“I think that’s the finance director’s department, not mine,” said Hurst.
“It most certainly is,” said Michael Carrick, coming in on cue. “The company’s overall position,” he said, looking down at his pocket calculator, which the admiral had already dismissed as a newfangled machine, “is that our turnover is three percent up on this time last year, and that’s despite a substantial loan from Barclays to make sure that we don’t miss any payments during the building phase.”
“How substantial?” demanded Maynard.
“Two million,” said Carrick, not needing to check the figure.
“Can we afford to service such a large overdraft?”
“Yes, Mr. Maynard, but only because our cash flow is also up on last year, along with increased bookings on the Buckingham. It seems the current generation of seventy-year-olds are refusing to die, and have rather taken to the idea of an annual cruise. So much so that we have recently introduced a loyalty program for customers who’ve taken a holiday with us on more than three occasions.”
“And what does membership entitle them to?” asked Maurice Brasher, Barclays’ representative on the board.
“Twenty percent off the price of any voyage as long as it’s booked more than a year in advance. It encourages our regulars to look upon the Buckingham as their second home.”
“What if they die before the year is up?” asked Maynard.
“They get every penny back,” said Emma. “Barrington’s is in the luxury liner business, Mr. Maynard, we’re not undertakers.”
“But can we still make a profit,” pressed Brasher, “if we give so many of our customers a twenty percent discount?”
“Yes,” said Carrick, “there’s still a further ten percent leeway, and don’t forget, once they’re on board, they spend money in our shops and bars, as well as the twenty-four-hour casino.”
“Something else I don’t approve of,” muttered the admiral.
“What’s our current occupancy rate?” asked Maynard.
“Eighty-one percent over the past twelve months, often a hundred percent on the upper decks, which is why we’re building more staterooms on the Balmoral.”
“And what’s breakeven?”
“Sixty-eight percent,” said Carrick.
“Very satisfactory,” said Brasher.
“While I agree with you, Mr. Brasher, we can’t afford to relax,” said Emma. “Union-Castle are planning to convert the Reina del Mar into a luxury liner, and Cunard and P&O have both recently begun construction on ships that will carry over two thousand passengers.”
There followed a long silence, while members of the board tried to take this information in.
“Is New York still our most lucrative run?” asked Maynard, who hadn’t appeared particularly interested in the other directors’ questions.
“Yes,” said Hurst, “but the Baltic cruise is also proving popular—Southampton to Leningrad, taking in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki.”
“But now we’re launching a second ship and, considering how many other liners are already on the high seas,” continued Maynard, “do you anticipate any staffing problems?”
Emma was puzzled by the number of questions Maynard was asking. She was beginning to suspect him of having his own agenda.
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” said Captain Turnbull, who hadn’t spoken until then. “Barrington’s is a popular line to work for, especially with the Filipinos. They remain on board for eleven months, never leaving the ship and rarely spending a thing.”
“What about the twelfth month?” asked Sebastian.
“That’s when they go home and hand over their hard-earned cash to their wives and families. Then they report back for duty twenty-eight days later.”
“Poor blighters,” said Brasher.
“In truth, Mr. Brasher,” said Turnbull, “the Filipinos are the happiest members of my crew. They tell me they’d far rather be with the Barrington line than spending twelve months out of work in Manila.”
“What about the officers? Any problems there, captain?”
“At least six qualified men apply for every available job, admiral.”
“Any women?” asked Emma.
“Yes, we now have our first woman on the bridge,” said Turnbull. “Clare Thompson. She’s the first mate, and proving damned effective.”
“What has the world come to?” said the admiral. “Let’s hope I don’t live to see a woman prime minister.”
“Let’s hope you do,” said the chairman, gently chiding her favorite director, “because the world has moved on, and perhaps we should too.” Emma looked at her watch. “Any other business?”
The company secretary coughed, a sign that he had something he needed to tell the board.
“Mr. Webster,” said Emma, sitting back, aware that he was not a man to be hurried.
“I feel I should inform the board that Lady Virginia Fenwick has disposed of her seven and a half percent shareholding in the company.”
“But I thought—” began Emma.