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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 26
It was a little over a week before Piers was discharged.
The family, with the exception of his Poppas, Josef and Carry, had all left before he came home, reasoning that he required peace and quiet, and a houseful of family visitors was the last thing he needed, even Paulette had flown home, much to the disappointment of a clearly smitten Vinny.
Josef stopped on to take some of the workload away from Milo, arguing, a new family, and an invalid to cope with, meant he deserved some help with Guardian's running.
Carry meanwhile reckoned she could help give some stability for the kids until Piers was up and running again.
The day after his talk with Vinny, Piers had asked Milo to make sure no one disturbed them when his Poppas came to visit.
Milo had told him they were staying away because they were terrified of upsetting him again, so he'd sent them a text message.
'I'm really missing you guys, please come to see me, I promise not to shout".
They'd turned up to find Milo, Vinny, Baz, and Pil visiting, and were a little uneasy when everyone cleared the room, something Piers could easily see.
"Come sit down, and don't be concerned, I have something I want to say, something you deserve to hear".
Warily, they sat on the side of the bed by his good arm.
"I'm sorry, I was rude and disrespectful, I was angry, but that doesn't excuse how I treated you, and I'm really grateful for everything you told Vinny, it's caused him to rethink, he says he won't go into the military now, and that's all down to you, so thank you, and I really am sorry".
Bo reached for his good hand.
"It's water under the bridge son, you were right in everything you said, we should have given him the advice we eventually gave him, instead of agreeing with something which we knew to be wrong, but being back in your good graces is enough for us, we'd planned to stay on until you've been out of hospital for a while, to see if we can help in any way, if that's okay with you?, Josef and Carry are doing the same, Jo wants to ease the load on Milo until you're back in action, and Carry says if you need anything done for the kids she can do it for you until you feel able".
Piers was genuinely touched.
"That's really kind of you all, and much appreciated, I've already had strict instructions about what I can and can't do when I'm discharged, I'll be virtually useless, and Milo's got so much more on his plate just when he doesn't need it, so we'll both be grateful to have you here, you should get the boys to take you to some of their football and wrestling matches, they'd revel in having you there, and if you get the chance, go to one of Pil's recital evenings, just do one and I guarantee you'll be hooked, he has the most wonderful voice".
Piers had chatted with Milo about his conversation with Vinny, and Milo had responded in exactly the way Piers had thought he would.
"If that's what he wants, I'm fine with it, I don't want to force any of them down a road they don't want to travel, in fact, why don't we offer him an apprenticeship with Guardian, three years, one year in Sydney, one year in Christchurch, then a final year under Rick in Torremolinas to gain his full qualification".
Piers was grinning.
"Come here and give me a hug and a kiss, I knew what you'd say but I didn't want to get his hopes up until I'd spoken to you about it, will you have a word, pitch him an offer?".
As he hugged and kissed Piers, Milo agreed, he'd deal with it.
That evening, after tucking Gracie in, he knocked on Vinny's door.
When he heard.
"Come in, it's open".
He found Vinny doing homework surrounded by books, which were immediately pushed aside.
"Hi Poppa, what can I do for you?".
Milo sat on the bed next to him.
"Actually, it's more about what I can do for you, I've been talking to your Poppa Piers, he tells me you don't want to go to college or University, and don't worry, I'm in tune with you, I don't care if you go or you don't, it's entirely your decision, and besides, it's not the only option you have, for instance, I'm prepared to offer you an apprenticeship with Guardian, specialising in I.T., if that's what you really want to do, it would be a three year program, and a hard slog, but you'd be earning your own money, at the end of it I can guarantee, you'd have a qualification, which would see any company in our business sector fighting to snap you up, think about it, ask any questions you want".
Vinny was totally blown away, it was exactly what he wanted, but he'd never thought, or dreamed, this could happen.
"Thank you Poppa, it's exactly what I want, I suppose there's going to be a lot I'll think to ask later, but I've only got a few months before school ends, I want to finish on a perfect grading, Daddy always said, it doesn't matter what you do lad, just make sure you do your best, and I'm determined to finish school on a high".
