Mightier Than the Sword (The Clifton Chronicles 5)

16

“WHAT POSSESSED YOU to do something quite so stupid?” said Virginia.

“I just wanted Robert to know how fair I considered the settlement was.”

“Well, that backfired spectacularly.”

“But I never thought for a moment he’d let go of his beloved company.”

“And I’m not

convinced he has,” said Virginia. “Those two are up to something.”

“Those two?”

“Yes, I should have realized that Sebastian Clifton would have an ulterior motive for being in court. He may have taken me by surprise this time, but he won’t get away with it again.”

“But he’s only a child.”

“A child who is fast gaining a reputation in the City as a whiz kid. And never forget, he’s the son of Emma and Harry Clifton, so he’s not to be trusted.”

“But what’s in it for him?”

“I haven’t worked that out yet, but you can be sure he’s after something. However, we can still stop them both in their tracks if we move quickly.”

“But what can I do, now I’m penniless and homeless?”

“Pull yourself together, Priscilla. You own a company worth fifteen million pounds that only last year declared a profit of over a million.”

“But for how much longer, now Robert’s no longer around to manage it?”

“You needn’t worry about that. I know exactly the right person to take his place. He has considerable experience of management, has served as the director of a public company, and, more important, he’s available at short notice.”

* * *

Sebastian, Bob, and Clive Bingham met in Seb’s office later that morning to discuss what needed to be done next.

“The first part of our plan went smoothly enough,” said Seb. “But it won’t be long before Virginia works out what we’re up to. So we’re going to have to move quickly, very quickly, if we’re to get all the pieces off the chessboard in time.”

“Then I’ll have to drive up to Grimsby this afternoon,” said Bob.

“It can’t be too soon,” said Seb, “because you need to be back in London by tomorrow evening at the latest. I want everyone at Bingham’s, from the management to the factory workers, and all of its customers up and down the country, to think the only reason you’re visiting the factory is to say good-bye to the staff and wish them luck under the new management. Just before you leave, Clive will issue the press statement he’s been working on.”

Clive opened his briefcase and took out two sheets of foolscap paper.

“The statement needs to be short, unequivocal, and to the point,” he said, passing a copy to his father and Seb. “I won’t release it until I know Dad’s on his way back to London, when I’ll send a copy to the Grimsby Evening Telegraph. It’s sure to make the front page. After that, I’ll release it to every business correspondent in Fleet Street.”

Bob read through the statement slowly, and was impressed by what his son had come up with. However, he realized that a lot more needed to be done if the public, and not least Lady Virginia, were to believe he meant what he said.

“And once I’m back in London, what do I do then?”

“Fly to Nice, go straight to the house at Cap Ferrat, and stay put,” said Seb.

“And after that?” asked Bob. “I’ve never lasted more than a few days in the South of France before I was bored out of my mind and had to fly home.”

“Well, you’re going to have to do a lot better than that,” said Clive, “if you’re going to convince the world how much you’re enjoying early retirement, and that you have absolutely no interest in returning to Grimsby.”

“Mind you, most people won’t find that too hard to believe,” said Seb.