‘Mr Prendergast to see you,’ said Miss Potts, standing aside to allow the banker to enter the managing director’s office.
‘It’s good of you to come all this way,’ said Hugo. ‘I’m sure you’ll appreciate why I didn’t want to discuss such a highly confidential matter at the bank.’
‘I quite understand,’ said Prendergast, who had opened his Gladstone bag and extracted a thick file even before he’d sat down. He passed a single sheet of paper across the desk to Mr Barrington.
Hugo checked the bottom line, before settling back in his chair.
‘Just to recap, if I may,’ said Prendergast. ‘You put up a capital sum of five hundred pounds, which allowed Mrs Clifton to purchase the business known as Tilly’s, a tea shop on Broad Street. The agreed contract was for the full amount, plus compound interest at five per cent per annum, to be paid back to the principal within a period of five years.
‘Although Tilly’s managed to declare a small trading profit in Mrs Clifton’s first year and again in her second, there was never a large enough surplus for her either to pay the interest or to return any part of the capital sum, so at the time of the fire, Mrs Clifton owed you ￡572 16 shillings. To this sum I must add bank charges of ￡20, making a grand total of ￡592 16 shillings. This, of course, will be well covered by the insurance payout, which means that while your investment is secure, Mrs Clifton will be left with virtually nothing.’
‘How unfortunate,’ said Hugo. ‘May I ask why the final sum doesn’t appear to include any charge for services rendered by Mr Casey?’ he added after studying the figures more closely.
‘Because Mr Casey has informed the bank that he will not be submitting any bills for his services.’
Hugo frowned. ‘At least that is one piece of good news for the poor woman.’
‘Indeed. None the less, I fear she will no longer be able to cover her son’s fees at Bristol Grammar School for next term.’
‘How sad,’ said Hugo. ‘So will the boy have to be removed?’
‘I’m sorry to say that’s the inevitable conclusion,’ said Mr Prendergast. ‘It is a great shame, because she dotes on the child, and I believe she would sacrifice almost anything to keep him there.’
‘A great shame,’ repeated Hugo as he closed the file and rose from his chair. ‘I won’t keep you any longer, Mr Prendergast,’ he added. ‘I have an appointment in the city in about half an hour. Perhaps I can give you a lift?’
‘That is most kind of you, Mr Barrington, but it won’t be necessary. I drove myself over here.’
‘What do you drive?’ Hugo asked as he picked up his briefcase and headed towards the door.
‘A Morris Oxford,’ said Prendergast, quickly stuffing some papers back into his Gladstone bag and following Hugo out of the office.
‘The people’s car,’ said Hugo. ‘I’m told that, like you, Mr Prendergast, it’s very reliable.’ Both men laughed as they walked down the stairs together. ‘Sad business, Mrs Clifton,’ said Hugo as they stepped out of the building. ‘But then, I’m not altogether sure I approve of women getting involved in business. It’s not the natural way of things.’
‘I quite agree,’ said Prendergast, as the two men came to a halt by Barrington’s car. ‘Mind you,’ he added, ‘you could not have done more for the poor woman.’
‘It’s kind of you to say so, Prendergast,’ said Hugo. ‘But despite that, I’d be obliged if my involvement could remain strictly between the two of us.’
‘Of course, sir,’ said Prendergast as the two men shook hands, ‘you can rely on me.’
‘Let’s keep in touch, old fellow,’ said Hugo as he climbed into his car. ‘I have no doubt I’ll be calling on the bank’s services again.’ Prendergast smiled.
As Hugo drove towards the city, his thoughts returned to Maisie Clifton. He had dealt her a blow from which she was unlikely to recover, but he now intended to deliver the knockout punch.
He drove into Bristol wondering where she was at that moment. Probably sitting her son down to explain to him why he would have to leave BGS at the end of the summer term. Had she even for one fleeting moment imagined that Harry might be able to continue his studies as if nothing had happened? Hugo decided that he wouldn’t raise the subject with Giles until the boy told him the sad news that his friend Harry would not be returning to BGS to join him in the sixth form.
Even the thought of his own son having to go to Bristol Grammar School still made him pulse with anger, but he had never let Elizabeth or his father know the real reason Giles had failed to get a place at Eton.
Once he’d driven past the cathedral, he continued across College Green before turning into the entrance of the Royal Hotel. He was a few minutes early for his appointment, but he was confident the manager would not keep him waiting. He pushed his way through the revolving doors and strolled across the lobby, not needing to be told where Mr Frampton’s office was.
The manager’s secretary leapt up the moment Hugo entered the room. ‘I’ll let Mr Frampton know you’re here,’ she said, almost running into the adjoining office. The manager appeared a moment later.
