WC02 - Never Surrender by Michael Dobbs Read Free Book Online Page A

these. But think of it this way, if I were Prime Minister I would have Winston prowling up and down outside Downing Street. You know how much damage he can cause when things go to his head. So better the tiger inside the cage."
    "With you holding the key."
    "Yes, something like that."
    "Until he has been either tamed or trampled by events," the Queen added. "Nothing lasts for ever in this chaotic world, Edward. Your turn will come."
    Halifax nodded diffidently in the manner of all Englishmen confronted by their own ambition.
    "Oh, Winston!" Elizabeth uttered the name in exasperation, and without affection. "He will cause problems, you know he will. Always has."
    "And already is," Halifax responded. "Wants Beaverbrook back."
    "What?" Elizabeth exclaimed. She neither liked nor trusted Max Beaverbrook, a Canadian emigre who had spent a long life charting a career through some exceptionally murky waters. He had been a Cabinet Minister during the last war, was now a peer and the immensely powerful owner of the Express newspaper group, and would for ever be an incorrigible conspirator. In his time he had schemed against both Churchill and the present Royal Family; it appeared that Churchill was far more ready to forgive him than was the Queen.
    "Wants to put him in charge of aircraft production," Halifax added for detail.
    "He.must be stopped," Elizabeth insisted. "Beaverbrook is incapable of responsibility. Remember .. ." She waved her hand in exasperation. There was so much to remember from Beaverbrook's long career, not least his unflagging public support for her despicable brother-in-law, the abdicated Edward.
    The King, less voluble, was nevertheless shaking his head. "No, no, it won't do. I must write to Winston immediately."
    "Yes, hobble his horse," the Queen insisted.
    Halifax swallowed deep, calculating. Should he mention the other matter? But he was exhausted by the events of the last few days and no longer trusted his own judgement. Instead he allowed base instinct to rule and to stir the Prime Minister's pot.
    "He also wants Bracken as a Privy Councillor."
    "No!" Elizabeth once more led the objections, more vehement than ever. "Bracken as part of the King's own private council? That we cannot have." Membership of the Council was an exceptional honour reserved for the most senior in the land, not a jumped-up Irish adventurer. She hooked her arm through her husband's and clasped him tightly, as if they both required an extra measure of support. "Those men around Mr. Churchill," she exclaimed, 'are not gentlemen."
    "I fear the government is being given over to gangsters," Halifax muttered miserably. He knew that both the King and Queen believed it to be largely his fault.
    They wandered on in silence, skirting the lake, passing beyond rhododendrons that were raising flower-drenched branches in seasonal triumph, until Elizabeth turned to her husband, as always wishing to share his burden when he appeared distressed. "A penny for those thoughts of yours, my dear."
    The King seemed startled for a moment, dragged back from distant troubles. "I was thinking, well .. . like you, how very much I had wanted Edward for the job. And then worrying just a little how can I put it? About us and the Germans. That our gangsters may not be as good as theirs."
    It was beyond midnight when Churchill's private detective, Inspector Thompson, ushered the woman into Churchill's study. Churchill was busy writing a letter and didn't look up. Without being asked, Thompson refilled his master's glass, then offered a drink to the woman. With a curt shake of the head, she declined. Thompson left, closing the door behind quietly him.
    Only then did Churchill raise his eyes.
    "Didn't know if you would come."
    "Didn't want to. But your private policeman waved his warrant card. You know we Germans are helpless in the face of authority."
    Ruth Mueller was around fifty with a thin, elegant face that had worn well and fading blonde hair trimmed severely at