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‘So, do you want to go home or get a cup of tea here at the cafe?’ asked Maureen after Ron’s CT angiogram.
‘Neither, I want you to drop me at ClinTry. I’ll get a coffee there?’
‘What? You need to go home and take it easy for the rest of today.’
‘I’m not an invalid, Maureen. Stop fussing. God, did you used to pester Hubert like this?’ Ron immediately regretted his words. ‘Maureen, I’m sorry. That was unkind. I’m sorry.’
‘I rather wish you’d got a taxi here,’ she said, her voice wavering. ‘You’ve been impossible all day. Criticising my driving, my parking, getting angry with Christian. I’m fed up with you.’
He grabbed her hand. ‘Sorry, I just don’t like hospitals. My hand hurts like hell where they inserted the cannula, bloody useless nurse.’
‘Look, there you go again, moaning about people. What do you think it’s like for me worrying about your heart and whether you are going to keel over?’
‘I don’t deserve you,’ said Ron. ‘Look, let’s go home and have some tea. I’m starving as well. Then I’ll phone Christian and I promise not to get annoyed.’
Maureen smiled. ‘That’s better. But I’m warning you, one comment about me driving too slowly or waiting at a red light and I’ll turf you out of the car and you can walk the rest of the way. Or get a bus!’
Ron gave her a peck on the cheek and realised he’d overstepped the mark. He knew that he could be a bad-tempered old bugger but he just liked to feel in control and suddenly after a period of stability at ClinTry a problem had once again reared its head.
**
Matt and Brett were meeting once more with Hilary Worksop. Since Ian’s revelation about the FCA investigation or more specifically from OPBAS it had been a very tense time whilst they heard back from their accountants and sought legal advice.
‘So, the bottom line,’ said Brett, ‘is that Lovesey and Hawkes completed all the due diligence on Jake Marsfield to the letter of the law.’
‘Yes, but OPBAS reckon they didn’t investigate the directors of the shell company set up by Theo Henchard, if they had been more thorough, they might have had their suspicions.’
‘True, that’s where they fell foul of the FCA. However, their previous record of compliance is exemplary.’
‘It could still be a stumbling block for us as we make a case to ensure the University continues with an interest,’ said Hilary.
‘Our solicitor says that Lovesey and Hawkes will bear the brunt of any fine issued. However, they might try to pass on some of the blame to us.’
‘What happens then?
‘Well, it might be beneficial if we agree to share the cost. As a gesture of goodwill to ensure we still get charged good rates by them. Some sort of out of court settlement, shall we call it, might be the best option for both of us,’ suggested Brett.
‘Will they appeal?’
‘They could but I don’t think it’s advisable. It’s best just to pay up because losing an appeal would cost them more.’
‘Will our name be cited as well?
‘They are going to try to ask that PersCure is kept out of the press.’
‘Will they succeed?’
‘Not sure.’ said Brett, shrugging.
‘What sort of fine are we talking about?’
‘Well, that’s not such good news.’
‘So, how much?’
‘Around fifty grand. That’s the estimate. There are specific ways they calculate it depending on the amount of money involved and so on.
‘Oh, God, that much?’
‘Well, the worst case is that we split it fifty-fifty and I think it’s best to just pay it and draw a line under the whole thing. Then we can move on.’
‘I see,’ said Hilary looking downcast.
‘It’s just been unfortunate. Surely there aren’t too many like Jake Marsfield around?’ said Brett, positively.
Matt had allowed his friend to do the talking. It never ceased to amaze him how Brett could remain so upbeat in situations like this.
‘Well, I don’t want to sound pessimistic but I’m afraid it’s not strengthened our case for keeping PersCure under the wing of the University.’
‘Well, they are blowing this out of proportion. These things happen all the time in business. It just goes to show how detached from reality universities are,’ said Brett.
‘And that includes me, does it?’ retorted Hilary.
Matt realised it was time to intervene. ‘I think what Brett is trying to say is that the University shouldn’t focus on this one issue and forget all the positives of being associated with a promising treatment for glioblastoma. That’s what we must remember.’
‘I agree, they shouldn’t focus on it but in this age of financial constraints everyone is bidding for their slice of the pie and bad publicity will be exploited by those who want to promote themselves at the expense of others. Bits of gossip like this are always leaked. It’s quite cut-throat here, despite you imagining that everyone is so naïve,’ she said, looking at Brett.
