This Was A Man by Jeffrey Archer Read Free Book Online

and bargained with the dealers like an East End barrow boy. I wasn’t sure whether to be proud or ashamed of her. And I must confess, I
hadn’t realized spending money could be quite so exhausting.’
    Emma and Giles burst out laughing. ‘You put us both to shame,’ said Emma. ‘I can’t wait to see the collection. But where will you display it?’
    ‘I think I’ve found an ideal house in Trumpington with enough wall space to hang all the paintings, and a large enough garden for the statues to be well displayed. So in future, it
will be my turn to invite you to stay for the weekend. I haven’t closed the deal yet, but I’ve set Sebastian on to the poor estate agents and left him to settle the price. Although I
can’t believe he’ll do any better than Jessica – she’s convinced that my art collection will turn out to be a more lucrative investment than stocks and shares, which she
reminded her father you can’t hang on a wall. He tried to explain to her the difference between “appreciation” and “appreciate”, but he got nowhere.’
    ‘Bravo,’ said Emma. ‘I only hope there’s the odd Monet left over for me, because I’d also intended to ask Jessica’s advice, although to tell you the truth I
still haven’t decided what to do with my windfall. I’ve had three meetings with Hakim Bishara and Seb, but I’m no nearer to making up my mind. Having lost one chairmanship,
I’ve been concentrating on the government’s new NHS reform package and its consequences for the Royal Infirmary.’
    ‘That bill will never see the light of day if Margaret Thatcher wins the election,’ said Giles.
    ‘Amen to that,’ said Emma. ‘But it remains my responsibility to prepare my fellow board members for the consequences should Labour be returned to power. I don’t intend to
leave my successor, whoever he or she may be, to pick up the pieces.’ She paused, before adding, ‘Any other business?’
    From under the table Giles produced magnificent models of the
Buckingham
and the
Balmoral
, along with a bottle of champagne. ‘My dearest Emma,’ he said,
‘Grace and I will be forever in your debt. Without your leadership, dedication and commitment, we would not be in the privileged position we now find ourselves. We will be eternally
grateful.’
    Three tumblers that normally held water were filled to the brim with champagne by Giles, but Emma couldn’t take her eyes off the two model ships.
    ‘Thank you,’ she said as they raised their glasses. ‘But I confess I’ve enjoyed every moment and I’m already missing being chairman. I also have a surprise for you.
Cunard have asked me to join their board, so I too would like to make a toast.’ She rose from her place, and raised her glass.
    ‘To Joshua Barrington, who founded the Barrington Shipping Line in 1839, and made a profit of thirty-three pounds, four shillings and tuppence in his first year as chairman, but promised
the shareholders more.’
    Giles and Grace raised their glasses.
    ‘To Joshua Barrington.’
    ‘Perhaps the time has come for us to celebrate the recent birth of my great-nephew, Jake,’ said Giles, ‘who Seb hopes will be the next chairman but one of Farthings
Bank.’
    ‘Would it be too much to hope that Jake might consider doing something more worthwhile than being a banker?’ said Grace.

5
    ‘H OW GOOD WAS your source?’
    ‘Unimpeachable. And he wrote down what he overheard, word for word.’
    ‘Well, I can’t pretend, chairman,’ admitted Matron, ‘that I haven’t heard rumours of this kind before, but never anything that could be substantiated. The one nurse
who did make an official complaint resigned a week later.’
    ‘What options do we have?’ asked Emma.
    ‘Do you know anything about the nurse, other than the conversation that was overheard?’
    ‘I can tell you that the alleged assault took place in the laundry room on the third floor.’
    ‘That might cut it down to half a dozen