Jinnie climbed out of the people carrier and was a little disappointed that the twins didn’t come charging out to greet her. Reading her mind Paolo said, “They’ll be on the beach with Izzy. If we go down there now, we should be in time for lunch with them at Anderson’s.” As soon as the twins saw their mother, they abandoned their sand excavations and ran up to her and chucked themselves at her. Millie said, “We missed you last night Mummy, Daddy read our bedtime story and he got all the voices wrong.”
Jinnie decided to have a sit down in the shade before lunch, she was very tired as she had only grabbed a few hours’ sleep, before flying home and 20 minutes on the flight. Glancing over at Penny she already had her eyes shut. Before she knew it, she was jerked awake by Willie shouting, “Wake up Mummy it’s time for lunch.” The family strolled up to Anderson’s beach cafe and bar and dragged a couple of tables together on the terrace. After the waitress had taken the food order and served drinks, Anderson came over and said to Jinnie, “You back, does Brian know? He needs you to sign paperwork to set up businesses.” “I just got back from St Lucia,” said Jinnie, “I’ll ring him after lunch.”
It was only when her ham omelette and chips arrived that Jinnie realised just how hungry she was. Since her picnic lunch the day before she had only had a couple of energy bars and an indifferent ham roll at St Lucia’s airport that morning. Unusually she decided to have apple pie and ice cream for dessert after which she felt much better and in need of catching up on the sleep she had missed last night. But first she needed to speak to Brian, so while Penny and she went back to the villa, everyone else went back to the beach, she rang Brian.
Having had an update on the current legal position regarding the setting up of the new companies and the tenders for work, Jinnie agreed to meet Brian and Belinda at 10 the following morning at the law firm to sign off the necessary paperwork and Brian said he would set up a midday meeting with David Braithwaite to finally purchase the Continental restaurant. In the afternoon he would arrange a meeting with Patricia Hunte to progress the joint venture company. Jinnie sighed, she had hoped for a day on the beach with the family, especially as Penny and Dan only had a few days of their holiday left. But she agreed to meet Brian at the law firm in the morning. Having rung off, Jinnie went for a much-needed sleep.
***
Jinnie met Brian and Belinda at the offices of Forde, Weekes and Watson and were soon shown into the office of Michael Watson where he had several piles of paperwork on a side table. He picked up the first pile, explained what it was and took them through the documents showing them where to initial and where to sign and date. His secretary witnessed the signatures. At the end of the meeting, Michael announced that they now had Trattoria Trevi (Barbados) Limited set up, as was Aunty JoJo’s (Operations) Limited ready for 50% to be transferred to Aunty JoJo’s Chicken Shack Limited. DKL (Caribbean) Limited was also set up and for the moment its registered office was the offices of Forde, Weekes and Watson, ready for its transition to its own offices once they were ready. To make life simple all three companies had 100 shares in each.
Belinda asked Michael if he was happy to take on a little more work and when he said of course the company was, she explained that they had now found space for combined offices and a call centre and would very soon be in a position for DKL (Caribbean) Limited to lease them on an initial short-term lease. She also expected to be in a position to place a Letter of Intent for the refurbishment work at Continental restaurant within a couple of days and could he be ready to draw up the contract? She had already told Anderson’s cousin Keith that his company was the preferred bidder but that were still ironing out a few formalities. They would almost certainly be asking them to do all the legal work. Brian had already briefed the bank that Trattoria Trevi (Barbados) Limited and Aunty JoJo’s (Operations) Limited would be up and running at midday and Forde, Weekes and Watson would transfer the money from Trattoria Trevi (Holdings) Limited that was in its escrow account between the two companies.
The arrangement was that Michael and his secretary would accompany the three directors firstly to David Braithwaite’s home to complete the purchase of the Continental restaurant and then to Aunty JoJo’s Chicken Shack for the formal completion of the joint venture where the ownership of Aunty JoJo’s was to be handed over to Aunty JoJo’s (Operations) in return for 50% of its shareholding. Jinnie’s head was spinning with all the financial transactions, but Brain assured her that everything was in order.
