by Helena Hewston
Juamba Maybee closed down his computer and giving a cursory glance around the room t checked it was in state suitable for the cleaner to attend to in the evening.
He picked up his brief case, left the office and made his way along the corridor to the office of his friend Matsumi Jacobs, who was doing much the same.
"Ready for this evening's meet up at the Sadium" he inquired.
"Yup, Looking forward to it and Talluah is too. Been a while since we were out together, It will make a better evening than watching TV, still eat pizza though. Just going to drop off this file with Charlie for the archive before we leave."
With that he too gathered up his coat, briefcase and the file and joined Juamba in the corridor.
In reception he passed the file to Charlie."B
est file this under Goldlands Ltd. Mr. Mountdella will be back next week to sign the contract and I'd better just go over it one more time before he does. You wouldn't believe it but he is still insisting in dealing in guineas and I will have to make sure the conversions match."
Charlie nodded in understanding. "Some clients are sent to try us but it's all part of the service Mr. Jacobs. And our reputation as the best firm in the city dealing with conveyancing."
"What are you having to do extra for that guy?""It's
a land purchase out in West Africa. Mr. M is buying land from a Frenchman who is resident in the capital Conakry. The old boys network is involved here. But Mr. Mountdella is wanting to do gold mining there and he know the area having been brought up there as a child. Quite involved with checking for money laundering and all the other legal stuff., but interesting too. I know we deal with conveyancing all the time but these off shore transactions need much more attention to detail. Hell to pay if we have anything wrong and HMRC is always checking. You came from there too didn't you?"
"Yes and no. My parents came to Britain years ago and I came as when a toddler. I went to school here. We've been back a few times. It is very beautiful if you keep away from the mines."
"What is making it more complicated?"
"Well as you know guineas are no longer legal tender in Britain but out in French Guinea where the deal is being done it is legal tender. So I've got to think in French as well as English and in the money conversions. It is still worth one pound and five pence. "
"Rather you, than me. You need a break to keep your mind clear, so lets make sure we have a good night out, tonight. "
Whilst taking a break at the greyhound racing that evening the conversation returned to work and Matsumi lightheartedly joked about having more winnings. Well they could next go to Newmarket where the 2000 guineas and the 1000 guineas were being run in May. By then the Mountdella deal would be over and they could relax and have some fun.
Back in chambers the pair suggested the venture to the rest of the staff and it was with excitement that they went with their family members and other friends to the home of British racing. Juamba and Matsumi did a fair bit of google searching to be prepared for a grand day out, including what to wear, which thrilled the ladies in the party and was an excuse for a new outfits. There was the question as to whether the prize money was in guineas to which Matsumi replied that it was not. There was prize money but a trophy was now awarded. Also the betting was in legal tender and that was the relevant bit. They would have their winnings in cash, there and then. They also looked up the Form of the Horses involved so that they could place what they hoped would be better bets.
There is nothing like a flutter on the horses and it was easier to think some of their bets were as a result of Mr. Mountdella's bonus to the firm.
The day was bright and dry. The ladies looked stunning and the company was easy. They arrived in good time for the preliminary races and were soon placing bets. Juamba had an eye for a good horse and they joked about him leaving the firm and starting up as a professional gambler. He said, with a wry smile " I'll think about it."
There was much to see from the paddocks and stands and to watch the tictac bookies, on the tote,change the odds. The racing was the really exciting bit as the noise of the crowd increased when the horses came to finishing strait and then the winning horse being escorted by mounted police, officials, owners, trainers and grooms to the winners enclosure and given its sash and had buckets of water poured over it. Grinning faces about a job well done, every muscle and sinew strained to bring success.
The group waited for the trophy ceremony before going to find a seat in a refreshment tent where their excitement was infectious. They toasted their winning horses, Mr. Mountdella, themselves and spoke what ever came to mind.
"We must do this again, and soon, the women want to wear their finery again."
"Ladies Day at Ascot in June would be good. How about it?"
" Did you know, solicitors were once paid in guineas. That extra shilling, now a mere five pence was added, it is said, to cover administration fees at setting up the employment contract."
"And did you know in Great expectations , Miss Haversham paid 25guineas for pip to be apprentices as a solicitor."
Such was the chatter and Juamba revealed, in a quiet moment to his friend "When I started High School and was asked where I came from I told them Guinea in West Africa from then on I was had the monica "Guinea Pig" I do not mind Guinea but the pig bit was not nice. As people say "Kids can be cruel."
"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. The old coin is in the past and not legal tender but it has given us a grand day out and that is what we will remember."
My research was through Google looking up articles starting with Wikipedia and moving on to Royal Mint, Oreate and McTear auctioneers, before exploring the links about British Racing at Newmarket. I ignored the auctioneering aspect as the the story had a word count constraint. I wanted there to be a good introduction, setting the scene before the main part of the story and I wanted a light finish with a slight twist and humour. The Charles Dickens reference was provided by my friend, Robert Kennedy