Milo hugged him.
"Good for you, your Daddy would be so proud of you, I know I am".
Leaving Vinny, he went down the corridor to Baz's room, knocking he got the same reply, to come in.
He found Baz doing exactly the same as his big brother.
"Hi Poppa, sorry I didn't open the door, but I have all these books open exactly where I need them.
Milo leaned in for a hug.
"Don't apologise son, I'm pleased you take it as seriously as you do".
Baz's reply tickled him.
"It's Vinny's fault, if he weren't such a bookworm, Pil and I wouldn't have to work so hard, every teacher makes a point of telling us before an exam, exactly what Vinny scored on the very same exam previously, so no pressure there then, but we're not going to let him down, he's our hero, just don't tell him".
Milo grinned as he headed for the door, but Baz stopped him.
"If you're heading to Pil's room next, go through the bathroom, his door will be open, he'll be doing exactly the same as I am".
Milo smiled and bade his son goodnight.
Knocking on the half open connecting door into Pil's room from the bathroom he laughed at the response.
"Fuck me Baz, when did you learn some manners, come in you wanker".
Pil's face turned a shockingly bright red when Milo appeared.
"Sorry Poppa, I thought it was Baz messing with me".
Milo tried not to laugh, but it was evident when he replied that he was amused.
"Evidently, and Baz was right, he said you'd be studying, that's good, but don't push yourself too hard son, do your best that's all anyone can ask".
Baz was losing the redness now that he realised his Poppa wasn't going to chastise him about his colourful language.
"Thanks Poppa, but I enjoy it, and neither of us wants to let Vinny down, he helps us if we get stuck, so we owe it to him to do the very best we can".
Leaning in he hugged Pil.
"Okay I'll leave you to it, night night son".
Leaving Pil's room, as he walked along the corridor he clearly heard.
'You fuckin dick, you could have warned me".
And Milo was giggling to himself when he heard Baz in stitches, obviously doubled up laughing say.
"You called Poppa a wanker, oh my god I think I just peed myself".
Walking into the lounge with a huge grin on his face, he found Piers' Poppas, with Josef and Carry, enjoying beers and wine.
Getting himself a beer, he spoke to Aly and Bo.
"Piers told me what you did with Vinny, I wanted to add my thanks, it's a definite weight off my mind, you so did good there".
Turning to Jo he said.
"Have you any objection to mulling over an idea I've had, well, I say I've had, but in truth, Piers planted the seeds?".
Jo was intrigued, and nodded.
"I've just done something which I really should have discussed with you, Juan, and Carry first, but it's too late, I've done it, I've offered Vinny a three year apprenticeship with Guardian in I.T., if you guys have any problems with it, I won't be offended, I'll pay back to Guardian to offset the costs, but it's more than that, it gave me the idea, I think we should be putting ourselves out there in a much bigger way, showing our business sector how committed we are to promoting excellence, in effect we should be growing our own employees, getting to them early on, before they get tainted with bad habits, promising an apprenticeship, moulding them to our requirements, would you be interested in hearing more?".
Josef was visibly interested, everyone could see it in his eyes, but he deferred to Carry, who said.
"It's about the most interesting thing I've heard in a long time, I'm definitely interested in hearing more, why don't we adjourn to your office and call Juan, I think this should be explored whilst it's fresh".
Josef smiled, Carry knew he would want his brothers input.
"And there Milo you have your answer, which I couldn't have put better, I'm most definitely interested".
They'd adjourned to Milo and Piers office, inviting Aly and Bo to join them, after all, Aly and Bo still held four percent of the company's shares, to prevent any deadlock in voting.
Milo had called Juan's home office, after texting him to alert him.
Juan had answered the video call looking worried.
"Is Piers okay, what's the matter?".
They'd all realised at that point, how stupid they'd been to not explain why they were calling.
Josef answered his brother.
