The Principle Of Chance (19 page)

‘Ask away Amy.’

‘Why is my name Ronay?’ She asked quietly.

‘That is the family name of my
friend Jani who married your grandmother.’

‘I see, how about my father’s
real
dad?’

‘Let’s not open healed wounds Amy,
what you don’t know doesn’t hurt.’

‘Yes, but…’

‘I can’t tell you Amy, sorry.’

Frank was right, she didn’t need to
know, there was enough drama to begin with.

The breakfast changed into a tasting
session as Frank insisted they try the Hungarian cuisine of spicy grilled
paprika sausages, liver, bacon and kidneys, served with fresh baked bread rolls
and special sauces.

‘This is amazing food!’ Jack said.
‘I enjoyed last night’s dinner as well, what was it called Frank? That fried
pork…?’

‘Cigany Pecsenye.’

‘What?’

‘Gipsy Steak. Pork chops seasoned
with paprika and ground pepper.’

‘It was delicious, you should give
the recipe to your housekeeper.’

‘Do you think I could buy a
Hungarian cookery book in English?’ Amy enquired eagerly.

‘If I’m not mistaken the butler is
already getting you one.’ Frank said, seeing the butler’s eyes
light
up as they started praising the
food.

‘We are being exceptionally well
looked after here Frank.’ Justin voiced his appreciation.

Frank smiled indulgently. ‘I hope so
…’

He appreciated the fact that Amy had
stayed. What a fool he was, being so engrossed in finding out about Amy that he
never paid any thought to what she might have been told. He assumed she knew
her father’s story. He could understand why Louie never told her much, maybe
there was no need. What would he tell her today? The truth! He wanted to come
clean. Leave the decision making to Amy. He will have to see what the day
brought.

Chapter Twenty Four

Don informed Frank last night, that
he’d successfully organised the meeting he had requested with the village
parish council. Frank had enough time to meet them before the trip with Amy.

Frank preferred the smaller morning
room for the meeting. He found he was agitated whilst waiting for the meeting
to start.

There was a knock, Don opened the
door without hesitation.

A young man with a stern expression
entered, followed by an older man wearing a well cut grey suit. His appearance
presented a sharp man. His stern face didn’t move when he saw Frank standing up
to greet them.

The men surveyed each other. Frank stepped
forward and introduced himself in Hungarian. He didn’t recognise the faces
apart from the older man Jozsi, he was told his name yesterday.

Frank proceeded to tell them about
himself and his background, whilst finding it difficult to remember the language.
Don listened and made notes as the interpreter translated the conversation.

‘I can’t believe you are alive
Frank!’ Jozsi exclaimed, after the initial shock discovery that Frank, or Feri
as he used to call him, was here in front of him. ‘I remember when you
disappeared, nobody could tell, what had happened to you. Your sister wouldn’t
speak of you.’

‘Times were hard. I had to make a
decision Jozsi, a difficult one at that. Eva and I lost touch for a long time.’
Frank said, not wanting to elaborate.

Jozsi understood what Frank was
saying. He introduced the younger man as Sanyi, who was a member of the parish
council.

‘I’ve made some enquiries Jozsi, I
appreciate that you are trying to stand on your own as a village.’

‘We were a part of the neighbouring
small town.’ Sanyi started talking. ‘A year ago we gained our independence. We
are a small village but well run.’ He said proudly. 

‘Why this meeting Frank?’ Jozsi
enquired.

‘I would like to offer you help to
rebuild and expand your village.’ Frank said.

‘In the form of….?’ Jozsi asked.

‘Money.’ Frank said plainly.

His announcement was followed by a
shocked silence.

‘Thank you, Frank but we don’t need
help - we like our freedom. It has taken us years to break free, sorry, but we
don’t want to get tied down again.’

‘Excellent! I like the sound of
that.’ Frank looked at Don who was listening to the translator. He handed Frank
a document.

‘I want you to accept this.’ Frank
said. ‘This is an agreement drawn up by my lawyer for a certain amount of
money, which I’m giving your village as a
gift
.’

‘A gift?’

‘Yes a gift.’

‘There is no
small print or
conditions.
I was born in your village, I lived there, my family lived
there. I want to help!’

‘Good Lord!’ Gasped Jozsi, as he saw
the amount of money they were offered.

‘Problem?’

‘We cannot accept this Frank!’

‘Yes you can, all I ask for is that
you spend the money wisely. I am aware of certain things your village might
need. I would be glad if you would consider spending the money on those but
whatever you think is more important to you, I will not interfere. I will issue
a cheque made out to your village. Simple.’

A waiter came in pushing a trolley
stacked with drinks and food.

‘I have to make a phone call.’ Frank
said. ‘I will leave you to think it through, have some refreshments, take your
time.’ He got up. ‘Jozsi, I would like you to accept it.’

‘Frank, it is a lot of money!’ Jozsi
said.

‘It is a lot of money to you perhaps
but I can afford it Jozsi, trust me. One more thing,’ Frank hesitated for a
moment. ‘I said I won’t interfere, yet I must say that I would like you to use
local tradesmen, builders, painters, the full lot. Maybe there is a seamstress
or two in the village who could make the soft furnishings. Not to save money,
but to give a chance to
your
residents to earn some money and be
involved.’

‘Of course, Frank. Everyone helps
out in our community.’ Jozsi said proudly.

