Friday Nov 1

The funeral was over. Bobbie put Florence on a plane to Crow Harbour and she and Trixie prepared for the Fox Oil board meeting.

“I have a lot of support right now so I don’t think they can force me out of the chairman’s seat but I’m tired of fighting I want to ensure Fox Energy continues on; without me.”

“Are you sure Trixie? You’ve worked so hard.”

“I’m sure Bobbie, I love hard work but I’m not happy. I miss you guys, I have a great guy and I want to do something different now. As my final act, I have 2 major proposals for the board. The first is to limit the age of board members. I had some hard conversations with a couple of aging board members because mostly they just show up every three months for the meeting and free lunch. We need younger people with ideas and enthusiasm. I’m proposing an age limit of 70 for board membership. My other motion is the official name change from Fox Oil to Fox Energy.”

“That’s actually pretty revolutionary. Is an age limit even legal? I can’t imagine firing my 80-something-year-old mother off her planned parenthood or hospital boards.”

“I wrote it into the bylaws and constitution of our rules of governance. Maybe we won’t tell Florence about my age limit rule.”

“Can we stay on the board though? Ya know, to show up every three months for our free lunch?” Bobbie teased.

Trixie punched her playfully in the arm. “As long as you own Carson Oil shares and I own Fox Energy shares and until we’re seventy.”

“So, what do I wear for such an important board meeting?”

“I’ve got this purple suit that I think would look great on you. I’m wearing basic blue.”

“I brought my alexandrite ring and bracelet. It will go well with purple.”

The apartment intercom buzzed and the doorman said. “The movers are here Trixie.”

Trixie answered thanks. “My movers are here, are you all packed up? Grab your bag; we’ll leave right from the office. Now let’s do this. By the way, Peabody wormed his way onto the board but not staying; he’s 73.”

They took the elevator to the lobby and got into the waiting car. Clive Teller was there. Trixie hired him to ensure there was no trouble with her revolutionary board meeting.

They entered the offices and Bobbie stayed with Clive while Trixie went into the boardroom to prepare. Russ, their nephew and Trixie’s right-hand man joined them. Bobbie still wasn’t used to seeing him all cleaned up but he looked 100 percent the professional oilman now.

A bell sounded and they all went into the boardroom. Clive stood by the door.

Trixie began. “This company is not just about oil. Oil built us but we have to move where the world’s energy needs take us. We can’t fall into the trap of buying and selling oil futures and keep up the shell game, just to line our pockets. Fox Energy will discover and develop more lucrative markets for more efficient energy production. It’s not about being green or environmentally friendly. These are just happy coincidences. It is about efficient renewable energy and new markets and more profits.

She carried on like that for a couple more minutes, then she introduced her changes to the constitution and then she stepped down as chair naming Russ the new Chairman. He was unanimously accepted.

They broke for coffee before heading out to lunch. Bobbie couldn’t get near Trixie or Russel so she sipped her coffee and looked awkward.

An older gentleman joined her. “Hello, I’m Buster Briggs. Just call me BB. I see you are close to Trixie. She really shook us up. Margaret chose well. I won’t be on the board after today. I don’t really mind. I have a wife who puts up with me and lots of grand kids. Trixie has probably done me a favour.”

“That’s nice to hear BB, you can call me Bobbie, I’m Trixie’s first cousin. We’re very close. I’m not sure all the older board members share your view.”

Then someone started to yell and there was a scuffle and Bobbie saw Clive Teller leading Mr. Peabody out with his hands bound.

BB finished his coffee and put the empty cup on a table. “That is no surprise. Peabody is a snake.” He tipped an imaginary hat and walked away.

Trixie broke away form the crowd. “Peabody lost it and called me a bad penny that he just can’t get rid of. He confessed to sabotaging the brakes when we were in Malta. I don’t know if Townes’ car crash can be pinned on him or not.”

“I think he’s the bad penny. He seems good at getting out of trouble, with all the bribing and everything. Do we have to stay for lunch?”

“I’m sorry Sweetie, we kind of do.” She linked her arm in Bobbies and they went down to the restaurant where they had a lovely lunch and sat with Russ and BB.

Lunch was over and Trixie hugged Russ. You already have the key to the apartment. You have a budget to redecorate if you like.

Russ thanked her. “I like the apartment as it is. I might just make one of the spare bedrooms into a music room, though.”

