Adam Blake - 54. Chapter 54

Rather than have lunch, we headed out to take pictures. We found the school, took a face picture, and then climbed to the top and took a picture of the back. We smiled, “I need to get these developed and maybe we can grab some fish and chips or onion pie.”

Onion pie, that has to be interesting. We dropped the film off to be developed and blown up for presentation. While that was happening, we stopped at a pub, I had some kind of orange drink, non-alcoholic, and onion pie. He had steak and kidney pie, smelled good but none for me. The onion pie was good and it was baked onions in a pie shell. ”

“How was the onion pie?”

“It was very good. I think I’m going to ask my mom to make it.”

“She won’t make it because the crust is made with suet. I don’t think you can buy it anymore.”

“Then we’ll make an American version and when you’re over, I’ll treat you to it.”

We picked up the photos and headed to the meeting. The architect made the presentation. He showed the front of the college, explained the layout of the main building, there was some comment about the library in front but they said it didn’t matter. Then the architect showed the two wings out the back explain each wing. One of the trustees said he didn’t like that it didn't fit the overall picture. ”

There was discussion about the wings, including building a separate facility for staff and maybe raising the building and putting in dorms at the very top. The architect placed the photo on the table, I noticed one of the trustees kept looking at it and then, “That’s where I went to school. Why don’t you build a college like that?”

Then picture number 2, he looked at his college, looked at our plans, he must have spent a good 20 minutes looking at both. Then he looked at us and smiled. “Smart, you got my vote.”

One of the trustees said, “Well, it’ll put a little bit of England in America”

The architect rolled up his plans, we left the meeting. “I’ll be flying over next week with definitive plans, we can meet for dinner if that’s ok?”

“Yes, it’d be perfect. Good job for you, more headaches for me”

I’d fly home in the morning. I needed to set a meeting with Dad to discuss the report and see what else he has found.

As soon as I landed, I phoned Dad. “Dad, the report went over very well but at first I thought I was going to get fired. I think after they read your report, they were embarrassed, derelict of duty they said. I need to see you tomorrow in my office at the school, possible?”

“Yes, what time do you want us there? I have Brad with me, we’re at the cabin.”

“If you leave at 8, you will be here just before lunch.”

Arriving at the school, I walked to my office. James met me with a cup of coffee. “Jane saw you from one of the windows.”

“Well I drink this, catch me up.”

“Your office is ready, we moved the table from the office to the dining room and took a few desks from the classrooms to the testing center.”

“That isn’t going to pose a problem for them?”

“No, actually they wanted us to take two. There are 15 desks in each room and the largest class is 12, so they didn’t mind, gave them more room. Mr. Rosello finished painting the wall. The boys are anxious for you to see it.”

“Was he able to find the door to that other room?”

Yes, it’s a big room and the windows overlook the gardens. How are you going to use that room?”

“When the room is clean, move that big table from the dining room and any desks the teachers don’t need. I want that room to be a study room.”

“They do that now in their dorms.”

“Yes, but maybe they want to listen to music in their dorms or write letters to their parents, this way they have a choice where to study.”

“My dad will be here about lunchtime today. Did you get the medals?”

“Yes, and your dad brought 2000 coins, wait till you see them. He said he’ll bring another 3000 next week. Do you think we’ll need that many?”

“I don’t know, may I see one?”

I took the coin, on one side was a knight and on the other side was a square table. “Yes, I think we’ll need all of the ones stamped and even more. We’ll hand them out today at lunch. Are the machines loaded?”

“No, do you know what you want in them?”

“Yes, let’s go to the kitchen and see what they have.”

“The new kitchen boys have started, Jane said you wouldn’t believe what a difference it has made. Even the kitchen staff is happy.”

“No one likes to work in a dirty kitchen.”

On the way to the cafeteria we picked up a tail, ‘Hi, how was the trip.”

“Very interesting, I’ll tell you about it later over coffee. Oh, that mural is something else. It is beyond my wildest dreams, that man is in the wrong job. Let’s check the kitchen.”

I was so pleased when I walked into the kitchen, I saw two boys in white, one was washing pans and the other was wiping down work surfaces. “Ms. Wilson, what a joy to walk into this kitchen and see it clean. Who are these young men, introduce me.”

I followed her to each of the boys,” This is Caleb he’s my nephew. He wants to be a chef.”

“Caleb, welcome, being a chef is great, we’ll help you to achieve that goal.”

“This is Able, he’s Alice’s son.”

I could see Alice smile, “Able, it is nice to meet you. Do you know what you want to do?”

“I saw that gentleman paint that picture, I’d like to learn how to do that.”

“Well, maybe we’ll be able to let you work with him.”

“And this rascal is Joe, he’s my youngest son.”

“Joe, how old are you?”

“Thirteen sir”

“Do you have your eye on a career yet or is it too early?”

“I think it’s too early but I do like to garden with my dad.”

“Well, maybe you can work with our gardener when you get a little older. Now I have a job for you. I want to stock the snack machines, if you can get Caleb or Able to help you, I’ll open the machines.”

“Ms. Wilson, I don’t expect to have a full machine, but we can get started.”

I gave Abel a list of items for the drink machine. I opened the door and showed them both how to place the cartons of milk and fruit juice. I gave the key to Ms. Wilson. I had a duplicate key they all operated on the same key. While the boys were filling one machine, I told her what I wanted in the other machines.

“What kind of container should we use.”

“I want to recycle containers, look and see if you can find aluminum containers that we can wash and recycle.”

“If I can’t find any right away, I can make some and we probably could use some of the plastic containers some of the produce comes in.”

“Just make sure it’s clean. And good job.”

I watched as the two boys went to work, they were doing an excellent job. So I left them to it. Now I had to go and find Mr. Rusello.