Chapter 75: The Mansion

On Saturday morning Helena went down to the breakfast room There she saw Paul and Danielle. They invited her to join them. Paul had a flying job at 9.30 with a full plane and would not be returning until 3.30pm.

Helena gave that smiled, “That’s OK, Danielle and I might do some shopping and we can tell you all about it tonight!”

Danielle smiled “Yes that would be nice. Paul is taking me out for dinner tonight, Would you like to come?”

Helena replied “No, I have a feeling I have a formal dinner tonight so, Thank you but I will decline. You enjoy the night together.”

Paul took his leave thanking Helena and kissing Danielle. When Danielle saw Helena smile at the kiss she blushed.

Helena and Danielle hit the shops and stopped at a restaurant for lunch. They had quite a few bags of shopping. Returning to the hotel at 4pm they hugged and separated for their respective dinners.

Danielle really enjoyed her time with Helena. They acted just like two young girls hitting the shops for the first time.

At 5pm Phillip rang and asked “If she would attend the Governors Mansion for dinner tonight at 8pm. He is hosting a public afternoon tea then a small private thank you dinner for some locals. My wife and I are invited so I can take you with us?” Helena agreed.

At 7.15 Helena went down to the ground floor dressed conservatively in a cream dress with a small V neckline. Not too revealing. She was not up for attention tonight. Phillip and his wife Pat got the hotel limo to take them to the Governors Mansion they arrived around 7.40.

The staff took them to a small formal dining room, inside were around 20 people. Tony, William and their wives, Claire, Xena together with their partners were already here. They went straight to them to chit chat. They had no idea why any of them were invited. At 7.50 Danielle and Paul arrived arm in arm. As soon as Paul saw his mother and Danielle saw Helena they both blushed and dropped their arms. They walked over, still close to each other. Just as they were about to say something an announcer called everyone into the formal dining room. They were all seated in various positions. Helena, Danielle & Paul were together on the main table. Jim entered the room and took the seat next to Helena. On his other side was his wife Mary.

Jim stated “Welcome all to this thank you dinner. I will give details later, enjoy your starters.”

He sat down and spoke to Helena “No young lady Helena, I will not publicly name you. I just wanted to sit with you to talk. I have 4 seats in this room to sit at, so everyone gets to have a piece of me.” Smiling. “I’m just starting here just to say ‘Thank you’, when you see the talk later you will understand and no, the press is not allowed at this event.” Helena smiled.

Their starters arrived consisting of prawns on a bed of jasmine rice.

Jim moved to another table and the main course arrived. Danielle asked “Who is he please Helena?”

Helena quietly advised “He is the Governor of this country.”

“Wow” Danielle advised “You do move in high circles, Paul was going to take me to a nice quiet restaurant but got a telephone call when he picked me up telling him to attend here. Do you know why?”

Helena replied “Honestly No. I was asked at 5.00pm tonight. I have been waiting for Jim to see me but not here. I was informed this was a private affair. Lets see how the evening pans out. I am happy you are here with me though.”

Paul mentioned “I got a call from this office telling me I must attend. When you get a call from this office you attend. I have no idea why either?”

Another two courses arrived with Jim moving about each time. Finally the meals were finished. Jim stood up at the table he was attending. “Ladies and Gentlemen. I am here at this table with our new hope for these islands. Here are the Doctors and Nurses who are going to help rid these islands of the major illness of Hansen Disease. They are starting on the island and hopefully within two years everyone will be off the island. Later when we walk around, ask any question you have of these Doctors and Nurses. We are lucky that a company called VHDC has donated funds to pay for this action. To whoever is VHDC, I thank you for your very kind life gift.” He did not look at Helena, Tony, Claire or Xena. “We on these Islands have placed everyone with this disease onto one island. Today it stops. People will be treated back in their homes, all of their families will be checked for the disease. My personal goal for our country is to be disease free within 10 years and today we start.

I will formally announce, later next week, my dream of getting rid of the disease from our Islands. Tonight is the private start. I ask you all to support this task, so we can all live a good life.” Everyone stood and clapped their hands. Even his wife, Mary, who was not aware of the plan. She spoke to Helena “He is going to have a fight on his hands, but this, I will fully support him and do so publicly.” Helena smiled.

Jim walked around the table accepting congratulations from everyone. Desert was served and Jim returned to his wife. She kissed him saying “You have my full support.”