Chapter 31: Vanuatu Trip

Bill and Julie collected all parties for the trip and arrived at the airport at 9.30 to clear customs. Bill’s limo was taken back by a friend who would be looking after any business whilst they were away. As it was a private plane, customs only took a few minutes. Janet had paid for the forward trip but wanted to see the service before booking a return journey.

After Helena was introduced to the pilots, she supported Janet role in the travel booking. They seemed too aloof in their attitude. If only they knew of Helena’s worth.

On arriving in Port Vila, they were met with two limo from her hotel. The driver was looking for Mrs Romano, Helena explained that she had passed away and that Helena had inherited her estate and would like to be taken to the hotel manager to sight paperwork. Helena and Ben got into the first limo and the rest followed in the second.

On arrival the manager Phillip gave Helena a warm welcome upon hearing the news from the limo driver. Taking Helena to reception she signed for the four keys and handed out three keys to the others retaining one for herself. Helena then asked to see the Manager in private. Phillip took Helena and Ben into his office.

Ben asked “Are you aware of Mrs Romano signature?”

“Yes” Philip replied. Ben then let him see the death certificate and the original will. He accepted a certified copy of the information for his records signing on the copies that he has seen the original documents.

“You have four words for me, it this is correct?” Phillip asked Helena.

“Peter, Peter, Peter, Peter” advised Helena.

“Correct, it is a joke between Mrs Romano and myself and at her last few visits we agreed on these safety words.” Standing “I am sorry that Mrs Romano has passed away but welcome you to your hotel. I will arrange the necessary paperwork to transfer ownership. It only involves share transfer. I also offer my services to be your manager if you wish to retain me.”

Harry confirmed ‘He is good and trustworthy. Mrs Romano was very happy with his services.’

Helena advised “Mrs Romano had great trust with you and Yes I would like you to continue as Manager at your current salary. If you please. I’ll now introduce you to Ben. He is my solicitor in Australia, and if you need to contact me but I do not answer then contact Ben who will always have a contact to me.” Ben stood and shook Phillip hand then passed over 3 business cards for his records. Phillip responded by handing over three cards of his.

Phillip asked “Why 3?”

Ben replied “One for home, one for the office and one in my wallet. It’s just a safety feature with me.”

Phillip then requested Helena accompanied him to her penthouse saying “Ben can stay here until we return or go to his room. Mrs Romano instructions are for you only at this stage.” He opened his safe and collected an envelope with 4 keys and an envelope for Helena. Both were sealed by Mrs Romano signature.

Ben stood up and exited the room saying smiling “You know where to find me!”

Phillip looked puzzled.

Helena responded “He did the same with me when Mrs Romano died. He is going to join his wife. Also can you look after the party of people I came with, I will pick up all of their tabs. This Penthouse it does have bed facilities?”

“Yes, why?” responded Phillip

“Then I do not need this key for myself.” Handing back her hotel key.

Phillip took Helena to reception and asked to take a photograph. “It is needed for both passport control and I need to show all the staff your picture so they know you are the new owner.” He also instructed the staff about arrangements for the other guests on the 8^th floor. On going to the lift there was a single lift off to the side. Phillip explained this was her personal lift and only stops at Basement, Ground, 1^st, 11^th and 12^th floor. The 12^th is her accommodation and the 11^th is her office. He explained “Whilst we maintain your 12^th floor, no one is allowed or has access to the 11^th floor and is only cleaned when Mrs Romano was on site as per her wishes. She always stayed in the room when cleaning occurred.”

Helena immediately understood the arrangement and said “Until further notice all of Mrs Romano’s instruction are to remain. I will possibility not know of a few so I will ask for your indulgence. Thank you Phillip.”

On arriving at her Penthouse, it was both lavish and well maintained. Similar to the unit in Coolangatta. There was an envelope to open. Helena opened this envelope, it contained a short note to open the safe with the same numbers and give the card to Phillip. Going to the bedroom she opened the safe with the numbers from Coolangatta. Inside was again a lot of Jewellery, money, gold bars and some more envelops. Grabbing the card and envelopes. The card asked her to print her full name, name she wished to be known by and signature. Helena completed this in front of Phillip, This confirmed to him that she was the true person to take over from Mrs Romano. Helena explained that she would appreciate that her surname is not used just Miss Helena would be sufficient. She showed Phillip her cheque book explaining this is how she would like her paperwork Helena zs. Phillip explained this would be excellent but the legal paperwork would need her full name. Helena stated this was OK but Ben would check all paperwork so if he could pass the paperwork directly to Ben it would be appreciated. She would sign anything that was needed.

