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

“I can’t wait to hear it,” said Arnold.

“Simple really. I shall build a factory in France, employ locals and then distribute my superior product without having to bother with customs officials.”

“The French will work out what you’re up to.”

“I’m sure they will, but by then everyone will be like Cedric and want a Sony radio in their front room. I can’t afford to miss my plane, but first I’d like a word in private with my new partner.” Arnold shook hands with Morita before he and Sebastian left the room. “Cedric,” Morita said taking the seat on the other side of the chairman’s desk. “Have you ever come across a man called Don Pedro Martinez? He came to see me after the show last night, along with a Major Fisher.”

“I only know Martinez by reputation. However, I have met Major Fisher, who represents him on the board of the Barrington Shipping Company, where I also serve as a director.”

“My view is that Martinez is a thoroughly nasty piece of work, while Fisher is weak, and I suspect dependent on Martinez’s money to keep afloat.”

“You worked that out after only one meeting?”

“No, after twenty years of dealing with such men. But this one is clever and devious, and you should not underestimate him. I suspect that for Martinez, even life is a cheap commodity.”

“I am grateful for your insight, Akio, but even more for your concern.”

“May I beg a small favor in return before I leave for Paris?”

“Anything.”

“I would like Sebastian to remain the link between our two companies. It will save us both a lot of time and trouble.”

“I only wish I could grant you that favor,” said Cedric, “but the boy’s going up to Cambridge in September.”

“Did you go to university, Cedric?”

“No, I left school at fifteen and, after a couple of weeks’ holiday, joined my father at the bank.”

Morita nodded. “Not everyone is cut out for university, and some are even held back by the experience. I think Sebastian has found his natural metier, and with you as his mentor, it’s even possible you might have found the right person to eventually take your place.”

“He’s very young,” said Cedric.

“So is your Queen, and she ascended the throne at the age of twenty-five. Cedric, we are living in a brave new world.”

GILES BARRINGTON

1963

18

“ARE YOU SURE you want to be leader of the opposition?” asked Harry.

“No I don’t,” said Giles. “I want to be prime minister, but I’ll have to do a spell in opposition before I can expect to get my hands on the keys to Ten Downing Street.”

“You may have held your seat at the last election,” said Emma, “but your party lost the general election by a landslide. I’m beginning to wonder if Labor can ever win another election. They seem destined to be the party of opposition.”

“I know it must look like that right now,” said Giles, “but I’m convinced that by the time the next election comes around, the voters will have had enough of the Tories and think it’s time for a change.”

“And certainly the Profumo affair hasn’t helped,” said Grace.

“Who gets to decide who’ll be the next leader of the party?”

“Good question, Sebastian,” said Giles. “Only my elected colleagues in the House of Commons, all two hundred and fifty-eight of them.”

“That’s a tiny electorate,” said Harry.

“True, but most of them will take soundings in their constituencies to find out who the rank and file would prefer to lead the party, and when it comes to Trade Union affiliated members, they’ll vote for the man their union supports. So any shipping union members from constituencies like Tyneside, Belfast, Glasgow, Clydesdale and Liverpool ought to back me.”