Kate Educates Jacob #27

A New Broom Sweeps Clean

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Jacob’s Point Of View.

We lazed around indoors for most of the day, hugging the log burning stove while an increasingly tempestuous storm raged outside. The wind and rain abated by mid afternoon with blue skies and gifts of rainbows from mother nature an hour later.

Our confinement indoors gave Kate and I time to process events of the past few weeks, discussing problems that had crept up on us. My positivity grew the more we talked and it seemed Kate felt the same way although I detected an underlying tension gnawing at her psyche.

She had brought a pencil case filled with highlighters and a notebook. I smiled, shook my head and she stared at me with a dispassionate expression, daring my sarcastic comment.

“You make a list for everything, Kate. If the army had planners like you, we’d never lose.”

“I don’t think the army would enjoy my style of discipline.”

“Some more than others, admittedly.”

“The point is… are we agreed about what to do now? Are you happy with the plan?”

“Yes, and to be honest, I’m looking forward to all of it, especially helping out with the estate.”

She flashed me a withering look. Kate wanted to move forward and I prevented that. She wasn’t the only one with a nagging concern.

“You’ll be in charge of the estate, Jacob. Not helping out.”

“Yes.”

I sensed Kate’s annoyance with me and couldn’t blame her because my thinking differed from hers. She had so much wealth at stake, and I had very little. I’m not an opportunist, so it was damn hard to express an opinion about spending some of her money.

“You seem unwilling or somewhat reluctant? Shouldn’t we discuss that openly as we do everything else?”

I eased back on the stool, taking a moment to consider my next move. Her wealth was a sensitive subject requiring a diplomacy skill I didn’t have. The longer I held back, the more Kate would become irritated and my preference to avoid that overwhelmed.

“I’m trying to figure out how to fit in to a living situation where I bring very little.”

“Sorry Jacob, but that’s bollocks.”

“Potty mouth, Kate?”

“You proposed marriage and I accepted. You want children and I want to have your babies. Shouldn’t we build a future together to hand something to our children?”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, Jacob… oh! There are more important considerations than your ego or some sensibility you’ve clung on to.”

Ouch, that hurt.

Suddenly the daunting prospect of marrying a billionaire was cast into the shadows when compared with building a future for our kids.

I always loved the passion and fervour in her eyes. Kate was focused on us, but I guess that was understandable given that she drove so many things in our lives.

“Are you saying that I should get on with our lives with no concern about your net worth?”

“That’s exactly right. I’m off birth control and wearing your engagement ring so, yes, we have to stand shoulder to shoulder.”

“Okay. You’ll hear no further argument from me.”

“Good.”

We packed everything we’d brought to the cabin in our rucksacks that night, prepared for an early departure the next morning. A simple tagliatelle pasta in blue cheese sauce for dinner was rather more sombre than expected, and I noticed Kate was thoughtful while eating. There was no hostility between us and the air of tension was broken.

After washing up we noticed the skies had cleared and a beautiful sunset forced us onto the porch where I brought coffee for both of us.

“Penny for your thoughts, Kate?”

“Maybe I should sell GD. We can build something else together. We’d be secure far beyond normal means.”

“What about the staff?”

“That’s the problem. If a bunch of corporate drones took over dad’s company there would be lay-off’s, wage reduction and reduced benefits to staff.”

“It might look good in financial results terms, but eventually the company would wither and die.”

“Yes, and that would devastate my father were he alive.”

“Isn’t that the point, though? It’s not Richard’s company any more, it’s yours.”

“Should I sell up?”

I sipped my coffee while wrangling with that idea. Kate would never play me to provoke a response, so this was a genuine train of thought.

“I think it would be a mistake.”

“Okay, can you explain why please?”

“You are the perfect leader for GD, given your family connection, your talent and the continued culture of the company. Your father was in charge, now you. It works for the staff and is a great story.”

“I sense a but coming.”

“You’re going to burn out. The plan you talked about earlier works perfectly if you stay the course.”

“Will you, Jacob? Stay the course with me, I mean?”

“I need help, particularly in learning how to manage the estate, but if Catherine will support that, then I can’t see it failing.”

“Really, Jacob?”

“Yeah, honestly. I was worried about messing up and how it might be perceived by others, but now we’ve talked it through, I’m fine.”

She leapt into my lap with a joyous expression, kissing every part of my face with deep affection. It seemed like a watershed moment for us, because we’d overcome a major hurdle together.

Kate stared into my eyes with her big blue saucers with renewed confidence and purpose. 

“Jacob, I promise you everything will be fine.”

“I know. I believe in you.”

“Us, Jacob! Together we will prevail.”

Kate was jubilant and I chuckled inwardly knowing half of what we’d agreed would be done by the time we reached Granger Hall tomorrow.

