Chapter 82: Xena Graduation

Fred and Helena arrived in Vanuatu just before lunch on Thursday morning. They had lunch sent up to their room with Tina delivering it. Helena asked Tina “Could you ask your Grandfather to come up in an hour or so please.”

Tina replied smiling “Will do so, Miss Helena.”

An hour later Phillip arrived, with 4 cappuccino’s saying “Tina sent these up with me, I believe you would like to see me Helena?”

Helena smiled “Yes we have a weekend to discuss, do you have the time?”

Phillip “For you lovely lady, I always have time.” in a flirting manner.

Fred replied “What are you two up to, may I ask?”

They looked at Fred and smiled.

Helena continued “Friday is graduation so lets arrange something here on Saturday night say 7pm. Can we have a room with the following guests, You, me and our partners” smiling at Fred “Xena, Andrew x, Xena parents, Tony and his wife, Claire, Andrew c and your brother Charlie and his wife who is doing the work with Xena. You can invite Jim and Mary but not the Governor.” smiling at the last comment.

Phillip laughed “Yes I will put that way to Jim, again I am under the same instructions.”

Fred looked at Phillip saying “What?”

Phillip interrupted “I am under instructions to let Jim know whenever Helena is in town, I leave it to Helena to approve and I always ask her?”

Fred just look bewildered shaking his head.

Phillip asked “I take it it our gift to Xena?”

Helena replied “Yes and Tina will be happy, I take it Tina is taking over Xena role here?”

Phillip replied smiling “If you wish, Tina has been so proud to look after you and is wishing to get the role when Xena moves on. Are you happy with her in the role?”

Helena replied “Yes, Very. Is there anyone else we should invite to the Saturday dinner?”

Phillip replied “Are you not inviting Danielle?”

Helena turn to look shocked “What?”

Phillip replied “Danielle and Paul are here for Friday and Saturday night. Paul booked the room.”

Helena replied “No but Yes invite her and Paul to Dinner ‘with the Governor,’ unless we run into them, do not let them know we are here please. The little minx.” laughing.

Phillip stood up smiling “I will arrange.” and left the room happy.

Helena then rang Claire. Claire responded “Can I come and see you now please?”

Helena surprised said “Yes I am in my room?”

Some 10 minutes later Claire and two men arrived. The men carried in a diorama of one of the proposed new hotel build complex, they removed the cover then exited the room. Fred and Helena looked at the model. Claire stated “This arrived this morning and the Architects are meeting on Tuesday.”

Fred looked around the model on the table. “Impressive” were his words.

Helena replied “It looks good, how practical is it for the location? Fred can you call Phillip back here alone please.”

Claire responded “This is one of three models to be shown on Tuesday. I do have the other two in the office. They are around the same size.”

Helena advised “We are presenting Xena with the project on Saturday night, You and Andrew are invited. Can we have the other two models here for the presentation?”

Phillip arrived and saw the model “Wow is this the new hotel?”

Claire advised “Not agreed upon yet, we have three models to discuss on Tuesday. Yes Helena, I can arrange to bring the other two up, When do you need them by?”

Phillip looked surprised.

Helena replied “Phillip the centrepiece for our night. Have the three models, to be revealed when we tell Xena about her role. Have the models in the dining room covered. When we reveal to Xena her graduation surprise. We will reveal the models and get other people’s comments in the room ready for the Tuesday meeting. This will help us with the decision. Who normally decides?”

Claire advised “Usually the Partners pick one or two, then shown to Mrs R who decided.”

Helena smiled “Good Fred, Xena and I will attend, with you, for the formal presentations. After the presentations we can then decide our preferred option. Hopefully the meetings will not be too long.”

Claire advised “No they have one hour to present, then we have a 30 minute question time. The plan is one at 9.00. 2^nd at 11.00, lunch 1.30 or earlier then the 3^rd at 2.30. and If you are going to be there we have installed a good coffee machine in our office now, similar to the one Xena prepares your coffee with.” Smiling.

Fred replied “Is there any one who does not know about your coffee addiction?” Laughing.

Phillip replied “I can put these models in my board room and move then into the dining room in the afternoon. And have suitable covering that will not show anything until they are shown. Claire bring the models around anytime today or tomorrow. I will let reception know.”

Fred replied “Yes soonest please, Phillip can you tell us when they are here as the ‘Boss’ has me doing a similar job in Brisbane. I would like to look them over.”

Everyone had a good look at the model, Then Claire phone rang. “Thank you Tina. Yes Andrew and I will love to attend.” She hung up smiling.