"Sorry Bro, Piers is fine, that was stupid of us, we only wanted to mull over an idea Milo has come up with, but we thought it would be beneficial to knock it around while it's fresh, and for that I need you in the loop, otherwise I can't form a balanced opinion".
Juan was not only relieved, he was actually glowing, his brother had just validated once again how important his input was when push came to shove.
"Yeah okay, let me grab a beer then you can shoot".
Juan got his beer and Milo outlined almost word for word what he'd said to Jo and Carry, then Josef asked his brother.
"So Bro, not knowing what we answered, what's your take on it?".
Juan was silent for a moment, then he practically gushed.
"First off, I agree to the apprenticeship for Vinny, if he doesn't prove to be a mini Rick I'll eat my hat, we'll need to get a programme set up for that, but as far as the wider picture goes, all I can say is, hell yes, it's a bloody fantastic idea, it not only puts us streets ahead of the opposition, like Milo said, it gives us the ability to train our future employees without the annoying errors they pick up working for lesser, crappy organisations, the same irritating errors we then have to eradicate, that's if we can, otherwise they're no good to us, so I'm definitely in favour".
Josef summed it up for Juan's benefit.
"So Milo, you have a unanimously agreed interest from all of us, you won't be surprised Bro, to know Carry and I were of the same opinion, but as I said, I needed you onboard to balance it out, I vote we allow Milo to flesh this out, and to that end I'll stay here for the next month, I'll deal entirely with running Guardian here and in Christchurch, Milo, you concentrate on whatever Piers needs and flesh out a plan to put this idea into action, we'll set a date in four to five weeks for you to tell us what you envisage, does that sit okay with everyone?".
They'd agreed it was okay and said goodnight to Juan before ending the call.
Milo was excited by the project, as was Piers when Milo told him about the seed he'd planted.
Piers came home with strict instructions, no physical exertion, no agitation, rest and relaxation only, and he knew he had to comply, the episode after he got angry with his Poppas still haunted him.
On about the seventh day after Piers came home, Judge Warwick paid them a visit.
It was a Sunday, Vinny was managing a cookout, Baz and Pil were delivering food to the family sitting in the shade chatting with Piers, who was being good and relaxing on a lounger.
When the gate security staff rang to say someone was requesting entry their housekeeper Mrs Findlay answered it, and immediately approved entry, after welcoming Judge Warwick into the main lounge, she almost ran to tell Milo and Piers.
Everyone was intrigued as Milo went off to receive their visitor.
"Your Honour, this is an unexpected pleasure, we're having a cookout, will you join us?".
Judge Warwick was almost laughing.
"Milo, I'm Your Honour when I'm behind the bench, but believe it or not, I am actually human, I'm William, or preferably, Bill Warwick outside court, and I'd love to join you, if you think you have enough to go around".
Now it was Milo's turn to laugh.
"Vinny manages the cookouts, and he cooks enough for the community, though you would never know it unless you saw the housekeeping bills, because these kids treat eating as an Olympic event, whatever he produces they see it as their mission to demolish, come on, I'll get you a cold drink, then you can meet the family that are still here".
Leading him across the lawn to where everyone was relaxing in the shade, Milo made the introductions.
"Everyone, I'd like to introduce, His Honour Judge Warwick, or as he prefers to be called outside court, Bill Warwick, either way he's our hero, the man who took four orphaned kids, along with two guys, and made a family, and in our book it takes a lot to beat that, Bill this is Aly and Bo Bowles-Cruz, Piers parents, Josef and Carry Caswel-Thorn, they are two of the three owners of Guardian Security Services, I think you know everyone else, Vinny, would you get Bill a plate please, though he was worried you might not have enough?".
Vinny laughed.
"Like there's ever going to be a shortage when I'm cooking, one plate coming up sir".
They chatted before Vinny returned with a loaded plate.
"Enjoy sir, it's a real privilege to cook for you, come visit more often".
The judge was smiling as Vinny walked away.
"That boy only has to open his mouth and I want to smile, so tell me Piers, I heard about your accident, are you on the mend?".
