Chapter Sixteen

 Grandmother and her daughter-in-law approached the steps of Raimon's house.

 "Oh please, do we have to see these two?"  Maria protested.  "I'm sure they'll only gloat over my misery."

 "Not while I'm around they won't," Grandma insisted, ringing the bell.
 
 

 "Well, my brother really did leave you in a pickle, didn't he?"  Raimon said, after Maria had told him about the scare she had been through earlier.

 "I won't hear anyone speak ill of the dead!"  Grandma interrupted, giving her eldest son a stern look.

 "Sorry Mother, it won't happen again," Raimon replied, sheepishly.  Then turning to Maria he asked:

 "Have you still got the letter you received this morning?"

 "Yes, it's here in my bag."

 "May I see it?"

 "Of course," Maria confirmed, handing it to him.

 Raimon read it through slowly and said:

 "They're bluffing."

 "I wouldn't call tonight's little episode a bluff!"  Grandmother objected.

 "Oh, they meant to scare her, right enough, but they won't go any further," Raimon predicted, confidently.  "They wouldn't stay in business if they ever did anything so crude."

 "Do you mean you are not going to lend her the money to get out of this mess?"  Grandmother said, leaning in towards her son.

 "Certainly not," Raimon replied, bluntly.  "The money was owed by Josep, not his family.  With his dea... departure the obligation to repay ends.  Or that's the way I would play it.  Besides, as I have explained to you, things are a bit tight for me at the moment."

 For the first time in almost twenty minutes Elvira spoke:

 "Raimon's got his problems too you know, don't think you're the only one.  Now, take his advice and be strong Maria.  Stand up to these thugs!"

 Maria wanted to burst out in tears, but she wanted even more to maintain her composure in front of Raimon and Elvira.

 "Well, thank you for hearing me out," she said.  "I'm glad we've cleared up the financial picture.  Er, I hope you solve your problems, whatever they are and-"

 "Well I never!"  Grandma interrupted.  "I knew you were mean son and I knew you were pretty ruthless, God knows you have to be to survive in business these days, but I cannot believe that you could be so cruel.  Huh!  If Maria means nothing to you, remember that Marta and Xavier are your own flesh and blood!"

 Raimon looked ashamed, but defied her:

 "Look Mother, I know how this may look, but I am convinced that no harm will come to the children.  Really, it's just an unpleasant bluff!"

 "Well, if anything does happen to them, I'll never forgive you for as long as I live and-"

 "I don't think it is any good appealing to his conscience Dolores," said Maria, getting up.  "I really don't think he has got one.  So, come on, we've outstayed our welcome here."
 
 

 When they had gone Elvira turned to her husband saying:

 "How can you be so sure that these toughs are bluffing?  She'll be taking an awful risk if-"

 Raimon interrupted her:

 "Did you see the name on the letter head?"

 "No, why?"

 "The Friendly Loan Company!  It's one of my financial fronts in Barcelona.   I'll ring Enrique in the morning and tell him to take the heat off her."

 "Will that mean writing off the debt?"

 "Not necessarily, she might find some other way to cough up!"  Raimon suggested.  "Now, whose turn is it to make cocktails?"