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

“Do tell me, Mr. Bingham, do you always pay for your own fish paste?”

“Always, admiral. That way my staff don’t feel they’re entitled to free samples for their families and friends.”

“Then on any future voyage,” said Emma, “I will always pay for my cabin, and I will never travel free while I am chairman of this company.”

One or two members of the board shifted uneasily in their chairs.

“I do hope,” said David Dixon, “that won’t stop the Barringtons and the Cliftons being well represented on this historic voyage.”

“Most of my family will be joining me on the trip,” said Emma, “with the exception of my sister, Grace, who will only be able to attend the naming ceremony, as it’s the first week of term and she will have to return to Cambridge immediately afterward.”

“And Sir Giles?” asked Anscott.

“That will depend on whether the prime minister decides to call a general election. However, my son, Sebastian, will definitely be coming with his girlfriend, Samantha, but they will be in cabin class. And before you ask, Mr. Bingham, I did pay for their tickets.”

“If he’s the lad who came up to my factory a couple of weeks back, I’d keep my eyes open, chairman, because I have a feeling he’s after your job.”

“But he’s only twenty-four,” said Emma.

“That won’t worry him. I was chairman of Bingham’s at twenty-seven.”

“So I’ve got another three years.”

“You and Cedric,” said Bob, “depending on which of you he decides to replace.”

“I don’t think Bingham’s joking, chairman,” said the admiral. “Can’t wait to meet the boy.”

“Have any former directors been invited to join us on the voyage to New York?” asked Andy Dobbs. “I have Ross Buchanan in mind.”

“Yes,” said Emma, “I must admit that I have invited Ross and Jean to join us as guests of the company. That’s assuming Mr. Bingham approves.”

“I wouldn’t be on this board if it wasn’t for Ross Buchanan, and after what Cedric Hardcastle told me about what he got up to on The Night Scotsman, I think he’s more than earned his passage.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” said Jim Knowles. “But that begs the question of what we do about Fisher and Hardcastle?”

“I hadn’t thought of inviting Major Fisher,” said Emma, “and Cedric Hardcastle has already told me that he feels it might not be wise for him to attend the naming ceremony, following Lady Virginia’s veiled attack on him at the AGM.”

“Has that woman been stupid enough to issue her threatened writ?” asked Dobbs.

“Yes,” said Emma, “claiming both defamation and slander.”

“Slander I understand,” said Dobbs, “but how can she claim defamation?”

“Because I insisted that every word of our exchange was recorded in the minutes of the AGM.”

“Then let’s hope she’s stupid enough to take you to the High Court.”

“Stupid she is not,” said Bingham, “but she is arrogant enough, though I have a feeling that while Fisher is still around to give evidence, she won’t risk it.”

“Can we get back to the business in hand?” asked the admiral. “I could be dead by the time the case reaches the courts.”

Emma laughed. “Was there anything in particular you wanted to raise, admiral?”

“How long is the voyage to New York scheduled to take?”

“Just over four days, which compares favorably with any of our rivals.”

“But the Buckingham is equipped with the first twin-engined diesel motor, so surely there’s a possibility of capturing the Blue Riband for the fastest ever crossing?”