Piers was genuinely pleased to see the judge, and it was evident in his response.
"I am Bill thank you, but it makes me even happier to see you, I'd echo what Milo said, you gave us a wonderful gift, and we can never thank you enough".
The judge asked a little more, making Piers suspicious.
"And how long before you're back to full health?".
Piers reply this time surprised everyone except Bill.
"A few more weeks, and I'm guessing that's what you're most interested in, because this isn't a strictly social call is it?".
The judge smiled, and blushed a little, aware Piers had sussed him out.
"I knew from watching in court you had your finger on every pulse, the way you directed Vincent, and held a conversation with Milo at the same time, I admit, you caught me out".
Piers smiled before asking.
"It's another child isn't it?".
The judge nodded.
"A boy, Jessie Clarke, I think he's in Barry's class at school, mother and father are junkies and drug dealers, just been sentenced to twenty five years each, no parole possible for at least twenty years, it involved drugs obviously, but there's a whole lot of other really bad things as well, the boy is a mess emotionally, he's shy, quiet, almost introverted, never known affection, been used to looking after and providing for himself all his life, now he's facing a life in the State Orphanage, too old to be wanted by adopters, and a family history no one wants to be associated with anyway".
Piers was looking at Milo, who smiled, and said.
"Your call, I'm with you whatever".
Piers asked Bill.
"Can I ask Baz about the boy, or would it be breaking any privileges?".
The judge looked directly at Piers.
"Go ahead".
Piers asked that everyone leave him for a few minutes, and he asked Milo to send Baz to him.
Vinny, Baz, and Pil were doing their usual, cleaning the grill when Milo asked Baz to go speak with Poppa Piers.
By the time he got to Piers, Baz was almost crying.
"What did I do Poppa, was it the swearing, I'm sorry, I won't do it again I promise".
Piers almost broke into tears.
"Baz, calm down, it's nothing you've done, though I might be asking about the swearing later, but for now I need your help, do you know a boy called Jessie Clarke?".
Baz's head snapped up.
"Jezz, yes he's my pal, is he okay, I know there's something going on but he keeps everything to himself, he's really quiet?".
Piers needed more.
"Describe him, in your own words, good, bad, everything you can".
Baz was puzzled, but he did as his Poppa requested.
"Well first off, there's no bad, he's my friend, I sort of run protection for him, some of the bigger kids try to push him around, call him names, because of his parents, they're not nice people, he doesn't have a very good home life, never has money, most days I buy his lunch, well, no that's not strictly true, he won't let me buy him lunch, so I get far too much for myself and he'll accept the leftovers, I just make sure there's enough leftovers to give him a decent meal, he has a lot of accidents, always turning up with bruises, I think his parents hit him a lot, he's honest, clever, why are you asking this Poppa, is he okay, if he's hurt I want to see him?".
Piers could see Baz getting upset.
"Baz, he's not hurt, now do something for me, go get Poppa Milo and the judge for me, and son, not a word of this to your brothers please".
Milo and Bill Warwick joined him, sitting back down as Piers said.
"He sounds like a kid who's had a crap deal all his life, Baz likes him, looks out for him, and it seems Baz feeds him everyday with an extraordinary version of trickery, the boy won't take charity, so Baz buys far too much and the boy accepts the leftovers, according to Baz, there's no bad to this boy, honest, clever, really quiet, beaten by his parents on a regular basis".
Piers stopped talking and looked at Milo, who grinned.
"Yes Piers, yes, yes, let's see if we can improve his life in every way".
Piers turned to Bill Warwick.
"I can't do a court visit for weeks yet, I'm not a fool, the doctors have told me my limits, but if you could grant us temporary foster parents status for the time being, we want him, and if he eventually wants us we'll start the official process as soon as I'm able, but, and this is a deal breaker, the boys have to agree".
Bill was about to answer, but Piers stopped him.
