This Was a Man (The Clifton Chronicles 7)

“For better or worse.”

“Worse in that particular case.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt you, but I only wanted to know the meaning of the word ‘martinet.’”

“Ignore Giles,” said Karin. “He’s always the same just before a major debate, especially when his sister’s involved.”

“Can I come and watch?” asked Freddie.

“Depends which party you’re going to support,” said Giles.

“The party that convinces me it has the better policy.”

“That’s original,” said Karin.

“Perhaps now’s not the time to tell you that I’ve joined the Young Conservatives,” said Freddie.

“You’ve done what?” asked Giles, reeling back and clinging onto the mantelpiece.

“And it gets worse.”

“How can it possibly get worse?”

“We’ve just held a mock election at school, and I stood as the Tory candidate.”

“And what was the result?” demanded Giles.

“You don’t want to know.”

“He not only won by a landslide,” said Karin, “but he now wants to follow in your footsteps and become a Member of Parliament. Just a pity he won’t be sitting on your side of the House.”

A silence followed that few government ministers had ever managed to impose upon the Rt. Hon. the Lord Barrington of Bristol Docklands.

* * *

“When Mr. Kaufman arrives, Tom, would you ask him to drop into my office before the board meeting?”

“Of course, sir,” said the doorman, as he saluted the chairman.

Seb made his way quickly across the lobby to the lifts. Although eight hadn’t yet struck, when he stepped out at the top floor, John Ashley and Arnold Hardcastle were already waiting for him in the corridor.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” said Seb, striding past them and into his office. “Please, have a seat. I thought we should discuss tactics before Victor arrives—assuming he does arrive. Let’s start with you, John. Any further news?”

Ashley opened a file that was becoming thicker by the day. “The check for £320,000 has been presented. However, Mr. Vaughan has agreed that we needn’t clear it immediately as we’re still within the settlement period.”

“That’s considerate of him,” said Seb, “but then we have been a reliable customer for many years. What do you think we should do, John, if Victor fails to turn up?”

“Call in Barry Hammond and instruct him to track Victor down wherever he is, because I’ve no doubt he’ll also find the girl there too.”

“That has its own risks,” suggested Arnold.

“Outweighed, in my opinion,” said John, “by the consequences of allowing her to milk Victor dry.”

“An unfortunate metaphor,” said Seb, checking his watch. “He’s cutting it fine.”

There was a gentle tap on the door and all three of them looked up expectantly. The door opened and Rachel entered the chairman’s office.

“Some of the directors have already arrived and are waiting for you in the boardroom,” said his secretary as she handed a copy of the agenda to Seb.