‘What a pleasure to see you, Mr Barrington,’ he said, ushering him into his office. ‘I do hope you and Mrs Barrington are both well.’ Hugo nodded and took a seat opposite the hotel manager, but didn’t shake hands.
‘When you asked to see me, I took the liberty of checking over the arrangements for your company’s annual dinner,’ said Frampton. ‘Just over three hundred guests will be attending, I understand?’
‘I have no interest how many guests are attending,’ said Hugo. ‘That isn’t the reason I came to see you, Frampton. I wish to discuss a private matter that I find most distasteful.’
‘I’m very sorry to hear that,’ said Frampton, sitting bolt upright.
‘One of our non-executive directors was staying at the hotel on Thursday night, and the following day he made a most serious allegation that I feel it is my duty to bring to your attention.’
‘Yes, of course,’ said Frampton, rubbing his sweating palms on his trousers. ‘The last thing we would want to do is annoy one of our most valued customers.’
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ said Hugo. ‘The gentleman in question checked into the hotel after the restaurant had closed and went into the Palm Court in the hope of being provided with some light refreshment.’
‘A service I myself instituted,’ said Frampton, allowing himself a strained smile.
‘He gave his order to a young lady who appeared to be in charge,’ continued Hugo, ignoring the comment.
‘Yes, that would be our Mrs Clifton.’
‘I’ve no idea who it was,’ said Hugo. ‘However, as she was serving him with a cup of coffee and some sandwiches, another gentleman entered the Palm Court, made an order and asked if it could be sent up to his room. The only thing my friend recalls about the man was that he had a slight Irish accent. My friend then signed his bill and retired for the night. He rose early the following morning, as he wished to have breakfast and go over his papers before the board meeting. When he came out of his room he observed the same woman, still dressed in her hotel uniform, leaving room 371. She then walked to the end of the corridor, climbed through the window and out on to the fire escape.’
‘I’m absolutely appalled, sir. I . . .’
‘The board member concerned has requested that whenever he comes to Bristol in the future, he should be booked into another hotel. Now, I don’t wish to appear prudish, Frampton, but the Royal has always been somewhere I’ve been happy to bring my wife and children.’
‘Be assured, Mr Barrington, the person concerned will be dismissed immediately, and not supplied with a reference. May I add how grateful I am that you have brought this matter to my attention.’
Hugo rose from his place. ‘Of course, I wouldn’t want any reference made to me or the company should you feel it necessary to dismiss the lady in question.’
‘You can be assured of my discretion,’ said Frampton.
Hugo smiled for the first time. ‘On a happier note, may I say how much we’re all looking forward to the annual dinner, which no doubt will be up to your usual high standard. Next year we’ll be celebrating the company’s centenary, so I feel sure my father will want to push the boat out.’ Both men laughed a little too loudly.
‘You can rely on us, Mr Barrington,’ said Frampton as he followed his client out of the office.
‘And one more thing, Frampton,’ said Hugo, as they walked across the foyer. ‘I’d rather you didn’t say anything to Sir Walter about this. My father can be a little old-fashioned when it comes to such matters, so I think it’s best kept between ourselves.’
‘I couldn’t agree more, Mr Barrington,’ said Frampton. ‘You can be assured I shall deal with the matter personally.’
As Hugo pushed his way back through the revolving doors, he couldn’t help wondering just how many hours Mitchell must have spent at the Royal before he was able to supply him with such a priceless piece of information.
He jumped back into his car, switched on the engine and continued on his journey home. He was still thinking about Maisie Clifton when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He experienced a moment of blind panic as he turned around and saw who was sitting on the back seat. He even wondered if somehow she’d found out about his meeting with Frampton.
‘What do you want?’ he demanded, not slowing down for fear that someone might see them together.
As he listened to her demands, he could only wonder how she was so well informed. Once she’d finished, he readily agreed to her terms, knowing that it would be the easiest way of getting her out of the car.
Mrs Clifton placed a thin brown envelope on the passenger seat next to him. ‘I’ll wait to hear from you,’ she said.
Hugo put the envelope in an inside pocket. He only slowed down when he came to an unlit alley, but didn’t stop until he was certain no one else could see them. He leapt out of the car and opened the back door. When he saw the look on her face, it was clear she felt she’d more than achieved her purpose.
Hugo allowed her a moment of triumph, before he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her as if he was trying to remove an obstinate apple from a tree. Once he’d left her in no doubt what would happen if she ever bothered him again, he punched her in the face with all his strength. She collapsed to the ground curled up into a ball, and didn’t stop shaking. Hugo thought about kicking her in the stomach but didn’t want to risk being witnessed by a passer-by. He drove away without giving her another thought.