"There's another problem, I've been advised I'm likely to be charged in relation to the accident, it was entirely my fault, I was distracted, it means I will have a criminal record, I wouldn't pass the adoption checks, I'm sorry to throw all of this at you Bill, but I couldn't in all conscience raise the boys hopes then dash them".
Bill finally answered.
"Trust me Piers, speak to the boys, you won't have a criminal record".
Well it was a done deal as soon as Baz heard what would happen to his friend if they didn't take him in, he was in tears describing him to Vinny, Pil already knew Jessie and liked him.
Vinny agreed, they should take him in, Pil echoed Vinny's statement, and so it was agreed.
But none of them was prepared for Bill Warwick reaching into his back pocket and extracting two sets of crumpled and folded papers.
"Your temporary foster parents status, call it intuition, and sheer desperate hope, the second set is for you to sign, either agreeing to give up your driving license, or resit you driving test, in exchange no charges will be brought against you".
Piers and Milo laughed, with Piers saying, much to the boys shock.
"You crafty old bastard, I hate driving anyway, so that's no loss, and Milo's already told me he'll break my legs if I go anywhere near the driving seat of another car, so when can we have him?".
Bill Warwick smiled.
"Whenever you want, that paperwork says you've had custody since nine o'clock this morning".
Baz was jumping up and down.
"Can we go get him Poppa, please, he'll be terrified in that place, he can't defend himself?".
Bill, Milo, Vinny, Baz and Pil set off to collect their latest addition.
Jo and Carry sat with Piers while they were gone, and Carry, with tears in her eyes said.
"You really have become your brother's double Piers, still recovering from deaths door and you take on another needy soul, I can't tell you how much I just want to hug you right now".
And she did.
At the State orphanage, Jessie was summoned to the Wardens Office.
He was shocked to see Baz, amongst several others there, he recognised Pil, who he knew from school was Baz's brother.
They'd already agreed, Baz would talk to Jessie.
He wrapped his arm around his friend.
"Jezz, I don't know what you'll think of this but, these are my brothers, Vinny and Pil, you already know my Poppas adopted us, well they want you to come and live with us too, if you want too that is, we, that's my brothers and I, we want it, we reckon it's time you had a life you can be happy about, and believe me my friend, you'll be happy with our Poppas, they're amazing, so what do you say, will you come to live with us, be our brother?".
Jess was staring, not saying anything, then he burst into tears.
Baz, Pil, and even Vinny, pulled him into a joint hug, with Vinny saying.
"Come on now little fella, all you have to do is say yes and you'll be part of a family who will look after you, so is it a yes?".
Jazz looked up to Vinny, and nodded.
"Yes please sir".
Vinny laughed.
"I'm not a sir, hopefully I'm your new big brother Vinny, and I'm really pleased to meet you, let's go get your things together while the adults do the boring paperwork stuff, you're going to love our Poppas".
Jezz's entire belongings consisted of three paper supermarket bags.
Even Vinny had to choke back tears, there was nothing but school clothes, and school books, no personal items, no photos, or prized possessions, the boy must have truly had a horrible life up until that point.
In the car on the way home, Baz sat next to Jezz, with his arm around his friend.
The boy was in complete awe of his surroundings when they arrived, it was as if he had withdrawn even further than usual into his shell, so when Piers suggested they help Jezz pick out a bedroom for himself, Baz objected.
"No Poppa, not tonight, if it's okay with you, Jezz can share my room, then we'll get him setup tomorrow".
Piers saw the pleading look in Baz's eyes.
"If you think that's best son, okay, but Vinny, and Pil, would you take Jezz to hang up his clothes in Baz's closets, Baz can we have a chat?".
As soon as they'd gone, Piers said.
"I saw the look Baz, what is it son?".
Baz knew his Poppa would see, and understand his look.
And he didn't care that the others were listening as he explained.
"He's terrified Poppa, I need to reassure him, he knows me, and he knows Pil a little, the rest is frightening him, and even you have to admit, for a kid who's never had so much as lunch money, to walk into this place, it's a bit daunting, so I figured, we'll have a chat tonight, I'll answer anything he wants to ask, I want to give him some confidence, if he's okay with moving to his own room tomorrow, we'll get him setup, but if he's still unsure, he can bunk in my room until he feels safe, is that okay with you Poppa?".
