The Brothers Wolfe by Steve Hawke

Author:Steve Hawke
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fremantle Press
Published: 2023-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

32 · Perth, August 1983

The WIN prospectus is formally launched at a whizz-bang lunch event attended by two test cricketers, four footy stars and a swathe of ‘Perthonalities’, as The West Australian likes to call them. Even Elliot is somewhat abashed at the use of this phrase, but it is all grist to the mill. There is no upfront cash involved for the celebrities – but dirt-cheap options to purchase WIN shares at nominal prices to demonstrate their belief in the company don’t hurt.

He doesn’t even bother inviting Athol to the launch. But Mum and Dad are there. She is in her element, working the room like a pro, and exclaiming her pride. She has splashed out on a new dress and a revamped hairstyle that have her looking years younger, he reckons. Bloody Dad just sits at his table like a dormouse, but at least he doesn’t do anything out of order.

The event is covered on the television news, and the sports and social pages, as well as the business sections. The buzz is happening.

And the result is spectacular. ‘The most successful launch of a new public company in Perth in the last five years’ is one verdict, and not in Brody’s paper.

A big early buyer who gets things moving on the Monday morning of the share market debut is a company called Lost World Holdings.

Elliot’s eye had kept on returning to the valuation Val had put on the Northbridge block. Three and a half times what he had notionally paid for it. It just seemed stupid not to capitalise on the opportunity. Another loan facility, secured against the block. A serious amount of free money. Three shuffles got that cash into Lost World Holdings.

A strategic series of purchases starting at 10am on the Monday sent his own effective holding back over the fifty percent mark, not that it was apparent, and sent the cash value of the shares the mug punters were scrambling for well over the analysts’ predictions.

The celebration that night at the function room WIN has hired and decked out is riotous. Except for Mitzi, who stays in her seat at the main table, sips only occasionally at her wine, and watches him work the room. The grin never leaves his face as he mingles, speechifies, slaps backs and accepts handshakes and congratulations.

When the band strikes up and he returns to the table to take her hand for a dance, she withdraws it and murmurs that she has a headache.

‘You stay, mon chéri,’ she says. ‘I will find my own way home. Enjoy yourself.’

He leans in to peck her cheek. ‘I will.’

And so he does.

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