Sure enough, while I showered, she messaged, hiding her phone when I emerged from the bathroom naked.

Until I fell asleep we talked about babies and a family, which part of Granger Hall would make a great nursery and how I’d need a more realistic car besides my BMW.

I held Kate close, trying everything I could to help her fall asleep.

“You’re exhausted, darling.”

“I can’t sleep Jacob because I fear what might happen.”

“Do you mean me going walkabout again?”

“I need to make sure you’ll be okay.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“How can I be sure?”

“I brought a set of handcuffs for fun. They aren’t law enforcement grade but will do the job. Would securing me to the bed make you feel more comfortable?”

It wasn’t the most comfortable night sleep I’d had, but my confinement made Kate feel better and she slept with the handcuff key hidden somewhere in our bedroom.

After a simple coffee and toast breakfast, we left the cabin in good order and I slid its key through a front door letter box after we locked up.

“I feel a bit sad, Jacob.”

“Why?”

“We had great fun here.”

“Except for my excursion into a storm.”

“You looked awesome out there among the lightning and driving rain. If I hadn’t been so worried, I might have jumped you.”

“There’s a place we can bring our children to show them where we first decided to have a family.”

After we set off, Kate was quiet and thoughtful. I was ready for most anything she might say except for what came next.

“Shall we buy a cabin somewhere?”

“I knew you were cooking up something, Kate.”

“Well? Shall we?”

“It would be nice, but I think we ought to keep it a secret. Don’t even tell our family. That way it’s our second home and we don’t have to share.”

“Where nobody can find us.”

“With six bedrooms.”

She shot me a wry smile and linked her arm with mine during a rare stretch of double width trail. Kate rested her head on my shoulder while we walked, and I knew a retort was coming.

“Our surrogate will be very busy for a few years then, sweetheart.”

We reached the car park in less than half the time I’d planned. Once the car was loaded, we enjoyed a quick coffee from the flask I’d made up earlier while sat on a bench, admiring the views one last time.

“How will a horse help me, Kate?”

“You have to earn their friendship, especially with a tenacious Stallion like Beauty. Mom says your hypervigilance is caused by PTSD and will dissipate as you win his trust.”

“How does she know all this?”

“Mom took her dominance over dad very seriously, caring for him in every sense. She knows a lot about horses and most other pets. Dad had dog's until the last one passed away a few years ago. He wouldn’t replace them after he got sick.”

“What breed of dogs did he prefer?”

“Cocker Spaniels.”

“I’m more comfortable with the dogs, but I’ll try Beauty.”

“It’s up to you, Jacob.”

“Do you think I need therapy?”

“The right therapist might help, or it may make matters worse. I think you’ve got to go with your instinct.”

I’d tried therapy before but never found someone that opened me up like my fiancee had.

“What if we both talk about what happened a bit more. Would you be comfortable with that?”

“Of course, but I won’t push or pry.”

“I know you wouldn’t and that’s another reason I love you, Kate.”

We arrived at Granger Hall amid a commotion at the guardhouse. Catherine was struggling to calm the estate head of security while holding back two other men.

Simon was shouting, swearing and gesticulating wildly and I saw Catherine was losing patience. Kate rushed over to see what was awry while I unloaded our gear, following a short distance behind.

“I’ve been head of security for ten years. If there are changes to be made, I’ll be the one planning and implemented them.”

“It doesn’t work like that, Simon. You’ll have to fall into line with whatever plans my daughter has.”

“Fuck that! What does she know?”

He glanced sideways at Kate, instantly realising his mistake, but he was already committed to making a fool of himself. I pulled up ten metres short to watch the fun and games.

Even Catherine moved aside, shrugging her shoulders at poor old Simon because she couldn’t protect him after that dumb comment.

“Is that foul language aimed at me, Simon?”

“No Miss Granger.”

“Then who? My mother, perhaps? Are you swearing at Catherine?”

“I’m sorry.”

“What’s the problem here?”

“I’m being told about security upgrades. Nobody consulted me.”

“These men were here to do exactly that, but it seems you’ve got on your high horse before giving them a chance.”

“I don’t need their help.”

“Why not?”

“I can make any necessary changes here myself.”

“When did you last do that?”

“Umm, well… I, err.”

“Ten years ago?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Was the last time you reviewed and implemented new security measures ten years ago? It’s a simple question.”

“Maybe, about that, yes.”

“Okay, so I think what you’re telling me is that you have researched no new technologies for securing my family and home for ten years, which is also when you arrived.”

“Yes, well… I guess, I don’t… but-”

“But now these men are here, suddenly you’re an expert and newly motivated to do your job?”

Simon’s chin hit the floor, unaccustomed to being so thoroughly skewered. He stuttered, floundered, went through many angry expressions before his shoulders slumped.

