Be Careful What You Wish For (The Clifton Chronicles 4)

SEBASTIAN OPENED THE door to allow Mr. Morita and his two colleagues to enter the chairman’s office.

As he walked across to greet them, Cedric felt tall for the first time in his life. He was just about to bow when Mr. Morita thrust out his hand.

“I’m delighted to meet you,” said Cedric, shaking hands while preparing to bow a second time, but Morita turned and said, “May I introduce my managing director, Mr. Ueyama.” He stepped forward and also shook hands with Cedric. The chairman would have shaken hands with Mr. Ono too, if he hadn’t been clutching a large box in both hands.

“Do have a seat,” said Cedric, trying to get back on script.

“Thank you,” said Morita. “But first, it is an honorable Japanese tradition to exchange gifts with a new friend.” The private secretary stepped forward and handed the box to Mr. Morita, who passed it to Cedric.

“How very kind of you,” said Cedric, looking faintly embarrassed as all three of his visitors remained standing, clearly waiting for him to open the gift.

He took his time, first removing the blue ribbon, so carefully tied in a bow, and then the gold paper, as he tried to think of something he could give Morita in return. Would he have to sacrifice his Henry Moore? He glanced at Sebastian, more in hope than expectation, but he was looking equally embarrassed. The traditional exchange of gifts must have been covered in one of the few lessons he’d missed.

Cedric removed the lid from the box, and gasped as he gently lifted out a beautiful, delicate vase of turquoise and black. Sebastian, standing at the back of the room, took a pace forward, but said nothing.

“Magnificent,” said Cedric. He removed a bowl of flowers from his desk and put the exquisite oval vase in its place. “Whenever you come to my office in future, Mr. Morita, you will always find your vase on my desk.”

“I am greatly honored,” said Morita, bowing for the first time.

Sebastian took another step forward, until he was only a foot away from Mr. Morita. He turned to face the chairman.

“Do I have your permission to ask our honored guest a question, sir?”

“Of course,” said Cedric, hoping he was about to be rescued.

“May I be allowed to know the name of the potter, Morita-san?”

Mr. Morita smiled. “Shoji Hamada,” he replied.

“It is a great honor to receive a gift crafted by one of your nation’s living national treasures. Had the chairman known, he would have offered a similar gift by one of our finest English potters, who has written a book on Mr. Hamada’s work.” All the endless hours of chatter with Jessica were finally proving useful.

“Mr. Bernard Leach,” said Morita. “I am fortunate enough to have three of his pieces in my collection.”

“However, our gift, selected by my chairman, although not as worthy, is nevertheless given in the same spirit of friendship.”

Cedric smiled. He couldn’t wait to find out what his gift was.

“The chairman has obtained three tickets for tonight’s performance of My Fair Lady at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. With your permission, I will collect you from your hotel at seven o’clock, and escort you to the theater, where the curtain rises at seven thirty.”

“One cannot think of a more agreeable gift,” said Mr. Morita. Turning to Cedric, he added, “I am humbled by your thoughtful generosity.”

Cedric bowed, but realized this wasn’t the time to let Sebastian know that he’d already called the theater, only to be told it was sold out for the next fortnight. A languid voice had informed him, “You can always join the queue for returns,” which was exactly what Sebastian would be doing for the rest of the day.

“Do have a seat, Mr. Morita,” said Cedric, trying to recover. “Perhaps you would like some tea?”

“No, thank you, but if possible, a cup of coffee.”

Cedric thought ruefully about the six different blends of tea from India, Ceylon and Malaya he’d selected at Carwardine’s earlier in the week, which had all been rejected in a sentence. He pressed a button on his phone, and prayed that his secretary drank coffee.

“Some coffee, please, Miss Clough. I do hope you had a pleasant flight,” he said after he’d put the phone back down.

“Too many stopovers, I fear. I look forward to the day when you can fly from Tokyo

to London non-stop.”

“What a thought,” said Cedric. “And I hope your hotel is comfortable?”

“I only ever stay at the Savoy. So convenient for the City.”