‘This time, they will also get
paid.’ Frank said. ‘If you are looking for a catch – there isn’t one, however I
wouldn’t mind an update later on to see how you got on with the developments of
your village.’

‘Naturally, we keep our accounts in
order Frank.’

‘Good, think it through. By the way,
if you prefer I could also offer further assistance via a team of experts if
you need help in some areas. That’s up to you.’

Frank left the room with Don and
with mixed feelings. He wanted to help
his
village, to get what they
needed. Money was tight in the country, but he had the means to help. He hoped
the people managing the village had the same vision as he did and his money
wouldn’t be wasted on insignificant matters.

‘They seem honest.’ Don volunteered.

‘They do Don, and I know they are.’

‘Still, you aren’t convinced Frank.’

‘No, but this is the only way I can
help them.’

‘I don’t think you will be
disappointed Frank.’

Frank made some calls and returned
with Don to hear the decision.

Jozsi was ready with their answer.
‘Frank, we will accept your help, thank you.’

‘No problem, it is my pleasure.’
Frank sat down to sign the cheque Don had prepared earlier. ‘If all is well, I
need your signatures.’ Frank produced an elaborately decorated ‘gift
certificate’ stating his donation to the village. ‘This is for you to prove
where the money has come from. If you need help with anything give me a call
and before you ask, there aren’t any legal issues here – this is a single
gift!’

Jozsi and Sanyi signed their names
below Frank’s. They still couldn’t figure out why they’d got so lucky. Frank
must be a rich man now, Jozsi thought, already planning a new grocery store and
a village hall.

Frank stood up, indicating the
meeting was over and the two men followed.

‘All the best, for you and for the
future of your village.’ Frank said, shaking their hands.

‘Thank you Frank, we don’t know how
to thank you.’

‘No need, enjoy building your
future.’

****

For Jack, the next few days flew by
as he got drawn into the filming alongside everyone else. Jack was on a high
and wondered why he had never taken up Frank on his offer to get involved in
his business. By the end of the week everything was finished.

Jack decided to throw a wrap party
for the crew before they flew back to California. Frank had promised Amy a
short tour of the country to show her where he and her father grew up. She
wanted to know everything. Frank hoped the bond they were slowly building was
to last. He spent most of his free time with Amy regardless of his workload as
Don kept Frank very busy.

Amy had no time to think about
Justin. Frank had taken her to an ancestry records library where he hired an
expert to construct their family tree. It all fitted into place.

Justin was thinking about Amy, more
than he wanted to. Monica never stopped questioning him. Yet working on the
movie was a thriving success.

Monica never said a word about Jack;
she was also engrossed in her work. Justin was amazed how the crew respected
her. He had seen some bad treatment of women in powerful positions in his time
but Monica was strong.

One late evening, Justin and Monica
sat in the bar having a drink when out of nowhere Monica started to talk about
Al and her previous failed relationships.

‘Don’t say anything Justin.’

‘I am sorry,’

‘Don’t be, my mistake. I should’ve
known…..’

‘You couldn’t know….’

‘Oh come on Justin,’ She said
bitterly. ‘
We
women know
when something isn’t right, but choose
to ignore it! We dream of better days, we say it’s only temporary or a phase.
Deep down we realise we are only making excuses for the other, because we don’t
want to be alone and hope as we cling to every little word or action, that it’s
all changing for the better. We ignore our friends and family who see right
through the situation and continue to hope and wait a little longer. We forgive
and forget just to give another chance to the person we love or
think
we
love. Have you heard the old song; Wishing and hoping …’

‘Monica….’

‘Jack and I haven’t invented
anything new, not in the slightest.’

‘I wasn’t saying that Monica.’

‘I don’t know why I feel I have to
defend the relationship. I actually don’t have to do anything.’ She ordered
another Martini.

‘I am happy for you. Jack is great
and a good friend.’

Monica wasn’t listening, she
continued. ‘……and when we
find someone we actually like and they like us
back, we question it. We think it’s a substitute, not the man for us, because
everything is right! - how can everything be right? We ask, where is the chase,
the drama, the endless waiting for
that
call. We cannot accept that someone
actually loves us for what we are and doesn’t want us to change. We can dress
the way
we
want, say what
we
want, think what
we
like, do
the things
we
enjoy, we can be ourselves. When we tell our friends about
the new man, we are surprised when they don’t start lecturing. What about the
age gap? We ask. Doesn’t matter, they say, as long as you love each other.’

‘Girl, I didn’t know you were so
philosophical, but you have a point.’

‘Jack
is a man who makes me laugh.’ Monica finished her drink and stood up. ‘I am
having a great time with him Justin.’

Monica had no expectations of Jack
but for what it was, she intended to enjoy every minute of it.

Chapter Twenty Five

Amy was wondering if it was time to
get ready for the party when she heard a knock on the door.

‘Are
you going anywhere?’ She opened the door to Monica who was carrying a small
bag.

‘Came to see you, - if you have to
ask!’ She said slipping past Amy. ‘Besides, I have nowhere to stay.’

‘You haven’t?’ She closed the door.

‘I am only joking girl! I haven’t
seen you for days. We have some catching up to do.’ She put her belongings on a
chair and inspected the lavishly furnished room. ‘I thought we could get ready
together, - you know, just like when we were young and carefree.’

‘That was in another lifetime.’ Amy
laughed.

‘It was… I was eighteen, ready to
party every night.’

‘Those years flew by. Want a drink?’

‘Thought you’d never ask.’