Taking Charge (18 page)

It was getting late. Jordan handed his car
key to Tanya. The family all hopped in Lloyd and Jordan’s
vans and headed home. They sat
and chatted for ages. Even Dalton and Anne had joined
them.

The last patron left the pub just after
three in the morning. Jordan smiled as they all sat and had a quiet
cup of their special coffee. Joy smiled.
“Quick change and I will be back.” Jordan nodded. She ran up the
stairs and put her jeans on and took off her wig. She put her
jacket on and walked down the stairs and joined everyone. Craig
smiled and shook his head.
“I think from next week you are safe to leave the wig off.” Joy
smiled.
“Just had to for a little while.” Frank nodded. Jordan locked up
and they headed to his folks home. Joy smiled.
“Thank you for this. We could have left it to the morning.” Jordan
smiled.
“I know you need to see them.” Joy nodded and smiled. They hopped
out at the house and walked in.

Everyone got up and hugged and kissed Joy.
Jordan chuckled as he listened. Graham grinned.
“We heard! We heard all about you! Bringing this town to a
standstill! What next Professor Sheridan!” Joy grinned.
“Minor, subtle little changes. Teeny weeny little ones.” Shane
grinned.
“Oh we heard. Joy you cannot even spell subtle!” Joy grinned.
“This is Jordan by the way.” Michael groaned.
“Yes we know Jordan by now. Is he the future Professor Sheridan?”
Jordan grinned.
“I am not telling you! If I told you the entire town would know!”
Jordan chuckled and shook his head. Anne smiled.
“Yes. He is the future Professor Sheridan. We all know you are
dating. The whole town knows you are dating. The whole town thinks
that the pub is Joy’s office. If there is business to conclude that
is where it happens. And the adverts all go there.” Jordan
grinned.
“Joy is up and down all afternoon. Very busy.” Dalton
grinned.
“How can you shop that much? Every single day?” Joy shook her
head.
“I don’t shop every day.” Dalton shook his head.
“We even know what you buy!” Everyone roared with
laughter.

Joy smiled and looked at Jordan. He pulled
her on to his lap.
“So what is the buzz? Did you come and visit?” Roland nodded.
“We came to have a look at the school. See what changes you have
made. See how you are doing. And see whether you have bought your
property.” Joy smiled and nodded.
“You will be pleased to know that my little patch of lawn is now a
patch of lawn.” Quartz grinned.
“You lousy critter! You bought shears!” They all roared with
laughter.
“Mum. Think about this. Sitting in a class writing lines. Over and
over again. It doesn’t get anyone anywhere. But sitting on a piece
of grass. Snipping away. You actually get to see something. No one
complained. And it is more therapeutical. The only problem is I
have no more lawn to use as discipline!” Jordan chuckled and
nodded.

Shane grinned.
“And the chain and padlock?” Joy shook her head.
“Which loops over the gate. It just looks good. Everyone is on
time. We don’t have problems. All those kids needed was someone to
guide them. Take a little interest in them. I might dangle carrots.
But I don’t even need those carrots. There was so much wrong but no
one was prepared to budge. They didn’t have Prefects. The kids were
ruling the school. Now the teachers rule the school.” Shane
nodded.
“Do they need that much discipline?”
“No but they needed a shakeup. We now have Prefects. We now have a
school hymn. And the teachers are respected.” They all nodded. Joy
smiled and looked at Tanya.
“Some of the teachers had even given up. Thomas, Wayne and Paul.
They were just plodding. Even they needed shaking up.” Tanya
nodded.

Quartz nodded.
“It is costing you a bomb.” Joy nodded.
“I will get every penny back. You need to give to get. I have the
money. Money isn’t everything.” Roland nodded.
“Sweetheart when it is finished. It is finished.” Joy smiled.
“Dad there is no need to worry. I am in control of my finances. I
had set aside a figure. I am nowhere near that figure. I know what
I am doing.” Roland nodded.
“Are you going to have enough for when you finally buy a house?”
Joy nodded and smiled.
“Dad I sold my house. At a profit.” Roland nodded.
“A few million will not keep.” Joy smiled.
“But a few million brings in the interest. That builds all the
time. Dad there is no need to worry.” Jordan smiled as he
listened.

Dalton shook his head.
“Backtrack a bit there. How much did you sell your house for?” Joy
smiled.
“Seven.”
“Whoa! Where on earth was it?” Jordan chuckled.
“On the beach front. But I bought it dirt cheap and had it
renovated. And when I sold it was a sellers’ market. Made a
whopping few million. Which is in the bank. I live on interest.”
Dalton looked at Jordan. Jordan chuckled.

