Almost a Crime by Penny Vincenzi Read Free Book Online Page A

I
    suggested he talked to Tom.’
    ‘Oh, Dad, why don’t you ring Tom yourself, if it’s
    urgent?’ she said, exasperation raw in her voice.
    ‘You know why. He’s so damn touchy, probably tell me once again I was trying to muscle in on his business.’
    ‘Don’t be silly,’ said Octavia wearily.
    ‘I’m not being silly. You know perfectly well that’s quite
    likely.’
    ‘In that case, what difference will it make if I mention it?’
    ‘Give him a chance to turn it down right away. But ask
    him to ring me about it, would you? It could be very big.’
    God, he was enraging, thought Octavia. Year after year
    this went on, Felix making the simplest, most straightforward
    matter tortuously complex. There was no earthly
    reason why he shouldn’t have suggested to his friend that he
    phoned Tom direct — except that he would have missed yet
    another opportunity to let her know that Tom resented any
    help he might have given him, and that Felix resented that
    in turn.
    ‘I’m sure Tom would be glad to help if he can. And I will
    certainly ask him to ring you. I might not see him tonight
    though.’
    ‘Where is he?’
    ‘Oh, having dinner with some businessmen. In the City.’
    She sighed. Usually she enjoyed her rare evenings alone,
    they gave her a chance to catch up on things, but tonight
    she wished Tom was there. He was so good at allaying her
    anxieties, dismissing her fears.
    ‘Darling, you do sound down. What’s the matter?’
    Suddenly she wanted to tell him about Michael Carlton,
    get his reaction, his advice. ‘You’ve got time?’
    ‘Octavia, of course I’ve got time.’
    She told him: about the lack of a sponsor for Cultivate,
    about the development, about Carlton’s offer, about the
    possible involvement with Foothold.
    ‘Well, the sponsorship side of things doesn’t sound too
    serious. Solves the situation at a stroke, doesn’t it?’ Felix
    said, half surprising her. One of the things she loved best
    about him was that he was always on the side of absolute
    pragmatism — she could trust him to be honest.
    ‘Yes, but, Dad, it puts me in his pocket. Makes me feel
    I’ll have to go along with his horrible development.’
    ‘Well, it shouldn’t. Make it clear you won’t. If that’s
    what he’s after, it’s his problem not yours. As for the other
    charity, let them make their own minds up. They’ll
    probably hate the idea of his development if it’s on their
    own doorstep, but they might not. You don’t have to get
    any more involved than that. What does Tom think about
    it?’
    ‘I don’t know. He went straight off to this dinner.’
    ‘Rather unfair of him, I’d have said,’ said Felix Miller.
    ‘He shouldn’t expose you to that sort of pressure. He relies
    far too much on you. And your good nature. Anyway, is he
    beastly, this Carlton man? I think I recognise the name.’
    ‘Yes, he’s very well known,’ said Octavia, ‘and no, he’s
    not beastly, not really. Although obviously ruthless. And
    tactless.’
    ‘Well, you don’t get to be a big property developer by
    being over-sensitive. You sound so tired, Octavia. Have an
    early night at least. You never relax, don’t see enough of
    those children.’
    ‘Don’t you start,’ said Octavia and put the phone down.
    It rang again immediately. ‘Sorry,’ she said and burst into
    tears.
    ‘Octavia, has someone been getting at you? Is Tom—’
    ‘No,’ she said firmly, ‘no, it’s nothing. I keep telling
    you.’
    ‘All right, we’ll leave it for now. Look, I must go. Work
    to do.’
    ‘And you criticise me for working too hard. How old are
    you, Dad?’
    ‘I’m a very young fifty-nine,’ he said, and she could hear
    him smiling. ‘Take care of yourself. Will I see you at the
    weekend?’
    Octavia hesitated. ‘I’m not sure,’ she said. ‘We’ve got
    some Americans here, needing entertainment.’
    ‘Pity. Got some tickets for the ballet. You’d have
    enjoyed it. Although you’ve probably seen it