“Either work with these contractors and present Jacob a plan by the day after tomorrow, or hand in your notice.”

“To Jacob?”

“Yes, he’s your new boss.”

She turned and walked away, dragging Catherine with her, while nodding towards the main house for me to follow. We left Simon and the contractors to sort things out themselves. I laughed loudly when she grabbed her rucksack from me on the way past.

Catherine stopped for a hug, kissed me on both cheeks and linked her arm through mine.

“I’m pleased to see you, future son-in-law.”

“Your recipe’s worked a treat.”

“I have many more, Jacob. I know exactly the lubricant that makes my daughter hum.”

We strolled together, following my fiancee who raced through the front door far in front of us, clearly as pleased to be home as she was to arrive at the cabin a few days ago.

“So Jacob, you’re the new king of the Granger estate, then?”

“If that’s okay with you?”

“I’m delighted about it. There is so much work to be done.”

“Will you help me, Catherine?”

She stopped walking and Catherine studied me for a few seconds. I saw an affection for me in her expression.

“I would love to help you, Jacob. Making Granger Hall better for our family is a fine pursuit for us both.”

Catherine had arranged a welcome home dinner. I guessed it would be her opportunity to grill us on our short break. Tiffany and Claire were both at home and joined us.

Kate was full of conversation, so I amused myself by people watching. Their expressions, body language and the way each person’s gaze surreptitiously darted around the room, sometimes pausing on me, spoke volumes about the secret conversations they had.

“I have a job for you, Tiffany.”

“Anything at all, Kate.”

“We’re building a GD office annex on the estate. Probably thirty workstations for my staff. I want you to speak with Andrew at my office tomorrow and arrange a meeting with him to plan.”

“No problem.”

“Oh, and Tiff?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll be my private secretary in those offices, responsible for a few staff and all matters that are non GD.”

Tiffany bounced out of her chair and hugged Kate as though she were a long-lost sister. I was pleased for both of them because they worked well together and Kate’s personal assistant at the car rental lot had become a spare part hanging around.

I noticed Catherine’s joy too and wondered how Tiffany’s therapy was going under her tutelage.

“You’ll need to have a chat with Jacob.”

“Okay.”

“Aren’t you going to ask why?”

“I’ve already heard he’s running the estate from now on. I assume he’ll give permission for where the offices will be?”

“Yes, but he also allocates the estate’s grace and favour homes. If you want a house that’s becoming available next month, you’ll need to ask him.”

Tiffany turned to me with saucer sized eyes and blew a kiss. I nodded and smiled, glad that we’d become friends from a questionable beginning.

“Let’s chat about it tomorrow? I can’t see there being any problems.”

“For sure. Thank you, Jacob.”

Dinner had been a jovial affair, during which I became the fiancee, Kate’s ring became exhibit one and she was surrounded by the other women, describing my proposal. I excused myself wanting to stretch off stiff muscles and I needed to introduce myself to a couple of someone’s.

I wasn’t accustomed to being around stables having never ridden a horse. To me they were filthy buildings, full of insects and smelling of shit. Kate, her family and friends loved what I seemed incapable of understanding.

When I arrived at the stable block, all staff had gone home for the night, but I had the entry key code. When I walked inside, the lights came on automatically and I felt inspired.

A raw animal feeling accompanied the usual stench, which seemed less pervasive and multi layered. Heads poked out from a line of stall as majestic beast’s eyed me questioningly. Tails swished and breath condensed on snorted trails from flared nostrils, making a puffing sound.

Their hooves scraped on a stone floor while one or two had their heads in a nose bag. Each horse was dressed in a clean blanket, they looked perfectly groomed and, dare I believe, happy to see me.

I knew where Beauty was stabled having been introduced to the pleasure of his back some time ago.

As I approached, he stared at me as though I were breakfast. Both ears were pinned backwards, which I knew couldn’t be a good sign, so I halted a few metres away, glad of the thick wooden stall door protecting me while confining him.

A nearby stool was handy, so I dragged it closer to him for me to sit and observe the magnificent beast. 

We stared at one another for at least twenty minutes. I noticed his blinking gradually slowed and muscles that were strained when I arrived, relaxed the longer I stared without moving.

“Will we become friend’s?”

Beauty snorted and tossed his head gently. Although it seems odd to suggest, but I felt he understood my sentiment if not the words. His ears gradually tipped half way forward relaxing a demeanour that previously seemed hostile.

“He’ll love you like I do, Jacob.”

I almost fell off the stool when Kate placed her hands on my shoulders.

“How long were you watching?”

“Five minutes. I’m impressed to have crept up on you.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“You’re engrossed by him. That’s how Beauty and the others can help.”