Tanya shook her head.
“You paid for the blazers and all of that stuff that has happened
at the school. Didn’t you?” Joy nodded.
“Once we get the ball rolling things are going to pay for
themselves. We have the newsletter going which will cover the paper
and printing costs. The civvies day monies will pay for things. We
just need to get the ball rolling.” They all nodded. Roland
smiled.
“It is sickening to know that you have that amount of money stashed
away! Sickening I tell you!” They all roared with laughter. Joy
smiled.
“Besides. We might like to buy a ranch one day.” Jordan grinned.
Quartz smiled.
“But you are controlling the spend.” Joy nodded.
“I am controlling the spend. Everything has been catered for. I am
on top of things.” Roland nodded.
“Can I have a loan?” Everyone roared with laughter.

Joy smiled.
“You won’t see me till late. I need to print and staple the
newsletter. And that has to be done by Monday.” Quartz
smiled.
“We will be gaddying about in town. Zeba is going to take us to the
cheese factory and we are going to take a look around. And then we
will pop in and take a look at your school.” Joy smiled and
nodded.
“And I think it is bed time.” Joy and Jordan got up. He smiled as
they hopped in the van. Joy smiled and looked at Jordan. She was
very quiet.
“I hope that didn’t put you off. The money.” Jordan smiled.
“No sweetheart. But now I realize how we have to think of ways to
raise money. It isn’t right that you need to pay. But I do agree
with you. You did have to get the ball rolling.” Joy smiled and
nodded.
“The civvies money is in the little kitty. That will cover all
sorts of costs like tea and coffee. Milk and sugar. Daily things.
You will see. Eventually I won’t have to spend much.” Jordan
smiled.
“The money that you make on the newsletter. Sweetheart the profits
need to go into your pocket.” Joy smiled.
“When the ball starts rolling we will reap the benefits.” Jordan
smiled and nodded.

Jordan headed home and chuckled.
“Just look at all these bikes!” Joy grinned and shook her
head.
“Mighty fine sight!” Jordan grinned and nodded.
“You didn’t tell them about your new van.”
“And have them go over it with a fine tooth comb? No thanks! Then
Dad will want to peruse my bank statements.” Jordan chuckled and
nodded.
“About time I started perusing.” Joy grinned.
“I know you are coining it! How many millions are in your bank
account?” Jordan grinned.
“Not as many as yours.” They both chuckled as they walked inside
and headed straight for bed.

Joy woke up and looked at Jordan.
“I better head to school. That newsletter awaits.” Jordan smiled
and nodded. He rolled over and made love to Jordan and they both
hopped out of bed smiling. Joy drove over to the school. She walked
to the office and opened up and got the newsletter ready to be
photocopied. She loaded the paper and started the tedious job.
Penny walked in and smiled.
“Here to staple!” They both got busy.

The families drove over to the pub and had
breakfast. They soon drove over to the school. Jordan drove with
them. He smiled and walked in to the office. He walked over and
kissed Joy.
“How are we doing?” Joy nodded.
“We are doing well. We might be here till midnight. But we will
manage.” Roland sat down and took a newsletter. He paged
through.
“This is neat. When are you going color?” Joy chuckled.
“Dad. If I went color that would be a whole different ball
game.”
“All it would mean is a new photocopier. They do those in color. Do
you need a sponsor?” Joy smiled.
“You sponsoring me Dad?” Roland nodded.
“Sure. I will arrange a color copier. You don’t realize what a
little gem you have created Joy.” Jordan smiled.
“And the cartridges Dad?”
“One step ahead of you kiddo. One step ahead.”

Soon everyone was helping. The photocopier
kept at a steady pace. They loaded paper continuously. Joy
smiled.
“Why don’t you go and have a spot of lunch. I can catch up with you
later.” Shane smiled.
“Show us where these go.” Penny soon had everyone helping to carry
the newsletters to the hall. They piled them up in front of the
stage. Penny did a count and nodded. They walked back to Joy. Penny
smiled.
“This is the last set and we have enough.” Joy smiled and nodded.
They stapled the last few sets. Joy made another copy and put it on
Penny’s desk. She put the original in an envelope. Jordan smiled
and took it from her.
“Thank you.” Roland grinned.
“And the original goes?” Jordan smiled.
“Can’t say.” Roland grinned.