Phillip advised “If you are asked to sign anything just put P12 and I arrange the account. Your friends just need to put their room number as well as signature. I shall leave you to your reading and if you need anything just telephone downstairs. Room service will be up shortly with Mrs Romano usual tray and change the sheets. The staff are mostly my family members and know how to be quiet and reserved. Please enjoy your stay here and just ask if you need anything.” Phillip retired from the room leaving Helena to enjoy the view and paperwork. Helena went to the safe and closed it awaiting the staff.

Sitting near the window, she started to read the first envelope from Phillip. The was a knock on the door. “Enter” she called out.

“We do not have pass keys for this room” A young voice called out.

Helena got up and opened the door. “Sorry I was not aware.” she explained.

The young girl of about 21 years old pushed in a trolley with local fruits together with a box of Twinings herbal teas and clean sheets. Closing the door said “My name is Xena, I am the Mangers Granddaughter and it is my pleasure to serve you. If you need anything from room service, I will attend, you just ask for me. I am the only other person allowed to enter this room on instructions from Mrs Romano. I am sorry to hear that she passed on but she was a very nice and helpful lady.”

Helena put out her hand, not sure what to do Xena held her hand softly. Grabbing her hand with her left hand “I am please to meet you Xena and at this stage please continue to serve me. I do not see a need to change any instructions that Mrs Romano put in place, However there are some I could not be aware of so if you could help it would be appreciated. Thank you for the teas, I do love this brand. Now where is the kettle please?” Letting go of her hand.

Harry mentioned ‘They are frighten you will change everything and sack his family from the hotel and yes I have placed a ring on her finger for your safety. She is good and trustworthy but suspicious of a few employees here but not her grandfather who she adores.’

Xena got out the kettle and filled it with water, from another cupboard she took out a lovely fine china cup and teapot. “If you would like to sit down I will bring over a tea for you. What would you like?” Xena asked.

“Lemon and Ginger please” Helena replied whilst walking back to the chair where her envelopes awaited to be read. “Make one for yourself please. I would like to talk you you please.”

Xena was stunned, Mrs Romano never asked for her help before. “Yes Madam.” and poured herself a cup of the same tea from the pot. Bring over the two cups she served Helena then stood.

Helena asked “Sit down please. First the name is Helena or Miss Helena not madam. It sounds so old fashion.”

“Yes Miss Helena, I have never sat down with Mrs Romano before so I’m a bit worried!” Xena stated.

“OK. I would just like some history about the place. Mrs Romano had great trust in your Grandfather and I have the same feeling at present. I have asked him to remain in the position. I hoping he will fully accept. I feel asking him he would give me the ‘good’ answers not necessary the correct ones. As you and I are around the same age I’m hoping to get some, not stories, but your insights as to what is going on. I’m not going to ask you to betray anyone, just girly gossip, if you understand. What is your history with the hotel?”

Relaxing Xena smiled “Yes I understand. I started working here at 14. Just when Mrs Romano came to town which then, was about every two months, Later it’s been 5 months since we have seen her. I am studying hotel management and Grandfather gets me to work here as much as I like. However he did request I continue my duties with you as I did for Mrs R, as we called her. She was strict but fair. Always wanting everything clean throughout the hotel. Always saying if we have high standards we will get a better class of person. As far as I can tell, her standards certainly kept the Hotel busy even when other hotels undercut our price this hotel always attracted good clients. Since, at Mrs R request, I can see in my studies that excellent service will always attract the best clients. Privately Mrs R owns at least 10 hotels in these Islands and insists that standards are maintained and locals are employed. She told me once and I was never to tell my Grandfather. I hope I have not broken her trust by telling you?”

Helena smiled. “How long before you finish your studies? And no, thank you for letting me know, this is the reason I wanted a girly chat.”

Xena replied “6 to 12 months”

“What roles in this hotel have you done, liked and disliked.” Helena enquired.

“I have done all roles from Reception, cosigner, room service, cleaning, accounting, administration, acting Manager, waitress and food preparation. I like them all except food prep, I’m just not a cook. Never liked it even as a child. My favourite is Reception and accounting. Grandfather says I am to complete a business management course when I have finished my hotel course. Mrs R always supported me in what I was doing and I always gave her reports on how everything was going in my studies.”

Helena replied “I see. Please continue with your studies and yes I will ask you for assistance when needed.”

Xena then advised “I am the only staff member to come onto floor 11. Even my Grandfather does not go onto that floor. It was Mrs R very private domain and well, when you see the room you may understand. It has not been cleaned since her last visit and I generally did the cleaning when she was in the room. There is a lot of paperwork and safes. When you are ready I will clean the room for you, if you wish?”

Helena smiled “Yes please continue, I will go to the room tomorrow and let you know about the cleaning. This is the type of girly info I am looking for, not the financial etc, I can get them anytime. Thank you Xena, I Let you finish up now with the bed making whilst I read my notes.” Helena standing up shook Xena hand again.

