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COLONEL NOAH |
OTHER CHAPTERSWhen the Colonel had told Tom Dailey that he would look after the financial side of the project there had been no doubt in his mind that the whole thing was viable but now, several months into the building, he was not so sure. 
CHAPTER 6
He had always thought of himself as a 'warm' man as far as money was concerned. He and Elspeth had always lived well within their means, living mainly in married quarters until his retirement. However since the project had begun the price of materials had risen exorbitantly. Some of the special needs for the boat had knocked huge holes in his savings and his portfolio was being demolished at an alarming rate. There would have to be a re-think on the situation. Tom may have to be consulted after all if he couldn't think of a solution himself.
Was it possible to cut down on materials? No, not if his ideal of a floating home was to be realised. Could he find cheaper materials? No, that was completely against his nature.
A mortgage on the house was a possibility but bank managers were a notoriously unimaginative breed. They would be sure to frown upon this project as non-profit making.
Raising cash from other sources was looking the best bet. He could make the whole thing a joint venture with himself in charge. After all Noah did take his sons and their families along. The Colonel decided to put out a few feelers.
David and Dorothy would have to be consulted. He knew that his son would see the wisdom of the project, it had been David who was responsible for the whole thing even if he didn't realise it. He hadn't been in touch really since he began building as David was off on an extended tour. Somehow the Colonel had managed his weekly phone calls without mentioning it to Dorothy. Perhaps it was time to put him in the picture, after all global warming was accelerating at an unbelievable pace - extensive flooding, hurricanes, tidal waves and dire warnings of holes in the ozone layer were surely not to be ignored. He would ring now.
'Dad, how are you? I was going to call tonight but you've beaten me to it.'
They chatted for several minutes about David's tour and exchanged family news. David thought he could detect an unbelievable touch of nervousness in his father's manner.
'Was there anything special to make you call so early in the day?'
'Yes, there is something I need to talk to you about, I'm in the middle of rather a large project and I'd value your help and expertise.'
'A project? What sort of project, we usually get together on a new venture. Have you started something without me?'
'Well after your last tour on the Northern Hemisphere and our discussion on Earth's water levels I looked into it quite seriously - and came up with some very disturbing facts. The upshot was that I decided to do something about the situation something positive.'
'What positive?'
'I'm building a boat.'
'That's good, you've been threatening to do that for years. Tell me about it.'
'It's large and it's in the back garden.'
'Really! Quite a change from growing vegetables. Sounds like a very serious venture to me. Shall we come up this weekend? It was on the cards anyhow as we haven't seen you for a family get together this year. That last tour was a long one - even Dot complained. We can have long discussions.'
The Colonel was silent for a moment actually feeling quite shy and a bit apprehensive.
'That would be splendid, I'll get Mrs Blount to organise things this end. She's always pleased to see you all.'
David's first reaction to his father's disclosure was one of disbelief. It was totally against his nature to be so precipitate. Building a boat in his back garden! He must have had plans, planning permission, financial advice and a hundred and one other things which would need looking into. Also they had always planned everything together even the smallest dinghy adventure with the twins.
He called upstairs.
'Dot can you come down a minute?'
'What is it? I'm stripping beds.'
'It's important. It's about Dad!'
Dot came down quickly, she was very fond of her father-in-law. She was a slim pleasant woman in her late thirties. If David was worried about his father it must be serious as he was never ill and the most 'together' person that she knew.
'Has he called you as usual while I've been away?'
'You know I ring him at twenty-one thirty hours for ten minutes after the news alternate weeks. We would have gone up for the weekend but the twins exams came first this year. You know all this!!'
'Did he mention building a boat?'
'A boat, no, what kind of boat?'
'One that will fit into the back garden. Large, he said, he was very evasive. He said all will be revealed when we go. Would it be too much hassle to go up for the weekend? If there's a boat involved the twins will love it. I really would like to go and see for myself.'
'Of course we must go. He's such a wonderful old man, and never a minute's worry. Ellie and Oliver can please themselves, they are old enough, although I'd rather have Oliver where I can keep an eye on him. He's been very restless since he finished his exams. A trip to see his grandfather is just what he needs and there's that boy next door too, they get on very well in short bursts.'
'Great, I'll ring him.'
'Why don't you ring Val and ask if she's heard anything from your Dad?'
After ringing his father to confirm their visit he rang his sister.
'David, you've just caught me, I'm off to meeting. What's up?'
David smiled, she never changed, the whole world could fall apart and Val would be there to pick up the pieces. She was a female version of their father, organised, well intentioned and usually infuriatingly right. David had suffered from her bossy ways all his life. To the W.I. and Young Farmer's she was a pain in the bum but a wonderful shifter and mover.
'Dad rang to hear about my tour and then said he was building a boat. Do you know anything about it?'
'No, he hasn't said a word to me and I ring every week on Friday night just to make sure he's alright. He's due for his annual visit in October.'
'He's building a boat in his back garden.'
Val hooted with laughter, 'Don't worry it will be a model of one of your ships. He'll want to surprise you. He won't have done anything without going into it thoroughly - you know Dad.'
'We're going up for the week end so I'll see for myself.'
'Ring me if you have news, must dash - I'm the chair. Love to Dot. Bye.'
The Colonel, having made the first major decision, decided to go ahead and make another. Ringing David hadn't been too traumatic so the next part could be just as easy. He'd make a start on his fund-raising efforts. The neighbours must be consulted and invited to take part, they were involved too. He was mildly surprised that no one from the Avenue had protested at the number of lorries and loads of materials which had been delivered. He, himself would have been curious to say the least and might even have given a slight reprimand to the culprit. The British were notorious for minding their own business and keeping to themselves.
He had seen the younger Miss Teesdale peeping through the hedge from time to time, he had even invited her in to look but was pleased when she shyly refused.
The headmistress was quite a different proposition but not a surmountable one, she was a sensible women.
There would only be room for ten people to live comfortably aboard and he had to be realistic.
Tom Dailey was wholeheartedly in favour, so with his wife and daughter that would be four. He felt sure about young Darren but his parents were an unknown factor.
Mrs Blount would be asked but would refuse politely.
David and Dot and the twins would certainly be coming along. That left two places at most, if they were willing to bunk up. He knew that Val and family wouldn't leave their farm so he must have a meeting - this very weekend while David was there.
The wording of the invitation to his neighbours must be just right. He didn't want to frighten them unduly but on the other hand it must sound sufficiently serious to make them see the future as he saw it.
Eventually after many false starts he wrote:
Colonel Frazer-Lambert requests the pleasure of your company on the evening of Saturday 14th at 7.p.m. to discuss a subject of vital importance to us all. Light refreshments will be served.
He would ask Mrs Blount to rustle up a few scones and biscuits when he spoke to her about the project. He would have to tell Tom, and Darren could take an invitation to his parents. Surely they had asked him some questions about the activities next door? Even they must have noticed a large boat being built over the fence. He knew from Darren's comments that things were not too good at home and he had heard raised voices from time to time.
Darren had been heard to express the opinion that they didn't notice what he was doing as long as he wasn't in trouble and didn't bother them.
The Colonel was of the opinion that this was a very poor show as Darren was a grand lad and worthy of any parents' attention.
Valerie might be a bit difficult - she always had been, such decided views on things for a woman, however she would be consulted. His annual visits to Scotland were becoming a little easier now, in fact the youngest boy had distinct possibilities. He would ask David's advice about Valerie.
No use speculating. He must get on, write out the invitations neatly and set the ball rolling.
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