“I am going to offer you one percent of the new company, in other words one share.”
Simon didn’t comment, feeling confident Ronnie still hadn’t finished.
“Aren’t you going to ask?” said Ronnie.
“Ask what?” said Simon.
“You politicians get dumber by the minute. If I am going to offer you a one-pound share, how much do you think I am going to demand in return?”
“Well, I can’t believe it’s going to be one pound,” said Simon, grinning.
“Wrong,” said Ronnie. “One percent of the company is yours for one pound.”
“Will that be sufficient, sir?” said the carver, putting a plate of beef in front of Simon.
“Hold it, Sam,” said Ronnie before Simon could reply. “I repeat I’m offering you one percent of the company for one. pound; now ask your question again, Sam.”
“Will that be sufficient, sir?” repeated the carver.
“It’s most generous,” said Simon.
“Did you hear that, Sam?”
“I certainly did, sir.”
“Right, Simon, you owe me a pound.”
Simon laughed, removed his wallet from his inside pocket, took out a pound note, and handed it over.
“Now the purpose of that little exercise,” said Ronnie, turning back to the carver and pocketing the note, “was to prove that Sam here isn’t the only person who could make a quid for himself this afternoon.” Sam smiled, having no idea what Mr. Nethercote was talking about, and placed a large plate of well-done beef in front of him.
Ronnie took out an envelope from his inside pocket and passed it to Simon.
“Do I open it now?” asked Simon.
“Yes—I want to see your reaction.”
Simon opened the envelope and studied its contents. A certificate for one share in the new company with a true value of over £10,000.
“Well, well, what do you say?” said Ronnie.
“I’m speechless,” said Simon.
“First politician I’ve known who’s ever suffered from that problem.”
Simon laughed. “Thank you, Ronnie. It’s an incredibly generous gesture.”
“No it’s not. You were loyal to the old company, so why shouldn’t you prosper with the new one?”
“That reminds me, does the name ‘Archie Millburn’ mean anything to you?” asked Simon.
Ronnie hesitated. “No, no, should it?”
“Only that I thought he might be the man who convinced Morgan Grenfell that you were worth bailing out.”
“No, that name doesn’t ring any bells. Mind you, Morgan Grenfell have never admitted where they obtained their information from but they knew every last detail about the old company. But if I come across the name Millburn I’ll let you know. Enough of business. Fill me in on what’s happening in your world. How’s your lady wife?”
“Deceiving me.”