They walked from the restaurant back to the offices where the receptionist was looking after their bags. They called a cab and arrived at the airport. “Florence bought us business class tickets so I let BB take the jet.”

They went into the airport and checked in and got on their flight with no problems. Around 2:30 they touched down in Crow harbour. Greg was there to meet Trixie and Drey was there with the motel van to pick up Bobbie.

“You guys have a good night, will we see you tomorrow at the market?”

“Sure thing Bobbie, we’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks for going to the big board meeting with me.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it Trixie, I’m just glad you’ve decided to move back.”

Drey waved at Trixie and picked up Bobbies bag. “We have a motel guest who will be travelling with us.”

Bobbie looked around and saw a woman standing beside the van. She was petite with a few curves and had colourful streaked, blond hair that was pulled back in a loose bun with strands escaping artfully around her pretty face. She had fine features and striking green eyes and was smiling as if she knew Bobbie. She walked towards her and took her hands. “You must be Bobbie Orlov. I’m Tilsey Went; we spoke on the phone.”

“Tilsey! It’s nice to put a face to the name. I didn’t realize you were coming to Crow harbour…”

Tilsey dropped Bobbies hands. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to ambush you or anything I was just so curious to see how the Stargazer was progressing; I decided to come and see for myself. I was shocked when Townes died so suddenly and I wanted to make sure you were weren’t overwhelmed. I can help if you need me.”

Bobbie smiled and stepped onto the van, motioning Tilsey to follow. “That’s very thoughtful. I’m sure I can use whatever help I can get.”

They arrived at the motel. “Tilsey, it’s not quite 3:30 and we might be able to get a snack at our tea service if we hurry.”

“Tea? Sure. What should I do with my stuff?”

Roger saw the shuttle arrive and was coming towards them to take the bags. “I’ll take you bag to your room. Effie can let me in.”

Bobbie smiled. “Tilsey this is my head concierge, Roger. He’ll make sure you have you bag. Let’s go to tea. I was thinking maybe we need some Irish coffee instead of tea. Do you ever take a drink?”

Tilsey laughed. “Do fish swim? Thanks Roger, it’s good to meet you I’m Tilsey.”

Bobbie and Tilsey went into SPOKES and waited for Lockland to make their special coffee. Then they headed into the restaurant and picked a seat. Bobbie saw that Mark was starting to pack away the treats. “Hi Mark. Me and my new friend Tilsey just got here from the airport. Do you have something we could snack on?”

Mark smiled. “I saw you in SPOKES taking to Locky so I made you up a plate.”

Bobbie took the tray and thanked Mark and went back to the table to join Tilsey. “This is a nice place. I didn’t expect to like tea time but it’s pretty good. She took a treat off the tray and had a sip of coffee and smiled.

They chatted for a while, snacking and sipping and Bobbie learned that Tilsey was married but had no kids. She and her husband lived in River City which was about 50km (30 miles) from the Carson ranch.

The lights blinked in the restaurant and Bobbie suggested they go get Tilsey all checked in and they went into the gallery building. Tilsey was quiet as Bobbie introduced her around and she registered.

They walked out to the patio. “You’re on the second floor. Bobbie pointed to the stairs on the other side of the restaurant; my apartment is up there over the restaurant. I have the big windows and a roof deck too.”

Tilsey nodded with appreciation. “Alone, the motel windows would remind me of a car dealership but with the art gallery mirroring the 2 story windows, it looks deliberate and balanced and fantastic. I’d like to see the apartment sometime. I bet the views are stunning. I like the big mountains over there.”

“You can see the ocean and the river from my deck too.”

“No wonder Townes fell in love with this place and decided to build his condos here.”

Bobbie’s phone dinged. She looked up. “Tilsey, that’s my friend Johnny. He lives just at the bottom of the hill. He and my brother Jamie are at his place and they are working out some songs to sing at the market tomorrow. If you’re not too tired, do you want to come over there with me? Johnny made chili for supper later. I’ll get a couple bottles of wine and we could head down.”

“Wow, I’ll just get cleaned up. If you’re sure it’s OK. I play the guitar a little myself. I’d love to listen to you guys.

It turns out Tilsey was able to take Johnny’s guitar and join in and harmonize with a soprano voice that added some spark to their little ensemble. They played quite late and she joined them for a good session at the market the following day.