The Fourth Estate

“So, shall we just stand around waiting for the lights to come back on, or shall we go in search of somewhere to sit down?” Keith put out his hand in the darkness, and touched Kate’s hip. “You lead,” she said, taking his hand. He turned in the direction of the bed and began taking small paces toward it, sweeping the air in front of him with his free arm until he eventually hit the corner post. They fell onto the large mattress together, laughing.

“Very fine bed,” said Keith.

“Slept in by many maharajahs,” said Kate.

“And by Lord Mountbatten,” said Keith.

Kate laughed. “By the way, Keith, you didn’t have to buy off the Bombay electricity company just to get me into bed. I’ve spent the last week thinking you were only interested in my brain.”

FOURTH EDITION

Armstrong and Townsend Battle for the Globe

22.

The Times

1 April 1966

LABOR SWEEPS TO POWER: MAJORITY OF 100 ASSURED

Armstrong glanced at a typist he didn’t recognize, and walked on into his office to find Sally on the phone.

“Who’s my first appointment?”

“Derek Kirby,” she said, cupping her hand over the mouthpiece.

“And who’s he?”

“A former editor of the Daily Express. The poor man only lasted eight months, but he claims to have some interesting information for you. Shall I ask him to come in?”

“No, let him wait a little longer,” said Armstrong. “Who’s on the line now?”

“Phil Barker. He’s calling from Leeds.”

Armstrong nodded and took the phone from Sally to speak to the new chief executive of the West Riding Group.

“Did they agree to my terms?”

“They settled for £1.3 million, to be paid over the next six years in equal installments—as long as sales remain constant. But if sales drop during the first year, every succeeding payment will also drop pro rata.”

“They didn’t spot the flaw in the contract?”

“No,” said Barker. “They assumed that you would want to put the circulation up in the first year.”

“Good. Just see that you fix the lowest audited figure possible, then we’ll start building them up again in the second year. That way I’ll save myself a fortune. How about the Hull Echo and the Grimsby Times?”

“Early days yet, but now that everybody realizes you’re a buyer, Dick, my task isn’t made any easier.”

“We’ll just have to offer more and pay less.”

“And how do you propose to do that?” asked Barker.

“By inserting clauses that make promises we have absolutely no intention of keeping. Never forget that old family concerns rarely sue, because they don’t like ending up in court. So always take advantage of the letter of the law. Don’t break it, just bend it as far as it will go without snapping. Get on with it.” Armstrong put the phone down.

“Derek Kirby is still waiting,” Sally reminded him.

Armstrong checked his watch. “How long has he been hanging about?”