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responsibility for developing the construction business.
    Of course I insist my personal contract on the lakeside house be completed before he takes on any other major construction jobs.
    At Gunter’s suggestion we also establish.
OSCADA Airways
    To be developed by Gunter and Estelle. To be funded jointly by the peace movement and OSCADA. The initial base is to be located on the wartime airstrip adjourning the absorbed Caspar depot if it is available. Marcel informs the meeting he is investigating the possibility shortly. Suzanne Caspar the previous owner has agreed to stay on as manager of the transport depot after OSCADA bought her Brothers out. After very intense negotiations with myself and Harry she still retains a third share in the depot. Both Harry and I agree she will be a great asset to the expanded company. Gunter has already sounded Marcel out regarding the design of airstrip buildings. We are now considering how we can utilise the rail spur line.
OSCADA Shipping.
    Initially to be developed by Captain Bob Hawkins and Harry. A warehouse, a dock quay and office to be leased within the dock complex. Three new ships are to be delivered from the German builders over the next three months. These are to be registered in France and manned by French crews. The next three ships we have optionally ordered in a year’s time will be registered in a UK port and manned by British seamen. This will make the company multinational and give us the opportunity to develop road transport in Britain in conjunction with our shipping.
    The meeting continues. There at two other companies associated to OSCADA that is Paul and Yvette’s funeral and wedding service and Louise and Billy’s long distance haulage company. They will be self managed and financed. I realise that Louise and Billy have big decisions to make regarding the inheritance. Louise reports it was their intention to go ahead with their plans regarding the trucks and a garage located in the village but she needs to consult with Billy because of further developments we are aware of.
    Where does this leave me after all the important roles have been allocated? Apart from being chairman I have a watching brief on all aspects of the company.
    I insist on driving whenever I feel the need, much to everyone’s amusement.
    As I have planned to travel to England to sort out personal family matters. It is a relief to hand the day to day responsibility for the running of the company to my able board members.
    All OSCADA business is settled by one o’clock and we break up for lunch. Billy arrives during lunch, after a subtle hint from Alec he moves the truck and trailer from the front car park to the delivery point behind the hotel. He rejoins us for a while then disappears into the billiard room with Louise after she whispers in his ear. Marcel departs to his various projects. Gunter leaves to use the hotel telephone after assuring me he will be available if required. Father Peter agrees to stay close but not attend unless requested. This leaves members of what I consider my family to conduct our own business but not until Yvette and Paul have arrived. Daisy entertains us during the afternoon until we are having afternoon tea when Yvette and Paul enter the hotel. After settling them in dispensing with small talk we get down to the family business. As the tables are still set out in the lounge we used for the board meeting we gather in there. Louise and Billy sit opposite, Billy has a kind of dazed look on his face. Yvette and Paul sit beside each other. Yvette appears impatient. I open the meeting by explaining Louise has something very important to announce to the family. With that I sit down and turn the meeting over to her.
    Without hesitation she informs us of the death of Raymonde the Marque mostly for the benefit of Yvette and Paul as the rest of us are aware of the situation.
    Yvette interrupts Louise impatiently complaining. “Surely you could have told us this news on the