Piers wanted to leap out of his chair and hug Baz, but unfortunately he couldn't.
"I think I want a hug from my wonderfully thoughtful son, yes it's okay with me, and I see from the look of admiration on your Poppa Milo's face, he will definitely need a hug as well".
In fact, Jezz shared Baz's room for a little over a week before he felt confident enough to move to his own room, at which point Milo announced.
"Shopping day tomorrow, it's officially pimp up Jezz's room day, we need electrical essentials, and those wardrobes, they look like they've been the subject of a garage sale, I expect them to be filled by the end of tomorrow, and we're paying so make the most of it boys".
Piers was sat with Jezz next to him.
"Go with the flow Jezz, there's nothing Poppa Milo loves more than spending on someone he loves, so you boys and I have got it made, don't be fazed by whatever your brothers decide you need, it's a waste of time fighting it, you'll get it anyway".
Jezz had struggled for a while with how his life had changed, when he'd learned about his allowance he'd tried to object only to be told he was allocated exactly the same as his brothers.
But the point where he knew he was accepted happened in a corridor at school.
A senior bully, with five of his henchmen, had Jezz pinned against a wall, when Vinny strode down the hallway, he'd demolished three of the thugs henchmen before separating the bully from Jezz, then stood in front of his brother to address the thug.
"I'm curious, why would you think you can pick on my little brother and not suffer some seriously painful penalty?, because I'm pondering right now how best to hurt you so you'll remember, my brother is not on your radar, that's if you know what's good for you".
Vinny paused, and wrapped his arm around Jezz's shoulder, his other arm shot out grabbing the bully's throat.
"Do I hear your brain saying, he's only here for another couple of months?, well let me introduce you to the younger model of me".
As Vinny let go of the bully's throat he crooked his finger, and Baz appeared.
"This is Baz, another brother, he's number one slot on the wrestling team, he's also Black Belt in Karate, so he's legally obliged to tell you if he feels he's about to hurt you, though in your case, he probably won't, but fear not his friends will swear he did, so just you remember, when I'm gone, he's still here, and he can do everything I can do, except he's a lot quicker, and believe me, he's a whole lot harder, now here's how we see the future, if my little brother Jezz gets grief, it doesn't matter who it comes from, we'll come after you, we'll administer punishment to you, so you'd best get the word around, my little brother doesn't get grief, because that's the only way you're not going to get hurt big style".
Vinny and Pil had then put an arm each around Jezz and walked away, with Vinny saying.
"Complete bunch of pricks, you tell me, Baz, or Pil if anyone tries anything in the future, and Baz will show you some basic self defence moves".
If any of the others had been unsure of Jezz, which they hadn't, Gracie would have put them straight, because she took to him immediately, she'd accepted him as someone she could trust right away, and it wasn't lost on any of the family.
The shopping trip had the expected effect on Jezz, he was overawed, tearful, almost in a full blown panic attack, when Milo had sat with him in a cafe at the Mall.
"Okay, I admit, I love spending when it's for someone who not only needs it, but deserves it, and today son, that happens to be you, you do understand how much we all love you I hope, because we do, and I know you tend to overthink things, but pretty soon we'll be coming to the point where you have to decide if you want us as a family, it won't matter what we want at that point, because that's the point where you get to decide, whether you actually want us, we really hope you do, but at that point it will only be your decision, and whatever you decide, we have to accept it".
If the shopping trip had blown his mind, receiving two cards almost sent him into a panic, one was a debit card which held his monthly allowance, the other a credit card which had a five thousand Aus dollar limit, for buying presents, or essential items like school equipment for sports etc.
Piers was passed as fit for work after five weeks, but the warning about not getting agitated remained in place, his doctors told him it might be another three months before they could say that threat had passed.