‘Well, there’s not much more we can do, in the end, it’s their choice. It will be their loss,’ said Brett.
‘Well, I’ll let you know if I hear anything. I don’t think the date has been set for the final decision. I’ll keep you posted.’
‘Perhaps we could have a coffee sometime,’ Brett asked Hilary.
‘I’m a bit busy,’ she said, avoiding his gaze.
The two men left her office.
‘I think she’s gone off you,’ joked Matt.
‘Nonsense, she’s just playing hard to get. She won’t be able to resist my charm for long. She’ll be contacting me, you’ll see.’
**
Ron and Maureen were taking tea on the terrace overlooking the garden and his mood was now much calmer after his bad temper at the hospital.
‘I’ll send the invitations out next week then,’ said Maureen. ‘It’s a bit of a formality really as we know who is coming but people like to get an official invitation.’
‘Fine, they look lovely by the way. Thirty-one is the final number?’ said Ron.
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘I can’t believe it’s so soon. It can’t come quickly enough for me.’ He took hold of her hand and kissed it.
‘Well, no more grumpy moods like this morning,’ she said, slapping him lightly on the chest. ‘I’ll book that Bassini string quartet, next. They’ve sent through a suggestion of music which they think is appropriate. Do you want to see it?’
‘No, it’s OK, you deal with that,’ Ron looked at his watch. ‘Right, I’ll go and phone Christian, see you later.’
‘Please try not to get too agitated,’ implored Maureen.
‘Scouts’ honour!’ said Ron. ‘I’ll be a good boy.’
Maureen smiled then opened her notebook with her wedding plans. Everything was coming together and her outfit which was undergoing minor alteration should be ready for fitting next week. She hoped everything would go to plan and it would be an elegant and intimate occasion without any outbursts from her fiancé.
**
Ron listened as Christian made his excuses. He had his angina spray at the ready in case the pain started to grip his chest.
‘So, let me summarise. You think you told this Petra woman that she should use an additional method of contraception but there is no paperwork signed by her to say she understood the instructions.’
‘Yes, I’m sure I explained to her. Her English wasn’t that good but it was adequate.’
‘Well, it was good enough to tell the hospital that she took part in a clinical trial, wasn’t it?’
‘Apparently.’
‘And what is also apparent is that either you didn’t get her to sign all the paperwork properly or you’ve lost it?’
‘It seems so but I can carry on looking. It might have got in another file. It’s possible both the original and a copy has gone off to our external storage facility. I was under a lot of strain at the time.’
‘And now I’m under a lot of strain worrying about your incompetence, isn’t that right?’
‘That’s a bit strong, Ron. We have so much paperwork here and despite being undermanned things have been running well at ClinTry recently.’
‘Yes, they have. I might have known it was too good to be true and it would only be a matter of time before you fucked up.’
‘I have not fucked up. Who was it who insisted that I swap the Phase I participants for your desperate group of non-British nationals? You. All so you could save a bit of money. Don’t forget you forced me. Also, I might add you forced me to be unethical in bumping patients off the Phase II trial.’ Christian realised he’d allowed himself to be needled by Ron. He hoped he’d not gone too far.
‘Have you finished?’
‘Yes, I just thought you were being a bit rude.’
‘I thought you knew I was plain speaking. I don’t beat about the bush.’
‘I had noticed.’
‘Well, we can carry on bitching at each other but that doesn’t do any good, does it?’ He gave himself a spray under his tongue just to be on the safe side. ‘The question is what do we do to cover ourselves?’
‘Well, as I say, I’ll carry on looking for the form.’
‘Don’t bother,’ said Ron.
‘Now, I’m confused.’
‘Please don’t say that,’ said Ron. ‘I don’t like the word confused. Let me un-confuse you, so to speak.’
Christian listened.
‘So, do you have the other forms she signed?’
‘Yes, the consent to the trial is here.’
‘Excellent. So you can forge her signature on the form which you think you might have lost.’
‘What?’
‘Don’t tell me your hearing is failing now as well as your memory?’
‘I heard you, I’m just having trouble taking in what you are telling me to do.’
‘Surely it’s not that difficult. You print off another form, fill it in and practise her signature on a bit of paper until you have it correct and then you sign the form for her.’
There was no comment.
‘Christian? Are you there? Did you hear me.’
‘Yes,’ replied Christian and ended the call.
