Anthology Sins of Spring

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Yes, they are, Adam mumbled from the sofa.
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TAKEOVER D.J. Manly
63
Okay, well& you two play host. Adam Rita glanced at her son get Mr Roberts a
drink.
Clive, please, and I don t drink, he added.
Not even beer? Adam stared at him.
No. Thanks anyway.
Can we get you a soft drink, then? Rita offered.
Club soda with ice and lime, if you have it.
Adam got up off the sofa. Sure, he replied, whatever.
Excuse me, Rita said, the wine bottles still in her hands, I ll go and tend to the
dinner. Seth should be& oh, there he is. She looked at Seth as he walked into the living
room.
Seth nodded at Clive. Have a seat. Sorry about that. Graham is a handful.
You re the handful, Susan teased. He works him all up, Susan regarded Clive.
They re two peas in a pod.
Clive wasn t sure what to make of it. It was all foreign to him, this family stuff.
Adam came back with the club soda as Clive took a seat in one of the chairs. It was a
living room made for comfort and interaction. The seats faced one another, and on the far
wall was a forty-inch television screen. Over one of the sofas was a family picture, quite
recent. Rita was in the middle, with Seth and Adam on either side. Graham, perhaps two
years younger, stood beside his uncle, and Susan stood in back of Adam, a hand on his
shoulder. Clive had no idea why the picture made a lump form in his throat. He sipped his
club soda.
Dinner will be ready soon, Seth said.
Thank God, Adam muttered and got up off the sofa. I m going out for some air.
Don t mind him, Seth said after he d left.
My husband tends to be a bit hotheaded at times, Susan offered.
It s okay, Clive replied. I know this is difficult.
I think once he hears the details Seth rubbed his chin he ll see that it s for the
best.
Provided we don t lose Frost Trucking, Susan piped in. Simpson is taking it over?
She waited.
Clive took another sip of his club soda.
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TAKEOVER D.J. Manly
64
We won t advise Gramps to sign if that s the case, Clive. Seth met his gaze.
The company is in bankruptcy, Clive pointed out.
But it could be saved, Seth protested, with some new investment and a change in
business strategy. Right?
Perhaps.
So what did Simpson say? Did they agree not to close it if Gramps sells? Susan
persisted.
What are we going to eat, Clive? What if Daddy doesn t buy any food again this week?
Don t worry, Angela. I ll get us some food.
I m hungry, Clive. My tummy is&
I haven t heard that they intend to do that, Clive said. He swallowed again. A lie.
He d told a lie. And once the papers were signed, it wouldn t matter. Sure, Seth would never
speak to him again, but& Damn, maybe he could talk Simpson out of it? No it was not in
the company s interest to keep it going, and it was not in his interest to play hero.
He needed that promotion. What if Simpson decided to get rid of him? What if he was
out in the streets and couldn t afford to pay his bills, or put food on the table? An image of
Angela pale and weak came to mind.
She s dying, you bastard!
His father had knelt at the bedside, sobbing. He d held out his hand and Clive had
turned away. He d had no sympathy to give.
Clive? Seth was looking right at him.
Yes? Did you say something?
Dinner is ready.
Oh, perfect. He stood and followed Seth into the dining room.
Adam, Susan and Graham were already at the table. Rita had put on all the dishes with
serving spoons. Clive was directed to sit beside Seth. It felt strange, alien to him. He d never
had this. Everyone talked at once as they passed the food back and forth. There was laughter
and teasing, and a sense of togetherness people who knew each other so well and felt
connected.
Clive, Seth asked, is the food okay?
He hadn t eaten a bite. He was just so fascinated by it all. I m sorry. He picked up his
fork and ate some roast beef. Delicious.
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TAKEOVER D.J. Manly
65
The dessert was chocolate cake and equally as good. They opened the wine and, again,
he declined. He d never drunk. He d seen enough of what alcohol could do to sicken him for
a lifetime.
They lingered over coffee, talking about the town, the people. This is a place where
people come together and help one another. Adam looked at him. I suppose you wouldn t
understand that, would you, Roberts?
Adam, Rita chastised. That s not polite.
Actually, Clive agreed, you re right. I don t have any experience with that. Quite the
opposite. I m in awe of it, really.
Seth placed a hand on his forearm. We need more of that kind of thing.
Clive smiled. How is your grandfather today?
Better, Seth said.
Not dead yet, if that s what you mean, Adam sneered.
I don t wish any harm to your grandfather, Adam.
Of course you don t, Clive, Susan said. Adam, apologise.
Why in hell should I? That s what he was sent here for. He was here the minute they
heard about Gramps, waiting to pounce.
We won t get anywhere this way, Seth protested. Adam, you need to hear what
Clive has to say. The company is really in debt, and Gramps can t run it anymore. He needs
some security in his old age& and he could lose everything.
Adam sighed and sat back on his chair. There are others out there who might buy it.
Who? Seth demanded. No one wants to take over a company in the red.
At least hear our proposal, Clive begged Adam. You can decide to recommend it to
your grandfather, or not. There is no obligation.
Adam nodded. Fine.
He s just doing his job, Adam, Susan reminded.
Hope you sleep well at night, Adam muttered.
Let s clear off the table so that Mr Roberts will have some room to spread out his
papers. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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