase and smashed it against​ the wall and ran out the room. 

"Olive please!" He pleaded as she ran out

"Let her be," George's mother said, " She needs to let it out. It is better this way. I would do worse than that if it was me my son. Give her time."

Usually the composed business man, adept at troubleshooting and fixing problems, he was at a loss at what to do now. 

Just then the driver had returned to pick his mother up and she stoically told him

" Be a man. Face up to it. Fix it." 

And she left. 

Needless to say, Olive did not speak to George for a good month. They slept in the same bed. Ate at the same table. 

She was polite. Responded to his 'good mornings and good evenings'. Yes thank you and no thank you. Beyond that nothing else came from her lips. 

He gave her time as her mother suggested. 

She became more attached to the triplets and made it difficult for George to spend time with them.

Always it was either they need to sleep or it's feeding time or they need to go for walk. 

He gave up as he noticed this instructionist behaviour. 

One morning Olive turned up at the fertility clinic and sought out the director of the facility. Her doctor and George's​ was at the meeting. 

She was calm and clear but no less demanding of the need to get to the bottom of this. 

"I want to know who the sperm donor was!'

"Well my lady, it's clear our records show it was your own husband. I thought that was clear?" The director said.

"Well I am no fool. If you want me to go down the legal route I will and you will disclose who it is. ? First I will do a simple DNA test to prove it is not my husband's children?"

The doctors looked at each other and then at Olive. The silence was deafening. 

"Olive it is best you speak to your husband. We strongly encourage you to do this. It is a friendly warning that if you take this route, it could present some unforeseen circumstances. Besides, we know the law, we are protected by the law. Think about your family, your beautiful babies. This is not the time.."

"Are you threatening me director?" Olive said as she stood up , " what if I prove that you went behind my back with my husband to let me carry children which were not his as my understanding?"

To be continued