Page 13 of A Family Affair
‘I think that’s amazing.’
‘Really, do you?’ Honey was taken aback. She didn’t often get that reaction to her crazy ideas.
‘Yep, totally one hundred percent, but tell me what phase one is?’
Honey was thrilled he’d asked, and that he thought she was amazing. ‘Well for a start, I wanted to employ local people because so many have to leave the area and find work in the cities and bigger towns. Then, once I’ve paid Gospel and Lizzy, and the other overheads, I give the profit to charity and use some of it to help local people.’
Levi had sat forward, arms resting on knees, hands clasped together, totally focused on what Honey was saying.
‘You know how cold it was last winter, and that people struggled to heat their homes and pay their bills?’
Levi nodded.
‘I couldn’t bear the thought of old people freezing and going hungry, so I had a word with the vicar who was totally on board and put the word out for volunteers. I thought that even if it was for one day, they’d have somewhere they could come and keep warm, have some toast and tea, and at lunchtime a bowl of soup and a roll. A warm hub to meet up with people if they were lonely too. Gospel makes it all in advance and the vicar’s volunteers dish it up. I come in and help too, but the others have the day off.’
‘And was it a success?’
Honey smiled. ‘Oh yes. I had posters made and put them everywhere and contacted the community nurses, and anyone I could think of who came into contact with people that might want to come. It was a slow start at first, but gradually word spread, and we were soon full. It was such a success that we’ve carried on throughout the year, but then I hit a problem.’
‘Oh no. What happened?’
‘It wasn’t a problem as such, more of a dilemma because one day, I spotted a young mum hovering outside. She had two little boys with her and eventually she came in and asked if the Warm Hub was open to anyone. I felt so bad. I sensed it had taken her a lot to pluck up the courage to ask, and that she felt embarrassed. Long story short I invited her in and gave them something to eat and later, she told me that during the school holidays she struggles to feed them. It killed me inside, hearing that. Later, Lizzy explained that a lot of parents rely on free school meals in term time but during the holidays, it’s a worry. So we decided to do something to help.’
‘What did you do?’
‘There wasn’t enough room in here for mums and kids, and our elderly guests, so I did the next best thing and during the Christmas break, on Mondays, we made up packed lunches that parents could collect. We do it during all the holidays now, but it’s a drop in the ocean really, one day a week, and now, with winter on the doorstep people are going to be dreading the cold again. I just wish I had the money to do more because, like I said, I have loads of ideas. I can only do so much, though, and I don’t want to stop donating to charity to fund my grand plan. It drives me crazy, you know. And keeps me awake at night. I’ll just have to learn patience I suppose.’
Honey could feel her passion and frustration as she talked. Like a ball of fire in her chest and, sometimes, it got too much. Desire to do something thwarted by the same old problem, money, or lack of it.
When Levi smiled, at first Honey wondered if he was amused by her, but when he spoke, she realised it was for another reason entirely.
‘Well, as it so happens, it’s looking like my earlier catastrophes may have been worthwhile after all.’
Honey scrunched her face, then stopped, knowing it made her look like a chipmunk. ‘How so?’
‘Because it so happens that I might have the solution to your problems, or at the very least be able to help.’ Levi picked up his mug and smiled. ‘Drink up, it’s going cold. And then you can tell me a bit more about these donations you make, and I’ll explain where I come in. This really is turning out to be our lucky day!’
Bemused and intrigued, Honey obeyed. She also hoped so badly that the kind-eyed man seated before her was for real, and that somehow and totally unexpectedly, he’d be the answer to all of her prayers.
CHAPTER11
MR TRISTAN HENDERSON JNR
Mr Tristan Henderson Jnr tapped the walnut desktop, impatient as always. It was 5pm UK time and midday in New York as he waited for his transatlantic call to connect. He wasn’t particularly impressed with the man at the other end, and for some reason the lackadaisical and unfamiliar ring tone sought to irritate him further.
Finally, he heard a drawling voice at the other end ask,‘w’sup man’and even the 3,334 miles that separated them did nothing to calm Tristan’s ire.
‘Where are you? Please tell me you’re on your way to the airport because if you miss this flight…’
‘Hey dude, relax. I just got here. About to check in with plenty of time to spare. Jeez, you Brits really are uptight. I hope you’re gonna be more fun while I’m over there because I ain’t spendin’ time with a guy who acts like my pa. I was wonderin’ if we could go to the races. Horses are my fav’rit thing. I checked online and I saw that there’s a track in Chester; we could go there.’
Chuck Chamberlain’s tone might have been jovial, but it didn’t wash with Tristan who’d paid for his ticket, and the rebooking fee after Chuck missed his earlier flight, and not a chance in hell was he going to the racecourse with the man.
‘Funny. Just make sure you get on the plane. Someone will pick you up at the airport and take you straight to your hotel. It’s all arranged. And we can see about the races if we have time.’ Tristan attempted to be convivial, swallowing down his dislike of the human waste of space who he was speaking to like one of his children. Although at least they were intelligent.
Chuck had been a major pain in the arse ever since he’d tracked him down, but Tristan needed to keep him on side and play the game. Because that’s what all this was. A game where, if all went well, he could make some serious money off the feckless loser at the other end of the line.
Chuck responded in his far-too-laid-back way. ‘S’cool. I’ll text you when I’m through security and airside. I’m kinda lookin’ forward to kickin’ back and relaxing on the flight and hey, spending time with you and my new fam when I land in good old England. Gonna be a blast.’