Milo had worked well on the plan to offer apprenticeships, he had it all but completed a week earlier than the five weeks Josef had allocated him.
Speaking to both Josef and Carry after dinner on the day he'd finally completed his presentation, he said.
"You guys might be pleased to hear I've got the project nailed down, so, if you want to go home early, I'm okay to take on Guardian Aus and NZ, but I did want to say a massive thank you, you have both been an absolute god send to Piers and I these last few weeks".
In a conference video call just a few days later he'd fleshed out the two levels of apprenticeship interaction he envisioned:
12 to 16 year olds: An Interactive Programme to be offered in schools to both male and female pupils. An Interactive Programme to be offered through T.A. Regiments to both male and female members. Juan also wanted them to consider offering the program to Homeless Charities, there were a lot of youngsters out there who existed only in the shadows, he felt it would be good if only a few found a way to improve their lives.
It would be an interactive program designed to get them thinking how Guardian wanted them to think, intelligently, outside the box, without any hint of complacency, before the offer of a guaranteed apprenticeship program of 3 years, which would commence from 16 years of age onwards, and with the chance of an additional advanced management program of 1 year for anyone rated highly enough.
Milo's recommendation was for the 12 to 16 bracket to have a set number of modules, each would be capable of adding credits toward their Academic term and year end score.
He'd consulted with the Department of Education and Training, and received positive responses for a formal program to be offered throughout the nations schools.
There would also be a series of field trips, designed to enhance understanding of each module.
16 or 17 to 20 year olds: A three year apprenticeship, with an additional advanced management program of 1 year if they rated highly enough, to be offered through all Recruitment Offices, both Government and private companies.
The apprenticeship would consist: 1 year based in Sydney, Melbourne, or Peth, Australia. 1 year based in Christchurch, NZ. 1 year based in Torremolinas, Spain. The final 1 year advanced management program could be anywhere around the world, or may include multiple destinations at Guardian's discretion.
There would be three areas of training available:
IT & Intel Control Operatives Field Operatives
Candidates would be free to select whichever course they preferred, but would have to accept if Guardian personnel recommended an alternative, in which case they could opt to do only the course recommended by Guardian personnel, or, if they felt up to the challenge, could do both courses, that would be a personal decision.
When a clearly nervous Milo presented his plan to Josef, Juan, and Carry, it was received with both enthusiasm and congratulations.
Josef had agreed it was a project he wanted to be operational within nine months, so that it could be included in the National Curriculum of the following years term start, to that end, he agreed to appoint a project team to put Milo's plan into action.
Just as Milo was about to terminate his part in the conference call, Josef said.
"Milo, could you hang on for a few minutes, I need to discuss something with Juan and Carry, we'll be as brief as possible, I'm just going to mute you whilst we do it".
Milo was baffled, but he waited patiently, though it was only about ten minutes before they came back live to him.
"Thanks for holding Milo, our discussion was about what we feel you should be awarded for not only coming up with this gem of an idea, but also for researching it and gaining Department of Education and Training approval, this is possibly the biggest and best leap forward Guardian has ever experienced, it has the potential to raise us so far above the competition, they may just as well pack their bags now, and it's all down to you, and so, as of the next 1st of month, Juan will contribute five percent from his shareholding, Carry and I will contribute two and a half percent each from our holdings, so, as of 1st of the new month, you will become a ten percent owning partner in Guardian Security Services".
There was silence, they wondered if Milo were still there, until after a few moments he spoke, in a very croaky voice.
"I ... I ... Well ... I don't know what to say, it's a bit overwhelming, thank you, thank you".
It was Carry that answered.
"No Milo, it's our turn to thank you, you've given us something that has the potential to grow this company in a way none of us foresaw, it has the potential to increase the company turnover dramatically, and the calibre of our employees should improve above anything we could ever have hoped for, so take the offer, now go tell Piers, Partner".
Milo came off the call in an absolute fog, questioning whether he'd dreamt it, then shaking himself, of course he hadn't dreamt it, and he rushed off to tell Piers.
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Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.