Joy locked up and everyone left. Roland
smiled.
“I think a spot of lunch at the pub. Penny I hope you are joining
us.” Penny smiled and nodded. She followed in her car. Jordan
stopped at the post office. Joy smiled and waited in the van.
“Jill.” Jill looked up.
“Highly confidential. But it is huge. Took us all morning. Can’t go
out before nine.” Jill nodded and smiled.
“Got it.” Jordan ran out and smiled.
“Right. Lunch.” Joy smiled.
“Are you and Jill in cahoots?” Jordan chuckled and nodded.
“I am not saying.” Joy smiled and nodded. She knew Jill had the
original of the newsletter.
“She won’t.”
“Nope.” Joy nodded.

The family sat around and had their lunch.
Zeba took them to the cheese factory to go and have a look. Every
person went along. Even Penny was included. Jordan smiled as he sat
with Joy.
“I think they are having a ball.” Joy chuckled and nodded.
“We need a nap. Or we are not going to make it through the night.”
Jordan nodded.
“When are we losing the wig?” Joy smiled.
“Have to weigh this up. I need to keep up the appearance.” Jordan
smiled and held her hand.
“If you keep wearing it they are going to think I am a womanizer!”
Joy roared with laughter and nodded.
“Tonight. But we do it a little differently.” Jordan smiled and
nodded.
“Tonight.” Joy headed upstairs and went and had a sleep. Jordan
soon followed her.

They got up late in the afternoon. Joy
smiled.
“I am going to get supper on the go.”
“Seafood Paella?” Joy smiled.
“I like that you make requests.” Jordan smiled and held her in his
arms. Joy held on to Jordan.
“I love you Jordan.” Jordan smiled.
“I love you Joy.” He smiled as he kissed her. They walked through
to the kitchen.
“About that table and chairs.” Joy smiled as she stirred the
contents in the pot. Jordan walked over and looked at the
set.
“I love it!” Joy chuckled. They heard the giggle and the voices.
Graham walked in.
“I am famished! Hey this is neat! Dig that table and chairs!”
Jordan chuckled and nodded. Graham walked to the fridge. He looked
through the glass.
“Is that a Kebab?” Joy smiled.
“That is a kebab.” Graham looked at Jordan.
“May I?” Jordan roared with laughter.
“Help yourself.” Graham took one of the kebabs and sighed as he
ate.
“This is so good!” Shane walked up.
“Hey where did you get that? Oh check it out! Lollipop chairs!” He
walked over to Jordan. He sat on one of the chairs.
“This is swell!” He hopped off the chair.
“Where did you get that Graham?”
“In the fridge. Ask first.” Jordan chuckled.
“Help yourself.” Joy shook her head. She put the pot off and dished
up supper for Jordan. He grinned as he took his meal. Michael
walked upstairs.
“So this is where you hide out. I will have some paella thanks.”
Joy stood and dished up for everyone. She carried on dishing up.
Soon their little home was filled with the entire family. Everyone
had paella. Jordan chuckled as all the men sat on the lollipop
chairs and ate.

Zeba shook her head.
“Oh by the way. We brought you a pig.” They all looked at Zeba. She
chuckled.
“Not a live pig. It has been sliced and packed. We put it in your
freezer.” Jordan smiled and nodded.
“Thanks Mum.” Zeba nodded.
“Next time I see it I would like it on my plate.” Graham
grinned.
“The whole thing? You glutton!” Zeba roared with laughter.
“Just a few slices would suit!” Shane nodded.
“I like a roast. Can you do a roast Joy? That would go down rather
well.” Michael nodded.
“With that funny sauce.” Joy shook her head.
“Apple sauce.” Michael nodded.
“Sure as heck we can stay for lunch tomorrow. What do you say?”
Everyone nodded. Jordan smiled.
“We could. I guess.” Joy nodded and looked at Jordan. He
nodded.
“I think that would be rather nice. A roast. Haven’t had a roast in
a while.” Quartz smiled.
“We don’t mean to come and throw our weight around.” Jordan shook
his head.
“No. I think it would be rather nice.” Michael grinned.
“You know. You need another set of those chairs and a table. Hot
pink would look good in the other corner.” Jordan nodded.
“You planning on visiting often?” Michael nodded.
“I think I just might.” Michael grinned and they all looked at him.
Roland nodded.
“Mmmmhhhh. Something or someone caught your eye?” Michael
grinned.
“Not telling Pops.” Roland chuckled and nodded.
“What happened to our Penny?” Michael nodded.
“She will be here at nine.” They all nodded.