I stood up and held Kate’s hand. Beauty relaxed almost completely in her presence and pointed his ears looking straight at my fiancee.

“Beauty licks his lips and the eyes soften when he’s comfortable. If you want to approach him, don’t eyeball him and walk towards his head from a slight diagonal path.”

I reached to within inches of Beauty before his ears began pinning backwards. Kate stepped in, placed a hand just above his nose and rubbed her stallion lovingly.

“You rub me like that.”

“You both belong to me as I do to you.”

“It’s much better than what Simon got earlier.”

“Beauty is much better behaved.”

“Do you really think he’ll let me ride him?”

“That’s between you and Beauty. If he wants you on his back, you’ll know.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“You’ll know that too.”

We stayed another ten minutes keeping the Stallion company in silence. Back outside, the night air was fresh and with stunning clear skies. The stars were out in huge numbers and a walk around part of the estate felt right, so we set off.

Mostly we held hands and enjoyed the peace. Kate seemed happy, I definitely was even if a little daunted by what might come the next day. We walked for a couple of hours and until she received a few messages.

“Mom wants a nightcap. Can you join?”

“Do you mind waiting for me in the house please, Kate? There’s something I need to do.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in our bedroom.”

I dropped Kate at the front door then headed across the gravel car park to the security offices keeping to the shadows. When I walked through the duty office door, Simon fell out of his chair trying to get his feet off a desk quickly.

“Are you allowed a TV in here, Simon?”

“Umm, oh fuck. What are doing here at this late hour?”

He seemed somewhat out of it, in a mild panic, wiping his brow of beads of sweat that gathered.

“You’re slurring, Simon.”

“What of it?”

“If I check the top drawer of your desk, will I find a bottle of alcohol? Whisky perhaps?”

“No.”

“I can check then, yes?”

“I’d rather you didn’t, Jacob.”

“I don’t need to. Can I see the security log please?”

“Yes, of course.”

He handed me the register in which all occurrences, day or night were registered. I reviewed the current page, then three prior to that.

“Nothing’s happened in the past four days.”

“Nothing important.”

“The contractors weren’t signed in, there’s no record of any foot patrol checks around the house for any night his week and you don’t appear to have registered me using a key entry code to open the stables an hour ago.”

“I saw you on CCTV.”

“And yet you never recorded it.”

He looked furious while trying to find something, anything he could say to fight back.

“I’ve met your sort before, Simon. Defensive, nasty and unwilling to change.”

“Your opinion of me doesn’t matter. I’m here to do a job.”

“Are you doing that job well?”

“I think so.”

“I’ll give you some advice, Simon.”

“Yeah, go on.”

“I don’t officially take over until Directorship documents are signed and filed with lawyers sometime tomorrow afternoon.”

“It was made clear today that you are taking over management of the estate.”

He sneered at me, choking with rage and teeth grinding as he spat the words out.

“I don’t mind you swearing at me, but if you do it to Kate again, I’ll break both of your legs with my bare hands.”

“F-f-fucking what?”

“I’ve done it before when needed and right now, the only thing stopping me is my respect for the lady you swore at.”

“You can’t threaten me like this. You’re fucking mad.”

“Maybe I am, a little at least, but it’s not a threat. I rarely resort to violence, because I’ve seen too much of it, but I’ll gladly make an exception in your case.”

“Why? Why? This is fucking crazy, you come in here and-.”

“My future wife, her family and our children will live here and if I think security isn’t up to scratch, I’ll make it a personal matter.”

“This is outrageous Jacob.”

“When you calm down, think about the booze in your top drawer, that TV and your failure to do your job. There’s plenty of paper in here and you have eight hours until shift changeover.”

“What’s your point?”

“Use the time to write out and sign your resignation letter. There’s no shame in that. If I don’t see a letter of apology to my wife and another to her mother at the breakfast table, I’ll come looking for you, here, at home or wherever you are.”

His chin dropped and face went white. In a few short hours all of Simon’s chickens came home to roost.

“The alternative to resignation is working for me and I guarantee that won't go well for you. I’m not as forgiving as Kate.”

When I left he looked terrified. I hung around the shadows at front door of our main house, watching him pace up and down his office, clutching his head, shouting, then screaming, stamping feet and punching steel cabinets.

After half an hour he quietened and sat down, taking a sheet of paper and placing it in front of him. It was time for me to join my fiancee in bed, so I turned to walk into the house, freezing immediately.

“Are you done, now, Jacob?”

“You’re sneaking up on me a lot lately. I must be losing my touch or you’re trying very hard. Why do you have a blanket?”

“There’s a lovely clearing in the forest where we take the horses to graze sometimes. The moon is bright tonight and I’d like to gaze at the stars while you fuck me.”

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