Jinnie drove Michael and his secretary in the people carrier while Brian and Belinda travelled in Brian’s hire car the short distance out of Bridgetown to The Sandy Lane Estate where David Braithwaite and his wife lived. David and Jinnie chatted on the journey and David explained that the Sandy Lane Estate was one of the most exclusive areas on the island and was the home to many of the islands rich and famous. Jinnie’s Sat Nav directed her off the main road towards Holetown and down a cul-de-sac towards the Caribbean Sea. Outside a pair of enormous electric gates, the Sat Nav announced, ‘You have arrived at your destination.’
Jinnie lowered her window, pressed a button and when a disembodied voice asked, “Can I help you?” She replied into the intercom, “It’s Dame Jinnie de Luca and the party from Trattoria Trevi.” The voice said, “I will open the gates, please drive straight up to the house.” The gate swung open revealing a drive with manicured lawns either side leading up to a large, detached house. Michael snorted and said, “One day I will be earning enough to buy a place like this.” Jinnie chuckled and said, “Stick with our business, and it might be sooner than you think,” while thinking ‘nice place, I wonder how much he has pocketed illegally to buy this house?’
The party got out of their cars and walked towards the front door which stood open with Braithwaite ready to greet them. As they walked across the turning circle Belinda whispered to Jinnie, “How many bedrooms?” Jinnie replied, “I reckon five, all ensuite.” Belinda said, “I rather like it, but isn’t it a bit large for just the two of them?” Braithwaite showed them into his office where his lawyer was waiting and in no time two copies of the contract for purchase of the restaurant were signed and witnessed. Brian spoke to the bank and B$2,250,000 was transferred electronically into Braithwaite’s account. A minute later Braithwaite’s lawyer confirmed the money had been received and everyone shook hands.
Jinnie’s first reaction was relief, the first brick in the Caribbean enterprise was in place. Braithwaite was all smiles and invited them all to a snack buffet lunch in the dining room saying, “You get a lovely view of the pool and the gardens from there.” The party had intended to stop at one of the many roadside diners on the way back to Aunty JoJo’s so were only too happy to accept. The large dining room was indeed very nice and the views over the pool and grounds to the beach were magnificent. Laid out on a side table was what Jinnie at first took to be burger buns but on closer inspection were what she called ‘baps’ and were the same as the sandwich shops used for their breakfast rolls. Next to the rolls were trays of thin cut roast beef labelled ‘medium rare’, ‘medium’, and ‘medium well done’. They were being kept warm over spirit burners, and finally there was a plate of processed cheese slices. Braithwaite explained that on one of his many trips to the United States, he had ventured into a roast beef joint and had so enjoyed the soft rolls filled with tender roast beef and melted cheese that he had the chef at the Continental recreate it for his lunch. As today was his last opportunity to indulge in his favourite lunch he had the Continental produce it for him this morning one last time.
Braithwaite picked up one of the baps which had already been split open, added a pile of medium roast beef about an inch thick and deposited a cheese slice on the top, followed by another inch of roast beef and another slice of cheese. “Now that is a double melt,” he told his guests, “Of course, you can vary your own sandwich,” he continued, “a single helping of beef and no cheese I call an original, then you can add cheese for a single melt and even have three layers for a triple melt. Dive in and help yourselves. There is medium rare, medium and medium well beef. Oh, and for those who like it, American mustard, English mustard and horseradish.”
Jinnie made herself a medium rare single melt with just a spot of horseradish and had to admit it was really very good. Belinda followed Jinnie’s choice, while Brian and Michael both went for a double melt. Belinda, Jinnie and the secretary wandered out onto the patio and sat by the pool to finish their food while Brian got collared by Braithwaite who appeared to be telling him a long story. Belinda said to Jinnie, “This is a lovely house; I wonder if he hires it out as a holiday home?” “I have no idea,” replied Jinnie. Michael’s secretary coughed to get their attention and said, “He used to, we acted for a couple of people who hired it last year, but I did hear it was for sale. The word is he wants B$3,000.000, which isn’t bad, for a six-bedroom house.”
