Chapter 21 The coach

Jasper sat nervously in Ben’s office waiting to go in. He had his mother with him, who had dressed up for the occasion in almost every piece of jewellery that she owned. Jasper thought that she was trying to look like she had lots of money — although why you would want to look wealthy to the person who you needed money advice from was beyond him!

Ben came out and greeted them both with a firm handshake. Jasper introduced his mother with a wink. Ben gave her a warm smile. ‘Lovely to meet you, Isobel,’ he said. ‘You have quite a son.’

‘Tell me about it,’ she replied drily, and Jasper winced.

They walked into Ben’s office, and his mother looked around the room curiously. ‘Do you know David Koch from Sunrise?’ she asked.

‘No, I’m afraid I don’t, Isobel,’ Ben replied solemnly.

‘He knows an awful lot about finance. I expect you would listen to him. And Ross Greenwood on Channel 9.’

‘They are commentators, Mum, not advisers,’ said Jasper for at least the tenth time that week. He had asked her not to bring it up in front of Ben — and it was the first thing that came out of her mouth.

‘They are very popular, I know,’ said Ben reassuringly. Many clients he saw took what they read in the papers and saw on TV as the gospel. What they had never done, usually, was get specific financial advice for their situation. Jasper’s mother seemed pleased with Ben’s response, and sat back in her chair. She was very interested to see what Jasper was going to tell Ben. His plans ...

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