Xena went on to change the bedroom sheeting and made sure the room was clean. Putting her head out of the door Xena requested “Miss Helena where are your clothes? I do not think Mrs R clothing would exactly fit you? Do you wish me to remove Mrs R clothing?”

“First question I don’t know they were picked up by the Limo. And Yes can you remove the other clothing. Just be careful of any notes, jewellery please. Is there a charity group that would like the clothing. No point just throwing good items away.”

Xena advised “I go and see downstairs or ask your friends. Grandfather could have them. Yes there is a charity group that we deliver used and torn sheets, table cloths and materials too. I’ll find out if they take clothing.” She left the room and went down in the lift.

Helena continued to read the notes in the envelope in Mrs Romano copperplate handwriting. Basically she owned 12 Hotels over the islands to encourage employment of native people. There is a legal firm that have all of the paperwork for the ownership under various companies as well as 5 bank accounts. In different banks. The legal firm is RMMO. Located 6 door down from the hotel. Details on floor 11. Mrs Romano does bring surplus cash monies from Australia and places in various banks. However she again has too much cash and need to get some more jobs for the local workers. RMMO should have some proposals for discussion. But beware she has been stung by a local business, The Hood group that wants 25% cut of all contracts. Mrs R avoided using any of the local Hood’s firms.

Xena returned with her luggage and some boxes for Mrs Romano’s clothing. She quickly removed the old clothes and put Helena clothes in appropriate draws and hanging in the cupboard. Helena returned the envelopes to the safe and called Suzanne asking what on the dinner menu. They had decided to try the hotel food tonight and were booked into the restaurant at 6.30pm. Yes we did reserve a place for you.

Vanuatu Inheritance

Helena had a shower then dressed for dinner. Joining the group in the restaurant. Ben sat next to Helena with Suzanne on the other side. They complemented the building and the cleanness of the hotel. Helena mentioned to just sign for anything here as she now owned this hotel and there are some allowances to use up. Tax items, Ben would know.

Quickly speaking with Ben, Helena saying tomorrow morning I will be reading then either after lunch or the following day we have a law firm to visit. Ben smiled after what happened at the last law firm. She would ring him around lunch time. So enjoy the morning with Janet. Whilst the meal was served Helena asked Suzanne if she would like to go for a walk after dinner together. There is a girl here I would like to tell you about. Suzanne agreed.

The meal was very nice with the staff hovering around making sure all clients in the room were well looked after. The only incidence was a bottle of wine was sent to the table and Helena explained that they did not drink alcoholic. Water and soft drink, coffee and tea’s but not beer, wine etc or the local Kava.

Leaving the dining room no bill was presented, when queried Helena explained in this place it is all on my Tab. Helena went up to Suzanne rooms so she could change for their walk. Then Helena took Suzanne to her penthouse, so Helena could change. Suzanne was impressed. “Wow nice room and view. You really did land it good.”

Helena advised that according to the notes she owns some 12 hotel/motels on the Islands and would like her assistance to visit and check them out.

Walking along the Kumul highway they went northwards. Helena mentioned about the girl Xena and the family relationship. I feel Phillip is planning for Xena to take over his role in a few years. I do admire his foresight and will support it. Having been in contact with both they are good trustworthy people and understand Mrs Romano vision to help others. Phillip as far a Helena was concerned was not aware of the other hotels she owned but Mrs R let it slip to Xena. Maybe she had other plans for Xena. Tomorrow reading session should reveal.

Whilst walking pass the Post Office they attracted the attention of a few boys. These they dismissed except two. They had been following from her hotel and kept talking in their native tongue. They walked up the lane way near the Tourism office then around the building back to the highway.

Confirming they were being followed they speed up in walking until the Class Hotel. Walking across the road towards the parking and Palm Tree area they slowed right down behind a palm tree. The men soon caught up to them.

Helena asked them for directions to Prouds the Jewellers. They mentioned they can escort them northwards towards the shop but it would be closed now. But they could window shop. Helena placed her left hand on one of their arms for support to clear sand from her shoe. The shop was actually south of their stopping point.

Harry had a goods read. These goons were part of Hoods group and were expected to keep them under view all of the time they were out of the hotel. He wanted to buy the hotel for his personal empire but Mrs R would not sell. They had done quite a few jobs for Hood and had a reputation of being mean and vicious. They did not care if it was male or female they would deal with anyone in according to Mr Hoods instructions. Helena and Suzanne took the men into the trees just near the church, There they got the men to try and please them but they ended in pain. They left them against the trees looking like they were drunks and sleeping it off. The girls then walked slowly, like tourists, returned to their hotel.