Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less

“Magnificent. They’re my favorite flowers. How much were they?”

“$100,” replied Stephen, without thinking.

Harvey handed over two $50 bills. Stephen retreated, sweating, to join Robin and Jean-Pierre.

James and Anne fought their way through the crowd. No man in the gathering could take his eyes off her.

“Oh Daddy, orchids, how beautiful.” Anne kissed Harvey. “You’ve made this the most wonderful day in my life…”

The Rolls Royce moved slowly down the drive away from the large crowd on its way to the airport, where James and Anne were to catch the flight to San Francisco, their first stop on the way to Hawaii. As the car glided round the house, Anne stared at the empty conservatory and then at the flowers in her arms. James did not notice. He was thinking of other things.

“Do you think they’ll ever forgive me?” he said.

“I’m sure they’ll find a way, darling. But do let me into a secret. Did you really have a plan?”

“I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist asking me that, and the truth is…”

The car purred effortlessly along the highway and only the chauffeur heard his reply.

Stephen, Robin and Jean-Pierre watched the guests dispersing, most of them saying their good-byes to the Metcalfes.

“Don’t let’s risk it,” said Robin.

“Agreed,” said Stephen.

“Let’s invite him out to dinner,” said Jean-Pierre.

The other two grabbed him and threw him into a taxi.

“What’s that you have under your morning coat, Jean-Pierre?”

“Two bottles of Krug dix-neuf cent soixante-quatre. It seemed such a shame to leave them there on their own. I thought they might get lonely.”

Stephen instructed the driver to take them back to the hotel.

“What a wedding. Do you think James ever had a plan?” asked Robin.

“I don’t know, but if he has it will only have to bring in $1.24.”

“We should have retrieved the money he made from his win on Rosalie at Ascot,” mused Jean-Pierre.

After packing and signing out of the hotel, they took another taxi to Logan International Airport and, with considerable help from the British Airways staff, managed to board the plane.

“Damn,” said Stephen. “I wish we hadn’t left without the $1.24.”

Chapter Twenty-One

ONCE ON BOARD, they drank the champagne Jean-Pierre had captured at the wedding. Even Stephen seemed content, although he did occasionally revert to the theme of the missing $1.24.

“How much do you imagine this champagne cost?” teased Jean-Pierre.

“That’s not the point. Not a penny more, not a penny less.”

Jean-Pierre decided he would never understand academics.

“Don’t worry, Stephen. I’ve every confidence that James’s plan will bring in $1.24.”

Stephen would have laughed, but it gave him a headache.