The Boot - Three Years On - 19. Chapter 19

Throughout the following months everyone seemed to be busy, Jeff had been checking the legalities of a wedding taking place at The Boot. To his delight and surprise he discovered that although The Church was now used as a shelter for homeless people it was still recognised as a church which meant Beccy and Jim could be married there, he just needed to find a vicar to perform the service although a registrar had to be present.

With The Major's help Beccy and Jim set a date and started to make plans. Her belly was getting bigger but in Jim's eyes she was just becoming even more beautiful by the day. They would be married before the baby was born and they were thinking about names for their child.

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With support from Kevin and Manny, Ian began to run the jewellers in Prestwich, at Manny's insistence it had been renamed Goldstein, Johnson and Cole Jewellers. Ian hired an accountant suggested by Christian, his first visit was an eye opener. Arriving at Thomas Street Accountants and Financial Advisors he was taken to see the senior accountant in the company.

Jonathon Ball rose and stretched out his hand as Ian entered his office. “Good morning Mr Johnson, I was told to expect you and offer our services to you.”

Ian shook Jonathon's hand, “You are expecting me?”

“Yes Mr Johnson, in fact I have actually been instructed that you are to be given every assistance by our Chairman Mr Christian Edwards, any fees are to be waived for the first twelve months then you are to be charged as per our preferential rate scale.”

“Did you say Mr Edwards,” Ian's brain was ticking over at a fast rate.

“Yes sir, Christian insisted that I personally take charge of your dealings with us. That is okay with you isn't it?”

“Yes, yes that's fine.” Ian was bewildered.

“I can see the cogs going round let me briefly explain. The company was started by Christians late father and passed to him on his father's death. As Christian isn't an accountant he retains the chairman's position and I as CEO run the company on his behalf, maybe one day he will become an accountant and take over the running of the company but for now he tells me he's not interested. Now shall we get down to business?”

It soon became apparent that the accountants involvement would be minimal as Kevin was more than capable of looking after the accounts and they would only need to check and audit the accounts annually.

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JJ's relationship with Max and Stacy had a few ups and downs but it was normal and solid to the point that they were now Dad and Pop. He still had the occasional bad dream but even they didn't keep him down for long and his medication was gradually being reduced.

There was a secret that he was keeping from Danny, not realising that Danny had a secret too. But that had a comical way of being discovered when the boys entered the Family Court at the same time accompanied by their foster parents, on seeing each other their expressions were priceless you just couldn't write it!

Both sets of 'foster parents' agreed that a celebratory meal was called for, it was the boys choice and they chose Burger King to celebrate becoming Jason Robins and Daniel Barton. Both boys now had one of their dreams come true, they had permanent loving parents for life.

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The Major now realised the size of his wealth, although he wasn't rich he was in a financially comfortable position. His commitment to Beccy's wedding plans did not make a significant difference to that and he would continue to receive his army pension for life. Knowing that he made a good donation to The Boot and a charity that supported ex-veterans.

His renewed friendship with Marty and the support he was now getting from counselling boosted his self esteem and he became a permanent and valued volunteer at The Boot.

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Everything was going smoothly and everyone appeared to be happy aren't they? But appearances are not always as they seem.

There was a blond haired Adonis going home daily who was getting frustrated, a man who he could seriously fall for was out of his reach. This man was beautiful both inside and out, he had a loving, faithful and caring nature. He was kind and generous to those less well off, he was grounded and not arrogant but decent and genuine. As good and friendly and welcoming as he was he always kept him at a distance, he was his boss.