Chapter 60: A Thank You

At 5pm their room phone rang. Xena asked it they would be available for dinner with some private guests at 7pm in the private dining room. Fred replied “Yes that would be good, see you at 7pm.”

Helena looked at him “What?”

“We have been invited to dinner at 7pm downstairs my lady.” Fred replied smiling.

Helena looked at the clock, “Good we have at least an hour, come here lover!”

And they made love again...

On arriving at the private restaurant they found a group of people attending including Jim, Tony, Phillip, Claire, Xena, and their partners also there were Suzanne, Zac and Paul. Jim came straight to Helena and hugged her, then kissed her hand. Without mentioning why he said quietly “You know the reason for that, I am forever in your debt.” He then turned around to everyone and exclaimed “Tonight is our last chance, this visit, to say thank you to some wonderful supporters of this our wonderful islands. I present Helena and Fred” Everyone clapped them. Helena felt embarrassed.

Fred took the lead by saying “Thank you Governor Jim and friends. When is the grub being served?” Everyone laughed. This gave Helena a chance to recompose herself. She looked at Fred with a feeling of love and thanks. They all sat down at the large circular table. With Helena between Jim and Fred.

Again the head chef out did himself with a fine Island and Aussie style menu over 8 courses including desserts. Xena kept an eye on Helena and disappeared a few times to make her coffee. This Helena did appreciate. Helena ask Xena when do you graduate? Xena replied with 9 weeks to go. Phillip overheard the talk and nodded to Helena. She would be back for her graduation. Everyone wandered around the room talking to everyone else. Helena ask Claire “Can you prepare a brief/package for the new hotel being built. Don’t tell her but Xena will be taking over as Project Manager to complete the building and running the complex. I would like you, after she finds out, to assist in any way possible. Will you do that please?”

Claire looked at Helena with surprise “I would certainly help my good friend and I will keep mum about it. Infact the partners wanted me to ask you who would you appoint to manage the building. Can I keep them in suspense until your return visit?”

Helena smiled “Yes, thank you.” Claire walked away with the biggest smile, and very proud of Helena trust in her. She would never let her down.

Tony approached Helena smiling, “Am I in the dog box for organising this?”

Helena mentioned “Just a well you told me, I was going to roast Phillip or William for this!” She then broke out in a brilliant smile.

Tony replied “Jim really pushed me to do something. He just wanted to give you his personal thanks for the clinic. He knows you do not like this and we will be taking all of the credit but at least we can rest easy by saying a personal thanks to you.” Tony hugged Helena.

Helena then found Claire again. “Come and see me tomorrow morning before you go to work please. I’ll have something for you to attend to please.”

Claire responded with “OK.”

Jim finally got Helena alone for a few minutes. “You have made a dream come true for me. For too long we have had to fight the old traditions with the” looking around to make sure no one was within ear shot “people on the island, hopefully we can dispelled the belief they will not fall apart and pass on the disease to them.”

Helena mentioned “Change the name to Hansen disease. That what they renamed it to avoid the negative name.”

Jim smiled “Thank you Helena another brilliant idea.” Jim wife Mary joined them and the talk turned to more general terms.

The meal soon broke up Fred took Helena to the 12^th floor. He asked “Tonight was a special thanks to you personally. May I be allowed to know why? but if you don’t want to tell me that’s OK.”

Helena filled in Fred about the project. Fred replied “Like Jim, I too am proud of you.”

He then kissed her passionately, Proud of her actions.

Claire came around at 8.45, Helena called up Xena and collected her local cheque book.

“What did you call the fund?”

Claire replied “After contact with Janet and Julie we all agreed on VHDC. Non descriptive except to those in the know. Why?”

Helena replied “Well your role is not finished yet, here is a cheque for AUD $5m dollars to fund the next stage. This is to assist those who get off the island and return, say give them 12 months wages, you know the rates. As well as getting a blood test for those families where the disease has occurred so they can be treated earlier. I believe the best way is getting the family members examined by the health department, and you can assist with funding on presentation of budgets and final costs. Are you two willing to continue this great work please?”

They both looked happy. Xena replied “We were going to ask you if there is any way we can continue this private help. I like the way you have mentioned it. Yes I am willing to continue.”

Claire replied smiling “Same here, Yes.”

Both girls left, very happy, to bank the cheque and make some plans.

Fred was packing some bags of their clothes. Helena asked “What are you doing?” looking puzzled.

Fred replied “Packing to go home why?”

Helena, smiling replied “Nothing to pack, unless you want to take anything home. This is our unit here, no one else ever comes in here. Except Phillip and/or Xena to clean then prepare the room before we arrive, and we have all of the toiletries at home. So unless you want to take any clothes home, just leave them here darling.”

Sheepishly Fred returned the items back to their draws and cupboards.

At 10.30 Phillip came up with their morning coffee’s and some cakes. He asked to speak to them. He did bring his own coffee. As they sat around the dining table He asked “It was a great pleasure to have you here for your special time being married. I thank you. The Project W has been here twice, this week is number 3. This time the guests are staying here. The whole party for this plane load are staying for 10 days and they have paid all costs in advance. I have taken all costs from your account for the group that came with you, together with the staff bonuses. Would you like to see the finance’s?”
Fred replied “Yes please, I handle the figure paperwork and give Helena an overview, take the pressure off you Phillip.”

Phillip smiled handing over the paper work. Helena replied “Yes I have to get my husband to do some work you know Phillip.” They all laughed.

Phillip asked “I take it your next visit will be on the graduation of Xena?”

“Yes I’ll come back, around 8 weeks, and stay for 2 to 3 weeks again unless anything else needs my attention earlier. I will be meeting William next week for our Australian board meeting. I have asked Claire to prepare a package for the hotel development plans and legal requirements. Claire has promised to help Xena in any way needed. I know you will assist as well. I am going to ask you now. Do you believe she is ready to take on the role?” Helena replied.

Phillip replied “Yes and no. Yes she has the skills and ability, and the technical knowledge. No but that is to do with experience and confidence. Experience I can cover. We just need to boost her confidence.”

Fred asked “I understand you run these hotels on family basis. It will be at least 24 months before any guests arrive, can you release any of your family to help her in need.”