This Was a Man (The Clifton Chronicles 7)

“Action stations. She’s heading toward us.”

Seb and Sam went on chatting as a tall, elegant young woman passed their table.

“Well, I like her style,” said Sam.

“What do you mean?”

“Men are all the same. They just look at a woman’s legs, figure, and face, as if they’re in a meat market.”

“And what does a woman look for?” asked Seb defensively.

“The first thing I noticed was her dress, which was simple and elegant, and definitely not off the peg. Her bag was stylish without screaming a designer label, and her shoes completed a perfect ensemble. So I hate to disabuse you, Seb, but as we say in the States, that’s one classy dame.”

“Then what’s she doing with Victor?”

“I have no idea. But like most men, if you see a friend with a beautiful woman, you immediately assume the worst.”

“I still think it would be best if we slip out unnoticed.”

“I’d much rather go over and say hello to Victor, but if you—”

“There’s something I haven’t told you. Victor and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms at the moment. I’ll explain why once we’re back in the car.”

Seb stood up and navigated a circuitous route around the restaurant, avoiding Victor’s table. When the maître d’ opened the front door for Samantha, Seb slipped him a five-pound note.

“So what is it I ought to know about?” asked Sam, once she’d climbed into the car and taken the seat next to him.

“Victor’s angry because I didn’t make him chief executive.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Sam, “but I can understand how he felt. Who did you appoint as CEO?”

“John Ashley,” said Seb, as he turned into Piccadilly and joined the late-night traffic.

“Why?”

“Because he’s the right man for the job.”

“But Victor’s always been a good and loyal friend, especially when you were down.”

“I know, but that’s not a good enough reason to appoint someone as the CEO of a major bank. I invited him to be my deputy chairman, but he took umbrage and resigned.”

“I can understand that,” said Sam. “So what are you doing to keep him on the board?”

“Hakim flew over from Copenhagen to try and get him to change his mind.”

“Did he succeed?” asked Sam as Seb halted at a red light.

* * *

Giles was dashing out of the chamber to keep an appointment when he saw Archie Fenwick standing outside his office. He didn’t slow down.

“If it’s about the government’s proposed grain subsidies, Archie, could you make an appointment? I’m already late for the chief whip.”

“No, it isn’t,” said Archie. “I came down from Scotland this morning in the hope you might have time to discuss a personal matter.” Code for Freddie.

“Of course,” said Giles, who continued on into his office and said to his secretary, “Make sure I’m not disturbed while I’m with Lord Fenwick.” He closed the door behind him. “Can I get you a whisky, Archie? I even have your own label,” he said, holding up a bottle of Glen Fenwick. “Freddie gave me a case at Christmas.”

“No, thank you. Although you won’t be surprised that it’s Freddie I’ve come to talk to you about,” said Archie, sitting down on the other side of the desk. “But remembering how busy you are, I’ll try not to take too much of your time.”