Belinda looked hard at the secretary and said, “When I went to the loo, I counted the bedrooms and there are only four ensuites.” “True,” replied the secretary, “but there is a separate garden cottage with its own accommodation over there. It also has its own kitchen diner, sitting room and two ensuite bedrooms. He sometimes hired that out separately.” “Now that makes a big difference,” said Belinda.
Brian finally shook himself free from Braithwaite and joined the ladies on the patio. “Gosh, that was hard work.” Said Brian, “All he wanted to do was talk about his investments in America and his huge eight-bedroom house on Grand Cayman. Apparently, his wife is living there already, and he will be moving in the next few days. Once he has transferred the majority of his assets there. He was moaning he can’t sell this house.” Jinnie asked, “Why not? It’s lovely!” The secretary again supplied the answer, “He’s greedy and has been asking too much up until a couple of months ago. My friend who works in his estate agents told me he was originally asking B$4,500,000. It’s only in the last couple of weeks, since you have been buying the Continental, that he’s reduced it again. Leroy at the bank said he is desperate to move to Grand Cayman.”
Belinda looked at Brian and finally said, “Offer him B$2,750,000, that’s £1.1 million, if he is that desperate to leave Barbados, he’ll grab it with both hands. We can afford it and it will make a wonderful holiday home. Just think summer holidays and Christmas here with the family every year. And I bet we could hire it out when we are not here.” Brian replied, “I know we have discussed buying a holiday home and we’ve looked at a few houses since we have been here, but this is a bit quick.” Belinda smiled and said, “This is by far the best house we have seen, six ensuite bedrooms, pool, big garden, right on the beach, on a renowned private estate, and it’s on offer at well below market value because the owner wants to skip the country. Just look at the view from this patio. If we don’t like it, I reckon we could sell it at a big profit in a year’s time. I think we should grab the opportunity with both hands.” “OK,” said Brian, “in for a penny in for a pound, I’ll give it a try.” before wandering off to find Braithwaite.
Jinnie said to Belinda, “Gosh, you made up your mind quickly, mind you it is a beautiful property and if I had been thinking of buying here, I would have had this on my shortlist.” “When you see a bargain,” said Belinda, “you have to move fast, before someone else spots it.” Belinda and Jinnie were trying to guess what was going on between Brian and David Braithwaite, but both had their backs to them which made it difficult. When the two lawyers joined them, Belinda said, “I think that’s a good sign.” Finally, Braithwaite and Brian shook hands and Brian turned and headed over to them.
Brian’s face gave nothing away and finally Belinda asked “Well?” Brian said, “I made an offer which he turned down.” “Bugger,” said Belinda. “I was just thinking about Christmas lunch at the Continental and back here for turkey sandwiches on the patio with the grandkids in the pool.” “He then made a counteroffer,” continued Brian, “Which I turned down.” Brian’s face burst into a huge smile, and he added, “We finally compromised on B$2,750,000. We shook hands on that and it’s now in the hands of the lawyers. You can start getting the turkey in for the sandwiches.” “You sod,” muttered Belinda, “you had me going there.”
***
In the car heading for Aunty JoJo’s, Jinnie couldn’t get over how good the roast beef roll had been, and a thought started to form into an idea. As usual, even though it was mid-afternoon, there was still a queue outside the Chicken Shack. Patrica was waiting for them with her lawyer and the whole lot squeezed into her little office. The paperwork was all quickly done and Patrica signed over Aunty JoJo’s Chicken Shack Limited in exchange for 50% of Aunty JoJo’s (Operations) Limited. The three directors of Trattoria Trevi and Patrica as sole directors of Aunty JoJo’s Chicken Shack had a quick shareholder meeting of Aunty JoJo’s (Operations) and appointed Patrica as Managing Director, Brian as Finance Director, Jinnie as Chief Operating Officer, Belinda as Construction Director and the absent Brooke as Property and Development Director.
