Chapter 4

“As it happens, I’ve got some cash lying around that’s earning nothing where it is. If you’re interested in having an investor, we could talk about it.”

He looks at me over his mug, his expression flat. “James, I’m not talking about a few hundred or even a few thousand. Have you seen the price of property around here?”

“Yes, I have. I’ve occasionally looked at buying an apartment in the City, given my long-term plans, so I have a very good idea of how much you’re talking about.”

He stares at me. “And that’s the kind of cash you’ve got ‘lying around’?”

“It’s supposed to be my pension, but it’s doing fuck-all in the fund it’s in. And I’m not planning on retiring anytime soon. I enjoy what I do far too much.”

“Right…. Gotcha….” He sucks in his cheeks, thinking.

“Let me put it this way,” I say. “If I put up the cash to buy the building, can you afford to fit it out?”

“Oh, yes. That’s no problem at all. I’ve got a lot of stuff in the basement that I’ve picked up from auctions and bankrupt stock over the years; equipment, fittings, furnishings….”

“Waiting for better times?”

“Exactly. The building work’s minimal and it’s already got decent electrics and plumbing. It’s a refitting job, not a complete refurb.”

“Do you have audited accounts for your business to date? Projections? Costs? Business plan?”

“Of course I have. Um…. do you want to talk about this now? Or have something to eat and we’ll do it back at mine?”

As I look around, several pairs of staff eyes are watching us. “Yes, I think somewhere more private would be a good idea.”

*****

Back at Michael’s apartment he turns the key and waves me in. “Make yourself at home,” he says. “Sorry it’s a bit small, but there’s only me and I like it that way.”

“No visiting girlfriends?”

He sniffs. “Just the family occasionally. I like to keep my strings untied, and the apartment not looking as though I’m trying to invite anyone into my life. I use the clubs and keep it…. informal.”

We send out for takeaway. I leave Michael to tap at a keyboard, bringing up his accounts while I pay the delivery boy. Returning, I find him ‘Hmmming’ over the screen. “It’s up to date to the end of last month,” he says. “You know your way around the software?”

I take a quick look at the screen. “Yup, I use it myself for my own book-keeping.”

He waves me onto the chair. “Help yourself then. If you want to query anything, I’ll be in the middle of the prawn crackers over there.”

The accounts are straightforward enough. It’s not as though I have to check out stock lists or turnover. What is completely clear is a healthy pattern of growing numbers of clients, money reinvested as capital equipment and a lack of unnecessary borrowing.

“You’ve never been overdrawn?”

“I spend money I have. Not money I don’t have. I don’t mind paying out on a mortgage, but I’m blowed if I’m paying the kind of fees they demand on bank charges and overdrafts.”

“Yes, sensible enough.”

After an hour, I sit back, considering. He looks worried. “Hey, if you’ve any doubts about any of that, I’ve got all the till rolls, receipts, everything.”

“No, I’m not worried at all. It looks good to me. On the strength of what I’ve seen, if you’d like to do it, in principle, I’m happy to invest. We can discuss detailed terms separately.”

“Hey, that’s great.” He hesitates. “There’s just one thing to clear up before we get down to brass tacks… Sorry, two things.”

“Which are…?”

He holds up a finger. “One, if I am able to pay you off early, I have the option to do so?”

“Fine, no problem.”

“And two…. You don’t want to be involved in the management, do you? Have you any experience in…?”

“No and no. I’m an engineer, not a manager. I have zero interest in the day to day running of the business. That’s your job.”

“Good.” He offers me his hand and we shake, then “You know, I’ve got a bottle of malt I was saving for an occasion like this.”

*****

Michael

Some hours later, the level of the bottle has dropped considerably.

“So, you’re by yourself, working the clubs. What happened to your wife?” I ask, then as his face falls, wonder if I should have.

He takes a swig of his whisky. “We weren’t what you could call compatible. I didn’t realise how much so until our daughter left home for University, then she couldn’t get away from me fast enough. Twenty-odd years of marriage and she was gone, just like that.”

Oh, crap. I really shouldn’t have asked….

“Oh…. Sorry, I shouldn’t have….”

He shrugs and takes another gulp of his drink. “It’s not your fault, is it? You’ve nothing to be sorry for. You’ve had the sense to keep yourself single.”

“Do you see your daughter?”

“No. Marlene took all the money but told Georgetta that I was refusing to pay any maintenance. I’d gone for a clean break and paid her off all in one go, but Georgie doesn’t speak to me now. I pay her University fees. Perhaps one day she’ll come round.” He looks glum, playing with the glass. “She’s happy in her new life I think. No need for her to pay for the sins of her parents.” Another mouthful of whisky. “Now I live unencumbered.”

He starts to stand. “I’d better be getting back,” he says, “while I can walk straight….”

Too late….

“…. Thanks for your hospitality.”

“Where are you staying?” I ask, trying to steady him with my hand on his elbow.

“The Imperial.”

Not a good idea. You’ll get mugged or robbed or run over in the state you’re in….

“The Imperial? That’s right across town. It’s too far to walk at this time. Why don’t you sleep in the spare room for the night? You’ll enjoy the walk more in the morning when you have a clear head.”

“Um, that’s a very good offer. If I’m not in the way, yes, I would like that. Thanks.”

*****