Page 85 of The Moon Sister
‘Yes, it can be, but Charlie has another job – he’s a cardiac surgeon in Inverness. So it’s difficult for him too.’
‘One thing my father taught me was never to spread yourself too thinly, to concentrate on one thing at a time, and give that all your energy,’ Zed murmured.
‘Charlie’s not got much of a choice just now. He can’t just walk away from his patients, can he?’
‘What about his employees here? It has been obvious since the moment I arrived that this estate is understaffed, and, without a captain at the tiller, effectively rudderless too. I mean, even though I am physically here at Kinnaird, I spend at least six hours a day – sometimes more – communicating by phone or email with my staff.’
‘Charlie can hardly do that in the middle of open heart surgery,’ I said, hearing the defensiveness in my voice.
‘Agreed. So, he has to decide what he wants to do, and soon. I looked into the estate’s accounts a couple of days ago and it is running at a huge loss. In reality, it is bankrupt.’
‘How on earth did you look at the accounts?’ I asked him, horrified.
‘Anything is accessible online, if you know where to look. It is a limited company, registered at Companies House.’
‘Oh,’ I said, although that still didn’t explainwhyhe’d looked them up in the first place.
‘So, how long is your contract here?’
‘Three months, but Charlie said it would almost definitely be extended.’
‘Right. Although looking at those accounts and the loan he took out to refurbish the Lodge, I do wonder how he is going to pay his electricity bills, let alone his staff next month. Tiggy’ – Zed leant towards me – ‘I will come straight to the point. I have a position coming up in my company that I wanted to discuss with you.’
‘Oh, well, I’m afraid I know nothing about communications and technology and stuff.’
‘I know you don’t, and nor do I want you to. That is my department. This particular department – newly created by me – comes under the Lightning Communications global charity fund.’
‘And what does that consist of?’
‘It is about giving something back to the world from what I have taken out of it. I will be honest and tell you that my father did not have a good track record. Most people in the business community regarded him as a crook – and I am sure that, to become as successful as he did from nothing, takes some subterfuge. But now that I am in charge, I can assure you it has all stopped. I am not my father, Tiggy, and I want to build myself a much more positive media profile. You and our conversations have inspired me; what better way to do that than to start a charitable fund? In short, I want you to run the wildlife charity division for me.’
‘I . . . goodness! But—’
‘Please hear me out before you speak. My accountant assures me there is plenty of money available – charitable donations are tax deductible, so the budget is very healthy indeed. Millions, in fact, which would be at your disposal to do as you thought best with. You would choose the projects, and of course, you would be the charity’s spokesperson, because you would be the only one who would know what she was talking about. And you are very photogenic as well.’ He smiled as he made his fingers into a frame and peered through it at me. ‘I can just picture the photo on the first presentation slide when we have the launch. You looking up at a giraffe somewhere out in the African savannah.’ Zed slapped his thighs. ‘Good or not? So . . . what do you think, Tiggy? Does the idea appeal to you?’
Did the idea appeal to me?! Having millions to spend as I chose around the world, safeguarding the future of rare breeds, protecting vulnerable animals and having a real platform from which to speak out about their suffering. Elephants hunted for their tusks, mink farmed for their fur, tigers shot to become a trophy rug . . .
‘Tiggy? Are you listening?’
I brought myself back to reality, and stared at Zed across the table.
‘It sounds amazing. I mean,’ I breathed, ‘amazing!’
‘Good, I am glad you think that.’
‘But why me? I’m just . . . well, the cat-sitter at the moment.’
‘Taygete D’Aplièse,’ he chuckled, ‘I looked you up online as well. I happen to know that you won a major prize for achieving the top marks in Europe for your final zoology dissertation. There was a photograph of you in theTribune de Genèvewith your trophy. You were then offered various high-profile positions, and decided on Servion Zoo, before you left after six months and came here to Scotland.’
I felt even more invaded by him, but I also understood why Zed had checked me out. ‘Yes, but it doesn’t mean I have the kind of experience you’d need for such a major undertaking.’
‘One of your problems is that currently you do not realise or utilise your potential. You’re twenty-six years old, only eighteen months out of university. I have spent the last few months weeding out the dead wood that my father employed for far too long. All the new people who work for me are young like you and not hampered by their past. The world is changing, Tiggy, and I need people around me who can look to the future, who have the energy, drive and the passion to succeed, just like their boss.’
I looked at him then and wondered if he’d ever thought of becoming an inspirational speaker. He was certainly on the verge of convincing me.
‘I know you mentioned your passion for Africa,’ he continued. ‘It would certainly fit my brief. Big game is sexy – it gets a lot of coverage in the media. Yes, there would be some commuting between there and Manhattan where my headquarters are based, but I will include first-class travel in your package, along with a six-figure salary, accommodation, oh, and a company car – with heating,’ he chuckled.
‘Oh my God, Zed. I’m seriously overwhelmed. I can’t take it in. But still, why me?’