Jinnie finally managed to get a word alone with Patrica and talked to her about her roast beef roll lunch and asked her view on how they would be received in Barbados. Patrica answered saying, “I’m not sure, we Bajans don’t really have a history of eating sandwiches, even McDonald’s have not been very successful on the island, we are much more into fried chicken, jerk chicken, wraps and rotis. I think it would be difficult to get people round here to try it.” “Thank you,” said Jinnie, “personally I was thinking about the U.K., but I just know if I did suggest it there, someone would ask if we had considered selling through Aunty JoJo’s, now I can say we had the discussion and dismissed it and why.”
As the party left the chicken shack Jinnie spied workmen at the KFC over the road putting up a ‘lease for sale’ sign and stuck on the window was a notice saying ‘Closing Down’ with a date in a week’s time. Patrica said to Jinnie, “I’m hardly surprised, they don’t seem to do enough trade to sustain the business.” Remembering what Belinda had said earlier about grasping opportunities, she said to Patricia, “Have you considered making an offer for the lease? It would be a simple move over the road, I doubt the kitchen would need much change, the place is much bigger with many more covers inside and the staff would surely be happy to move over the road and I’m sure the customers would follow.”
Patricia thought for a moment before replying, “I have never considered it; they have always just been the competition. If it had happened before today, I would just have wondered who was going to move in and hope it wasn’t Chefette. But you have made me think. How would the ‘operations’ board react if I were to suggest a move?” Jinnie said, “I don’t know, I suspect it would all depend on how much the lease is and what work needed doing. My guess is not much, maybe a repaint in the corporate colours and new signage. Depending on costs I would vote in favour, I’m sure you would get more customers through the doors as some people must be put off by the queues. Let’s have an impromptu board meeting on the pavement, we have a quorum of directors.”
The directors all agreed it was too good an opportunity to miss and Brian offered to put a costing spreadsheet together, and whipped out his phone and took a snap of the ‘Lease for Sale’ board. Belinda said, “I’m going to have a look inside,” and walked over the road pushed the glass doors open and looked around. Jinnie saw her pull out a pad and ink pen and start making notes. Before long a man approached her, and they started to chat. Shortly after they walked through the kitchen door together.
Five minutes later Belinda was back with them and said, “Well, if it was in the U.K. I would be in there tomorrow. I reckon it needs two or three thousand pounds spending on decorations and signage. The kitchen is spotless and full of modern equipment, I don’t think it would cost you anything. All the staff were made redundant this morning so there are no ongoing staff costs to worry about. The lease includes the second floor which is all fitted out with tables and chairs, but the manager I was talking to said they have never done enough business to open the area. Also up there is a huge staff room and several offices. Oh, and the manager was great I would hire him tomorrow.”
Jinnie said, “Well, I vote we seriously investigate the move and have another vote when we have more idea on the cost of the lease and what we can get for the old premises to balance the costs. The only things I can think of adding are with Patricia looking after an enlarged business, which I think we all want to grow quickly both in Barbados and on other islands, we are going to need a good manager. And if we were to open upstairs, we would need extra staff, here we have a pool to pick the best from, and who knows them better than the manager? Oh, and the offices will give us somewhere to manage the group from while we start growing.”
“I totally agree,” added Belinda, “Brian, phone the agent straight away let’s strike while the iron is hot, before anyone else gets to see the place is available. Brian said, “Are we all in agreement?” When they all said ‘Yes’ he continued, “Well, from a financial point of view it all depends on what they want for the lease and what we can get for the old shop, because refurbishment looks like being virtually nothing. I better get on with things right now” and got out his mobile phone.
In Chapter 12 – The Continental is refurbished
© WorthingGooner 2023
