Chapter Thirty-Two
JAMES
Most days I like to go for a lunchtime walk to clear my head and while I’m out and about, I often notice people from my days on the streets as they sit in doorways and ask for change.
I know most of them, although a few are new faces. Those who would spend any money on booze or drugs, I give five pounds. If I see any who are trying to help themselves move forward I give them ten pounds. Occasionally I’ll buy them a sandwich or a McDonald’s Meal Deal. Sellers of the Big Issue I give a ten-pound note and tell them to keep the change.
Little Tony is a young man of around twenty who has been on the streets for about two years. He’s called ‘Little Tony’ because he is exactly five feet tall and looks like Tony Blair, although his real name is Donald Much. He is extremely thin and always wears a bright red hat. He tries his hardest to improve his life, but from time to time he will revert to taking drugs.
As I stop to chat, Little Tony tells me that Stevie is back in Trentbridge and has been asking after me. Apparently his mum passed away and he’s back from Swansea.
I wonder if Stevie has taken over my ‘bedsit’ at the rear of The Albion. He’s the only other person who knows about it and he knows George Leeman, the night porter, will look after him if he’s there.
I walk round to Trinity Street and go in through the front entrance. In the past I would’ve gone down Green Street and round to the back as my appearance would have shocked the guests and front reception staff, but those days are behind me. Now I can walk into any top hotel and know I can afford to stay there. Today, however, I am more interested in seeing if George Leeman is around.
I go over to the reception desk and ask for him. A young lady, who must be new as I have never seen her before, lifts up the telephone and presses a button.
“Hello, George. There’s a gentleman in front reception asking for you. He says his name is James Sheldon. Okay, I’ll let him know. Bye.”
“George says he’ll be down in a minute, if you’d care to take a seat and wait over there.” She points across the entrance way to the comfortable looking seats on the other side.
“Thank you.”
Within a minute, George appears and walks over to where I’m seated with his hand extended ready to shake mine and a big smile on his face.
“Hello, Mr Sheldon. Nice to see you. What brings you back to The Albion?”
“Hello, George. I was wondering if Stevie, the Welsh lad, is now occupying my suite out the back.”
“As a matter of fact, he is. He arrived last night but I’m not sure he’s there at the moment. Probably catch him this evening or I can pass on a message for you.”
“Yes, if you could ask him to pop round and see me at this address?” I hand him one of my newly printed business cards.
“I heard you’re starting a charity. Nice to see someone putting something back into society instead of all the greed. Unlike this place. We heard last week they’re going to sell the site to a developer. We’ll all be out of our jobs in a few weeks.”
I gasp. “You’re joking. That’s terrible. Has the deal gone through yet, do you know?”
“I don’t think so, but it won’t take long. Mr Atkins, the General Manager, was most upset. He would know. Do you want me to ask him?”
“Yes please, George.”
George goes over to reception and speaks to the young lady and I see her pick up the phone and talk to someone. George walks back. “I told him who you are and he’s going to come out and have a chat – that is if you’ve got the time?”
“Yes, George. Not a problem. Let’s hear what he has to say.”
In my days of enjoying the Albion’s amenities, the general manager was not someone I had ever come across. A worried-looking man in his early fifties appeared.
“Hello, I’m Jonathan Atkins. George here told me what you’ve done for him and young Ronnie, so I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Hello, Jonathan. George tells me the hotel is for sale. Do you know if it has actually been sold yet?”
“No. As far as I’m aware the deal takes place next Tuesday.”
“Can I ask you one question? As it currently stands, is the hotel making money? Is it profitable?”
“Actually, it is. It doesn’t make a fortune, but it’s definitely in the black and with some investment it could make a lot more.”
“In that case, I only have two more questions. One, would you be happy for me to buy it and keep running it as a hotel? And two, if so, who do I speak to?”
Both George and Jonathan Atkins stand in silence, taking in what they’ve just heard. Then Jonathan speaks. “I think I can say on behalf of all the staff that we would love to have you as the new owner. They are going to shut down the hotel and turn the place into luxury apartments. We would all lose our jobs and none of us want that as it’s such a nice place to work. To answer your second question, you’ll need to speak to January’s Estate Agents who are handling the deal. Ask for Mr Robert January.”
“You mean the place on Downing Street? I’ll go over there now and see if he’s available.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
THE OFFER
“Hello, would it be possible to speak with Mr January, please.”
“Do you have an appointment?” asks the very smart and stunning-looking blonde from behind her reception desk.
“No, I don’t, but I’m here to see him about The Albion Hotel. It is rather urgent.”
“Please take a seat and I’ll see
